It’s the real thing at JEC World!

In this Q&A session, JEC Composites’ president and CEO Frédérique Mutel discusses composites market trends and what visitors can expect to see at JEC World, held from 6-8 March 2018 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.

Q) This is your third year at the Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. How successful is the venue, and are there any plans to move again in the future?

The relocation to the Paris North Exhibition Centre needed to be done. Indeed, all big industrial exhibitions moved to this Centre because it offers the international standards that are now required in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). First of all, in term of space, we have several halls. We can now fit all the booths and programmes and provide a one-of-a-kind experience to the attendees. Another asset is the close proximity to Charles De Gaulle Airport. It’s easy for overseas attendees who spend several days at the show, but also facilitates the one-day visitors from Europe and the transfer from the airport to the Convention Centre. The facilities are convenient to both exhibitors and visitors. It’s been a good move for us. Though we are always benchmarking other venues in Europe, we don’t have any plans to move.

Q) How do you expect the show to grow this year and what are your targets for 2018?

We’ve positioned JEC World as a global show to cover all markets and regions. We’re presenting the differentiation of the dynamics by geographies and end-user applications. Though the composites sector is growing at an average level of 5% per annum, JEC Group has always recorded a double-digit growth on all activities. Our programme content is highly appreciated by our customers and attracts newcomers looking for new materials solutions. We’ve already registered more exhibitors than last year and the pre-registration figures for attendees are ahead of last year’s figures at the same time. The show has become a flagship of the sector. It’s the most important show in the world and four times bigger than any other.

Q) In terms of visitor and exhibitor targets, what are you hoping to achieve at this year’s event?

Our goal is to deliver the most representative platform for the worldwide composites industry. Year after year, we recruit new countries, new pavilions, new entrants in materials and technologies. In 2018, we forecast about 113 countries and 1,350 participating companies. The most challenging task regarding visitors is to enlarge the audience beyond the basic circle of the industry itself. Our ambition is to connect the composites industry and the final market. We have to conquer new end-users, designers, trendsetters, architects, influencers and consultants. For the last three years, we’ve worked on acquisition of data and the result should be even more visible in 2018. We can forecast 42,000 professional visits.

Q) Will there be any particular themes at this year’s show?

This year, the new main theme of the show is ‘Make it Real’. We invite all citizens to imagine the products they would like to use and to ‘make it real’ with composites. With composites, we have infinite possibilities. As I always say, “Composite is the field of all possibilities”. We can design and shape light and eco-friendly objects. We can build smart cities and hospitable infrastructure. Within the show, we’ve created the entirely new ‘Make it Real’ area where interactive demos, workshops and exhibits will take place to illustrate the theme. The other new programme is the ‘Composites Challenge for the New Generation’ where ten PhD candidates will pitch their theses before a jury. In addition, the theme of ‘Entrepreneurship’ will be highlighted through the ‘StartUp Booster Programme’ with 10 innovative start-ups to compete on March 6. Also, noteworthy, are the planets: Construction, Aerospace, Automotive and Better Living, where visitors will enter specific universes made for composites.

Q) What are you anticipating from the attendance of UK-based companies and organisations?

The UK composites industry will again be very active. It has been reengineering for the last decade, thanks to a strong governmental support and additionally, we’ve seen interesting local initiatives for the main sectors. Composites UK traditionally has a large pavilion and UK attendance always ranks in the top 10. This year will be no exception as more than 60 UK companies have confirmed their presence at JEC World. The UK has established powerful scientific and industrial networks around the world. I can meet many eminent British composites professionals in main conferences and programmes and I’m confident in their resilience and spirit of conquest.

Q) Is there a country of honour this year?

This year, we will highlight France and the French Fab, a new governmental initiative launched in October 2017 that federates industrialists in promoting the French manufacturing excellence. It is dedicated to growing French start-ups. High-tech industry is growing in France and we want French Fab to become a showcase for that elite element of French industry.

Q) Industry 4.0 is increasingly being talked up in manufacturing circles. What is your take on it and will there be any evidence of it this year?

Industry 4.0 is no more a trend or a concept in the composites sector; it impacts composites factories. It’s particularly visible in European plants that supply aerospace and automotive markets. The fourth industrial revolution is under way in the composites sector and the show reflects this evolution with the arrival of companies and scientific centres offering solutions. JEC World will host the most prestigious Industry 4.0 players from the US, Europe and Asia. Several conferences will talk about Smart Manufacturing.

Q) Increasing demand for faster production rates and less manual intervention sees automation growing in popularity. What can visitors expect in terms of demonstrating solutions?

At JEC World, the most important leaders in automated process, robotics and smart manufacturing will demonstrate their solutions. Also, two collective areas called ‘Composites in Action’ will offer live demos to every attendee throughout the day. These Pavilions are presenting the most advanced technologies offered by scientific centres and universities. Professionals will be able to attend Live Demos on site and participate in discussions upon these subjects.

Q) Finally, what is the importance of JEC World for the sector and the main aims of the show?

JEC World is the most important show for the composites industry. It’s a one-stop event where composites professionals can network, do business, attend conferences, enhance their competitive reach or just meet friends. Our ambition is to foster the use of composite materials and raise awareness among end-users. Also, a very important role for the JEC Group is to speak about the future, to deliver a vision on the use of new materials, to open new paths, to give freedom to imagination and foster creativity.

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