"A completely new trade fair"
Packaging Mavex - the trade fair for material flow and packaging - starts in Basel on May 11.
Packaging Mavex - the trade fair for material flow and packaging - starts in Basel on May 11.
WW: The Swiss packaging market has reacted rather hesitantly to the new trade fair concept. Dorothée Kössler: Based on the visitor and exhibitor surveys after the last events in 2001, it was clear that we had to react. We have merged specialist areas, eliminated overlaps and thus created synergies and made the target groups more homogeneous. Mavex is therefore not a redesign of an existing product, but a completely new trade fair with new content and a new name. New things first have to establish themselves. In addition, the industry is in a difficult economic situation.
With companies such as Model and SIG, the big names in the Swiss industry are missing from Mavex, and there are also gaps in the packaging materials.
As a Swiss trade fair, Mavex provides access to the Swiss market. For the companies mentioned, this is often no longer the most important market, so a trade fair presence in this market takes a back seat. Each supplier decides where to focus its market presence based on its strategic orientation.
Does this mean that the Swiss market is only interesting for niche players?
The domestic market is still important because of the large food industry. But the potential is much smaller than in Germany, for example. Accordingly, companies choose different market development tools.
What innovations can visitors expect?
We make the Mavex website available to exhibitors to present their new products. Unfortunately, not all exhibitors make use of this. You have to bear in mind that, according to surveys, visitors want to see new products first and foremost. Which additional target groups do you want to address with the realignment of the trade fair?
Compared to the 2001 events, the new concept does not address any additional target groups. However, combining the in-house topics of packaging and material flow in one event is more attractive for visitors. Remember that in medium-sized and small companies in particular, one person is responsible for both topics. The accompanying events are intended as an additional incentive to visit the trade fair. It is particularly important for product managers to see and understand the interplay between technology and design. As the person responsible for a product, they need to know what is technically feasible despite all the creativity.
pharmapack is on the program as an accompanying offer. The motivation for this is probably much more the location advantage than the creativity of this industry.
On the contrary: the pharmaceutical packaging sector is one of the most innovative in the industry. The technical production requirements, standards and regulations are much stricter and more detailed than in other sectors. Added to this are issues of user-friendliness and safety - for senior citizens and children alike. If you want to remain attractive despite these diverse requirements and regulations, innovation is essential.
WorldStar AwardsThe World Packaging Organization has been presenting its annual WorldStar Awards since 1970. The prestigious prize for outstanding packaging solutions is awarded in various categories. This year, the award ceremony will take place at Mavex. The jury will select 143 winners from several hundred entries from 30 countries. The winner of the President's Award will be announced at the award ceremony in Basel. The award-winning packaging will be exhibited during Mavex. In 2003, four entries received the President's Award - including SIG Combibloc, Germany. (la)
Dorothée Kössler, Exhibition Director Mavex
Interview: Luca Aloisi
WW: The Swiss packaging market has reacted rather hesitantly to the new trade fair concept. Dorothée Kössler: Based on the visitor and exhibitor surveys after the last events in 2001, it was clear that we had to react. We have merged specialist areas, eliminated overlaps and thus created synergies and made the target groups more homogeneous. Mavex is therefore not a redesign of an existing product, but a completely new trade fair with new content and a new name. New things first have to establish themselves. In addition, the industry is in a difficult economic situation.
With companies such as Model and SIG, the big names in the Swiss industry are missing from Mavex, and there are also gaps in the packaging materials.
As a Swiss trade fair, Mavex provides access to the Swiss market. For the companies mentioned, this is often no longer the most important market, so a trade fair presence in this market takes a back seat. Each supplier decides where to focus its market presence based on its strategic orientation.
Does this mean that the Swiss market is only interesting for niche players?
The domestic market is still important because of the large food industry. But the potential is much smaller than in Germany, for example. Accordingly, companies choose different market development tools.
What innovations can visitors expect?
We make the Mavex website available to exhibitors to present their new products. Unfortunately, not all exhibitors make use of this. You have to bear in mind that, according to surveys, visitors want to see new products first and foremost. Which additional target groups do you want to address with the realignment of the trade fair?
Compared to the 2001 events, the new concept does not address any additional target groups. However, combining the in-house topics of packaging and material flow in one event is more attractive for visitors. Remember that in medium-sized and small companies in particular, one person is responsible for both topics. The accompanying events are intended as an additional incentive to visit the trade fair. It is particularly important for product managers to see and understand the interplay between technology and design. As the person responsible for a product, they need to know what is technically feasible despite all the creativity.
pharmapack is on the program as an accompanying offer. The motivation for this is probably much more the location advantage than the creativity of this industry.
On the contrary: the pharmaceutical packaging sector is one of the most innovative in the industry. The technical production requirements, standards and regulations are much stricter and more detailed than in other sectors. Added to this are issues of user-friendliness and safety - for senior citizens and children alike. If you want to remain attractive despite these diverse requirements and regulations, innovation is essential.
WorldStar AwardsThe World Packaging Organization has been presenting its annual WorldStar Awards since 1970. The prestigious prize for outstanding packaging solutions is awarded in various categories. This year, the award ceremony will take place at Mavex. The jury will select 143 winners from several hundred entries from 30 countries. The winner of the President's Award will be announced at the award ceremony in Basel. The award-winning packaging will be exhibited during Mavex. In 2003, four entries received the President's Award - including SIG Combibloc, Germany. (la)
Dorothée Kössler, Exhibition Director Mavex
Interview: Luca Aloisi
