In April, Lillbacka participated in the biennial wire & Tube trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. This year’s Tube fair marked Lillbacka’s 9th participation over the span of almost 20 years. With a record number of stand visitors and plenty of important connections and interactions, the fair was an all-around success. According to Sales Coordinator and Lillbacka’s trade fair logistics organizer, Ursula Koivisto, raising awareness of the different applications Finn-Power machines are suitable for was one of the fair’s highlights.
“Our machines sparked great conversations and broad interest. We made important connections regarding non-traditional applications, which is fantastic. Actively showcasing the spectrum of our machines’ capability is an important part of us participating at a fair. Of course, our goal is also to keep familiarizing visitors with our brand – that these machines are absolute quality made in Finland, from start to finish. That is something we are very proud to present.”
Fairs facilitate connections with customers, distributors and industry peers
Lillbacka’s 132-square-meter stand showcased a total of 13 Finn-Power machines, ranging from the heavy-duty King Crimper all the way to the portable P16. Lillbacka’s on-site team consisted of both sales and design personnel. Participating in the fair as the technical presenters of the machines, design engineers had the chance to interact with customers and end users, which provides valuable insight to their everyday work.
Lillbacka extended invitations to distributors to join the fair. According to Koivisto, the fair’s central location ensures convenience for many distributors. At the stand, distributors benefited from a showroom-like experience, encountering the machines firsthand and deepening their connection with the Lillbacka team. Participation in the fair equips distributors with essential knowledge that enhances their ability to distribute Finn-Power products effectively.
In addition to connecting with customers and distributors, the fair is also a chance for the Lillbacka team to interact with industry peers and, among others, fellow Finnish exhibitors.
Pride towards team and company
A few years ago, it seemed like the days of large-scale mass gatherings were over. Lillbacka, much like many other companies, faced the challenge of reimagining new future ways for presenting their products and innovations. Today, after 5 busy days of the Tube 2024 and witnessing the Messe Düsseldorf trade fair center full of visitors, Koivisto believes trade fairs are alive and well.
“During my more than 30 years at Lillbacka, I have been to about 40 trade fairs and handled many of the arrangements. The nature of trade fairs has morphed over time – they are no longer necessarily a venue for direct purchase decisions but for making important contacts and initial inquiries. I definitely still see a place for them in the future.”
After a year of making arrangements culminated in the grand finale, Koivisto and the rest of the team have been left with a sense of gratitude and pride.
“I am extremely proud of our entire team and of this company. When we sat at the airport café on our way home, we all shared the same feeling: how proud we are to represent the company that manufactures the best products in the world while staying true to its roots – that these high-quality products and the great story of this company come from our small country of Finland.”
Wire & Tube, held in Düsseldorf, Germany, is the world-leading trade fair for the tube, pipe and wire industries. It showcases the latest innovations, technologies, machinery and equipment in these sectors. This year, the Tube fair gathered a total of 1200 exhibitors from 54 countries. The next wire & Tube will be held in 2026.