The 15th edition of the industrial fair Intec 2014 took off today focusing on innovative technologies for the manufacturing industry. Organised by Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) the industrial fair was inaugurated by N K Maini, Deputy Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Held at Codissia Trade Fair Grounds the 5-day exposition saw over 325 participants from India and few countries including Japan, the US, Germany, China and Singapore. Foreign participants account for more than 5% of the total numbers.
Speaking to Auto Components India, the Chairman of Intec 2014, P N Balasubramanian said Intec serves as an opportunity for the Indian companies to update on technological developments happening in the international arena. Besides, it provides an idle chance to incorporate the same in their manufacturing units. Earlier, at the inauguration, Balasubramanian said, “At Intec, business agreements materialise quite early unlike other industrial expos. By virtue of patronage in terms of business generation and participation by overseas industrial players, the fair has gained good momentum and stands as the prestigious and flagship fair of South India.”
This edition of Intec is happening in the backdrop of an extremely difficult market conditions. There has been a lot of swings in the market during the past one year with rupee value dipping to an all time low. The manufacturing sector is hard hit for orders. With the market lying low, the export orders have come down too. Despite this situation, “We expect about one lakh visitors during this five-day event, with a business turnover of around Rs 600 crore,” Balasubramanian said.
The President of CODISSIA, R Ramachandran said despite the total number participants in the current edition is remains the same as the previous edition, there were more than 35 new participants. There were companies from few places including Ludhiana and a few towns located in Haryana, he added.
Alongside the event CODISSIA is organising a conference – Global Manufacturing Cluster Vision 2020 at the Residency on June 7. Co-organised by the global research and consulting firm Texas Ventures, the theme for the conference is ‘Innovation – An implant for future manufacturing.’ The conference, which is the 6th edition in series, will have the Chairman of Sundaram Finance and Managing Director of Brakes India, Viji Santhanam, as the chief guest.
