November 10 and 11, 2021, the Precision Fair will celebrate its 20th anniversary, in the Brabanthallen Den Bosch.
In 1998, Berenschot conducted a study into the importance and possibilities of precision technology in the Netherlands. This research was supported by various organizations including TNO, NVPT (now DSPE) and Mikrocentrum and led to the IOP (Innovative Research Programmes) Precision Technology. Partly because of the promising start of the Plastics Fair in 1999, Henny Spaan (IBS) suggested that Mikrocentrum also organized a Precision Fair. After consultation with many parties involved, this was the starting signal for the first edition in October 2001.
Knowledge transfer in lecture program
Lecture programs are now common, but at the start of the Precision Fair that was still special. The knowledge transfer has always remained an important part of the tradeshow’s program. In the early years, Rien Koster was the driving force behind these lecture programs and the associated themes. These themes were later coordinated with various cooperation partners. The program has always consisted of a mix of lectures by exhibitors and independent speakers. From 2012, Big Science became a permanent part of the lecture programme. In 2017 there was a special lecture track by ASML in which the history of the company and its technology were central. The entire lecture program now consists of more than 60 lectures in 4 halls.
Growth of the sector and the trade fair
From 2007, the Precision Fair was unable to grow any further due to a lack of space and so an increasing waiting list of exhibitors arose. After the financial crisis of 2008, companies increasingly looked for sales opportunities abroad. During the crisis years, there were also various initiatives with competing activities. That made it clear that something had to be done. Two things were therefore most important to Mikrocentrum in 2012: increasing internationalization and enabling further growth of both the exhibition and technology. This was realized in close collaboration with Koningshof by building additional halls and temporary halls.
The further internationalization of the Precision Fair focused first on Germany and Switzerland. For example, the fair was profiled in German trade magazines and a number of exhibitors were also presented there. In the most recent edition, visitors already registered 42 different nationalities! Less well-known at the time was the Swiss CERN, which, funded by the member states, including the Netherlands, invested heavily in all kinds of high-precision technologies. Two visits from Mikrocentrum to CERN in 2012 led to large delegations from this organization at the Precision Fair. From 2013, the collaboration was further expanded with the arrival of representatives and Liaison Officers from the other international Big Science projects. In 2017, Sijbrand de Jong, the then President of the Council of CERN, gave a keynote lecture. The many contacts with the international Big Science projects that have originated at the Precision Fair have led to a large number of assignments for the Dutch business community.
Industry associations, training courses and institutes
Throughout the years there have been good contacts with the relevant industry associations, especially the DSPE. This is not surprising given the more or less joint history of the two organizations. This is also reflected in the renowned prizes that the DSPE awards annually at the Precision Fair, including the Rien Koster Prize. The various (technical) universities, schools, research and knowledge institutions in the Netherlands are also regular guests. Another permanent place became the technology square in the Dommelhal, where special presentations were always held. Often from the Big Science projects, ASML, TUs, but also, for example, with the presentation of an engine of a jet fighter, which was guarded by 2 soldiers during the day and at night.
Network function
The Precision Fair also has a real networking function and is the platform where many emerging new technologies are introduced and explored. Over the years, the evening buffet for exhibitors has also grown into a network dinner with 500 to 600 guests, a happening in itself.
Annually changing partner country
From 2019, there is an annually changing partner country, Switzerland was the first. In 2020 that would have been the United Kingdom. This was partly due to the good contacts with EUSPEN, the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, which also has a permanent place at the Precision Fair. In 2021 Belgium has been chosen as partner country. Companies, embassy trade officers and industry association representatives share knowledge of the local precision industry landscape and explore business opportunities.
20th edition after all
Due to the corona situation and the resulting need for more space, it was decided in 2020, after intensive consultation with exhibitors and other stakeholders, to move the Precision Fair to the Brabanthallen in den Bosch. Unfortunately, the 2020 edition could not take place despite that. Now, in 2021, the 20th edition of the Precision Fair will take place after all, in the Brabanthallen on 10 and 11 November. Everyone is invited to visit this special anniversary edition and experience 20 years of the Precision Fair!
Precision Fair November 10-11, 2021
Brabanthallen Den Bosch
Info and register visitors: www.precisiebeurs.nl