Aluminum USA 2015: A Q&A with Michael Koehler, Industry Vice President, Reed Exhibitions
Aluminum USA is the trade show and B2B-platform for the entire aluminium industry. Among the target groups of the aluminum producing and processing industry and the metal working and processing industry, Aluminum USA focuses on all application industries, including commercial vehicles and rail transportation.
The U.S. market is the aluminum industry’s third-largest global market, it generates $65 billion of direct economic impact and more than 155,000 jobs in the U.S. alone. From November 11-12 the new trade show Aluminum USA will bring together the branch at the Cobo Center Detroit and give a comprehensive overview of the entire aluminum industry. One hundred companies from 18 countries and 2,000 decision makers are expected. With the event, Reed Exhibitions is intensifying its industry event activities in the US.
1. How did you come to choose Detroit as the place to host your new show?
Only few areas of the United States have as much to offer as the Detroit Region — especially for the aluminum industry. Michigan is the capital of the global automotive industry, which is the largest buyer of aluminum. Emerging from the structural changes that shook up the industry, the Detroit metropolitan area is once again benefitting from growth in the U.S. economy. Since 2006, the city of Detroit has been home to more than $12 billion in commercial, industrial and residential property investment. The manufacturing know-how and high level infrastructure of the region are the best conditions for a new and centrally located industry trade show. Detroit is a great place to do business.
2. Who is your target audience for this event?
Aluminum USA addresses producers and processors of aluminum as well as engineers and developers from the automotive and aerospace industries, from shipbuilding, the building and construction sector or the packaging line — all aluminum application industries.
3. What makes your event special and in what way will your audience benefit from your show?
The trade fair will give a comprehensive overview of the entire aluminum industry. It is the meeting place for suppliers of raw material, semi-finished and finished products, surface treatment and producers of machinery, plant and equipment for aluminum processing and manufacturing. The visitors will benefit from the wide range of new solutions and technologies.
4. Where are the exhibiting companies from and what range of products will be on display?
Alongside key U.S. players such as ABB, Almex, Bloom Engineering, Granco Clark and Wagstaff, lots of companies from Canada, Europe and Asia will be joining the event. Japan’s UACJ, SMS from Germany, Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche from Italy or a large group of Turkish companies will bring a global perspective to the show.
5. Will the show also feature education?
Kicking off Aluminum USA will be the North America Automotive Lightweight Procurement Symposium 2015, which will take place from November 9 to 11. The symposium will focus on lightweight construction in the automotive industry and will feature keynotes and presentations by executives from carmakers and suppliers. Also, Aluminum USA will feature an educational theater supported by the U.S. Aluminum Association on the showfloor.
6. The Aluminum show has been taking place in other parts of the world. Why did you choose to stage the show in the U.S. now?
Since 2009, demand for aluminum in the United States and Canada has increased by nearly 40 percent — these are excellent prospects for international producers and processors. Many U.S. companies asked for their own Aluminum show. Not least the US Aluminum Association has reinforced our decision. Reed Exhibitions is the worldwide partner of the aluminum industry. Aluminum USA is a new launch of a show concept that works. Starting in 1997, the German Aluminum show has become the World Trade Fair for the industry, flanked by aluminum shows in China, India, Dubai and Brazil. With Aluminum USA we want to install the meeting point No. 1 for the branch in North America.
7. How can interested attendees receive more on registration and housing?
For registration and hotel & travel discounts please visit www.aluminum-us.com. Until September 15, 2015, registration will be free of charge.
Aluminum USA
November 11 & 12, 2015
Cobo Center, hall E1-E3
1 Washington Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
Opening hours: November 11 - 12, 2015, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
