Resounding Success For AWD Welding World Village At MACH 2012

Toby Gourley, AWD Conference and Exhibition Chairman said: “MACH 2012 was a huge success for our industry with the AWD Welding World Village attracting 27 welding products businesses showcasing their new and existing product lines. I would like to thank them for their support and for being part of the only dedicated Welding Zone at MACH 2012. The village, the largest zone within the exhibition, was visited by Stephen McPartland MP who talked with many of our exhibitors about the importance of manufacturing and skills in the UK.

With over 20,000 visitors overall and the Thursday attendance 23% up on 2010, the AWD members commented to me about the quality of enquiries being received. I also talked to visitors, who told me how useful it was to have all aspects of Welding represented in one zone.

MACH 2012 proved extremely successful for all our exhibitors and I hope to see them again in 2014 where we aim to produce an even bigger and better Welding World Village. Their ongoing commitment and support makes the Association of Welding Distribution. The AWD looks forward to welcoming them all back to the Welding World Village at MACH 2014, 7-11 April 2014.”

Commenting on the ‘Buzz in Welding’ competition that took place every day on the AWD stand, Toby said: “I estimate that more than 1,000 attempts were made at the game throughout the week and we recorded times from 275 entrants. Many of our winners were students, who certainly showed ‘skill’ with steady hand control.”

AWD Chairman Adrian Hawkins commented: “This is the first time we have used the concept of the Welding World Village at MACH and speaking to exhibitors and visitors alike, they all commended us on the high profile we were able to give to welding in the UK’s leading manufacturing show. The very positive responses we have received from the Welding World Village exhibitors have been tremendous, with a number securing orders for equipment on their stands. In addition several have told me that the enquiry levels have been excellent with many meeting potential new customers, in fact everything you want from an exhibition.

The AWD stand was always busy with visitors not only having a go at our ‘Buzz in Welding’ competition to see how skilful and steady of hand they were, but expressing their interest in knowing more about the AWD and its members services.”

Vanessa Atkinson, SME Manager at BOC, said: “Being in the Welding World Village provided the perfect place to meet those of our customers who weld. We had a number of innovative products and services to discuss with them and we were pleased with the interest these created among the visitors who came to see us during the show. It was a good opportunity to get feedback, strengthen existing relationships and build new ones.

Marianne Edwards, Business Manager at Rapid Welding & Industrial Supplies Ltd, Cosham, Hampshire said: “We were exhibiting for the first time and chose MACH 2012 for our inaugural exhibition. Our aim was to raise the ‘Rapid’ profile and promote the CK range of torches for which we are the UK importer. The positive response we received was beyond expectation and we will be returning.”

Jason Parkinson, Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Trafimet Schweisstechnik GmbH said: “The show was well worth the time and effort. We received good quality enquires from both end users and distributors. We shall be coming again next time.”

Justin Gammond, Pipe Hire Manager at P.I.P.E Ltd said: “At MACH, we booked the largest stand we have ever had at an exhibition for some time, as we were hoping for a very busy show and we were not disappointed! A great number of high quality visitors came to our stand in the Welding World Village. We even achieved a sale on the stand of one our brand new plate bevelling machines, the Edge 46! So definitely an excellent show for us.”