US$50-Million orders tipped for Bangkok Show

Large numbers of visitors from around the world are converging on Bangkok, Thailand, to attend INTERMACH 2004 this month - and its theme this year is "Cross Border Collaboration".

Bangkok (PRWEB) May 7, 2004 --State-of-the art engineering technology from around the world - much of it on display for the first time - is expected to attract over 30,000 trade visitors to INTERMACH 2004 at Bangkoks BITEC Exhibition Centre this month.

The show is forecast to earn over Bt 2-billion in orders during the week and this years theme: Cross-border collaboration" reflects the exhibitions widening international appeal.

INTERMACH 2004 - the twenty-first in a series of hugely-successful events - will run from May 12 to May 16 2004, and a record number of Thai and foreign businessmen will be there to see whats on offer from the machine tools, sheet metal, mould and die, tooling, welding, automotive engineering and other industries.

Thailands Minister of Industry, H.E. Dr Phinij Jarusombat, will welcome visitors at the opening ceremony on May 12 - and he has already said the government views INTERMACH 2004 and the ISTMA WORLD CONFERENCE as an ideal showcase for the display of innovative technology, which is of prime importance for Thai manufacturing companies as well as a valuable educational tool.

Under the same roof, AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING ASIA 2004 will allow delegates to see for themselves the latest in laser-cutting equipment, robotics and automation, sheet metal fabrication equipment as well as the worlds most advanced welding and other technology linked to the car-making industry.

Foreign delegates from all over Asia, Australasia, North and South America and throughout Europe are expected to make up 12-13% of visitors attending the show.

And for the first time in its twenty-five year history, the International Special Tooling and Machining Association, ISTMA, is to hold its world conference in Asia - and Bangkoks excellent infrastructure and conference facilities helped Thailands selection against competition from its ASEAN neighbours.

ISTMA President Mr Shoichi Kuroda said this week: We had little difficulty in choosing Thailand because we know that many foreign delegates to conferences held in Bangkok enjoy its amazing range of attractions, from the excellent shopping opportunities there, its rich cultural heritage and, of course they can take advantage of the world-famous Thai beach resorts nearby.
                  
The countrys reputation for offering visitors a uniquely warm welcome made it an easy choice for us."

The ISTMA World Conference will run from May 12-14 - and its specialized seminars will offer an opportunity for Thai and foreign visitors to update their knowledge of the current state of the tool and die industry world-wide.

Mr Kuroda, who is also Chairman of Kuroda Precision Industries Ltd of Kanagawa, Japan, was upbeat about Thailands business potential when he urged ISTMA members from Asia, as well as those from Europe and the Americas, to show up in large numbers at the Bangkok event.

He said: They should use this occasion to meet and learn from their colleagues in this industry. And those delegates from Europe and the Americas should not miss a very important chance to explore possibilities for collaboration in Asia - the fastest-growing economy in the world."

ISTMA, an international association with a combined membership of more than 8,000 companies earning over US$40-billion in annual sales, coordinates all international activities in the industry, working closely with ISTMA Americas, FADMA/ISTMA Asia and ISTMA Europe.

CMP Media (Thailand) Co Ltd, the organisers behind INTERMACH and ISTMA, is part of CMP Asia, the regions leading trade fair organizer and a member of United Business Media (UBM), one of the worlds leading business-to-business media and market information companies.

Mr Narudol Rungsubhatanond, CMPs Divisional Project Manager said: We regularly provide a showcase for industrial technology marketed in Thailand, helping facilitate the technology transfer process - and we also give Thai-based companies access to around 400 exhibitions and publications world-wide.
                  
Within this country alone, CMP holds twenty trade exhibitions and sub-shows every year, making us Thailands fastest-growing private exhibition organizer."

A large proportion of the exhibits will showcase high-end manufacturing technology design for top-quality manufacturing - and the most expensive piece of equipment to be unveiled in Bangkok will be the Swiss-made Bystar 4020 Laser cutting Machine, costing Bt 22 million per unit.

Mitsubishi will roll out its new HV series Laser Cutting Machine - its first launch anywhere in Asia

Mr Obsakul Vethanakul, Managing Director Procurement Centre (Thailand) Co., Ltd. praised the annual event and said:
A growing number of foreign investors have been relocating to Thailand, including many from neighbouring countries. This is what we want as it will help bring to our business many new customers."

Equally optimistic is Mr Pratan Yokvijit, Managing Director,Ten Million Intertrade Co., Ltd, who said: .I expect my sales to increase by 20% during INTERMACH 2004 - especially since we dont have to contend with the SARS problem which affected the market last year.
"We are strongly promoting and demonstrating our CNC Swiss Type Lathe and will be putting on display a CNC lathe from Mazak."

The decision by ISTMA to hold its conference in Asia for the first time is a major breakthrough for Thailand.

As Mr Narudol pointed out: It signals the recognition of the fact that Asia is now playing an important role in providing tooling and machining services to major industries such as car manufacture and parts, electronics, machine and equipment parts.

And it shows that Asias tooling and machining capability has reached a point where the region can now be a reliable partner in serving the needs of hi-tech industries - including aerospace and aircraft manufacture."

For all media enquiries please contact:

Ian Black
CMP Media (Thailand) Co Ltd
Tel: 02-642-6911 Ext: 129
Email: iianblack@cmpthailand.com