This is the 25th Bauma; the first was 40 years ago. The jubilee event takes place at the massive New Munich Trade Fair Centre (Neue Messe München in German), having outgrown the old showground in the centre of the city (see p46).
For the crane industry Bauma is big news. Once every three years the whole industry gathers together to see the latest technological developments, and exchange news and views with colleagues from around the globe. As such, it is an entirely welcome and thoroughly enjoyable event.
Bauma’s technical and conceptual sponsor is the Association of German Construction Equipment & Building Material Machines Manufacturers, part of the VDMA (German machinery and plant manufacturers’ association). The association’s chairman, Paul Eirich, who is also chairman of the Bauma Exhibitors’ Council, gives his view of the importance of the show: “Bauma 98, as well as being a seismographic indicator for the general state of the building and construction sector, will again be a showground for the latest technological developments in all areas to do with construction.
“It will set out the cornerstones which will form the basis of technical development at the beginning of the third millennium.” But because of its sheer size and importance, Bauma has come to exercise perhaps too much control over the marketing plans of the major manufacturers, who feel pressured (rightly or wrongly) to have a brand new and revolutionary product ready to be launched at the greatest crane show on earth. For those who could not wait until March 1998 to bring their latest development to market, or those whose R&D teams are running behind schedule, there is always the option of re-configuring last year’s model, or changing a colour scheme, to ensure there is at least a pseudo-launch to herald. In this feature preview of what is on show this year, we let you be the judge of what is a genuine innovation, and what is mere repackaging.
But in spite of the arguably unhealthy side-effects of “Bauma syndrome”, who in the industry would choose to change a thing? Bauma is a cause for celebration. Ignore the cynics, just enjoy it, and we’ll see you there.
