Suppliers show with a clear increase in visitors

Technik, Zutaten und Verpackungsideen für die Süßwaren und Snacks von morgen bot die Fachmesse ProSweets Cologne 2018. Mit 20.000 Besuchern lockte die „Internationale Zuliefermesse für die Süßwaren- und Snackindustrie“ deutlich mehr Interessenten nach Köln als die Vorveranstaltungen.

Sweets and snacks manufacturers need a strong and innovative supplier industry,” stated Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse, at the close of ProSweets Cologne. “Against this background, ProSweets Cologne 2018 clearly demonstrated its expertise and significance as a central information and procurement platform for the industry.”
Attracting over 20,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries, ProSweets Cologne recorded a significant increase in the number of visitors compared to previous events. Particularly the number of foreign trade visitors increased. 70 % of all visitors came from abroad.
As always, ProSweets Cologne profited from the synergies of ISM, the world’s largest fair for sweets and snacks. At this trade fair which was held parallel, 1,656 exhibiting companies from 73 countries and 37,500 trade visitors from 144 countries were registered.
Many exhibitors came from abroad
The quality of the trade visitors and discussions convinced the 325 ProSweets Cologne exhibitors from 33 countries. 67 % of the exhibitors came from abroad. In addition to the ­leading suppliers from the supplier industry, numerous small and medium-sized companies were also represented. After the successful outcome of the trade fair, over 80 % of the exhibitors already definitely plan to return in 2019.
Once again, ProSweets Cologne presented the wide range of themes that are significant in the pre-stages, production and packing sectors. For four days, the trade fair was dedicated to the themes raw materials and ingredients, sweets packaging and packaging technology, machines and systems as well as secondary areas, such as food safety or quality management.
The changes to formulas, presentation forms and packing that is strived for by the consumer-oriented industry dominated the discussions at the stands as well as the lectures on the event programme. Multisensory technology, the relationship between the individual ingredients, the influence of alternative sweeteners on the overall recipe, but also issues regarding food safety were addressed in detail. Machine and technological optimizations, resource efficiency as well as solutions for providing transparency along the supply chain met with great interest among the trade visitors.
The trade visitors comprised of executives of the companies as well as employees from the research, development and construction departments. According to a survey, they had great influence on the procurement and buying decisions within their companies, an impression that was also conveyed by the exhibitors. “We held discussions with highly-qualified specialists, who were contemplating investments and the expansion of existing machinery,” commented one large machine manufacturer.
The interest in the theme packing, which was additionally featured in the “Packaging – Function meets Design” special event this year, was very high. The theme ingredients also proved to be of ongoing interest. For example, the guided tours entitled “Reformulation” were once more very well-attended.
The next ProSweets Cologne is scheduled to take place from 27 to 30 January 2019.     •