Tyrexpo Africa 2008, which is sponsored and supported by SA Treads, is already 70% sold out, with seven months to go before its doors open for business. Importantly, the show is establishing itself with both African and international exhibitors, promising a vibrant trading environment for local businesses and overseas suppliers keen to expand their influence in the domestic market.
Rowena Suthers, sales director at exhibition organiser ECI, explains further: “The success of the first show in 2006 proved that there was a receptive market for a trade-only event of this kind. The challenge for 2008 has been to expand on that base of interest and make Tyrexpo Africa a key event in the tyre industry calendar. The response so far has been highly encouraging and the indications are very positive that this is being achieved, with the enthusiastic support of the trade.”
Endorsing this point is the fact that by the end of August more than 25 South African suppliers had confirmed their involvement with the show, including well-known names such as AEI, Bandag SA, wholesaler CFP Tyres, Leaderquip, Maxxis, Nitralife, Syco Machinery, Tandem Tyres, Tubestone and equipment supplier Wheelquip.
A strong international presence in Johannesburg is guaranteed by companies representing suppliers from Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, U.K., U.S., Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and India. China already confirmed.
As well as delivering a diverse exhibitor base in terms of country of origin, Tyrexpo Africa will offer trade visitors an interesting balance of products and services covering tyre manufacturing, retreading, tools, equipment, technology and accessories.
For example, tyre manufacturers and distributors will include Stamford, Apollo, BKT, CFP Tyres, Federal, Goodway, Infinity, Imex, Hercules, JK Industries, Magna Tyres, Maxxis and Tubestone.
The retreading sector is represented by Bandag SA, Leadertread and Elgitread and the latest in tyre bay and workshop equipment will be on show from Hoffman Megaplan, Leaderquip, Monarch, Syco Machinery and AEI. Global tools brand Snap-on is another exhibitor adding its support to the show.
A global marketing campaign including advertising, direct mail, PR and online promotion is being run by ECI to attract visitors from overseas to Johannesburg, while the domestic trade is being encouraged to attend by advertising and promotions in leading tyre, automotive and mining industry media.
“Tyrexpo Africa is definitely benefiting from the global nature of the tyre industry,” says Rowena Suthers from ECI. “We run similar shows in the UK and Singapore and many of our exhibitors and international visitors are now attending all three of our events as they have a global brief to promote and expand their businesses in key markets.”
