CeMAT: VDMA, Intralogistics sector on growth course

The CeMAT has opened. Starting today Tuesday around 1,000 exhibitors at the leading global trade fair in Hannover present their innovations and solutions in the area of intralogistics and supply chain management. Punctually with the trade fair start, the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association is pleased to announce positive business developments.

The German manufacturers of materials handling and intralogistics solutions recorded a good overall start into 2016. In first quarter 2016 the sector booked 4.1 percent more orders in a year-on-year comparison. “There were strong impulses here from Germany as well as the European single market. As things stand today, we can confirm the growth of 3 percent predicted for 2016,” explains Sascha Schmel, Managing Director VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association.

World export champion title remains in Germany
The sector enjoys a high export share. In 2015 German manufacturers exported products and solutions worth € 13.8 bn., 5 percent more than in 2014. So Germany retains its world export champion title in materials handling and intralogistics. And the sector’s global export volume also grew strongly again in 2015 – by 6 percent to an estimated € 75.4 bn.

International and networked
The exhibitors from 44 countries also expect that the trade fair public will be just as international. Under the keynote theme “Smart Supply Chain Solutions” the trade exhibition this year will be focussing on intelligent networking. “Hardly anything else has changed intralogistics over the past few years as much as the Internet. The increasing digitalisation changes products and business models alike. I am very happy that at the CeMAT we are certainly going to see numerous networked or automated solutions and concepts for all areas of application,” says Sascha Schmel.