The International Suppliers Fair (IZB) has made a name for itself as an international innovation and communication platform for automotive suppliers and OEMs. Nearly sold out, and with a modified concept, the trade fair is counting down to the event from 11th to 13th October 2022. Nearly 900 exhibitors from 36 different countries have confirmed their participation in the IZB and will be bringing with them innovations and world premieres. The ranks of exhibitors are increasingly represented by companies from the software and IT sector. The exhibiting companies make the most of the opportunity to present their products and services in an exhibition area covering a total of 40,000 m² and six halls. Tradition has it that the German Federal State of Lower Saxony, the Volkswagen Group and the city of Wolfsburg are the patrons of the IZB.
“Digitalisation, electrification and autonomous driving are continuously advancing and remain the key trend topics in the industry. They are changing the product and thus also the manufacturing processes and supply chains. The IZB as a European-wide recognised trade fair for companies in the automotive supplier industry is shining a spotlight on these topics. The interest and the registration statistics demonstrate how strong and future-driven the industry is”, says Wendelin Göbel, Spokesperson of the Board of Wolfsburg AG, the organiser of the IZB.
Digital formats extend the reach
With its restart as a face-to-face trade fair this year, the IZB is also relying on adjustments to the concept. In Hall 1 the new IZB Software Marketplace is offering a platform for exhibitors in this segment, along with a live stage on which the latest trend topics will be presented by high-ranking speakers from Volkswagen, among others. In addition, selected suppliers will be presenting their product innovations on the IZB live stage. Live formats such as trend talks, keynote speeches and pitches will be streamed via a digital platform and remain available online to be called up in the media center after the trade fair.
“With increasing networking of the vehicle, for example, ever-shorter innovation cycles in the software field need to be taken into consideration in the value-added chain. For these, as with all other new developments, the personal dialogue among all stakeholders is vital in establishing sustainably successful processes in procurement and manufacturing. It is precisely here where our new formats come into play”, explains Josef Schulze Sutthoff, Head of the IZB.
Already on the day prior to the trade fair, the Automotive Supplier Summit of IPM AG, also being staged in a hybrid format, will invite visitors to the CongressPark Wolfsburg. The management conference is dedicated to the automotive and supplier industry challenges of tomorrow.
A holistic look at the “vehicle” as a mobile end user device
The aim of the IZB, to represent the entire value chain of the “vehicle” product, developing into a networked user device, continues to be the focus of the trade fair. The quality in all individual parts and the reliable cooperation of the hardware and software suppliers are guarantors of innovation, safety and sustainability of the end product.
The largest exhibitor groups include Electronics & Connectivity, Metal and Powertrain, as well as Chemical Products and Plastics. Overall, some 40 percent of the exhibiting companies are international, with Italy and Spain as the largest guest nations.
The Exhibitor Directory can already be accessed online at the IZB website. In the run-up to the trade fair the IZB Media Center will be filled with audio-visual presentations of the participating firms. Step by step, exhibitors’ innovations will also be presented in the innovations@izb report, which this year is focussing on products and services from the new key topics of Autonomous Driving, Connectivity, Cyber Security, Electrification, E-mobility, Production 4.0 and Software.
Photo:
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Frank Bierstedt
Information on the IZB
Venue: IZB Exhibition Grounds, Oebisfelder Strasse / Allerpark, 38448 Wolfsburg, Germany
Opening hours: 11th – 13th October 2022, daily from 10am to 6pm
Admission: 30 Euros for a trade visitor ticket; the ticket shop will be online from mid-August
