Intermat 2012 Fair is Achieved

Intermat 2012

From the very begining compared to Bauma fair Intermat fair has always been a small and fairly inadequate in my mind. Although everytime I visist this fair I promise myself that I will not visit this fair again. However develeopments in the market directs me to visit this discussable fair.

Soilmec SM-28 Mini Pile and Anchor Rig

In 2003 we as ERKE made a special organisation and we invited our clients together with their wives to Intermat 2003. When we arrived at the hotel the so called “ 5 star “ hotel was in dust and dirt. We were all shocked. The receptionist told us they are on strike and if we want to stay  at the hotel we have to clean our own rooms and change the sheets. Otherwise they can not provide this service with their very Limited staff. I once more recognised what a big mistake to go to France. Anyway we eneterd the rooms left in dirt by previous  clients. We gave some extra tips to a clening staff and had our rooms cleaned. Next morning there was no taxi no metro and we could not g oto the fair. We were obliged tos tay in the city. We only went to places within the walking distance. We could not find an open restaurant. Thanks to the Topkapi Restaurant near our hotel that we could find a place to have diner.On our return to Turkey we once more appricated our own country. Our 4 days Paris Intermat visit  was stocek in our memories as a fair which we could only visist once in 4 days , eat at Topkapi Restaurant  and our swollen feet due to long distance walks.

Soilmec SM-10 Micro Piling Rig

In light of vthese experiences thus started our  5th Intermat fair expedition. In 2009 we do not go to Intermat but sent a team from ERKE. This time since Soilmec held her dealer meeting in Paris before the fair we were obiged to be there and we went to Paris a little early. The dealer meeting was was very colorfull and nice.Our hotel was located at Republique plaza Crowne Plaza Hotel  and it was 5 star but equal to 3 star hotels in Turkey. Very small rooms and no wi-fi service. The 5 star  ambiance was only reflected at the prices. Their service deserved no stars at all. The very bad situation of the streets around gave us the impression that we were in another city not Paris.Above all these also consider the election campaign in France which covers all walls and poles with papers  and pictures.

Soilmec Dealer Meeting

I can hear you saying “ Where are your Intermat fair comments “ The fair was as I expected. It was like Ankomak fair in Turkey. Only a few serious company made very good stands. And new blood Chinese companies made attractive stands.The first three days of the fair there was only  exhibitors personel around. At our arrivals and departures the emptiness of the parking places was another indication of how poor the fair was. Above all these the rainy and very cold weather  from Monday to Wednesday made it impossible to visit the open areas.

IHC Hydrohammer-Hydroulic Hammer

On Wednesday we directly went from the fair ground to the airport and returned back to İstanbul. In light of the information we have recived from our friends , there is no change in the number of vistors at all.The fair is free to enter if you register on internet. Despite this it is very interesting that there are so few visitors. Although some exhibitors claim this poor  attendance is due to the econimic crises we know how this fair as before th crises.

PTC Vibrodriver

The fair was very poor for the  foundation sector. Only Soilmec exhibiting  4 mini piling rigs and 2 drilling rigs  and with her brilliant stand was an exception. The other companies attended the fair with  a few machines and a container logic. Soilmec especially with her new Machine SM-28 with 48 mt long jet grouting boom  was one of the attarctive machines of the fair. Also new mini piling rigs SM-5 and SM-10 with their space ship look alike designs were very nice.Finally the SR-90 drilling rig with its double rotary system for secant piles was a big success. This Machine was especailly favorite for Metro projects in Europa and was attracting the attention of the clients.

Briefly ; thoese who could not visit the fair shoul not feel sorry fort hat.We will give you all the detailed info about this fair  via our social media activities. With pictures,videos and blogs.