Intermat hails success of new format

More than 127,000 visitors attended the 2024 Intermat show in Paris last week, with 21% of those from outside of France. There were 1,065 exhibitors, including 68% non-French companies.

Chinese businesses again made a big impression at a major European construction show, with more than 290 exhibitors in Paris – more than a quarter of the total – and second only to the 350 French-based exhibitors. That compares with 89 Italian companies and the 59 from Germany.

There were more than 127,000 visitors to Intermat 2024. (Photo: Intermat)

This year’s Intermat took a different format from past shows, losing two days and running from Wednesday to Saturday.

That had an inevitable impact on visitor numbers, with the 127,500 figure a reduction of more than a quarter on the 173,300 in 2018 and the 183,000 from 2015. Despite that, the show was busy on each day.

In terms of visitors, the most-represented countries, apart from France, were Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, the UK, Finland, North African countries and Turkey. More than 130 countries were represented.

The 2018 show reported 30% of visitors from outside of France, equating to around 52,000 professionals, which compares to the approximately 27,000 this year. Intermat has clearly become more of a French event, but still with significant numbers of external visitors and an international ‘feel’ in terms of scale, exhibitors and themes.

Decarbonisation theme
The show was successful in focusing on the issue of sustainability and decarbonisation, with multiple, high-level conference sessions on the topic as well as hundreds of new products powered by battery or other new power technologies.

The exhibition was supported and opened by the chairmen of the five main construction trade associations in France - DLR, EVOLIS, FFB, FNTP and SEIMAT – who used the occasion to sign a manifesto on ‘4 keys to support the decarbonisation of construction equipment’.

Intermat said; “The 2024 vintage was one of renewal, with a tradeshow redesigned in terms of format and offering, and revolving around four pillars; innovation, energies, new equations and commitments.

“Over and above the valuable business opportunities, the show reasserted its ambition of bringing together and sharing with the entire ecosystem the wealth of innovation in support of decarbonisation. Exhibitors were able to meet a great many visitors and help them bring their purchasing plans to fruition.

“The 2024 show succeeded in its goal of collectively providing [new and much-needed] responses to professionals, whose pleasure at being able to come together in a convivial climate was clear for all to see throughout the four days of the event.”

Intermat will next be held in Paris during April 2027.