Interview with Eugen Egetenmeir, Managing Director of Messe München International

What makes transport logistic China so successful?
Since its debut in 2004, transport logistic China, together with Air Cargo China, which is part of it, has developed into Asia’s most important event for logistics and transport. The exhibition will be taking place from 5 – 7 June 2012 in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and will be portraying the entire logistics value chain: from eCommerce to intra-company material flow to freight transport systems and logistics on land, water and in the air. The Chinese logistics market is booming and is assuming increasing importance domestically as well, as illustrated by the involvement of more than 100 Chinese exhibitors at the event. This sector enjoys high growth potential. Although classic transport transactions are now also in China largely entrusted to external service providers, there is still a preference for handling other aspects of the supply chain within the company itself.
The 5th transport logistic China offers national and international companies and visitors a business platform where they can exchange views and network.
 
What are your expectations of transport logistic China 2012?
The logistics industry has recognised China’s potential and this is also apparent at the exhibition. This year we are expecting a 33 per cent increase in exhibition space to 20,000 square metres. Air Cargo China alone, which is an integral part of transport logistic China, can point to a more than 20 per cent larger exhibition area. The exhibition space is split between two halls. In terms of exhibitors, we are expecting approximately 400 companies, in line with the previous event.
 
What do things look like in terms of international involvement?
Exhibitors from 41 countries from all five continents are represented at transport logistic China 2012. The top five exhibitor countries after China are currently Germany, Italy, Russia, the USA and France.
Nine countries – more than ever before – will be represented with their own country pavilion: Germany, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Russia, the Czech Republic and the USA with a pavilion for the State of Illinois.
Malaysia and the USA are presented for the first time with a joint stand.
           
Where are the focus areas in this year’s conference programme?
One highlight is the Air Cargo China Conference. The topic “Two-way traffic – Air cargo’s big balancing act” deals among other things with the directional imbalance of airfreight to and from China and other parts of East Asia. The “Logistics Excellence in China” conference, organised by the German Logistics Association (Bundesvereinigung Logistik), deals with “Lean Logistics Management” and “Low Carbon Practices in the Supply Chain”. Specifically relating to the Chinese market are the podium discussions “The Cold Chain in China” and “China Domestic Logistics”, for example. Whereas the first discussion is to do with all aspects of developing the cold chain in the market, for example the opportunities for foreign and domestic investment in this sector, the second topic will include discussion of the ongoing structural and administrative problems of goods distribution in China with its huge distances and comparatively low population density. Complementing the exhibition in the halls, transport logistic China thereby offers a varied conference and forum programme and highlights opportunities and risks for logistics regions and sectors.