Turn out to this year’s Plastics Design & Moulding Exhibition (PDM11) exceeded expectations and over half of all visitors were first-timers, demonstrating that the show’s relocation to London had successfully attracted a new audience. Many of these new visitors were industrial designers and OEMs attending the co-located Product Design + Innovation conference which drew design consultancies like PDD and Lucid Group as well as creative minds working in-house for Marks & Spencer, Dyson, Sony and Peglar.
PDM exhibitor IPF, which specialises in 3D printing technology, reported making over 130 contacts in two days and Vicky Bancroft, internal customer sales representative, Ultra Polymers said: “We’ve been able to demonstrate our more innovative products and discuss ideas in depth with a lot of designers at PDM11. The show’s been even better than we expected and proved an ideal platform for showing the design community how we can help them.”
Other exhibitors reported meeting quality visitors to discuss genuine projects, confirming that exhibiting at PDM presents value for money. “The quality of visitors at PDM11 has been very good. We were attracted by the London venue and we have met a lot of OEMs from the region, who came here to discuss specific projects with us,” said Karl McGee, managing director, WCM.
“PDM11 has proved excellent value for money and I have already re-booked for next year. We’ve met loads of new and existing contacts and exhibiting here is far more cost effective than driving all around the country to meet so many people,” concluded Graeme Herlihy, managing director, Engel UK.
The free PDM conference sponsored by Distrupol proved very popular this year, in particular the afternoon devoted to design innovation in rotational moulding, organised by the BPF Rotational Moulding Group, and the sessions on injection moulded part design.
Meanwhile in the Product Design + Innovation conference, the mood was upbeat with the audience and speakers alike keen to explore opportunities for growth. “Manufacturing is back on the agenda… This is the most motivated I have seen the industry in 25 years,” said Smallfry managing director, Steve May-Russell who presented a session entitled The Route to the Loot.
PDM 12 will take place at ExCel London on 29 and 30 May 2012. For more information see www.pdmevent.com
