Successful appearance at Samoter 2008
Successful appearance at Samoter 2008
On the 9th March 2008, with a new record of over 100,000 visitors, the international construction machinery show, Samoter, came to an end in Verona. But it was not just the show organisers who drew positive indicators from this. For Hirschmann Automation and Control, too, this most important industry event was a positive success. The company’s appearance at the show, which for the first time took place on its own stand which was run by the Italian branch, led to the closing of two new dealer contracts. Above this, valuable customer contacts were established which open attractive perspectives for the future.
Samoter is the second most important construction machinery show in Italy, after SAIE in Bologna and is enjoying continuous growth. The increasing importance of the show can be seen not just in the numbers but also in the quality of the visitors. So it was not just high ranking representatives of international companies from the field of machinery manufacture who were present, but also a noticeably higher number of specialist international journalists. Over and above this, it was particularly the decision makers from Eastern Europe and Asia who were present in greater numbers. This created excellent conditions for opening up new markets.
Two new partners and further contacts for future business
Altogether there were 1,026 exhibitors from 36 countries who presented innovative products. Amongst these was Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH which was celebrating its successful premiere at the show with its own stand. Both for the Italian and also for the international market, significant contacts with potential customers from our target group were established, pointing to new business in the future. Of particular significance in this respect was the conclusion of dealer contracts with two new Italian partners, Centro Soldera Autogru and Parenti, which clear the path for Hirschmann Automation and Control to important decision makers from various OEM organisations.
Using new market opportunities
Franco Riva, Area Sales Manager of the Business Unit Electronic Control Systems of Hirschmann Automation and Control in Italy, expressed his satisfaction with the excellent levels of cooperation with the colleagues who had come from Germany for the show. Thus, the opportunity could be used at Samoter to conduct a fruitful dialogue with Italian customers. But there was also a further, positive aspect to this – conversations with various competitors, which opened up a range of interesting views of the future. It was possible to gain new and important insights on current market trends. For example there was the fact that more and more manufacturers of mobile control systems are offering their hardware based solutions to different, extraneous markets and companies. Some of theses competitors have indicated their interest in a possible cooperation with Hirschmann Automation and Control. Whether and how such cooperative projects for leading OEMs can be realised is something that will be examined in due course.
Impulses for international business
With this appearance at Samoter, Hirschmann Automation and Control achieved the goals set. A clear indicator for the continued expansion of business in the Italian market was established and there was also high level of positive activity in acquiring new customers. During the course of the show there were also attractive opportunities to make the acquaintance of potential new clients and partner companies from several countries. It remains to be seen whether these new contacts can be converted into positive success in the future. At the same time, Hirschmann Automation and Control was able to present itself successfully to the Italian OEMs as a potential and interesting partner. In fact, a new OEM customer was gained and the first order with this client has been confirmed in the meantime.