The ever-popular JEC Paris composites show is here. Previously known as JEC Europe, its organisers have rebranded it ‘JEC World’ to reflect the growing popularity of a process so unique that as the material is manufactured the component is manufactured too!
Increasingly more aerospace companies want to become part of the global composites supply chain, and why not? Hardly a JEC event passes by without some productionised lightweight composite innovation replacing its heavier traditional metallic aerospace counterpart. It would also appear that tradeshow organisers around the world have caught onto the growing appeal of composite materials. JEC itself now runs events in Europe, the US and Asia, plus it plans to unveil a new event: ‘Experience Composites’ this September in Augsburg. Meanwhile, this November sees the return of the UK’s Composites Engineering show, whilst Germany’s Composites Europe, which normally runs in September, has moved to the end of November. All these shows will be pushing the composites industry’s synergistic passion for increasing the permeation of composites manufacturing processes into the industry, whether it be through evangelising exhibitors, the exhibits themselves, educational seminars and conferences, or B2B meeting opportunities. Meanwhile, JEC says the growth of its event has led to the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre relocation - a decision that has created turbulence for both exhibitors and visitors alike. Objections that it further complicates the already difficult logistics of navigating across Paris aside, there’s no harm in JEC thinking big. But it’s what’s inside that counts. Regardless of whether your company is a major OEM or a SME, come and take a look around JEC’s halls this year and at its very heart you’ll find a band of committed individuals and companies attending and exhibiting for the sole purpose of meeting people, forming partnerships and doing business. Mike Richardson, editor
