Located in Hall 2 and supported by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), the German agricultural dealer association (LandBauTechnik-Bundesverband) and the association of European machinery dealers (CLIMMAR), it is right in the middle of the action and offers a range of facilities for dealers and their business partners, customers and staff.
Catering including coffee, cold beverages, small snacks, sandwiches; specialists on hand to discuss subjects including financing, haulage and forwarding, customs, valuation of used machinery, insurance and machinery auctions; advisory services on specific topics from staff of national, provincial and federal organisations involved in the farm machinery trading; business matchmaking with international dealer colleagues; and a quiet area for private discussions.
CLIMMAR: Investment trend in automation, robotization and big data
And there is a lot for dealers to talk about. The President of CLIMMAR, Erik Hogervorst, says that there are signs of a recuperation of the European economy in general and the agricultural machinery markets in particular.
“Farmers and contractors are willing to invest again in new tractors and machines, and in maintenance,” he says. “A gradually increasing part of these investments will be in automation, robotization and big data.
“We are at the forefront of a next industrial revolution often referred to as Industry 4.0. I strongly believe that this will change our industry and playing field as drastically as the shift from traction horses to tractors and mechanisation did,” adds Hogervorst.
“I'm also sure that this will result in new changes for dealers. We have to develop new business models for making money with data, robots and autonomous vehicles, which is a true challenge for many dealers and distributors.
“It also requires different employees, different skills and sometimes a co-operation with or even the acquisition of a specialised (start-up) company,” concludes Hogervorst.
Agritechnica 2017 will provide the perfect forum for farm equipment dealers from around the world to discuss these issues at the world's largest trade event for agricultural machinery. They can also meet and talk with the major machinery brands to find out how they see the future prospects for the dealer sector.
Enhanced International Dealer and Service Provider Centre
“We look forward to once again welcoming both brand and independent dealers to our enhanced International Dealer and Service Provider Centre at Agritechnica 2017,” says Heinzbert Mies, project manager for Agritechnica's dealership network. We planned it as a one-stop concept to cater specifically to machinery suppliers and their customers, offering them a unique global platform to meet industry peers from Germany and all over the world.
“You can say that Hall 2 is the ‘home base' for dealers at Agritechnica,” he adds.
Some 80 companies, including retailers, dealer communities, used machinery forums and service providers, will be present at the International Dealer and Service Centre, while the same hall will host the Used Machinery Trade Centre and the popular “Workshop live” where mechanical repairs are demonstrated live on site to promote the industry and profession.
Agritechnica 2017 takes place at Hanover's exhibition grounds from the 12 to 18 November (with special preview days on 12 and 13 November). More than 2,800 exhibitors from all over the world have registered to take part.
More information for international visitors considering a visit to Agritechnica 2017 can be found at www.agritechnica.com
