Thomex.com

The 8th edition of Auto Components and Machine Tools Engineering (ACMEE 2008), is receiving good response from the exhibitors and visitors alike. Organised at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai from June 19 to 23, the exhibition has received more than 12,000 visitors during the initial two days. The number of visitor is expected to go up to 60,000 in the coming days.

The show, one of its kinds in India, is being organised by AIEMA Technology Centre, and is a meeting point for CNC machine tools, automobiles, electrical engineering, electronics, IT, mechanical and plant engineering.

"We have been receiving encouraging response from the exhibitors. This time, there are 425 exhibitors including 42 from countries like China, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK and USA,” said Raghavan of AIEMA Technology Centre.

“To accommodate the large number of exhibitors, we have increased the gross area of our exhibition site to 18,000 sq m which is 30% more than the earlier show," he further said.

"In order to make the show interactive and bring real benefits to the participants, we have introduced number of innovative concepts like buy-sell meet, project campaign for engineering students and skill competitions for workers," Raghavan said.

While talking to thomex.com over the phone, most exhibitors expressed their satisfaction with the response they received at the exhibition. Jayaraman, proprietor of MECHI-CI-CADD said, “The show has been able to generate good response. Although initial two days received lukewarm response from people, now it’s picking up. We received about 300 responses on day third which is pretty good number.”

Talking about the infrastructure and other facilities at the stall Jayaraman said, “The air conditioning has not been working properly, which has caused lot of hardship to the exhibitors and visitors.

Saravana of Zetak Castings sounded satisfied with the kind of visitors who thronged his stalls. “The response has been very good as most of the visitors were people genuinely interested in products,” he said.

Johnson of Fluid Energy was equally impressed with the large turnover. A first time participant to the show he said, “We have been receiving more than 200 visitors daily and the people were big shots like MDs, CEOs of various companies. Unlike other shows which are often dominated by local casual visitors, the show was different as it had quality and genuine people under one roof.”

ACMEE 2008 was inaugurated by Dr AC Muthiah, Chairman, SPIC; D. Rajendran, IAS, CMD, TANSIDCO and J. Chandrasekaran, CGM, SBI. Speaking on the occasion Muthiah said, "Exhibitions play a vital role not only in business growth & development but also in attracting foreign exchange. The success of these kinds of exhibitions is not only in the number of stalls but the business it generates which has increased from Rs 40 lakh in 1994 to Rs 15 crores in 2006."

It is to be noted that Indian auto industry has been growing at 20% per annum since 2000 and is projected to maintain the high-growth phase of 15-20% till 2015. The industry crossed a total turnover of over US$ 15 billion with exports of US $ 2.9 billion during the year 2006-07.

Speaking on the exports of auto components which has been growing at 24% per annum since 2000, Muthiah said, "A sustained growth in exports for another five year will see India's auto components exports touch US$ 5 billion by 2011 from the US$ 2 billion at present".

Deliberating on the number of industrial clusters in the region, D. Rajendran CMD of TANSIDCO said, "There are 78 industrial estates promoted by TANSIDCO including ones at Thirumudivakkam, Thirumazhisai and Ambattur, we expect 22 more in the near future."

It is to be noted that the Government has announced several projects to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and have been offering number of facilities including Capital Subsidy, Sales Tax Waiver, Electricity Subsidy, Stamp Duty Concessions and others. "If industry has to grow, MSMEs must grow. Our prime focus is on promoting the MSME sector,' Rajendran said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dilip Kumbhat, Chairman, ACMEE 2008 pointed out the lack of space and organising venue for tradeshows in Chennai. "The facilities at Chennai Trade Centre are inadequate and have to be improved. We had to construct three hangers to meet our requirements. Also, the electric power facility in the Centre is inadequate. For running machines and air-conditioning we had to use hired gen sets. Consequently, the cost of organizing the fair has gone up tremendously", he said.

As part of the theme, ACMEE 2008 is promoting industry-educational institutions tie ups by highlighting projects of students of eight engineering colleges. Skill competition for industrial work force in machining techniques was also held on the eve of the exhibition which drew huge participation.

The show which is being supported by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu; MSMEs, Government of India, SIDBI and National Small Scale Industries Corporation, has decided to felicitate outstanding contribution by individuals/companies. The awards will be given in the Innovative Products, New products and designs and Innovative manufacturing solutions categories.