“A truly exceptional exhibition”

This was the comment from just one of the exhibitors this year, and many more echoed the sentiment. But what made Sensors & Instrumentation 2013 such a good show? Rachael Morling finds out

When the Sensors & Instrumentation show took place at the end of September, it was interesting to see such a wide array of products on show. Walking around the Hall it was possible to see technology ranging from sensors, pressure and flow instruments, and test and measurement equipment, to connectors, thermal imagers and enclosures. In fact the show title – Sensors & instrumentation for test, measurement & control – really did sum up what visitors could expect to see.

Each stand had knowledgeable staff on hand that were happy to discuss and even demonstrate their products, as well as answer application queries from those visiting; and the seminar programme covered a diverse range of topics – Measuring & monitoring remotely; Piezoelectric sensor technology; Infrared measurement; and Developments in ultra-low flow Coriolis measurement, to name just a few. These seminars proved popular with visitors, with Kyle Voosen who presented the National Instruments seminar ‘Measuring & monitoring remotely’ on the first day remarking: “We had standing room only in our seminar this morning!”

“Visitors were interested in everything”

Visitors this year were knowledgeable, interested, and kept exhibitors busy with questions and discussions. Speaking on behalf of Friartec Technical Ceramics, Umicore MS UK, Ian Smith, sales manager, said: “Great show – and a great first day. People were queuing up to see me at several points with enquiries.”

He explained that visitor application queries included the ‘weird and wonderful’, with visitors seeking solutions for applications ranging from transducers for use in the rail industry, to fish loggers, pressure control and metrology.

David Brunning from Michell Instruments, meanwhile, said: “Visitors were interested in everything, not just one specific product – although the oxygen monitor probably nudged slightly ahead.”

Speaking on the Wednesday – the first day of the show – he said: “It was very good in direct comparison to last year, when we only got four enquiries. This year we have already filled our little enquiry box!”

Barry Towner from Dewetron added: “This morning and throughout lunch it was very busy with good quality visitors. We had a very interesting group from BAE Systems, and have had lots of conversations, with interesting potential business.”

Another happy exhibitor was Calex Electronics. Gary Fuller, managing director, said: “Overall we were very happy with the show. The first day was pretty quiet but the second day more than compensated for it. Quite apart from receiving some interesting and challenging enquiries from a wide cross section of manufacturers, we made lots of contacts with British Universities that were interested in helping us with our research and development programme and vice versa.

“There was also a great deal of interest in our touch-screen sensor, and another which is able to measure the temperature of shiny metal surfaces at low temperatures – something which is notoriously difficult to do. We have a number of new, innovative products coming onto the market over the next 12 months and we will seriously consider launching one of them at next year’s exhibition.”

Andy Mangell, managing director of Bronkhorst, said it was: “A truly exceptional exhibition… I was actually very happy with the result from the 2012 exhibition but this year we were delighted to receive three times as many visitors to our booth. As last year, the visitors were very informed and knowledgeable – 75% of our enquiries were related to a specific requirement, either immediately or in the near future.”

Meanwhile Kyle Voosen from National Instruments said: “We have booked for next year already – thanks for a great show!”

“The co-location worked well”

Sensors & Instrumentation 2013 was co-located with two other events. The brand new Machine Building Show covered technologies ranging from motion control equipment to bearings and machine frameworks, with exhibitors including Aerotech, igus, Kabelschlepp Metool, Mac Solutions and Machine Building Systems. Micro Nano Mems included injection moulding, precision components and laser systems. Exhibitors at this event included Accumold, Hitachi High Technologies Europe, Keyence and Laser Lines.

Exhibitors reported that the co-location was a benefit, with a steady flow of visitors between events. On this, Tony Ingham from Sensor Technology stated: “In the afternoon visitors from other shows came over. It shows that the co-location worked well.”

News for the 2014 exhibition

Mangell concluded: “Some people say that the era of the exhibition is over – they are wrong, and this event proves it as year on year we continue to go from strength to strength.”

The 2014 event will be taking place on 30th September and 1st October 2014. Further details to be revealed over the next few months!

To book a stand for 2014, please contact Kathryn Ambrose – kambrose@datateam.co.uk