The 7th International Suppliers Fair (IZB) is yet again welcoming a record-breaking number of exhibitors, with 776 exhibitors from 28 different countries transforming the exhibition grounds in the Allerpark in the German city of Wolfsburg into a showcase of the innovative power and technological expertise available in the automotive supplier industry. This evening, a touch of South American flair came to the Piazza in the Autostadt Group Forum at the Opening Event of the IZB. This complemented the fact that Argentina and Brazil are this year’s partner countries of the leading trade fair for the European automotive supplier industry. Other focuses of this year’s IZB are the fields of lightweight construction, materials and alternative engines. In the run-up to the event, exhibitors have already announced that a total of 14 world premieres will be presented to the public at this year's IZB. The showcase event was officially opened by the representatives of the IZB patrons Dr rer. pol. h. c. Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz, the Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG responsible for the Procurement Division, Jörg Bode, the Minister of Economics of the German Land of Lower Saxony, and Klaus Mohrs, the Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg, at this evening's Opening Event.
The fact that the exhibition area in the Allerpark, which has now been extended to cover a total of 36,000 square metres, was already fully booked in February underlines the international attraction and special reputation of both the IZB and the city of Wolfsburg as a location for the automotive industry. “The quality and diversity of the exhibitors and the sophisticated programme of accompanying events make this showcase event an ideal communication platform for both exhibitors and visitors”, declared Julius von Ingelheim, the Spokesman of the Board of Wolfsburg AG, when explaining the concept behind the IZB in his role as host of the Opening Event on behalf of the event organiser. Automotive supplier companies from countries such as Argentina and Hungary will be presenting their products and services for the first time at this year’s IZB, which is more international than ever before, welcoming exhibitors from a total of 28 different nations.
Focusing on South America
Eight of the world's ten highest-volume automotive supplier companies will be showcasing their products and services in the halls in the Allerpark at this year’s event. Alongside market leaders such as Denso, Continental and Magna International, small and medium-sized enterprises in the automotive supplier industry will also be able to benefit from the international orientation of the trade fair and the opportunity to establish contact in line with the IZB motto of “Connecting Car Competence”. Over 60 exhibitors from the IZB partner countries Argentina and Brazil will also be making the most of the opportunity to establish bilateral transatlantic partnerships or improve existing contacts. “As the host of the IZB, we have created the ideal framework conditions for such communication", promised von Ingelheim.
The first speaker at the Opening Event was Dr rer. pol. h. c. Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz, the Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG responsible for the Procurement Division, who drew the participants’ attention to the importance of the IZB, stating that: “The IZB 2012 more than lives up to its reputation as an international summit for the automotive supplier industry”. He went on to explain the significance of the event for the Volkswagen Group, declaring that: “At its total of nine corporate sites in both partner countries, Volkswagen develops and constructs technologies and vehicles created by and for people in Brazil and Argentina. Examples of these activities include our cars such as the Amarok and the Gol and the 'flex-fuel’ technology developed by Volkswagen, which is now being used in 95 percent of all new vehicles in Brazil. We are therefore delighted to welcome a multitude of companies from Argentina and Brazil to this year's IZB."
Bernd Osterloh, the Chairman of the General and Group Works Councils of Volkswagen AG, also commented on the strategic orientation of the Volkswagen Group, stating that: “Volkswagen began to play a significant role in the industrial development and in turn took on responsibility for the economic development of Argentina and Brazil at an early stage. As a Works Council and a representative of the company’s staff, we have supported and helped to advance this development right from the word go. It is now clear that this strategy of entering into fast-growing emerging markets supported by the Volkswagen staff is one of the company's major strengths."
Showcasing the Competence of Lower Saxony as an Location for the Automotive Industry
In his welcome speech, Jörg Bode, the Minister of Economics Labour and Transport of the German Land of Lower Saxony, underlined the importance of the South American market for the economy of Lower Saxony. “The rapidly developing economies of South America offer Lower Saxony major opportunities as a location for the automotive industry and it is essential that we make targeted use of this potential. Small and medium-sized enterprises can above all benefit from the excellent rates of economic growth in individual sectors”, declared Bode, who opened the new “Lower Saxony Business Centre” in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo this spring.
The Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg, Klaus Mohrs, also gave a speech at the Opening Event, in which he emphasised the city’s automotive expertise and described the IZB as an essential platform for the trends and innovations of the automotive supplier industry. “Wolfsburg is a business location with an attractive international reputation and will be an excellent host to the IZB exhibitors and visitors from all over the world”, promised Mohrs, before wishing the 7th International Suppliers Fair every success.
Julius von Ingelheim, Jörg Bode and the event patrons Klaus Mohrs and Dr Javier Garcia Sanz, a Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, were then applauded by over 1500 guests from Germany and abroad, including high-ranking representatives from the fields of business and politics, as they officially opened the International Suppliers Fair 2012. Over the next three days, visitors to the trade fair can look forward to a multitude of high-quality presentations by the IZB exhibitors, as well as a comprehensive programme of specialist accompanying events. More information on the IZB and its accompanying events can be found online at www.izb-online.com.