Workplace safety show A+A posted record results in 2019 thanks, in part, to continued growth in the personal protective equipment (PPE) category.
More than 73,000 trade visitors attended last week’s four-day show held in the German city of Düsseldorf. Over 2,100 exhibitors were registered for the event which, for the first time, occupied ten halls at the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition grounds.
With growing awareness in occupational safety and health (OSH), PPE – which is traditionally A+A’s biggest area anyway – attracted more than 1,100 exhibitors to the show. Present this year with an impressive stand was Lyreco following its acquisition of Intersafe that was announced in December 2018.
According to a recent study carried out by research firm Macrom, the value of the German PPE market rose from €1.92 billion ($2.11 billion) in 2016 to €2.23 billion in 2018. “The PPE market continues to profit from companies’ rising preparedness to better protect and educate their employees,” said Birgit Horn, Director of A+A 2019. “Accordingly, PPE manufacturers and suppliers increasingly pitch themselves as strategic consulting partners with holistic solutions.”
Other factors favouring PPE sales, said the show organiser, are the rising numbers of older workers, the implementation of modern assistance systems in manufacturing and the growing interest taken in social and ecological working conditions.
About half of A+A’s visitors were from outside Germany, with international attendees coming from 137 countries, while around 70% of exhibitors were non-German.
A+A takes place every two years, and the next show has been scheduled for 26-29 October 2021.
Source: OPI