REGIONAL> Highlights
Shanghai hosts machine tool fair
By Chen Qide (China Daily Shanghai Bureau)
Updated: 2009-07-03 16:58

The international machine tool fair EASTPO 2009 is coming to Shanghai’s new international Expo center on July 15 to showcase the world's latest machine tool facilities and technologies.

The four-day event is expected to attract more than 1,000 exhibitors with one-third of them from foreign countries including Germany, Italy, South Korea, Japan and the United States, Zhong Guomiao, president of EASTPO International Expo Co Ltd, said today.

``They show firm confidence in the market despite the global recession,'' Zhong said.

The event will set a new record in exhibitor numbers and exhibition area size. Of the 80,000 square meters on display, 20,000 will be allotted to foreign companies such as DMG, Mori Seiki, MAG, Mazak, Mitsubishi, Mikron, Heidenhain and SMTCL.

Zhong said exhibitors will bring new products to the show, including large-scale machine tools, CNC press and high speed vertical machining centers. Of the exhibits, 30 per cent will contain digitally-controlled machine tools.

``The show has become a platform for communication between exhibitors and visitors to facilitate the technology trade and machine tool sales,'' he said.

The Korean Machinery Fair-Shanghai (KOMAF Shanghai 2009) will be incorporated with EASTPO 2009, with more than 100 Korean companies attending and a robot presentation.

Seminars will be held to discuss metalworking, national defense science and technology, industry manufacturing technology, technique innovation, tool application and the auto industry.