Once again the Vaal Control Roadshow attracted more interest than space allowed, and this year 2000 demanded an extension to the venue of two marquee tents to accommodate the more than 10 potential additional exhibitors placed on a waiting list after the Secunda show. Even with this additional - less than perfect - accommodation, it was still necessary for two exhibitors to share a stand and one to exhibit from the passage area.
The storm the day before ensured that a high level of anxiety was maintained with rivers of water flowing through the marquees only hours ahead of opening. Forty nine exhibitors at this event now establishes a new record for the Control Roadshow and is unlikely to be exceeded until someone builds some bigger venues in the smaller towns.
12h00 noon saw the start of a steady stream of visitors from all six corners of the Vaal Triangle, which continued until closing at 18h00.
Exhibitions such as these are invaluable to users of control and automation equipment in that it provides a neutral venue to view and evaluate competitive products. At this year's exhibition in the Vaal for example, for those interested in scada/control systems, there were six systems that could be compared. If it was PLCs that were needed there were six suppliers to speak to. Level control is always a challenge, and to select an ultrasonic solution, one could have had 10 different suppliers interested in one's application. Noncontact level control in general was displayed by no less than 16 vendors, from laser to nuclear. Solenoid valve suppliers were represented by three companies, electronic weighing by four, proximity detectors by nine and there were many other industry specialists.
With such a wide opportunity to evaluate new and existing technology, these shows become an essential event for staff to visit and remain abreast of new trends while not having to travel far from the plant.
This year's Roadshow exhibitors were: Airtech, AC/DC Dynamics, Adroit Technologies, AMS Process Control Anglo Allied Engineering, Ascoreg, ATI Systems, Atlas Industrial Systems, Autotech Weighing Systems, Burkert Contromatic, Corel Instr & Control, Danfoss, Eastway Tube Fittings & Valves, Endress & Hauser, Frontline Controls, Futuristix, Honeywell SA, Ind Auto & Control, Instrelect, Instrotech, KAB Instruments, Kubler Africa, Laser Measuremen, Loadtech, Moeller Electric, N & Z Instrumentation, Phoenix Contact, PLC Direct, PREI Instruments, Ramsey Technology, RET Automation Controls, Schenk, Shorrock Automation, Sperogroup, Staro Process Control, Tecmo Automation, Titan Technology, Tracerco Africa, U & S Power Electronics, Valve & Automation, Vega Instruments SA, Wirsam Scientific, Xycom/IPC, Yelland Control, Yokogawa SA.
The effectiveness of such a large group of suppliers displaying their products and services together on the same day can not be overstated, and one cannot help but wander why a recognised supplier in this area would see the need to run a competitive function on that exact day.
In an attempt to better distribute the 'experience' of these roadshows, PENMAC have produced a professional video of the Vaal show for distribution to end users, enabling them to promote these events more extensively throughout their organisation. If you would like a copy of this free videotape or CDROM presentation, please forward your request with contact and postage details via e-mail to [email protected] or fax (011) 6786356.
The PENMAC Roadshow schedule for the remainder of 2000 only has Carltonville still to be hosted on 21 November at the Carltonville Civic Centre, and the new schedule for 2001 is:
25 January 2001 Rustenburg
29 March 2001 Richards Bay
24 May 2001 Newcastle
26 July 2001 Secunda
20 September 2001 Vaal Triangle
15 November 2001 Western Cape (Paarl)
The above scheduled shows may be supplemented with additional specified shows as market needs require. All shows will continue to be run from 12h00 to 18h00 on the day of the exhibition.
PENMAC
(011) 4762066
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