Inaugural Edition SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou

China’s launch of SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou was held at the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex from 8 – 11 March 2010. It attracted an estimated 16,715 trade visitors from 40 countries and regions, with 317 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions.

Building on the success of its predecessor, the China (Guangzhou) International Factory Automation and Instrument Exhibition, visitor attendance was up 27% at SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou, according to organizers. The fair was supported by key players including Autotec, Banner, Beckhoff, Baumer, Harting, Hilscher, Kuebler, Lenze, Leuze, Phoenixcontact, SAMD, Schmersal, Sick, Siemens, Toyo and Turck.

“This exhibition has the potential to supply the automation and drives market of the Pearl River Delta and beyond, as such, we have taken our involvement in the show very seriously. Our booth, themed ‘Innovations Drives Productivity’ showcased applications in the field of energy efficiency and safety. Business has been brisk over the fair period, we were kept constantly busy with enquiries from new and existing customers,” observed Mr Benjamin Schroeder, Marketing Communications General Manager of Siemens Ltd (China).

Occupying an area of 180 sqm, GSK CNC Equipment Co Ltd displayed a wide range of IPCs, control systems, assembly equipment and integrated systems. Mr Chen Qi Zhong, Senior Sales Engineer said, “In the future, we will provide even better service for control systems, including server motors and drive systems. And we will focus on the development of integrating automation and robots. The visitor flow of the fair is high. We are very satisfied with the services the organisers provided.”

Turck (Tianjin) Sensor Co Ltd, a supplier of versatile sensors, fieldbus two-way communication systems and interface & connectivity products, thought the show was an excellent platform to launch new products. Ms Zheng Shuai, a representative of Turck (Tianjin) Sensor Co Ltd, said, “This is the first highly specialised automation trade fair of the year, serious buyers attend this event. This made it the ideal platform to introduce our newly launched LI series of Linear Position Sensors. Of all the events we take part in, this is probably one of the best in terms of getting good results.”

First time exhibitor Lenze Drive Systems (Shanghai) Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the German multinational Lenze also took the opportunity to showcase their latest innovation at the show. “SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou is directly targeted to industry professionals, therefore it was the right place to launch our 8400 Highline Inverter Drive System. Whilst here, we were also able to inform our customers and partners of our new regional office in Shenzhen,” noted Ms Channa Chagan, Assistant to the Vice General Manager of Lenze Drive Systems (Shanghai) Co Ltd.

LTW Technology Co Ltd of Taiwan, which specialises in the design and manufacturing of waterproof connectors, was also keen to extend their market presence. Mr Ray Liu, Sales Supervisor, had this to say, “During the fair, we met with a lot of potential new customers from the Pearl River Delta. These were either end-users or original equipment manufacturers that were seeking new vendors for sourcing. Feedback from the show has been good. With this knowledge we will be able to adjust our marketing strategy to increase our share in southern China’s industrial automation market.”

Returning to the show after an absence of three years, Mr Kelvin Kung, Key Account Manager of Renishaw (Hong Kong) was equally enthusiastic about the event. “The organisation of the show has been most impressive, as a result of this, the volume and quality of visitors was significantly improved. You know that when your competitors are out in force that straight away this is the right place to attract serious customers.”

Banner Engineering International Inc is a leading supplier of automation technology and integrated solutions as well as a long-time supporter of the show. “We take part in this event every year, during which time it has developed into the largest automation fair in southern China. The services provided to exhibitors by the organisers and VIP buyer invitations are getting much more professional,” observed Ms Joy Cai, Marketing Manager.

Hefei Bangli Electronic Co Ltd, a local manufacturer of non-standardised automobile electronic products came to the show for electronic solutions. “To counter a shortage of manpower, we are prepared to invest RMB 3 million to upgrade our production line. So far, we have successfully found a number of suppliers of robotic arms and reached an initial cooperation deal with one vendor at the fair to enhance our entire production system,” explained the company General manager, Mr Zhang Xiao Kang.

The exhibit range amazed Shenzhen Sinexcel Electronic Co Ltd, which specialises in solving quality problems of electric energy in the area of harmonic waves. Mr Frank Fang, Marketing Manager, said, “As a supplier of customised power solutions, I came here specifically for sensors, communications blocks and related software. The quality of the show was very high. Many of the products on display incorporated the latest technologies. I am glad that I came and will definitely return next year.”

Mr Darko Sutlr, Managing Director of DMG Electronics was pleased with the diversity of local suppliers. “We thought this show would be a good fit for us given the close association the event has with the German trade fair SPS/IPC/Drives, and it has been. The array of suppliers from China has been most impressive, there are several companies we want to talk to further about electrical components for milling and turning equipment.”

SPS – Industrial Automation Fair also featured a variety of fringe events aimed at different industry sectors. These included the Guangdong Industrial Robotic Summit, Seminar on “European latest Sensor Technology, Application and Development”, the High-end Forum for the Pearl River Delta’s Equipment Manufacturing Industry & Automation Technology Application 2010, and the Green Industrial Innovation Forum.

At the Robotic Summit, Mr Wang Tianmiao, Team Leader of the National 863 Plan Robotics Technology Theme Group, Mr Sun Lining, Deputy Director of National Key Laboratory of Robotics Technology and System and Mr Liu Yihua, Chairman of Guangdong Association of Automation discussed the development and outlook of industrial robotics. The Summit revealed that the technology of industrial robotics is now the benchmark for measuring a country’s manufacturing standard and technology level. The Summit attracted over 300 attendees.

“Our members were delighted with the visitor turnout for the SIAF Sensor Seminar on European Latest Sensor Technology, Application and Development and the discussions that followed. We hope to build on this success next year, with even more of our members exhibiting in the show and participating in the fringe programmes,” noted Mr Reinhold Roesemann, Chairman Advisory Board, AMA Association for Sensor Technology.

The next edition of SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou will be held from 9 – 11 March 2011 at the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex.