MEM Industrial 2019 Show Report

The MEM Industrial trade show, which closed its gates in Mexico City’s Centro Citibanamex convention center on 18 January, underscored its reputation as a business platform that delivers for international exhibitors and visitors alike. Over 130 companies and 230 brands from Mexico and around the world exhibited their latest products and solutions on over 10,000 square meters (107,640 sq.ft.) of space.

“Our successful partnership with AMPIMM, the Mexican Association of Wood Industry Suppliers, has given the show a new face and effectively transformed it into a one-stop shop. We have succeeded in turning MEM Industrial into Mexico’s leading industry showcase. This year’s show put the spotlight on machines and accessories and featured a high-caliber conference program.”
Christian Pfeiffer, Deutsche Messe’s Global Director LIGNA & Woodworking Events

“We are delighted that this year’s MEM Industrial was well received by exhibitors and visitors alike,” commented Pfeiffer. “Our efforts taken over the preceding months to align the show with current market requirements have clearly paid off. By partnering with AMPIMM, the Mexican Association of Wood Industry Suppliers, we have been able to create an industry platform which not only showcases machines in action as well as the latest technologies and applications, but which now also features materials, accessories, fixtures and fittings. Our international clients have been showing increasing interest in developing Mexico’s and South America’s fast-growing markets. MEM Industrial is the perfect platform for them because it efficiently matches their offering with local buyers.”

Alejandro Tena, AMPIMM President and Managing Director of Maderas y Plásticos: “This year’s MEM Industrial was a big success in terms of demonstrating its ability to help companies tap into the enormous potential of the Mexican and South American markets. The show is well-structured and perfectly aligned with the needs of the woodworking and timber processing industries. It has the full range of products – everything from machines, panel products and veneers to numerical control systems.”

Over 30 percent of exhibitors at Mexico’s leading trade show for the woodworking and timber processing industries came from outside Mexico, including from countries like Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, China, Taiwan, Columbia and the USA. MEM Industrial’s comprehensive exhibition offering includes woodworking machinery, tools and equipment for custom and mass production, fittings, accessories, materials and panel product and sawmill technology.

Sergio Carrillo, Sales & Operations Manager, STILES Machinery: “The merger of MEM Industrial and AMPIMM means there’s nowa only trade show of this type in Mexico, which is much better for the local market. This year’s MEM Industrial exceeded our expectations. The quality of the trade visitors was outstanding. As a provider of woodworking machinery, the show is perfect for us because it attracts all the right target customers.”

Germany’s national pavilion, which was aptly themed “Made in Germany”, featured a particularly high concentration of cutting-edge technologies as well as key technology trends. It featured exhibits by leading German companies and organizations, including Altendorf, Awuko, Kaeser Kompressoren, the German Forestry Council (KFW), imos AG, Schmalz, Serra, Tigra and Venjakob.

Marc Proulx, Export Manager, Altendorf: “The Mexican market is very important for us. This year’s MEM Industrial really stepped things up. The exhibition stands were much better, and the quality of the visitors was much higher. We were very happy with the run of the show and plan to be back again next year.”

China’s national pavilion also featured high-tech machines and applications from a number of companies, including Tiantai Tianmeida Machinery Co., Ltd and Linyl Lvran Decorative Material Co., Ltd. 2019 marked the second time that China has been represented at MEM Industrial with a national pavilion.
Another highlight was the first-ever University Design pavilion, which was themed “eco & smart” and showcased young Mexican design talent. Industrial and interior design students and graduates from Mexico’s most respected universities used the pavilion to present their design projects and network with industry professionals.

MEM Industrial’s supporting conference program featured top-notch speakers and a series of lectures and training seminars on the latest trends, developments and innovations in the wood and furniture industries. International experts explained the pathway from CNC processing to fully integrated digital factories as well as the latest trends and technologies. During the panel session on day one of the show, experts discussed a variety of topics, including sustainable marketing of wood products. Since many of the speakers came from outside Mexico, attendees were exposed to a wide range of new processes and solutions. They also learned how industry 4.0 technologies are giving manufacturers access to new market opportunities and boosting their global competitiveness.

The 25th MEM Industrial trade show was supported by the Mexican Association of Wood Industry Suppliers (AMPIMM), the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (Eumabois) and the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA).

The show was organized by Hannover Fairs México, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Messe based in Hannover, Germany. Hannover Fairs México was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Mexico City. It also stages a number of other trade shows, including Solar Power Mexico, Industrial Transformation MEXICO and DOMOTEX Mexico.

The next MEM Industrial will run from 22 to 24 January 2020 at the Centro Citibanamex convention center in Mexico City.

Courtesy: Ligna