The South Island’s premier engineering and manufacturing tech trade show has been reinvigorated for 2015. New owners XPO Exhibitions have been working hard to ensure that visitors and exhibitors get a great return on their investment.  No stranger to trade exhibitions, XPO owns and organises NZ’s largest portfolio of national trade exhibitions, including a selection of events with a good industry synergy with SouthMACH.

“XPO has been able to leverage on an excellent EMEX (held in Auckland last year) which saw a 25% rise in trade visitor numbers (audited by Audited Media Assoc of Australasia). Many new and old exhibitors to SouthMACH are trusting us as the show’s new owners to deliver a reinvigorated event in Addington, Christchurch this year.”

“SouthMACH is now over 70% full and well ahead of schedule. There are a large number of 3D print technology companies, specialist welding suppliers and we’ve already confirmed CNC machinery exhibitors into the event”, says Aad van der Poel, SouthMACH’s show manager. “We’re committed to a strong media schedule to re-launch this event as the true heartland of NZ Manufacturing. “

David Green of Kemppi Australia says SouthMACH will be its first direct event engagement within New Zealand for some time. “This exhibition will increase our exposure to the welding market in New Zealand in general, and to the welding contractor community focused upon the Christchurch rebuild in particular.

“We’ll be showing how to achieve highest quality control through a number of welding solutions we call TOTAL WELDING X Management (TWXM). In short we offer increased productivity, reduced operating cost, reduced operational risk and compliance to welding quality management standards.

“People who don’t visit SouthMACH and our stand will miss the opportunity to add significant value to their operation, as well as our dedicated industry seminar on ‘welding quality control management and documentation management systems’.”

Local companies as just as positive about SouthMACH as the internationals. Brett Hawkes of Mainstream Engineering Ltd (MEL) says it’s a fantastic opportunity to help launch the company’s new Christchurch operation. “It’s targeted at improving our service to Canterbury (and the greater South Island) industry. Over a short two day period we will be able to reach a greater number of people and businesses in a direct one on one way, getting better understanding of their needs and how the skill and experience of the MEL team can add value to their business.

“To add a bit of interest over and above the standard information display, we plan to provide an interactive demonstration of one of the services we offer, and there might be something in it for the best performer on the day! Watch this space…”

Another company with must-see technology is Baskiville. “DuraGlide is a dry-film PFTE based lubricant developed to improve hi-tech medical devices, but useful in any hi-tech product where stacked tolerances accumulate to increase friction and reduce a product’s effectiveness due to manufacturing tool wear and tear,” says Neil McArthur.

Ed Higgins of Kiwi company Sulco says SouthMACH visitors can look forward to displays and demonstrations of a range of Knipex Germany pliers and cutters. “This will include a number of new and innovative tools for many industry segments: electrical, plumbing, construction, electronics and more. We will have Daniel Hesmer, the International Sales Manager Asia Pacific, from Knipex Germany also attending this event, along with our NZ Business Development Manager Bruce Clarke.”

SouthMACH is at the Horncastle Arena Christchurch, 22 and 23 July 2015. It is a trade-only event, with free entry to those who preregister online at www.southmach.co.nz