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Intermodal Europe confirms its position as the place to do business in the industry

Industry professionals from across the world gathered at the Hamburg Messe for one of the most successful Intermodal Europe events in the show’s history.

The exhibition, now in its 35th year, brought together container transport and logistics professionals from 81 countries, whilst the free-to-attend conference sessions allowed visitors to hear from some of the most high-profile figures in the industry. The 2011 edition of Intermodal Europe certainly lived up to expectations, with 4,500 attendees coming through the doors during the three-day event.

Leading suppliers from the intermodal industry took to the exhibition floor to showcase their latest innovations. Thousands of visitors, from the road, rail and maritime sectors, attended the three-day event, looking to source the latest equipment, systems, technology and services in an effort to improve the productivity and efficiency of their operations.

In the tough economic conditions, Intermodal Europe was again used as the platform to unveil innovative new product launches. One year after announcing that it had developed the world’s first container refrigeration system to use natural refrigerant C02, Carrier Transicold revealed what it claimed to be revolutionary new NaturaLINE unit to hundreds of visitors.

Following the launch, Jonathan Shaw, manager, global communications, Carrier Transicold, added, “Intermodal Europe is the event for the industry and we know that all our customers attend. It is the only show we do each year and it was the perfect location for us to launch NaturaLINE. The 2011 edition of the event was extremely well attended and we were delighted by the response of the industry when we unveiled the product.”

Gold Container also used Intermodal Europe as a platform to announce that it had rebranded as TOUAX Global Container Solutions. Having been a subsidiary of the TOUAX Group since 1985, the company unveiled its new identity at the show and invited customers and industry professionals to its stand to find out more about the new-look company.

Commenting on the success of the rebranding, Christophe de Chanterac, Strategic Marketing Manager, Touax, said, “We are well known in the industry but it was essential to inform our stakeholders of the changes within our business. Intermodal Europe 2011 attracted key people from across the industry and was the perfect location for us to discuss our new-look business.”

Unit 45 used the popular Container Park – an area on the exhibition floor that allowed manufacturers to display their latest containers – to demonstrate upgrades to its 45 foot containers, which provide a more environmentally-friendly transportation solution. Additionally, GreenCat launched a new generation terminal operating system at the event. Cat4TerminalOperator is a new software solution for inland container terminals and gives management teams new insights into intermodal logistics processes.

Sophie Ahmed, event director of Intermodal Europe, commented, “We have been delighted with the response to this year’s event, with industry professionals from 81 countries visiting the exhibition to source the latest products and services. The success of the show is a clear indication that companies in the intermodal industry are increasingly looking at ways to improve business and service in the current climate.”

There was also great buzz surrounding the free-to-attend conference sessions as visitors listened intently as industry leaders thrashed out the issues shaping the future of the supply chain industry. Highlights of this year’s event included the findings of the Global Institute of Logistics’ four-year study into the optimisation of logistics in ports, and the TIGER Project’s second annual conference, where its members debated the major challenges facing rail intermodalism in Europe.

The sessions featured presentations from leading figures including Proctor & Gamble’s Frank Arendt and Søren Toft, Vice President at Maersk Line. Visitors heard Mr Arendt discuss how intermodal transport can fulfil shippers’ key logistics requirements, whilst Mr Toft was put under the spotlight during a special interview during which he was asked to explain the company’s recent announcements, including its ‘Manifesto for Change’.

The TIGER Project also held a series of seminars and debates on the future of intermodalism in Europe. The organisation’s leader, Franco Castegnetti, revealed the group’s findings on the challenges facing intermodal transport in Europe to a packed conference theatre.

Intermodal Europe was brought to a close on day three with a session devoted to the Baltic region. This was organised by Baltic Transport Journal magazine which ran seminars throughout the day. The sessions were hosted by key figures in the area and focused on the maritime, port/terminal and intermodal perspectives on trade routes to the region.

Plans are already underway for 2012, as Sophie Ahmed concluded, “Following this year’s success, we are delighted to announce next year’s show will take place at RAI Amsterdam from 27-29 November 2012. We are advising companies who would like to exhibit at next year’s show to contact us as soon as possible as more than 75% of the floor plan has already been filled up. We have had an overwhelming response to Intermodal Europe 2011 and over 60 companies have already rebooked for the 2012 edition! We are looking forward to building on the fantastic success of this year’s event and ensuring that next year’s event is even more successful.  We look forward to welcoming the industry to Amsterdam in a year’s time.”

For more information go to: http://www.intermodal-events.com/