Confirmed return to growth for the construction industry

INTERMAT 2018 introduces its new special events to meet the challenges of the future

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All of the indicators seem to be turning to green for the 2018 edition of INTERMAT: the worldwide construction market is set to record annual average growth of 3.9% between now and 2030 (Global Construction 2030 ). In France, further improvement is also forecast for 2017, with 3.4% growth (Source: French Building Federation (FFB)) in the building sector and 1.7% (French Public Works Federation (FNTP), in volume) in public works.

Such is the healthy backdrop for the forthcoming edition of INTERMAT, the international trade show for construction and infrastructure, to be held from 23 to 28 April 2018 in Paris. INTERMAT promises to be a premium meeting place for market players from the EMEA zone (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) such as building contractors, manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and solutions who will be able to discuss and develop their projects designed to contribute to the development of regions.

INTERMAT has confirmed its status as the reference trade show for the construction and infrastructure sectors, catering to the challenges of all of the stakeholders in this ecosystem. The 1,500 exhibitors and 183,000 trade visitors from 167 countries will be offered access to innovation, educational lectures, networking opportunities, market analysis and insight into the “potential of major construction projects”.

“The construction and infrastructure sector is a key contributing factor to the development of regions and their appeal as regards mobility, housing, energy and employment. In view of the profound economic, social and environmental changes currently happening, INTERMAT accompanies industry players in this transformation with new high added value tools and content. This has resulted in the show adopting a new sector organisation, focussing on the sector’s technological innovations,” explains Isabelle Alfano, director of INTERMAT.

With one year to go before opening, INTERMAT displays its new organisation closely attuned to supply and demand, and its new show highlights

An offering divided into sectors and showcased in 4 hubs of expertise

INTERMAT has revisited its sector organisation to fulfil its exhibitors’ and visitors’ wishes for a clearer presentation of the industry’s equipment, solutions and techniques, a more efficient visit and a spotlight on the sector’s latest innovation. The show is now organised into four hubs of expertise: Earthmoving & Demolition, Roads, Minerals & Foundations, Buildings & Concrete Sector and Lifting, Handling & Transportation.

Launch of construction Observatory in association with Business France

(Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy. It is responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It promotes France’s companies, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and also runs the VIE international internship program.)

The INTERMAT Observatory came about as a result of the desire to establish stronger bonds with the market and provide construction equipment manufacturers with strategic research on 12 countries in the EMEA zone, handpicked for their planned investment levels in infrastructure and buildings.

The objective of the Observatory is to offer insight into market opportunities for the equipment manufacturers present across the exhibition’s four hubs of expertise.

For each country examined, the Observatory will analyse its national investment plans, main challenges for seven application sectors, the main imports and exports of construction equipment and the foreign brands already established on the market.

The Observatory will offer an exclusive analysis of the major construction projects underway and planned for the future to 2025-2030 and of the main market players involved in these projects.

Four theme villages to promote the sector’s technological innovations

Responding to the challenges of digitalisation in building and public works and offering an extensive range, INTERMAT 2018 will showcase the sector’s technological innovation by creating dedicated feature zones: the Construction Tech 100% Start-up village, the Smart Road village, the Smart Building - BIM village and the Demolition village.

In each zone, lectures and talks will be given on topical subjects, offering a platform for exchange and information sharing between professionals.

INTERMAT Innovation Awards, a springboard for the sector’s innovations

Chaired by FNTP, the INTERMAT Innovation Awards competition pays tribute to the machinery, techniques, services or products that contribute to driving progress in the construction and infrastructure sector.

For this edition, INTERMAT has enlisted the support of a judging panel made up of experts from European construction contractors and firms.

PRE-INTERMAT: exclusive exchanges between the media and exhibitors, 3 months before the show.

On 18 and 19 January 2018 at Maison de la Mutualité in Paris, exhibitors will give exclusive previews of their events, new solutions and show “firsts” to the international trade press. This special event will also be the backdrop for the announcement of the winners of the INTERMAT Innovation Awards.

"The mission of INTERMAT 2018 is thus to provide all construction professionals with a mix of ingredients to enhance their efficiency together with sources of innovation and inspiration to accomplish the projects of the future. This edition features an exhaustive programme specifically designed to identify the major construction projects in the EMEA region thus offering access to high potential and developing regions, and enabling firms to grow their business and increase their visibility towards a qualified and diverse ecosystem,” concludes Isabelle Alfano.