Focus on networking
At the Wire & Tube trade fair duo in 2024, the focus was primarily on sustainable topics. In order to remain networked in turbulent times, ESH EURO STAHL-Handel offered its members opportunities for personal exchange with the ESH Meet & Connect and the first face-to-face meeting of the new Business NETZ-WERK SteelMinds.
Green steel and sustainability were the topics in focus at Wire & Tube. The two trade fairs for wire, cable and tubes once again took place in Düsseldorf between April 15 and 19. More than 1300 exhibitors from 130 countries presented themselves to visitors on almost 120,000 square meters.
“The green transformation towardslow-CO2 steel is in full swing. Many manufacturers – especially in the construction steel sector – have already achieved great success in this area,” says Andreas von Helden, responsible for sustainability at ESH. “But retailers are also making great progress and are gradually making parts of their product range available to customers inCO2-reduced versions.” The organizers of the trade fair duo also focused on the fields of digitalization and process optimization. For the first time, the hustle and bustle was also accompanied by a packed supporting program. In the form of presentations, special shows and virtual tours, visitors were given exciting insights into the trends and innovations in the sector.
The current overall economic situation dominated discussions away from the trade fair stands and the program. “As the economic conditions in Germany are still not ideal, the steel trade will find it difficult to generate income this year,” explains ESH Managing Director Jürgen Laukandt. “Many industry representatives are wondering when a turning point might be in sight,” adds Andreas von Helden. “Bending companies are currently in fierce competition for the remaining construction projects and are looking for ways out.”
On the evening of the second day of the trade fair, ESH members and suppliers gathered above the rooftops of the Rhine metropolis for a Meet & Connect. 130 visitors followed the call of the purchasing community to the 17th floor of the 25hours Hotel. In addition to cool drinks and a magnificent view, the event offered plenty of space to review the start of the trade fair and expand personal networks. “The feedback shows that personal contact still plays a major role,” emphasizes Jürgen Laukandt. “In economically and geopolitically challenging times like these, it strengthens mutual trust and facilitates cooperation.”
Paving the way for young steel distributors The ESH offers its members various events where they can meet face-to-face on a regular basis. The newly founded Business NETZWERK SteelMinds aims to make it easier for the next generation of entrepreneurs to enter the sector. On 15. and On May 16, the young representatives of eleven companies met for the first time in Präsenz. The main purpose of the conference in Peine, Lower Saxony, was to get to know each other. An informal dinner on the first day of the event provided the perfect setting.
The members of Business NETZWERK were also confronted with the current difficult economic environment at their meeting, as the program actually included a tour of the Pein steelworks. However, production was temporarily paused here, so the young steel traders visited the VW plant in Wolfsburg instead. Afterwards, SteelMinds participant Florian Huse also gave a tour of the headquarters of the Braunschweig-based company Huse & Philipp GmbH, where he himself manages logistics and production. The group used the rest of the time to organize further cooperation. “The friendly get-together, the fresh ideas and the shared challenges of our generation have shown that our new Business NETZ-WERK can look forward to an exciting and future-oriented exchange,” says Luisa Degenhart from Degenhart Eisenhandel GMBH & CO. KG.
