SHOWTIME
ENGINEERING
EXPERT FACE-TIME
AT EMEX2020
It’s the place to be seen for
suppliers to the industry,
and for those engineers and
manufacturers who attend
it’s the ideal way to connect
with people, companies and
services that will make a difference
in their business and workshop.
Case in point: enter Complete 3D.
The company will be exhibiting this
year supported by its supplier 3D
Systems and client FI Innovations.
This means visitors will be able to
see the entire 3D printing relationship
end-to-end.
Complete 3D general manager Jim
Collins says as a newer company,
a major focus this year is on raising
awareness about what they can offer
potential customers.
“A big part of that is demonstrating
what people have done, how it’s
done and what questions people
have been asking to make sure it’s
right for them.
Attending EMEX is an easy way to
grow brand awareness quickly and
effectively.
“We can also interact with multiple
industries and multiple disciplines.
For me I’m always about professional
development and learning about
what people do. Having all those
visitors come through and having
them explain what they do and
explaining what we do, we can see
where the synergies lie.”
Collins says a good indicator of
customers increased understanding
of the 3d printing industry is the high
calibre of questions being asked
about the technology.
“Now people are asking the
right questions. They know the
technology - they might just not
know how it works for them. They
are asking questions about machine
specs, material performance and
looking at what it means for them
as a business. People are realising
that their product development
processes are being impacted by 3D
printing they just need to qualify what
it means for them.
“A lot more customers are opening
up to us because they are seeing
what we can do for them and help
transition their business. That’s a
positive sign that there’s an element
of trust in us. A lot of people don’t
like being sold to. I don’t. It’s evident
in the manufacturing industry but
we are consultants’ number 1. We
have an in-depth knowledge of our
industry and surround ourselves with
customers and partners in multiple
disciplines to achieve a common
outcome.”
New Zealand’s premier trade
show has been introducing Kiwis
to cutting-edge technology for 40
years.
This year organisers are creating
a new area in the Innovation Hall
lead by Callaghan Innovation where
companies at the forefront of
Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things'
implementation can be found.
In addition to this a ‘summit’ style
day will aim to highlight the ease with
which Kiwi innovators can implement
and introduce these technologies
into their businesses.
Managing director of Lucas
Machinery Simon Lucas has
attended the show regularly
throughout the 45 years he’s been
operating and will do so again this
year.
He says the face-to-face contact
with customers is invaluable.
“It means we can meet customers
we haven’t seen for a long time
including those who come up from
the South
Island and
reaffirm those
friendships,” he
says.
“Some of the
people we meet at
the show are people
we’ve dealt with over
the last 40 years and
it’s good to meet the
younger managers or
owners coming through
as well.”
Over the years Lucas has
seen a lot of changes in
the engineering world but
is pleased to see people are
moving away from the cheaper
machines and instead searching
for high quality technology that is
built to last.
Buying habits are another thing
changing. In the early days EMEX
was a chance for customers to
see what else was out there and
help them final decisions about
what technology to invest in on the
day. Now Lucas says, although
customers still wait until they can see
something at EMEX before buying,
they’re more likely to take their time
to consider their options and make
purchases after the show.
One thing that remains constant
however is customers continued
interest in investing in the latest
technology.
“People are always looking for better
and easier ways to produce their
products,” he says.
The entire industry is gearing up for the engineering event of the year, with
this year’s EMEX2020 also doubling as the show’s 40th birthday celebration.
Pictured from
left to right:
Complete 3D
general manager
Jim Collins, Alex
Shapcott and
managing director
Gareth Dyke with a
recently completed
installation.
18 February 2020