The Sensor Test Fair, where the innovations in sensor, measurement and testing technologies were exhibited, has been completed with a satisfactory number of attendants. We met with Ismail Sahin, the R&D Manager of GENTEK Elektronik, who regularly visits the fair and shapes his R&D activities in the light of the new technologies presented at the fair, to learn about his opinions about the fair.
First of all, can you please give us a little information about the fair? What are the main aspects that differentiate it from other fairs in the sector?
The fair we attended is an exhibition held in Nuremberg, Germany annually in June, and attended by about 600 different sensor and test equipment manufacturers. Unlike other fairs in the sector, we can find the opportunity to “directly” meet with sensor manufacturers here. Of course, we usually have the opportunity to meet with distributors at other fairs both in Türkiye and abroad, but it is not usually possible to see the current developments in sensor technology and the main fields the industry is heading to. With this exhibition, however, we have the chance to talk with the manufacturers. Also, the demo applications prepared by the manufacturers make the fair even more efficient. Another advantage provided by the fair is that you can instantly get the technical information you want from the manufacturers’ own application engineers.
Have you participated in the fair in previous years as well? If so, what has changed so far?
Sure, we have participated in the fair in previous years as well. The number of exhibitors and visitors is increasing every year. The event, which was held only as an exhibition in previous years, now allows for even more information exchange through trainings, meetings and forums organized at the exhibition area. Meetings and information exchange events by different companies take place at certain hours of the day. Sensor manufacturers share their new products or technologies with users at the meeting rooms located within the exhibition area.
“Sensor manufacturers share their new products or technologies with users at the meeting rooms located within the exhibition area.”
What were the products that attracted your attention the most during the fair?
The sensors that are popular at the fair change every year. For example, last year a lot of new products were launched for gas sensors, while this year the fair has focused more on non-contact measurement (infrared measurement) and air quality systems. For the next year, on the other hand, we anticipate that the fair will focus on different technologies and products. This exhibition is a very important tool to understand where the technology is heading to and for which sensors the manufacturers are intensifying their R&D works.
What was your position at the fair as Gentek? Did you attend as a participant or visitor?
We try to visit the fair every year as Gentek Elektronik. We shape our R&D studies in line with the technological trends and new technologies exhibited at the fair.
How was the fair in general for you?
I think the fair was very successful for us, as it was every year. We are attending the fairs either to find the sensors we need or to follow the recent technological developments for the sensors used in the products we manufacture. This year, we have met with the manufacturers of some sensors that we have been researching to use in our products by the end of this year, and determined the sensors that are most suitable for our projects, both financially and technologically.
“The Sensor Test Fair is a very important tool to understand where the technology is heading to and for which sensors the manufacturers are intensifying their R&D works.”
How was the attendance? From which regions did the fair receive more visitors?
Participation in the fair was huge this year, as every year. The fair is the largest fair about sensors in Europe and most of the participants come from European and African countries. There is also the “Sensor&Test China” version of this fair, which is held every year in Shanghai, China. This exhibition is also considered to be the largest sensor exhibition in Asia.
Do you believe that the interest in this fair has any impact on sales?
The fair is one of the most important events where the manufacturers can deliver their products to real target audiences. To give an example, we have many projects where we first participated in product introductions at the fair, reviewed the demo projects completed with those products, and then purchase those sensors from the relevant company. So, I believe that the fairs directly affect a manufacturer’s sales as they allow the manufacturers to reach their main target audience. In fact, we have also purchased a huge number of sensors and development boards during our visit to the fair.
“Sensor Test Fair is the largest fair about sensors in Europe and most of the participants come from European and African countries.”
How do you assess the exhibition sector? In what way do you think it contributes to companies?
The exhibition sector is opening an important door for the progress of other sectors and innovative projects. It also accelerates the quality and technological progress in manufacturing, by increasing the competition between companies. The only thing I was upset about the fair was that there was no similar fair in our country. I think a similar fair should be held in our country, so that we are able to follow the technology closely. I’m telling this, because I saw many Turkish visitors and companies at the fair. The fairs benefit the participating companies in terms of both product marketing and reaching the target audience directly. Taking part in such a big fair will be useful in terms of both corporate reputation and increasing the recognition of the company.
