SIFER sets an unprecedented attendance record!
The 7th edition of SIFER (International Exhibition of Rail Technology), which took place from April 5 - 7, 2011 for the 5th time in Lille, set a record in terms of attendance. 4,400 visitors, including leading figures from the rail industry, attended the show at Lille's Grand Palais.
Professionals from the sector were present once again. Among the 400 exhibitors, the highlights of the trade show included a delegation of Chinese companies, Alstom and several French regional groups of rail industry suppliers, as well as the organization of a regional rail awards ceremony by the magazine Ville, Rail & Transports
SIFER 2011 key figures
- 3 exhibition halls
- 400 exhibitors (from 16 European countries, 25% foreign)
- 4,400 visitors (from 41 countries, 16% foreign)
First rate exhibitors and visitors
The increase in the number of exhibitors and visitors demonstrates once again SIFER's ability to mobilize rail stakeholders.
The quality of visitors was appreciated by the manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors, service companies and regional groups which were present. Exhibitors were able to make promising contacts with blue-chip companies. Representatives from SNCF, Keolis, Bombardier, Siemens and RATP as well as the administrative authorities of large cities, were among the visitors to the show.
For the first time, a delegation of five Chinese companies, represented by CNR, one of the biggest rail vehicle builders in the country, was present. Exhibitors and visitors were able to discover the ambition displayed by China in the area of high speed, as well as their recent projects. A rapidly growing China has shown its ability to compete with the main European stakeholders.
Some of them had the opportunity to make first contacts in order to develop strategic partnerships ; like Alstom Transport, which also participated in SIFER for the first time. At the Northern France Rail pavilion, the company presented one of its flagship products, the Tram-Train.
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Important visitors at SIFER
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Professions represented by the visitors
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Mobilized regions
This year, SIFER targeted the regions, of which a majority were physically present at the trade show. Around 200 manufacturers and company groups were represented in five regional pavilions. Long-standing participants Nord-Pas de Calais and Picardie returned once again, grouped together within Northern France Rail. And for the first time, four other regions decided to join SIFER : Ile de France, Auvergne, Loire Atlantique and Burgundy.
The exhibiting companies had the opportunity to present their know-how and their present projects. Confronted with increasing competition from emerging countries and the development of stricter and stricter norms, a great majority of subcontractors have decided to co-ordinate their skills in the form of regional groupings to offer more comprehensive services to major customers.
Conferences and awards enhanced the show
Visitors to the show had the opportunity to participate in several conferences organized in the Exhibitor Forum. HBM measurement, environmental norms, new ideas for funding for the Regions, as well as the position of the Chinese market were themes discussed.
Also within the framework of the show, « Ville, Rail & Transports », in addition to its list of mobility award winners, rewarded the regions Nord-Pas de Calais and Auvergne. Both ranked first, they each received a Gold Rail, rewarding the quality of their railway development. The Silver Rail was given to the Haute-Normandie region, and the Bronze Rail to Lorraine.
The magazine also made four awards by theme. These included the MooviTER from Brittany (Rolling Stock), the quality of the ticketing in the Centre region (Ticketing), the successful installation of Pimm's (Information Point for Multiservice Mediation) in Burgundy (Passenger Information), and the creation of a new innovative cross-border Lorraine – Luxembourg TER train service by the Lorraine region.
The Innovation prizes organized by i-Trans highlighted two award-winning companies, represented under the Northern France Rail cluster. GETRASUR (rolling stock category) and ROV DEVELOPPEMENT (railway infrastructure category). These two companies were recognized for their ability to innovate in the area of sustainable development.
