Jun 20, 2011 
NEPCON China recently concluded another successful edition in Shanghai. Reed Exhibitions' key electronics manufacturing industry event, the largest in the world, did not disappoint. As usual, the event attracted the heavyweights of SMT equipment manufacturing and materials supply.
Assembléon, Agilent, SIPLACE, Sony, Hitachi, Samsung, Panasonic, Fuji, Universal Instruments, Henkel, Yamaha, Juki, DEK, Dage, Speedline and other big names were among hundreds of exhibitors featuring their newest manufacturing solutions. Additionally, nearly 100 exhibitors made their NEPCON debuts. These included Pemtron, Vitrox, Pro-Hand Electric Screwdrivers, PMC, Xinlike, Spring Airlines, Nuo Yin Electric and Yaskawa Electric.
The show embodied the vibrancy that has returned to Chinese electronics manufacturing following the global financial crisis. It covered an exhibition area of 32,000 sqm and brought together more than 500 exhibitors from 22 countries and territories. In total, 14,428 visitors were onsite to evaluate more than 1,000 types of electronics manufacturing equipment and consumables.
A key factor in NEPCON China's sustained success is its ability to attract visitors from across the length and breadth of China's electronics manufacturing landscape. This year, the show welcomed visitors not only from east and south of the country, but also from western, northern and central China. These participants represented traditional industries like communication electronics, home appliances and PC manufacturing, while numerous visitors from the rapidly evolving automotive electronics, LED and Solar PV sectors also attended.
As China continues evolving from "world's factory" to "key international creative hub," the demand for electronics is rising. NEPCON China 2011 was particularly successful in highlighting the cutting edge of electronics manufacturing by providing live demonstrations of new technologies. Highly efficient, energy-saving innovations are becoming a more common part of mainstream electronics production. At NEPCON China 2011, renowned manufacturers like SIPLACE, Fuji, Panasonics, Samsung, Agilent, Europlacer, DEK and BTU used the event to unveil new products and processes to the local Chinese and regional Asian market.
NEPCON China 2011 also had a strong educational element. Co-located events included:
- The SMTA China East Conference
- The Green Electronics Design and Manufacturing Forum
- The 2011 New Technology Seminar on Anti-Static and New Product Purification
- The Engineers' Salon and SMT Home Member Gathering
- The third edition of Electronics Manufacturing and SMT Industry Engineers Award
Each event served to enhance the value of the exhibition. Attendees were able to share best practices, evaluate technology solutions firsthand and find new ways to boost their competitiveness in the market.
This year's event also debuted a Green Electronics Design and Manufacturing Pavilion. A hit with visitors, the pavilion featured equipment, products and services that represented energy-saving, environmentally sustainable solutions for manufacturers. Alongside NEPCON China's existing visitor base, the Green Electronics Design and Manufacturing Pavilion was a big draw for Supply Chain/Materials Managers, Environmental Safety Officers and factory operators.
One key factor in the booming popularity of NEPCON China is the fact that the event has established itself as the most robust Asian platform to launch new products. "NEPCON China is a great opportunity for us to enhance our brand image, launch products, manage customer relationships and expand our sales channels. It is why we choose this specific show to introduce new innovations to the Asian market", said Yohei Sato, Account Manager at Fuji Machine Manufacturing.
From Panasonic Industrial (China), Yasuo Yamada, Director of the FA Business Unit, added, "NEPCON China is one of the best events in the country's electronics manufacturing industry. Choosing NEPCON as a platform for introducing new products to Asia, like we did with the NPM-W, is strategically beneficial for us."
Exhibitors and visitors were equally effusive in their praise of the show. The Factory Manager of Tianjin Tongguang Group Digital Communications' SMT Branch Zhao Guozhong declared, "NEPCON China 2011 was a great success. As well as new machines, we saw the full range of test systems and peripherals we wanted to buy. We look forward to using this event as a channel through which to collect new industry information again next year."
In 2012, NEPCON China will be held from April 25-27 at the Shanghai World Expo Pavilion. The move will help Reed ensure that participants enjoy a first-class exhibition experience. By moving the show to these state-of-the-art facilities, Reed is renewing its commitment to providing outstanding event management services and a trade platform that delivers comprehensive benefits for the entire industry.
