Despite the grip of a global economic downturn, the Chinese electronics manufacturing industry once again came out in force to support its leading exhibition platform, NEPCON. In spite of the difficult times faced by the industry, NEPCON China is still on the up and up, continuing to demonstrate its status as the most important event for the Chinese SMT community. Still receiving strong support from industry players, NEPCON attracted an impressive 13,535 visitors, filling the isles over the four-day event. Visitors of great importance to the event, and to the industry at large included 2911 VIPs and 301 NEPCON Diamond club members — a growth of 164% over 2008 — and 822 buyers, an increase of 284.11%.
These numbers were seen as a major achievement for the organizers, Reed Exhibitions and CCPIT. Four hundred exhibitors, from 22 countries and regions filled the show halls. From leading brands including Samsung, Siemens, Nutek, Assembléon, MyData, First Technology, Panasonic American Tec, JUKI, Ascentek, Fuji, Saki, Agilent, Dage, Viscom and Tamara — to name just a few — were among the exhibitors. Many companies not only committed to the show and to the industry in 2009, but have already signed up for 2010! Dates for next year’s event have already been announced as the 20th to the 22nd April, to be held at the Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The large number of visitors is a testament to the quality of the exhibitors and the innovative show floor attractions. As China’s strongest electronics manufacturing event, NEPCON China once again provided a full range of SMT products and services from equipment to test to soldering. NEPCON focuses on the ‘experience’ and there were plenty of new and existing highlights to draw and excite visitors.
Education and raising awareness is at the core of what drives the NEPCON experience. For example, 2009 saw the show debut the SMT Demo line, which created an interactive element and enthusiastic crowds. This dynamic demo line was jointly put together by leading vendors, including Yamaha, Heller, Henkel, SAKI, Tyco, Autoveyor, OK International and Air Products. WKK China Ltd, General Manager, Yeung Chuen Hau said, “We saw the SMT Demo Line presentation onsite. It is a very good idea and the atmosphere was very active. It made more visitors aware of the whole SMT production process and it also helped us to attract more customers.”
Another event highlight and a large draw for the show year on year is the SMTA Conference, which once again proved a great success as engineers in China continue to be motivated towards education. The SMTA Association is congratulated for its input in 2009 and has once again declared its support for NEPCON South China 2009 that will take place on 26-28 August in Shenzhen, as well as the 2010 show in Shanghai.
Other onsite activities that successfully drew the visitors were the 3G day, Engineer Award, SMT Home member gatherings, iNEMI Roundtable and many more. The 3G Day high level networking and technology seminar gathered professionals from the communications industry to share the developing trend of 3G business. Mr. Qifeng, the current vice president of ITU-T G4, gave a presentation on the development trend of network operation support services in the 3G era, which generated active responses and consensus.
Mr. Edward Tung, from Flextronics, was invited to host the technology seminar, and Mr. Takayama, former member of SONY, and Mr. Dong Enhui, from Da Tang Telecom, gave presentations and discussed communication manufacturing technology solutions based on 3G mode to a standing-room only crowd. These highly prominent hosts provide yet another real commitment to the industry in China.
The Engineer award also attracted approximately 100 participants and the “Best SMT Engineer” was awarded to Zhang Zhineng, from Sun East, who has finally obtained the chance to visit INTERNEPCON Japan. NEPCON’s organizers understand the importance of these engineers who represent the industry’s present and its future. NEPCON therefore remains devoted to providing this opportunity to reward their commitment and talent, as they instill a pledge to the future of the industry.
The e-NEPCON Portal proved extremely popular and received a very positive response. In fact, visitors showed great interest in the e-NEPCON products, with more than1,500 registering as e-NEPCON members. This portal is one of the most visited of its kind in China and its increasing interest shows no signs of abating. It provides an opportunity for quality interaction between exhibitors and visitors 24/7, 365 days a year.
Josephine Lee, East China Vice President at Reed Exhibitions, offered her comments: “We implemented a lot of new initiatives at NEPCON China 2009. After 19 presentations of development, NEPCON has become a very important business platform for networking, learning and sourcing. Moreover, with the new launch of e-NEPCON, we are able to serve the SMT community throughout the year. We are very encouraged by the positive feedback from the exhibitors and visitors, and 70% of space at NEPCON China 2011 has been booked.”
NEPCON China continues to be the only comprehensive business platform for the electronics industry in China and consistently brings all the famous brands together under one roof. The organizers look forward to the next event in Shenzhen, which will also enable them to bring dynamic new initiatives to the electronics show floor.
