Rematec 2017 - Global meeting hub for remanufacturing

All-time high in visitor purchasing power at steep growing Rematec 2017 acknowledges its true position as the global meeting hub for remanufacturing.

The international remanufacturing industry gathered at RAI Amsterdam last week for the largest edition to date of the industry’s main event, Rematec 2017. The show is widely recognised as the international gathering for remanufacturing specialists, attracting visitors from no less than 75 countries.

With a strong focus on sharing knowledge and facilitating valuable connections, the show launched the Meet the Expert sessions, where experts and industry professionals could share their views on challenges they face within the global remanufacturing industry in an informal setting. The newly-developed topic-focused Guided Tours and Discovery Tours have brought together exhibiting companies and attendees with a particular interest in ReMaTec 2017 offerings. An inspiring educational programme in the ReMaTec Theatre opened cross-sectoral discussions on remanufacturing from industries like the maritime sector, aviation, and IT. The exhibition also included a well-attended and comprehensive side events programme, ranging from industry events, such as the ‘Deep Dive: How to accelerate circular business through remanufacturing in a Port area?’ to an automatic transmission technical seminar (Choice Tech 2017), as well as other industry-related events.

After the sharp rise in 2013, with 3,500 professionals attending the show the number of visitors has stabilised and a clear shift is heading towards a more international audience. The percentage of international visitors increased from 64 percent (in 2013) to 70 percent (in 2015), to more than 74 percent at Rematec 2017, with a strong rise in visitors from Asia (North- Korea, South Korea, Malaysia) and Europe (Russia, Greece and Hungary, Spain , Italy , Sweden and Albania). With visitors from all across the globe, travelling from distant destinations, such as New Zealand, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, ReMaTec has proven to be the global hub for remanufacturing. Combined with a total of 260 exhibitors from 26 countries, the show has become a true representation of the international character of the global remanufacturing industry.

Focused audience
As remanufacturing becomes more mainstream and its sustainable qualities and role in the circular economy become more evident, many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) from the automotive industry, such as Volvo (Group, Cars and Truck division), Audi AG, and Toyota Motor Europe, as well as companies like MAN Truck & Bus AG and Scania from the heavy duty sector were present. In non-road mobile machinery, the show welcomed noted names like Manitou, Cummins and John Deere (Reman and GmbH & Co. KG). On top of this, there was an increased percentage of leasing companies and fleet owners attending the show. First-time visitors with interest in the supply chain of remanufacturing were companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, and Océ Technologies BV, indicating the show’s broader approach to remanufacturing is picking up.

Over one-third of the visitors are running a company either as a CEO or Entrepreneur. Together with the other visitors, the percentage of purchasing power on the show floor increased up to 80 percent. This is backed by a 5% increase in visitors with the job title “Buyer” and “Product Manager” reconfirming the show’s function as the strongest networking platform for the industry. With over 57 percent of all visitors indicating their main reason for visiting was sourcing new (re)manufacturers, distributors and suppliers, ReMaTec 2017 provided the platform for establishing and maintaining valuable remanufacturing business contacts.

Driving forces win Remanufacturer of the Year 2017 Award
Rematec News, the international news magazine for the remanufacturing industry, announced its Remanufacturer of the Year Award for 2017 during the show. In an unprecedented move, Salvador Munoz Zarate of Wabco Reman Solutions and Peter Bartel of Circular Economy Solutions, have both been awarded the Rematec Remanufacturer of the Year 2017. The jury has given it to them for their tireless work in representing the European automotive remanufacturing industry in lobbying and advising activities with the United Nations and the European Commission. They were the driving force behind the industry’s declaration of common definitions and have together made a massive contribution to the greater understanding of the global remanufacturing sector by politicians and policy makers.

A bright future
“It is clear that ReMaTec has gained significance as a business, knowledge and networking podium for the international remanufacturing industry. Traditionally focused on automotive and heavy duty sectors, the 9th edition of ReMaTec was a breakthrough with executives from IT, healthcare equipment and electronics industries, walking the show and actively participating in side events.” says Group Director Remanufacturing and Refurbishment of ReMaTec’s show organiser RAI Amsterdam, Niels Klarenbeek. “This encourages us to further develop the ReMaTec brand into these sectors and connect them. These industries face similar challenges and ReMaTec has the ability to serve them with valuable insights, in-depth content, and focused business opportunities.”

The remanufacturing industry gave the show a clear vote of confidence with 60 percent of the exhibiting companies rebooking their stand for 2019. The next ReMaTec exhibition will take place on 23 – 25 June 2019 at RAI Amsterdam together with organising partners APRA and FIRM.