Constructionshows
Neumünster. – The 60th NordBau was once more in its anniversary year Northern Europe’s largest compact fair trade for construction. On over five exhibition days, there were 65,800 visitors who came to Neumünster to experience the for a long time sold-out performance show. 846 exhibitors from 17 countries presented their construction products and services.
Numerous politicians and business representatives took advantage of the exhibition to discuss current and controversial issues. The NordBau 2015 hit the nail on the head with emphasis on “Bridge construction & bridge restoration”, “Architects as the developer’s advocate” and “Creation of additional living space” – a trade fair at the right moment.
This was already seen at the opening. The currently much-discussed housing issue was an issue for Schleswig-Holstein Premier Torsten Albig at the opening of the trade fair, where he appealed for sufficient housing especially now for refugees in cities and towns. Thus, the country’s planning must continue to work quickly and effectively in order to complete projects in a timely manner.
Denmark participated at the construction fair for the 40th time. Due to this, the guest of honour at the start of the trade fair was Prince Joachim of Denmark.
Not only in Schleswig-Holstein is bridge construction and bridge restoration a hot topic in the construction industry. This was a top issue in the program of events during the trade fair. Topics discussed included the required maintenance of traffic conditions in the renovation work – a particular challenge not only for planners, but also for contractors. An example of this is the Rendsburg High Bridge that crosses the Kiel Canal. Information about construction processes and the entire restoration requirements for the bridges in northern Germany were on the agenda at NordBau. Also discussed, was the speedy construction of the Rader High Bridge in the course of the A 7 via the Kiel Canal.
The focus of the most successful trade fair for the entire construction process in Germany and Northern Europe was the “architect as the developer’s advocate”. Therefore in numerous exhibition areas and presentations, it was shown how architects and engineers can find tailor-made solutions from planning to execution for new construction or even in the reconstruction and modernization of housing. There was great interest for this, as the Chamber of Architects announced. The most practical example was shown in Hall Five, additional living space can be realized by expanding the attic. The National Association of Roofing Trade, the timber centre and the building material manufacturers offered the necessary building materials, components and solutions.
The construction equipment manufacturers presented countless new and further developments. The exhibition in the open area was particularly important, since this presentation was the only one in Germany this year. Therefore at the NordBau, new models of a bulldozer or a soil compacting machine were presented amongst other things. Also, other manufacturers provided with their “machine-parades” a “cornucopia” of the latest technical developments. The focus was again on environmentally friendly drive technology. Of particular interest was the use of re-chargeable battery technologies: not only small appliances and tools with powerful re-chargeable batteries are in demand especially from construction workers, but also a wheel loader with absolute electric drive.
Well attended was the NordBau discussion on the third day about improving quality of construction projects with the State Minister of Transport Reinhard Meyer. Over 200 participants attended the event. The Minister spoke in favour of a new “project culture” for large construction projects. He also proposed an “adaptation of the award and contract law as well as a binding defined cooperation of all project participants”. It is for this reason that he led the professional event in Neumünster – in cooperation with the State Office Road Construction and Transport Schleswig-Holstein, the Chamber of Architects and Engineers, the Construction Industrial Association Hamburg-Schleswig-Holstein and the Building Management Schleswig-Holstein.
A part of the north German exhibition in 2015 was also training seminars such as “Driving and resting times”, “Impulse training course load safety” as well as “Safety training for earthmoving machines”. Participants of these special courses received a certificate upon completion. About 4,000 conference participants came once more to the 41 congress events. Two-thirds were recognized as an official training of the Chamber of Architects and Engineers.
The next NordBau Neumünster takes place from September 7th to 11th, 2016.
nordbau 2015 view