Final Report for 2017 Milestoneexpo Achieves Records

www.steinexpo.de 30 August until 2 September 2017

Final report for 2017 Milestoneexpo achieves records 4 September 2017: The 10th steinexpo closed with a fantastic success. The objective of the organizers of this quarry demonstration exhibition, which ran from 30 August until 2 September 2017, was to once more achieve the same number of visitors as in 2014 (44,130) - in reality, these expectations were sensationally exceeded. The official number of visitors increased to 53,890 - a plus of 12% in comparison to 2014. Exhibitors commented favourably on the quality of the visitors, the good organization of the exhibition and confirmed the excellent discussions with experts. Furthermore, many of these led to surprisingly good orders. In the history of these events, which have been carried out every three years since 1990, everything therefore suggested that the 10th jubilee exhibition would take its place as a "milestoneexpo".

A total of 293 exhibitors (+15 % in comparison to 2014), which also included 75 foreign enterprises, have successfully ended their participation in the steinexpo 2017, which took place in the MHI basalt quarry in Nieder-Ofleiden, thereby ensuring themselves of the attention of their core target group and also approximately a 23.5% share of foreign visitors. Purely professional interest motivated approximately 92% of the visitors to this exhibition. The highest spontaneous interest was reserved for those exhibitors, who brought the basic concept of a living exhibition to life with their own demonstrations. Not only the outdoor exhibitors made use of this effect, also suppliers in the pavilions benefited from it. The satisfaction ratings of the exhibitors were the highest, there where action dominated. This standard was already applied at the opening of the exhibition: With a determined blow on the "start button", an acoustically and optically impressive exhibition event got under way that also proved highly successful.

Joint and individual demonstrations with a magnetic effect The joint demonstration of different brands of construction machines, which was moderated and where a number of top-level models competed, has in the meantime been recognized as one of the exhibition highlights. However, the perfect backdrop, which was provided this time by Area A on the exhibition grounds, had not been seen before. Furnished with an arena-like character and a public gallery, the offered demonstrations of realistic work processes in quarries proved, as expected, to be a magnet for visitors. To be able to demonstrate all processes of an industrial sector does, however, demands quite a lot more. That is why this year's exhibitors provided convincing shows and performance demonstrations at all other areas of the exhibition grounds, which covered an overall surface of approximately 180,000 m² within the basalt quarry Nieder-Ofleiden. Breaking and sieving processes, for the preparation of stone, recycling materials, ground excavation etc, were shown in practice-oriented applications and in a way, which would meet with the approval of decision-makers of the corresponding industrial sectors and make comparisons for upcoming investment decisions easier.

A random survey of visitors, which was carried out at the orders of the exhibition management, showed that almost 65% of the professional visitors were decision-makers (or involved in the decision-making process), of companies that operate quarries or gravel and sand pits, or that are interested as part of their operations in the construction or construction material sector. Approximately 20% of the visitors indicated that they work for construction or recycling companies, who are looking at their investment needs. Even craftsmen discovered products, such as for instance pumps, tools, storage systems or extensions for their machines, which will ease their working day in the future. All of the surveyed visitors praised the completeness of the core offer, which radiated in the direction of an execution of construction works. www.steinexpo.de 30 August until 2 September 2017

The standards for the future are now still higher The high acceptance of the steinexpo in the market was emphasized once more by the end result. The exhibitors expressly praised the organization and flexibility of Geoplan GmbH, which had organized the exhibition. In all the exhibition phases, the tried and tested planning and implementation team of the Technical University of Clausthal ensured an orderly progress of the steinexpo. Taking a look back at the steinexpo 2017, Dr. Friedhelm Rese, the Managing Director of the exhibition, declared: "It was the most strenuous steinexpo that we have ever organized – but, at the same time, it was also our most successful fair. I would like to thank all of the exhibitors, for their abiding trust in our exhibition concept. And I would like to thank the visitors for their interest in and attention to our offer, which is unique on the European continent."

