10.12.2021

bauma Conexpo Africa to close

Messe München, the organisers of bauma, bauma China and bauma Conexpo Africa, has announced that the African event is being discontinued.

Its statement said: “The Coronavirus pandemic had and still has a huge impact on the business activities for all trade show organizers worldwide and certainly also for Messe München. The further development of the pandemic as well as the political and economic parameters for the construction and mining industry will stay unforeseeable for the upcoming years, especially when we look in the scope of Sub Sahara region and not only South Africa.”

“As it has always been the key goal to make bauma Conexpo Africa a show for the Sub Sahara region it seems very unlikely under the current conditions to meet the requirement of the industry in the future. In the light of these market conditions, the management of Messe München GmbH has decided to realign its market activities and to discontinue it as an independent event.”

The company announced the setting up of what was then bauma Africa in 2011, with the first event scheduled for September 2013 - see: bauma Africa for 2013 and bauma Africa 2013 dates announced.

Vertikal Comment

Sadly, this event never really got going, unlike bauma China. Its demise is also related to a change in attitude from exhibitors, with a move away from the large general equipment shows that carry bauma level prices, and soak up a massive volume of resources and budget. It is part of growing trend towards smaller more local and more focused events. Even the mighty bauma show in Germany is seeing some resistance for 2022.

For many years manufacturers have been saying that the global construction equipment industry would be better served by one major global exhibition a year with a rotation between Europe - bauma, Germany - Asia - bauma China - and the Americas with Conexpo, with local specialised shows making up the annual calendars. The pressure will surely be on Intermat in France when it next comes round in 2024.