bauma 2022 was a show of strength again despite fears that long distance visitor numbers would decrease. This was true to some extent, but the outcome of the show still met with approval. There were however a few hundred fewer exhibitors and a couple of hundred thousand fewer visitors. Around 3,200 companies exhibited coming from 60 different countries. In 2019, this figure was 3,700 exhibitors, meaning a reduction of around 15%. Several of the major manufacturers were absent, such as Volvo. The show was visited by some 495,000 people from over 200 countries. This is a fairly sharp decrease from 2019, when more than 620,000 people came from more than 200 countries.

Less new products and innovations

Despite the expected reduction in numbers, exhibitors that PDi spoke to were very satisfied with the outcome of the show, which defied both the aftermath of a world pandemic and an ongoing war in Ukraine. Even though the show was organised in October, the weather was on bauma’s side. On the opening day, 24 October, however, the rain was pouring down the hill, which meant that many visitors chose to stay indoors. The 18 indoor halls were literally swarming with visitors, although not everyone was interested in what was exhibited there. During the remaining days of the week the weather got better and better, and from the middle to the end of the week, it was like high summer making it highly successful for the exhibitors outside.

A slight disappointment, however, was that the show lacked really big innovations in the sectors that PDi monitors, and the news from exhibitors was not as plentiful as one might have hoped for. Sure, a lot of new things were launched, but not quite to the extent that the industry might have expected. It is quite clear that the pandemic and the war with all that it brought with it have both put a certain strain on the companies when it comes to developing and introducing new products and services. Practical circumstances, a lack of components, delays and other things have of course also had an impact. Or it could also be that large fairs such as bauma have lost their importance to launch new products and that many manufacturers now introduce their new products when they are ready, and choose smaller shows and other occasions to show them. An example is Husqvarna's new battery powered cutters, vacuum cleaners, drills and more that have already been launched but were of course exhibited at bauma. Another example was Hilti's new ‘Nuron’ series, which might have been previously introduced at bauma. Hilti however has already launched Nuron and is now carrying out its biggest ever marketing campaign for a product range.

The decade of battery operation

Regarding construction equipment, a lot of new machines and tools were shown. Many were upgrades to existing products or a broadening of the product range. Hand held battery powered construction machines dominated the stands in many of the halls, such as hall A1. There was also a wide range of machines and tools for milling, grinding and polishing concrete surfaces and associated equipment for handling dust and pollution. In hall A1, all types of hole making equipment, diamond tools, demolition robots and new developments for water forming were also found. With regards to battery operation, a plethora of new compact construction machines for digging and loading in all its forms were seen. Here too, it was not about any major innovations, but rather new models and weight classes, covering all the above sectors.

Machines and hydraulic tools for demolition and recycling

Although bauma did not become the big fair for news and innovations, a number of new products and upgrades of existing models were shown on the stands. All of the major manufacturers of customised demolition machines had items newsworthy. These included such companies as Doosan, Sennebogen, Caterpillar, Liebherr and many more. A variety of other new machines such as wheel loaders, compact loaders, mini diggers and dumpers etc. were displayed by manufacturers such as Ausa, Avant Tecno, Bobcat, Doosan, Caterpillar. Here too, the big news was regarding battery powered machines.

Tool manufacturers such as Epiroc, Indeco, Trevi Benne, VTN Europé, NPK and many more, also had newsworthy items. Manufacturers of mobile demolition waste recycling units such as Rubble Master, Metso, Cams, Simex and others also introduced their latest developments.

Most of the developments and product launches at the fair can be read about in separate articles in the remaining issues of PDi this year and the beginning of 2023. Now we set our sights on the American trade fair ConExpo-Con/Agg which is set to be held in March 2023 and the next bauma which is scheduled to be held between the 7 and 13 April 2025.

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