PLAST 2015 is undoubtedly a key event in EPPM's calendar of events and after my week on the show floor, it is clear to see the Milan showcase can stand up to its counterparts NPE and Fakuma.
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The gates on the first morning of PLAST 2015.
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Ciao Milano - we love you too.
Not only does the event live up to the likes of other international shows in terms of scale (which can be judged as much on the state of one's feet by the end of the show, as much as it can upon inspection of the floor plan), but it was also an important industry mine for news. Yes, it was lacking the familiar schedule of press conferences for the media - but in truth, for every four trade show press conferences I attend, three will furnish me with nothing more exciting than full-year revenue expectations and information that has already been published in a press release - nevertheless, PLAST 2015 did not disappoint in terms of crucial news for the industry.
The single most important story to emerge on Day One of the event was the news PLAST organiser Promaplast is breaking its three-year cycle, with the next PLAST 2015 to take place at the end of September 2017, after which the event will restore its triennial pattern.
In lieu of press conferences, it is down to this editor to scour the show floor for stories, many of which are yet to materialise on the EPPM website as they are destined for the June issue of the magazine - watch this space. But clearly every company that sent EPPM their show preview news has exciting information to share. We did stumble upon some relatively major news on-site, namely from Sandretto, who unveiled not only a new Series Ten injection moulding machinery offering, but announced it is launching itself into the prosumer/industrial 3D printing market with its new Delta technology.
The rest of the announcements we picked up on while at PLAST 2015 can be found on our PLAST 2015 newsfeed.
What I have taken away from PLAST 2015 - and I take something different away from every trade show I attend - is that the Italian plastics machinery market is gaining strength at a steady pace and confidence seems to be growing, however there is still an element of caution as the Italian industry finds its place, walking with giants amid the titanic markets of the US, China and Germany.
If the change in date to accommodate NPE and ChinaPlas is any indication, PLAST 2015 and the Italian plastics market with it, are prepared to compete with the heavyweights.