A+A 2011 draws in the crowds

Thousands of representatives of the world’s top safety equipment companies recently headed for Germany.

by Oliver Chandler

The A+A Show in Düsseldorf – said to be the world’s largest personal protective equipment (PPE) exhibition – once again allowed SATRA to demonstrate the importance of testing and certifying safety footwear and many other PPE products. Over 60,000 visitors attended the four-day fair, 25 per cent of whom travelled into Germany for the event. The organisers announced an increase in exhibitors this year – with 1,600 companies from 54 countries showcasing their products and services, including a significant rise from South and Central American firms.

Surrounded by many of the world’s major PPE manufacturers, SATRA’s exhibition stand attracted attention from delegates involved in many PPE sectors, including safety footwear, gloves and fall arrest harnesses.
A+A is an important event for SATRA, as it is an ideal platform to demonstrate the value of SATRA services as well as meet customers and members from around the world. The significant Chinese presence meant that Canny Gan (from SATRA’s China Office) was kept busy translating conversations and visiting the Chinese customers and members spread across all ten halls.

SATRA displayed several key pieces of test machinery on its stand – the tensile testing machine (STM 766), circular blade cut resistance tester (STM 611), glove pinch grip tester (STD 620), Martindale abrasion machine (STM 604) and the water vapour permeability test machine (STM 473).

Seeing the equipment demonstrated inspired many safety footwear producers to reconsider their internal quality control procedures and look into further investments to improve overall product quality. SATRA’s Chief Executive Austin Simmons was present, as were Head of PPE Peter Doughty and Certification Manager Michael Cooper, both of whom called on their extensive knowledge of the PPE Directive and certification requirements to answer visitors’ technical questions.

Overall, SATRA’s presence at the A+A Show was very well received, and resulted in hundreds of delegates visiting its stand to enquire about the Technology Centre’s test equipment and testing services. Next year’s Innovation Awards were also a major discussion topic during the week. SATRA’s PPE Innovation Awards are to form a major part of the 2012 Professional Clothing Awards, and these are scheduled to take place at the UK's RICOH Arena on 17th April alongside the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show. Many companies are looking forward to SATRA’s developments during 2012, with the planned opening of SATRA’s China laboratory in Dongguan.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 40 of the December 2011 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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