With 176 exhibitors showcasing state-of-the-art technology, the most important market players in Switzerland and international connections, Logistics & Automation and Empack are well-prepared at the BernExpo opening – and the thanks of event manager Stefan Vögele to the trade fair team are well-founded.
The intralogistics industry platform, launched jointly with Empack at Bernexpo, is present with a slightly lower number of exhibitors. However, it has become clear that after the pandemic and the temporary surge in online activity, personal contact has regained its original importance. At the same time, the all-in-one concept has proven successful, as has the app, which allows visitors and exhibitors to find their way around more quickly. The team around Kristina Nadjarian and Sarah Tschopp did an excellent job, a sentiment echoed by the media during a press conference. Furthermore, the industry associations, represented by Jan Eberle (GS1), Andreas Zopfi (SVI), and Daniel Moser (Movement 32), are credited with playing a significant role in the platform's success.
Photos: klk.
While the intralogistics sector is primarily focused on automation, and robotic vehicles – such as those from Agilox or Safelog – will soon be represented at the International IFOY Award in Dortmund, the packaging industry is currently grappling with a veritable "tsunami" of regulations, triggered by EU directives. "These are exciting times," says Andreas Zopfi, Managing Director of the Swiss Packaging Institute (SVI), if one views the numerous impending changes as both a challenge and an opportunity. The packaging industry is looking at and redesigning the entire chain, from production and procurement to recycling.
Nevertheless, at Logistics & Automation in particular, numerous exhibitors have switched to booking only a few square meters – but in return, under the umbrella of the intralogistics association ILS, they are offering a kind of coordinated program that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of quality. Among the local players, Linde, Still, and Stöcklin stand out, while Jungheinrich has a somewhat reduced presence. Still, together with its Swiss managing director Rolf Huber, benefits from a joint appearance with the automation specialist Dematic, which has been part of the Kion group for some time. Competitor TGW has announced that robotics specialist Safelog will soon be located in the immediate vicinity in Rotkreuz.
Sulser's Logistics Academy, with its wide range of training programs, occupies a prominent position in Hall 3, while robots in "free-range" conditions—meaning direct interaction with visitors—demonstrate their safety standards, advanced sensor technology, and perfect evasive maneuvers, accompanied by a corresponding soundscape. It certainly promises to be exciting (further report to follow).
Today, Thursday, until 5 pm at BernExpo.
