A total of 3,029 visitors were counted over the two days of the concurrently held "Logistics & Automation 2024" and "Empack" events in Hall 3.0 of Bernexpo. While the 3,621 visitors from the previous year could not be matched, the high quality of exhibitors and industry participants was clearly praised.
As a compact package, "Logistics & Automation" once again served as the central hub for the (intra)logistics, transport, and automation industry. However, this cross-industry meeting between suppliers, associations, and experts would have been difficult to imagine without the close cooperation with associations such as GS1, Swiss Supply, SVBL, Astag, ILS, and the Swiss Venture Club, as well as the Swiss Packaging Institute (SVI) on the "Empack" side.
The previous day, Stefan Voegele, Head of Cluster at Easyfairs, had already emphasized the exemplary role of the industry platform, which focuses on both social and industrial policy issues within its supporting program. "At 'Logistics & Automation,' we highlighted the major topics of automation, digitalization, robotics, and also the promotion of young talent. At the combined trade fair, we were able to network and present these topics very effectively under the motto 'Discover, learn & connect.' We are very proud of this."
The "Logistics Talks," in cooperation with association partners GS1 Switzerland and Swiss Supply, once again proved to be a particular highlight, presenting a broad spectrum of trending topics and expert knowledge. Until the very last moment – and often well beyond – engaging discussions took place on current developments in the areas of future trends, employee safety, sustainability, and talent development.
The newly launched sustainability program, "Act for the Future," met with an extremely positive response. Voegele: "...in concrete terms, this means making our events even more sustainable, for example, no more hall carpets that would otherwise have to be disposed of after two days, or no more printed visitor information – for this, we have developed our user-friendly trade fair app.".
Photo: klk.
For exhibitors who rebooked their stand for next year, a special offer was available, just like last year: planting a tree for every exhibitor who commits to Zurich in 2025. As part of this initiative, which was very well received by exhibitors, over 130 trees have already been planted.
The issue of skilled labor shortages remains ever-present. Daniel Moser from the strategy consultancy Movement'32 stated at the media roundtable: "Skilled workers are lacking everywhere. (...) We are showing how we plan to attract skilled workers to supply industry professions over the next ten years." At the Logistics Talk, three companies presented completely different approaches to the targeted and successful recruitment of young professionals. Moser added: "The entire supply chain should and wants to present itself together here to make progress in this area."
Kristina Nadjarian, Marketing & Content Manager Switzerland at both trade fairs: “I was delighted by the large number of trade visitors who met our exhibiting companies, associations, and partners. The lecture areas of the ‘Logistics Talks’ were also a very well-attended highlight for the participants. For me, that’s always the special moment after all the preparation: to see the success and the positive results live and experience them with all my senses. Now we’re already starting to plan the next two trade fairs in 2025, again in Zurich.”
Stephanie Zbären praised the Swiss Post's presence in Bern, saying it was very exciting and valuable. "The parallel appearance with Empack was almost symbolic, as we at the postal service also connect Switzerland with the world. Not only on the IT side, but also on the transport and logistics side for our customers."
At Astag, discussions focused on the future of the LSVA III (heavy vehicle fee system), and the Master Club's networking reception, together with the GS1 Logistics Managers Club, brought the transport and logistics industry closer together, reports Franco Digirolamo of the Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association.
Highlights at GS1 Switzerland included promoting the "Lean and Green" sustainability program, the introduction of new supply chain standards for automating digital delivery notes, participation in the "Logistics Network Logistics Managers Club Switzerland," a specialized training program for logistics professionals, and the GS1 Logistics Market Study. Jan Eberle, Head of Industry Engagement Logistics at GS1 Switzerland, commented: "Logistics & Automation is a great opportunity to meet the various players in the industry, exchange ideas, and get to know new ones."
Others benefited from the direct presentation of robotic products from the field of automation."We were delighted to be able to present the new Flexi-Shuttle warehouse at 'Logistics & Automation 2024,' which was recently commissioned at the new Imbach logistics center in Lucerne," says Corinne Galliker, Sales Manager at the transport service provider of the same name. The fact that up to 130,000 containers can be supplied fully automatically and efficiently in this shuttle warehouse represents an important development step for the entire Galliker Group.
“For us,” says Rolf Huber, Managing Director of Still Switzerland, “it was valuable to showcase our latest mobile robotics and intralogistics solutions here in Bern”The trade fair concept was a positive surprise, as was the number of highly competent visitors and actual decision-makers at the booth. A joint appearance with Dematic at the Zurich trade fair in 2025 is certain.
The next edition of «Logistics & Automation» as well as Empack will take place on January 22nd and 23rd, 2025 at Messe Zürich.
Video impressions
