INTERMAT RETURNS

Having not been held since 2018 expectations are high as Intermat returns to Paris, France. Show Director, Christophe Lecarpentier, talks to Andy Brown about the themes of the event, exhibitor numbers, and new innovations

How do we build better with new machinery, new energies? They are the questions Intermat wants to respond to

With a gap of six years since the last Intermat was held due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, director of Intermat, Christophe Lecarpentier, admits that bringing back the show is “quite ambitious and quite exciting.”

A lot has changed in the world of construction – and in the world – since the show was last held. Some of the big changes for construction are centred on the way that machines are powered, and sustainability. Lecarpentier, who worked for JCB for more than 15 years before taking on his current role, comments that, “It’s not about, I’ve got a 20 tonne excavator and I need to replace it, or I’m going to see if the new one is more productive or more comfortable.

“Really the question now is: should I still invest in a diesel? Should I go to electric? How do I get biodiesel or, if I go electric, how many hours will it last?”

A question of power

As Lecarpentier says, the question is now not as straightforward as a company needing to buy a new excavator or wheeled loader and just looking at the latest model – the questions of how it should be powered and how sustainable it is are increasingly important. It is these kinds of questions, and more, that the show aims to address.

The show will be held in Paris, France

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

The show director makes the point that before it was announced that Intermat was returning it was vital that a clear theme was established to make sure the event is useful and that people take time out of their schedules to attend.

In a world of video meetings and conference calls, and with business travel less common than in the past, it is more important than ever that in-person shows provide compelling reasons why people should give up their time and attend.

“We are in the transition phase, innovation is very important. It’s very different to before; before innovation was how I make my machine more productive, more comfortable, safer. There’s still this part, but I think beyond that is how do we build better with new machinery, new energies? They are the questions Intermat wants to respond to,” he comments.

“To visitors I would say that Intermat is really the place to be when you want to talk about these new solutions, new energies.

Decarbonisation will be the key theme of this year’s event, which will be organised around four key themes: innovation, energy, new equations and CSR commitments

“When you are going through a transition stage you are asking yourself, as a visitor, what type of machinery should I go to, what type of energy, what type of digital solutions – questions we want to answer.”

Exhibitors at the event

Intermat – which runs from April 24-27, 2024, in Paris, France – currently has approximately 650 exhibitors in its online exhibitor catalogue, but Lecarpentier expects this number to substantially increase.

“We should reach a thousand exhibitors by April; at least a thousand brands will be present,” he comments. He also revealed that the show was on course to reach its floor space target of 80,000 square metres.

“In terms of square meters, we should reach the targets in terms of number of exhibitors. I think it’s important that we have a large offer. You know, it’s nice to have big, huge stands and all the brands, but it’s also about all the other exhibitors that you need to see. So, yes, I think it will be a success – that’s our target.” The 2018 show attracted approximately 1,500 exhibitors and 180,000 visitors.

Regarding exhibitors, Lecarpentier says that 65% of the companies that have registered are “international” and that there has been strong interest from Chinese manufacturers. “What is clear is that in France and in Europe some Chinese brands have taken some market share and Europe has been their focus, so obviously they will have a presence at the show.”

Regarding the visitors to the event, he acknowledged that the majority would be from Europe but said Intermat was positioned as an “international show” and they have been working hard to, “attract people from Asia, India, Africa, and America.”

Lecarpentier says that he expects there to be a mix of people at the event from the industry, from operators through to the top management of companies, as they need to be up-to-date with the changes the industry is going through and how goals and targets can be reached. “Most construction companies have got decarbonisation targets. When you see that a machine stays in your fleet for six years, one you buy now will still be there in 2030; some of the machines, bought this year, will still be working until 2030. So, they can’t wait to action.”

With many different paths to decarbonisation such as biodiesel, electric and hydrogen, Intermat are betting that the sector makes the journey to Paris in the Spring to keep itself as informed about all the options as possible.

IC

The March-April issue of International Construction will contain our full Intermat show guide.