Being held at Essen, Germany, from May 23 to 26, the range of products and services on offer will be wider than ever before: an exhibition area of around 43,000 square metres in seven halls will act as a showcase for the world premiere of the latest innovations in the sector.

Joachim Henneke, the chairman and CEO of Messe Essen GmbH, believes that the signs are pleasingly positive for the tyre sector, saying: "Last year, the worldwide production of automobiles, the driving force behind the tyre and wheel original equipment business, rose by 3.3% to around 65 million vehicles." The outlook is also positive for the other main strand of business; the tyre replacement market.

The trade fair will concentrate on the following product groups: tyres, casings, tubes, tyre accessories, workshop equipment, installations, machinery and tools for tyre retreading and repair as well as vulcanisation. A comprehensive range of services for the tyre trade and tyre technicians will also be offered. Around 16,000 trade visitors from over 80 countries are expected.

Attention will focus, in particular, on trends and innovations with the special "Trend Centre High Tech" exhibition and, for the first time, the presentation of the "Innovation Award" which Messe Essen GmbH and trade association BRV have jointly provided for the tyre sector.

The exhibition is complemented by a diverse supporting programme with a mix of expert conferences, seminars and events, offering outstanding information and contact possibilities at both specialist and informal levels.

Also, the "Tyre Symposium" to which the DEKRA testing organisation will invite people will concentrate on topical technical questions. Seminars on the online marketing of tyres and wheels via eBay and on "Negotiating in Extreme Situations" illustrate that Reifen is not just about products, but that sales trends and management know-how will also be featured.