Profiling ProSweets

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Interview with Sabine Loos, Vice President Technology & Environment, Koelnmesse GmbH. ProSweets has quickly established itself on the scene — obviously with the assistance of the ISM show — and it seems to have carved quite a niche in the confectionery industry. What factors contribute to the overall success of this exhibition? Sabine Loos:  With ProSweets Cologne, we are providing the confectionery industry suppliers of ingredients, packaging, and process and packaging technology with an independent, sector-specific platform. Previously, such a platform did not exist in this form. And in combination with the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) it also provides the optimum setting. The fact that the two fairs are held in the same place at the same time generates the synergy effects that are so important to both the exhibitors and visitors. Can you give our readers an idea of how the ProSweets exhibition has grown in terms of both exhibitor and visitor numbers since it was launched? Sabine Loos: Ever since its premiere in 2006, the trade fair has developed outstandingly. ProSweets Cologne was launched with 229 exhibitors from 27 countries and with more than 7,800 visitors from more than 100 countries. The event in 2009 was attended by 305 suppliers from 28 countries and by over 14,700 trade visitors from more than 100 countries. It's obvious that its exhibition space grew as well, increasing by a good two thirds during this time. Despite the difficult economic conditions, we expect equally good results in 2010. Is there any reason why it was launched when it was?  Surely it was a good idea all along! Sabine Loos: The idea of creating a separate supplier fair for the confectionery industry and staging it alongside the leading global trade fair ISM had been planned for years. The chances of success seemed good, particularly since Koelnmesse had already demonstrated its expertise in the field of food and beverage technology with Anuga FoodTec. From our point of view,  it was only logical to take the step of creating a specialised trade fair for confectionery technology. In 2005 we held a special packaging event at ISM in order to test the response and find out the level of acceptance in the sector. The results showed that the sector was definitely in favour of a separate business platform. In parallel with ISM, ProSweets Cologne is now an integral and successful part of the Koelnmesse trade fair portfolio since 2006. When we came to see you last year you mentioned that ISM was the 'lady' of the industry. How do you see the current image of the ProSweets show and where would you like to position it? Sabine Loos: ProSweets Cologne has established itself as an important information and business platform and is now indispensable for the sector. The confectionery sector is a very innovative sector that not only continually develops new products and launches them on the market but is also very dependent on seasonal business. The need for information is of course correspondingly high — for ingredients, packaging or capital goods such as confectionery machines. ProSweets Cologne fulfils all of these requirements. ProSweets is focusing more on machinery aspects. Is there any reason for this? What are you doing to attract the ingredients companies? Moreover, do you think they mix, given the fact that buyers of machines are basically different from buyers of ingredients? Sabine Loos: Although we obviously want to cover all of the segments equally, and by that I mean ingredients, packaging,  process technology and packaging technology,  it is also true that the ingredients segment in particular could be considerably expanded. And here we’re working really hard to improve things. With regard to the basic thrust of your question, large and medium-sized companies have specialists for purchasing the necessary machinery,  raw materials or ingredients. The results of our visitor survey show that these specialists come to Cologne specifically for ProSweets. Some smaller companies, it is the proprietors that are often responsible for the industrial side as well. They can exploit the duo of ISM and ProSweets to their full advantage. We notice ProSweets does not run in an Interpack year. Do you see ProSweets as an alternative to Interpack or a complementary show? Sabine Loos: ProSweets Cologne augments the market in an effective way, which is why the scheduling of the event takes into account the dates of other internationally relevant trade fairs. In this way, we can act in the interests of our exhibitors and avoid possible overlaps. We continuously talk to the exhibitors, visitors and partners about the concept of not holding a trade fair every third year and we jointly make the associated decisions. What plans do you have for the long term future of ProSweets? Sabine Loos: We obviously strive to further expand the scope and comprehensiveness of the products and services presented at ProSweets Cologne. This will result in growth — both in terms of quantity and quality — in relation to exhibitors and visitors alike. The trade fair is still young and like all young events it can be further enhanced. To this end, we are continuously in touch with our customers, whose ideas and suggestions we integrate into our concept. We also aim to further heighten and reinforce the event’s distinctive profile. Thank you Sabine. Obviously being in Cologne is a great advantage! The city seems to have found a place in the hearts of people from the confectionery industry all over the world. How and why has Cologne become so popular? Sabine Loos: ISM is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2010, which means the confectionery industry has been meeting in Cologne for the past 40 years. The sector is greatly attached to the trade fair location. Cologne and its citizens are proud of the fact that they are regarded as a home for the sector. But maybe that’s not so surprising. After all, people in the Rhineland are known for their hospitality, tolerance, openness and friendliness. Cologne is a special experience that we would recommend to every trade fair visitor.

 

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