Whatever the reason, visitor numbers at last month’s Glass Processing & Technology Show were considerably lower than the launch event in November 2003. The subject to audit figure is a disappointing 2,266 compared to 3,760 for 2003.

‘The footfall hasn’t been great but the quality has been excellent’, said Gary Dean, Managing Director of Bohle UK, echoing the sentiments of many exhibitors.

It’s true that many firms appreciated having time to sit down with serious customers rather than run around after time-wasters. GP&T shouldn’t be compared to Glassex, which is a bit of catch-all for the windows sector.

A large part of the NEC’s Hall 1 was curtained off, and the size of the show was a bit of a disappointment. While the major machinery manufacturers were represented, many of the downstream processors and installation companies could have been sold into shell scheme stands to make the exhibition 20 per cent bigger.

Bohle has already committed to the same size stand and location for the next show in 2007, and many others indicated that they are very keen for GP&T to work. The third GP&T exhibition has been announced: 22-24th May 2007 in Hall 1 of the NEC Birmingham.

There will be a full review of GP&T next month.

Source

Glass Age