Construction Industry to Meet in Paris

A look at what's in store at INTERMAT 2006.

The 7th edition of INTERMAT, the international exhibition of equipment, machinery and techniques for the construction and building materials industry, will take place from April 24 to 29, 2006, at the Paris-Nord Exhibition Centre in Paris, France. The exhibition promises to be the key event of the year in construction and civil engineering.

“In 2003, INTERMAT welcomed over 1,368 exhibitors on 3.4 million net sq. ft. of exhibit space during five days, and received 180,200 visitors, including 75,684 international from 160 countries,” notes Maryvonne Lanoe, exhibition manager. “INTERMAT 2006 expects 1,500 exhibitors on 3.7 million net sq. ft. of exhibit space and 200,000 visitors during six days.”

The exhibition will highlight new developments and be clearly divided into eight major sectors: Earthmoving; Building; Quarrying & Aggregate; Lifting & Handling; Roads; Drilling & Boring; Components, Equipment & Accessories; and Building Materials Industry. The show will also host nine national pavilions featuring suppliers from Spain, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Korea, Italy and China.

Highlighting innovation

The prestigious Innovation Awards will serve to showcase the latest technological breakthroughs in Machinery, Equipment, and Components and Services. Results will be announced on the first day of the exhibition.

Other innovations can be found on the show floor. “Throughout the show, the entire construction industry will observe tailor-made solutions in various sections,” says Lanoe.

A new concept for 2006 will be the “show within a show”, which expands upon the components, equipment and accessories sector. An area dedicated to research and technological innovation will also present the latest findings in this sector.

In addition to static displays, the show will include an outdoor area with daily demonstrations of earthmoving, lifting, boring and other equipment under actual working conditions.

“For 2006, INTERMAT has extended its coverage to equipment, machinery and solutions for the building materials industry,” says Lanoe. “The Paris Demo will be the biggest outdoor demonstration ever built on a professional exhibition, with 200,000 sq. ft. of live material and equipment demonstrations.”

Focus on education

For the first time, INTERMAT will provide trade-specific solutions in the lifting, handling, mining and quarrying sectors via a host of workshops and talks on specific themes.

Special events and discussions will focus on risk prevention, and worker health and safety. Topics will include mechanization of small- and medium-sized building sites for improved health and safety of construction workers; the use of new equipment for working at heights; and attracting women into the construction and civil engineering sectors.

INTERMAT takes a people-oriented approach to training in prevention and safety on the construction site,” says Lanoe.
To learn more about INTERMAT 2006, visit www.intermat.fr.

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