But not without fond memories and hopefully more leads than we can realistically follow up any time soon.
CeMAT 2008 was bold, bustling and busy. Just ask anyone who was there.
Sepp Heckmann, chairman of the managing board at organiser Deutsche Messe, said: “The huge turnout by visitors from abroad has been sensational.” And short of one or two exceptions, he had a point.
Konecranes stayed well away from Hall 12, where the vast majority of the overhead lifting companies exhibited, represented only by a small stand concentrating on port equipment across the way. The flag was still flown by Konecranes-owned brands but its absence was noted, as was that of a number of UK lifting firms.
Visitor satisfaction was reported to be high, with 84% of attendees surveyed indicating they would be back for the next show in three years time. On the feedback we picked up at the Hoist stand throughout the week, this is not surprising.
One of the talking points of the show was Kito’s Advanced 3D Crane Control System. Operators simply mount the control (which arguably looks like a Nintendo Wii controller) on their arm and use the angle of their arm to direct the crane. A demonstration was in constant use on the stand. A single button controls the start, speed and stop motion.
The operator determines the crane’s travel direction with the horizontal angle of their forearm, while the hoisting operation is controlled with the vertical angle of their arm. It was just one of a range of interesting products you can read about in the full show round-up, which will appear in the June issue.
Given the forward-focussed way we do business these days, you should probably make a note that the next CeMAT show will take place from 3-7 May 2011.
Once again, I remind you of the change to my email address.
Richard Howes, Editor
rhowes@progressivemediagroup.com
