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[July 2004]
2nd Ceramitec Round Table
The success of the first round table talks held in the run-up to Ceramitec 2003 convinced the event organiser, Messe Muenchen GmbH, and the German trade magazine CFI (Ceramic Forum International), to schedule this event on an annual basis. A group of experts representing the supplier industries for the ceramic sector came from six different countries to meet at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre recently to discuss the key question: 'How can they expand the geographical range of their products by adding value and integrating innovative logistics?'.
Representatives of global players, smaller groups and individual companies were invited to express their views on this issue. The discussion heightened awareness of the need for improved communication between the market partners - i.e. suppliers of materials, components, equipment and the aligned R&D institutes - and, with regard to non-competitive issues, even between market rivals.
There was general confirmation that the players in the western world have to carefully analyse the risks and opportunities in emerging markets. As they will secure more accurate information by sharing data and monitoring trends, associated partners will have a greater chance of finding the best track for introducing their own business portfolio into these new markets.
Speakers at the 2nd Ceramitec Round Table were: Paul Eirich (chairman, Ceramitec Advisory Board); Vincente Bagan (ITACA); John Bevilacqua (Saint-Gobain); Alessandro Biscaro (Progetti); Philippe Delaporte (SOKA); Detlev Gantenberg (Messe Muenchen); Richard Gaignon (Ceric Wistra); David Harrison (Ferro); Mark James (WBB Minerals); Michael Moutin (Imerys Kiln Furniture); Dr Guido Nassetti (Centro Ceramico); Karin Scharrer (CFI magazine); Alan Smith (BCPMMA); Joachim Schmid (VDMA); Barbara Stobbe (Euro Asia Consulting); and Felipe Verdes Balsebre (Verdes).
A seven-page report on the round table is available in Volume 81 (2004), Issue No 6-7 of Ceramic Forum International, published by Goeller Verlag GmbH (Baden-Baden, Germany). For full details of this and the next event, e-mail the magazine's editor Karrin Scharrer at: scharrer@goeller-verlag.de
ENDS