MIDEST subcontracting show is Europe's largest

Around 1,900 subcontracting companies will be exhibiting at 's MIDEST 2008 exhibition during November, including 700 foreign firms said Reed Expositions, France.

Reed Expositions, France reported that over 70% of the MIDEST 2008 exhibition space has been booked.

Internationally, some 1,900 exhibitors include 700 non-French ones from over 30 countries, making the show platform for international industrial subcontracting suppliers in Europe.

Major promotional initiatives are aimed at major European customers.

Three strands at MIDEST 2008 illustrate the European strategy and will be picked up in the various sectors.

* Spain has been selected as country of the year; aerospace, the spearhead for European industry, will be the subject of numerous discussions; and assistance with design is an advantage for subcontractors to play in retaining their market share.

The choice of France's Iberian neighbour as the first country of the year in the long history of the show is justified by the strong links that bind subcontractors on either side of the Pyrenees together and by the importance of the industrial relations between the countries.

Ranked fifth in Europe, with strong demand from automobiles, aerospace, mechanical structures and process industries, Spanish subcontracting will benefit at MIDEST from the involvement of numerous associations, Chambers of Commerce and networks of subcontracting exchanges, which will allow it to forge advantageous exchanges and partnerships.

* Aerospace - aerospace has always set the pace in terms of performance and quality and it is a sector that is of the very highest importance in terms of its impact on French industrial growth and research.

It is the second largest customer sector for industrial subcontracting in France (number three in Europe).

The subcontractors are decidedly optimistic.

EADS has sorted itself out and the aircraft manufacturers, with Airbus at their head, are pulling in record orders.

Logically, they should profit from this, especially as the government has announced a one billion euro support plan to preserve and develop France's industrial production base for aerospace.

Although there are certain worrying factors (against a background of rising raw material prices and the falling dollar exchange rate they have to continue in their efforts to reduce their prices), they are responding by regrouping, by developing new partnership, production and research and development arrangements, by investing in new sites and equipment, and by innovating without let up.

By focusing on aerospace, MIDEST 2008 is reflecting and working with this development and through surveys, conferences and round tables aims to promote a deepening of the relationships between the aircraft manufacturers and subcontractors.

* Design assistance - observation of the subcontracting market and technological developments indicate that assistance with design is a crucial element and increasingly frequently it is a decisive factor in relations between customer and subcontractor.

MIDEST 2008 will feature a 'design assistance' path passing through the various sectors of the show - moulds, plastics, electronics - where various practical examples will be displayed to show the full range of the benefits of such an approach.

* Coinciding exhibition - MAINTENANCE EXPO is organised by Reed Expositions France in partnership with the French association of maintenance engineers and managers (Afim).

This cross-industry event is designed for all professionals from industry and the service sector looking for maintenance solutions.

MIDEST information.

* Dates - November 4-7, 2008.

* Venue - Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, Hall 6 (near Charles de Gaulle international airport and accessed from downtown Paris by the RER (subway/railroad system).

* Exhibitors - 1,900 exhibitors from 40 countries.

* Visitor forecast - 48,000 trade visitors from 60 countries.

Manufacturing and service sectors represented include the following.

* Metal processing.

* Processing of plastics/rubber/composite materials.

* Electronics and electricals.

* Microtechniques.

* Surface treatments and finishes.

* Industrial fastenings.

* Industry services .

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