Issue 2/2010
IEE Expo 2010 Mumbai
Elevator trade fair in the meta city
The third International Elevator & Escalator Expo was held again held in the Bombay Exhibition Center in Mumbai.
On the deadline for print documents there were unfortunately still no precise figures available on visitor numbers. According to the trade fair organizers the exhibition floor area had been increased despite a reduction in the number of exhibitors . However, based on the subjective impression we can assume that the number of visitors was similar to that in 2008. What was particularly remarkable in this respect was the modest flow of visitors on the first day of the trade fair which contrasted with the number of visitor numbers on the final day who displayed a model of behavior right up to the final close of the trade fair.
Seminars on all aspects of the elevator industry were held on the premises of the trade fair site on 3 and 4 February and once again were well attended.
Around half of the exhibitors were international companies - similar to that at the IEE Expo 2008. Although none of the exhibitors launched any technical highlights or innovations, apart from a few exceptions, the demand in this region of Asia is increasingly geared towards basic and low cost versions. VFA Interlift again organized another joint German stand in conjunction with AFAG Messegesellschaft involving the companies Schäfer GmbH, Edunburgh Elevator GmbH, Bucher Hydrauliks AG, Hütter Aufzüge GmbH and the Lift-Report. There were also a few German and European companies exhibiting at the trade fair in conjunction with cooperation partners such as e.g. Henning GmbH, LM Liftmaterial and Böhnke and Partner Steuerungssysteme to name but a few. The Chinese Elevator Association also organized a joint stand for its members which showcased a significant number of exhibitors.
The market
The growing demand for living space in this emerging country becomes particularly clear during a visit to the metropolis of Mumbai. Mumbai is the heart of an urban city region with a population of approx. 20 million, giving it the status of a `meta city' or "hyper city" in which there is a significant absence of order and structure in terms of settlement. The picture is defined by three clearly identifiable types of construction: the villa districts of the wealthy, the tower blocks and apartment blocks of the middle classes and the slum dwellings of the poor which are home to approx. 50 % of the population. However, instead of any clear separation between the various forms of housing and construction they are intertwined and overlayered, creating a confusing pattern. High rises make up just a small percentage of the buildings but since the population is growing and the amount of development land available is limited it is imperative for the future that the number of taller buildings be increased. The elevators that will be required in these buildings will be needed purely for transportation without any fanciful requirements for grandeur or speed.
Mumbai has the highest proportion of slums in India, almost 50 %. As a result of the dramatic shortage of accommodation Mumbai has also acquired the name of `Slumbay', a play on words with the city's former name of Bombay. In 1947 a law was passed controlling rents and simultaneously strengthening the rights of tenants against eviction. However, whilst the law was well meant, the result was that there has been no investment in the housing market for those sections of the population on low incomes. In addition, real estate owners invested almost nothing in the maintenance of their buildings. In 2003 just 60 % of the people in Mumbai had suffi cient living space, i.e. according to the UN definition this required no more than three people to be sharing a room. It should be borne in mind in this respect that over 30 % of India's tax revenues are generated within the metropolis of Mumbai.
India's huge existing population in itself creates the foundation for a basic need for the construction of high rise buildings which in turn is increasing the demand for elevators.
The level or urbanization in India is approx . 28 %. By comparison: the figure in Germany has reached 75 %. The average level of urbanization in Asia is 39.8 %. India's urban population is currently growing at almost 2.4 % per annum. The population of India is currently increasing at an annual rate of 1.55 %. India's population is therefore growing at a faster pace than that of China which is rising by 0.65 %.
Leaving aside the demand for housing construction, we have quality hotels and office buildings which are equipped with elevators. By contrast, small hotels and standard office buildings could be equipped with elevators, providing these are economical. The second category in turn offers additional potential. This should be seen as additional business to the residential buildings since the working population does have to be housed in office buildings and when traveling (primarily business and occasional holiday travel). Elevators and escalators are also needed for the numerous airports, shopping centers, theaters etc. The cities are becoming increasingly modern and more sophisticated.
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