Construction in the limelight

Billed as “the must-attend trade fair for the mining and construction industry on the African continent”, Bauma Conexpo Africa 2015 took place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre Nasrec between September 15 and 18.

While the exhibition seemed quieter than expected, 14 300 visitors from 75 countries attended the second edition of the International Trade Fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines and construction vehicles.

Nearly 15 percent of the visitors came from outside South Africa, with a significant increase in numbers from sub-Saharan Africa. The top five visiting countries from Africa, excluding the host country, were (in this order): Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana. In addition, for the first time there were delegations from Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia.

Stefan Rummel, managing director of Messe München, says: “We have achieved our goal of welcoming more and higher-quality visitors from the sub-Saharan region. Bauma Conexpo Africa has now, without doubt, established itself as a platform for the industry that brings together African and international companies.”

Megan Tanel, vice president for Exhibitions at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), agrees: “Africa continues to be an important market for our North American equipment manufacturers. Bauma Conexpo Africa is an ideal event to enter into the market, and to engage with existing customers.”

In total, 616 exhibitors, from 42 countries, showcased their new products and innovations for the African market on 68 000 m2 of exhibition space. The top ten exhibiting countries were (in this order): South Africa, China, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, India, the United States, France, Turkey and Spain.