The result raises the expectations for the 11th steinexpo once more, which is planned from the 26th to the 29th of August 2020 and will again take place in the MHI quarry in Nieder-Ofleiden. www.steinexpo.de https://www.facebook.com/steinexpo supports the exhibition on Facebook!!! steinexpo: From the 30th of August until the 2nd of September 2017, the 10th steinexpo was organized in the MHI basalt quarry in Nieder-Ofleiden. The steinexpo, as the largest and most important stone quarry demonstration exhibition, celebrated its first opening in the quarry in Nieder-Ofleiden. This exhibition is organized at three-year intervals. Within the framework of spectacular live presentations, which were organized with an impressive stone quarry as a backdrop, manufacturers and dealers of construction and processing machines, utility vehicles and heavy goods vehicles, as well as facilities for raw material extraction and processing, demonstrated their high level of performance. A further focal point of the exhibition was the recycling of mineral construction materials. The steinexpo is organized by Geoplan GmbH, Iffezheim.

Contact: Geoplan GmbH Josef-Herrmann-Straße 1-3 D-76473 Iffezheim Tel.: +49 (0)7229-606-30 [email protected]

Picture captions steinexpo2017_PI-10_1a+b: The exhibition grounds from above. The 10th anniversary of this trade exhibition was celebrated in the MHI quarry in Nieder-Ofleiden. Photos: Mario Jeschke steinexpo2017_PI-10_2: Great interest was shown in the official opening, despite the high summer temperatures in the restaurant marquee. steinexpo2017_PI-10_3a+b+c: Everything ready for the start: A hearty handshake was exchanged by the association partners, Dieter Schnittjer (at the left, VDBUM), Joachim Schmid (2nd f.t.l.) and Christian Krauskopf (2nd f.t.r, both member of VDMA), Dr. Gerd Hagenguth (3rd f.t.r) and Dr. Olaf Enger (at the right, both from MIRO) and the Managing Director of the exhibition, Dr. Friedhelm Rese (middle), as they opened the steinexpo 2017. A colourful display of fireworks in the outer area, which was visible from far away, accompanied the opening. Photos: Bodo Wistinghausen steinexpo2017_PI-10_4a+b+c: Action ThinkBig! At the steinexpo. More than 400 students from Hessia were guests at this action. The many other student and trainee visitors gave the exhibition a "young" image. Photos: gsz/steinexpo

2 www.steinexpo.de 30 August until 2 September 2017 steinexpo2017_PI-10_5: Participants at the press conference. During the first, professional part of the information that was provided, the Managing Director of the exhibition, Dr. Friedhelm Rese (6th f.t.l), and Dr. Olaf Enger (MIRO, 5th f.t.l), Joachim Schmid (VDMA, 2nd f.t.l.) and Dieter Schnittjer (VDBUM, at the right), presented important facts on the exhibition and the situation in the sector. In conformity with the motto "rock the future", motivated 'gravel trainees' presented an up-to-date training film, for which they were rewarded with a helicopter flight. Photos: gsz/steinexpo steinexpo2017_PI-10_6a+b+c: Joint demonstrations in a perfect atmosphere, with professional moderation and an excellent view, thanks to a generously dimensioned platform. Photos: gsz/steinexpo steinexpo2017_PI-10_7a+b+c+d: Line-up for waving goodbye. A melancholy moment, which was especially touching in view of the perfect atmosphere. Photos: gsz/steinexpo steinexpo2017_PI-10_8a+b: Team performance! The Managing Director of the exhibition and a part of his team, while waving goodbye during the traditional 'bucket photo'. Dr. Rese is satisfied and simultaneously relieved that the exhibition was able to handle all challenges. Photos: gsz/steinexpo steinexpo2017_PI-10_9: Masses of visitors: Gigantic waiting lines at the ticket offices sometimes strained the nerves of visitors, but they did lead to a visitor record at the steinexpo . steinexpo2017_PI-10_Impressionen: Photos: gsz/steinexpo