TPT July 2012

Industry News

Tube 2012 – biggest to date THE 2012 edition of Tube Düsseldorf bounced back in style following the disappointing final two days of the 2010 event that were marred by the Icelandic volcanic eruption. Also in 2010 the effects of the global economic crisis had resulted in a slight reduction in visitor numbers. However, there were no such problems this year with increases posted in exhibit space (+9.4 per cent), occupying nearly 49,000m 2 and in visitor numbers (+6.3 per cent for wire and Tube combined). Although the number of exhibitors at Tube was up marginally there was clear evidence of renewed confidence in the trade fair’s strategic importance with the return of high profile companies like V&M Deutschland GmbH and the fact that a number of organisations booked increased space this time. The ITA participated at Tube 2012 in an imposing new look stand in hall 4, providing a comprehensive range of support services for members and their guests, whether exhibiting or visiting. The free, well-appointed meeting rooms were in regular use and the refreshment facilities much appreciated. Advice on technical matters as well as information about ITA events and the ITA’s unique range of membership benefits was provided by the new executive secretary Peter Byroslawsky and attending board members Steve Loynes and Andy Houghton. Over the five day event more than 100 new enquiries were obtained and nearly 20 new members signed up with more sure to follow as a result of visits to the stand. On Wednesday 28 March the ITA’s annual general meeting was held in the Congress Centre at which important elections to the IEMB were held. Following the completion of the formalities of the meeting and before ITA members and VIP guests enjoyed a free buffet lunch there were a number of presentations made. Chairman of the Technical Management Committee Steve Loynes presented speaker awards for the best papers given at ITA conferences over the previous two years. For his paper at the Pipe & Tube Düsseldorf World Conference 2011, “FRT- four rolling technology – the latest developments in tube OD finishing”, the Professor Hugh Sansome Trophy was awarded to Fabio Lacapruccia of Danieli Centro Tubi, Italy, and the Speaker’s Shield was presented to Matthias Hermes of Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Construction, Germany for his paper “New flexible tube forming processes – tool independent forming of tubes to complex workpieces with workpiece-invariant tools”. The John C Hogg Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by ITA president Gunther Voswinckel to Tsutomu Nakata, current ITA chairman, for his support for the association over many years. In addition to a commemorative gift Mr Nakata received free lifetime membership of the ITA. A special presentation was made to retired executive secretary Phillip Knight for his close collaboration with the company over a ten-year period, which saw the development of important exhibitions supported by the ITA in China, Russia, India, Thailand, Brazil and the UAE.

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ITA – UK Website: www.itatube.org

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J uly 2012