Nicolas Sevigny, Sales Manager and Chantal Chamberland, MAGNA INOXYDABLE ET ALUMINIUM, Montreal, Canada

The Magna company specializes in the trading and processing of metals, especially aluminum and stainless steel. They offer a wide range of metal products and services including cutting, heat treating and ultrasonic testing. They invested a lot of time in preparing for the trade fair so that they could keep their scheduled appointments and still have time to find out about innovations.The visitors are looking forward to the week-long stay at the trade fair, as Nicolas Sevigny explains: “Since the trade fair is very large, we need the entire duration to meet new and existing business partners. To make the journey worthwhile, we want to use the time well. This also includes exploring Düsseldorf a bit.” 

 Sotirios Vasilopulos, Deputy Manager for Cenergy, Raw Materials Category, Athens, Greece and Hellenic Cables ICME ECAB, Pop Nicolae, Purchasing Manager, Bucharest, Romania

The visitors work in different companies but belong to the same company group. Sotirios Vasilopulos is delighted to meet his colleague and explains: "We are often in contact via telephone and the internet. We use the trade fair to exchange ideas in person and look for suppliers together." Pop Nicolae talks about wire & Tube: "We've already had successful meetings. Finding the right contact person and decision-makers quickly is a great advantage of the trade fair. We were able to scrutinise suppliers from the USA and Asia and are very satisfied. Our focus is on basic materials for cable production and every relevant company is present here in Düsseldorf."

Katrin Heidbreder, CEO, DIGIBOX GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany

wire & Tube is a highlight for the Düsseldorf native. She explains: "My agency specialises in technical companies, which is why a visit is worthwhile every time. We broaden our horizons for our customers in terms of innovations, processing methods and technologies." Mrs. Heidbreder had appointments with existing and new customers. She is optimistic about the current problems in the industrial sector and explains: "I believe that companies will be able to overcome the challenges of our time. I see my agency as an important building block, because we provide support for successful communication.

Lukas Wisniewski, Betriebswirt VWA, Einkauf und Disposition, Thomé Maschinenbau GmbH, Hermeskeil, Germany

The mechanical engineering expert from near Trier has just arrived and describes his first impression: "I recognised a lot of big names straight away." Lukas Wisniewski is looking for products with special requirements for his company. He is the first of his colleagues to be at the trade fair today. Later, they want to discuss the trade fair topics together. He explains: "The pipes have to be produced seamlessly and fulfil other individual specifications. We are demanding because we have had bad experiences in the past. At wire & Tube, I am able to discuss my topics in detail with others on the same basis, so that we come a little closer to our goal during the trade fair." Thomé Maschinenbau was founded in 1990 and has around 60 employees.

David Thiele, Züblin AG, Stuttgart, Germany

David Thiele works for one of the largest construction companies in Germany. Züblin AG specialises in civil engineering, turnkey construction, tunnelling and other specialist civil engineering projects. He is at wire & Tube for one day and has a specific order. He explains his mission: "We will soon be starting a new major project. We need a bracing concept for a 38 metre deep excavation pit. To put it simply: It means that everything remains stable and nothing collapses." The site manager is looking for competent pipe producers for this task. He adds: "At the trade fair, I'm particularly interested in innovative solutions. It's about approaches that do justice to the project and optimise our current approach."

Moacir M. Fernandes, Madiba Metals, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Madiba Metals is specialises in the import and distribution of special alloys. The company also offers project consulting and engineering services for applications with special metallic materials. This is the Brazilian's second time at wire & Tube in Düsseldorf. He is impressed by the size of the trade fair and describes his impressions: "In the limited time I have at the trade fair, it is almost impossible to do everything I would like to do. The extensive programme is overwhelming." His goal is to find suppliers. His core business is the distribution of pipes in North America. He appreciates the friendly people in Germany: "Düsseldorf is a very nice city and I like coming here," he says.

Michael Duchesneau, Process Engineering Manager, Buld Wire Operations, KALAS, Lancaster and Denise Duchesneau, Pennsylvania, USA

Kalas Manufacturing is a leading manufacturer of copper wire and cable and has been supplying products to various industries including automotive, marine and construction since 1958. Michael Duchesneau is accompanied by his wife. She wants to gain an insight into her husband's work and the two of them meet business partners together, such as SAMP. Denise Duchesneau is delighted: "We come from the USA and also use the time for private excursions. But it's still interesting to visit the trade fair as non-specialists." The engineer has only been working in the industry for two years and is exploring the trade fair for the first time: "I'm amazed at how many exhibitors there are. In addition to the well-known companies and existing business contacts, I get to know many unknown but important suppliers."

Monika Kruse, Axel Ensminger, Dennis Duda, Indapp GmbH, Anröchte, Germany

The team from Anröchte have chosen today, Friday, as the day of the trade fair and are meeting with suppliers. Monika Kruse explains: "We don't have any fixed dates, but we have made a precise plan in advance of who we want to visit. On the last day of the fair, it is often possible to visit stands spontaneously and talk to the people in charge." Dennis Duda adds: "We are here to keep up to date with the latest technology. wire & Tube showcases innovations that will set standards in the future." Axel Ensminger is still quite new to the company and is attending for the first time and says: "I'm looking forward to my first impressions and the international trade fair feeling."