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From 22nd to 24th October 2024, the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) will again showcase innovations in the automotive supplier industry. The specialist trade fair held in Wolfsburg will become a meeting place for experts and decision-makers in the automotive world for the twelfth time. By adding the Technical Development division of the Volkswagen Group to its circle of event patrons, the IZB is underlining the importance of its new key topic, “Empowering Partnerships”. “This commitment emphasises the pace of innovation, which Volkswagen wants to bring to the forefront even more at the renowned industry gathering. At the same time, it also meets exhibitors’ requests for a stronger presence of Technical Development at the trade fair,” states Josef Schulze-Sutthoff, Head of the IZB at Wolfsburg AG, the company organising the trade fair.

Volkswagen and the city of Wolfsburg have been patrons of the IZB ever since it was first launched in 2001. They were joined by the German Federal State of Lower Saxony as a new patron in 2006, and over the years the three patrons have been actively supporting the development of the event into an international platform for discussing the future orientation of the industry. Up until now, Volkswagen has mainly been represented at the event by its Group Procurement.

“As developers at Volkswagen, we strive to make exciting technologies accessible to as many people as possible. With its key topic of ‘Empowering Partnerships: Competitiveness, Sustainability and Acceleration’, this year’s IZB again offers the best conditions for a successful innovation transfer in a rapidly changing environment. With this in mind, we want to support and promote the exchange of ideas and expertise on the three days of the event,” says Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for “Technical Development”.

“Partnership and a strong innovative network are the key to a successful future. As a globally recognised specialist trade fair, the International Suppliers Fair supports dialogue between OEMs, supplier companies and the world of science and provides important ideas and impetus for the mobility of the future,” adds Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Extended Executive Committee responsible for “Group Procurement” at Volkswagen AG and Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Procurement,

Lower Saxony and the city of Wolfsburg: continuous support for the IZB

The German Federal State of Lower Saxony and the city of Wolfsburg are long-standing patrons of the IZB. Stephan Weil, Prime Minister of the German Federal State of Lower Saxony, believes that the trade fair plays a central role for the automotive industry in the region: “Lower Saxony is a prime location for the automotive sector. This year, Europe’s leading trade fair for the automotive industry is again offering local companies the opportunity to present their products, innovations and solutions to an international audience of trade visitors. The automotive industry is experiencing the greatest transformation in its history. In line with this year’s key topic, the International Suppliers Fair explores central aspects that play an essential role in the future of the automotive and supplier industries. Only with close cooperation can competitiveness be maintained and Germany and Lower Saxony remain successful as an automotive location.”

Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg, highlights the importance of the IZB for local businesses: “The International Suppliers Fair not only stands for cooperation and an exchange of experiences and expertise between companies from all over the globe. It is also extremely important for economic stakeholders in Wolfsburg and our region, which is strongly shaped by the automotive industry. As the city of Wolfsburg, we additionally welcome the positive impact that the trade fair has on hotels, cafés and restaurants in the region and are proud to host the event.”

The International Suppliers Fair (IZB)

The International Suppliers Fair (IZB) has established itself as a marketing and communication platform for suppliers along the entire automotive value chain since 2001. The event, which is organised by Wolfsburg AG and its technical partner Messe Wolfsburg, takes place every two years. More information on the event can be found at www.izb-online.com.

Picture Credits: 

Kai Grünitz: Volkswagen Group
Dirk Große-Loheide: Volkswagen Group
Joseph Schulze-Sutthoff: Wolfsburg AG
Stephan Weil: Niedersächsische Staatskanzlei/Rainer Jensen
Dennis Weilmann - Stadt Wolfsburg