"Witnessing machines in action, that's the essence of wire & Tube 2024"

Industry insiders in the metal wire, cable, tube sectors are undoubtedly acquainted with the wire & Tube exhibition duo in Düsseldorf. This biennial event, integral to the calendars of industry professionals for almost four decades (with wire-style exhibitions debuting as early as 1967 in London), forms a pivotal component of a broader series of sister fairs organized by Messe Düsseldorf across the globe.

Among these, the original and flagship event retains its status as the most prominent, drawing attendees and participants not just from Germany but from the rest of the world as well. Let's explore what makes the 2024 edition special, as elucidated by Friedrich-Georg Kehrer, the Global Portfolio Director of wire and Tube. Kehrer shared insights during a press conference arranged for Italian journalists by Honegger, Messe Düsseldorf representative in Italy.

First, some basic information.

Where and when is the fair held? 

The Düsseldorf Exhibition Center, from Monday, April 15 to Friday, April 19, 2024.

What are the opening hours?

New this year, the fair starts an hour later! The fair runs from 10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Thursday, closing at 4 pm on the last day, Friday.

What is wire 2024 about and who is it for?

The scope of the fair remains consistent with previous editions, encompassing a wide range of materials such as metal wire and cable, machinery for wire production and finishing, process technologies, measurement, and control. Additionally, there are specialized areas dedicated to fasteners, spring, welded mesh, and optical fiber production.

Which halls will wire occupy?

The exhibition will span across Halls 9 to 17. Notably, Hall 14 will host 284 Chinese exhibitors, Hall 16 will be dedicated to spring and fasteners production, including final products, whereas Hall 17 will exclusively feature companies specializing in welding mesh.

How large is wire 2024?

The latest data indicates that wire 2024 boasts 67,000 square meters of net exhibition space, accommodating 1464 exhibitors from 62 countries, with three-quarters hailing from Europe. In comparison, the 2022 edition, held in June as the first post-Covid event, featured 1058 wire exhibitors across 53,000 square meters. From this perspective, wire 2024 has already surpassed both the 2022 edition and the regular one in 2018 in terms of scale and participation.

How many visitors are anticipated at wire?

In 2022, amidst a somewhat subdued edition as mentioned earlier, wire welcomed 43,000 visitors from 143 countries, with only 82% being Europeans. As emphasized by Kehrer, there exists a positive correlation between the distance the visitor travels and their purchasing power: generally speaking, the farther the visitor journeys to the fair, the greater their decision-making power. The international diversity and high-caliber profile of attendees at wire undoubtedly offer exhibitors significant advantages. Despite Germany's economic downturn this year - as noted by Kehrer, who acknowledges that Germans tend to travel less during such periods - it's important to recognize that wire is not solely reliant on German attendance; “it is not a German fair”. A substantial number of visitors is therefore expected, even in the face of these challenging economic conditions.

What are the novelties of wire 2024?

Apart from the more favorable schedule for night owls who prefer to sleep in (see above), the format remains the same. The scope of the fair has not changed, but a rich program of side events is planned, which you can read extensively about at this link.

What are the driving forces in the wire sector currently, and what are the trending topics and most intriguing developments for professionals in the wire industry?

The focus is on various fronts, including the electric mobility sector, telecommunications (such as 5G and streaming), and construction, particularly in areas like smart homes, eco-friendly buildings, and modular structures. Additionally, there's keen interest in Brussels' plans to invest in the EU's reindustrialization endeavors.

Now, turning our attention to the Tube exhibition! What does it encompass, and who is its target audience?

Tube 2024 encompasses a significantly broader sector compared to wire. It not only features metal tubes, but also includes plastic, concrete, and ceramic varieties, although the metal sector remains the most prominent. In the last few years, Tube has also extended invitations to companies in the profiles sector, which sometimes employ the same machinery used for tube manufacturing.

Which halls will Tube 2024 occupy?

Tube 2024 will span across Halls 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 7a, with Hall 7 exclusively designated for Chinese exhibitors. The remaining halls will be dedicated to tube production and distribution, tube bending and forming technologies, as well as machinery and plants. Hall 1 will be allocated for the plastic tubes and pipes sector.

How large is Tube?

According to Kehrer, Tube stands as one of the largest trade fairs in the world for the oil and gas pipe industry. As of the press conference on February 15, 51,000 square meters have been allocated to 1113 exhibitors, positioning Tube 2024 slightly smaller than the pre-Covid 2018 edition, yet significantly larger than the previous Tube held in 2022. Exhibiting companies represent 44 different countries, with 77% originating from Europe.

How many visitors are expected at Tube 2024?

The 2022 edition attracted 31,000 visitors from 143 countries, with 82% of attendees being European.

What are the highlights of this year's Tube edition? What are the prevailing trends shaping the tube industry today?

The spotlight is on the burgeoning hydrogen sector. While this doesn't necessarily translate into an influx of new exhibitors, existing industry players are increasingly pivoting toward this emerging market segment and leveraging Tube as a platform to showcase their latest innovations. Hydrogen-powered mobility - Kehrer believes - will outshine electric mobility in the long haul, though it's vital that it's achieved sustainably. Another noteworthy development, as highlighted by the German manager, is the growing emphasis on plastic tubes. With their lightweight and cost-effective nature, plastic tubes are steadily displacing traditional metal counterparts. Stainless steel continues to maintain its prominence, with 300 exhibitors at Tube 2024 dedicated to this market segment. This underscores the fair's reputation as "the world's largest stainless steel community", as articulated by the Global Portfolio Director of wire and Tube.

Now, let's tackle the big question: why stretch the fair to five days instead of four (or three)?

"To those wondering about this," remarked Kehrer, "I'd say the main asset of the Düsseldorf fair is its machinery. Shortening the event could mean exhibitors opting out of moving their heavy equipment for just 3 or 4 days. Instead, Düsseldorf stands out as the ideal location in the heart of Europe for showcasing heavy-duty machinery and this is something we are not willing to give up."

Expometals.net will also be present at the event: come and visit us at stand H16/F50 to meet us in person and find out more about the many services the platform offers. To book an appointment in advance, please call 333 8104002, email [email protected], or use our appointment calendar.

Many Expometals.net exhibitors will have a dedicated stand where they will display their latest innovations and technologies.

Find out more about Expometals.net's exhibitors at wire 2024 in this dedicated article >>

Find out more about Expometals.net's exhibitors at Tube 2024 in this dedicated article >>