JCtrans: The International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition (SIL) has become the reference exhibition for the logistics companies and those of the Mediterranean area, which do you think have been the keys to this success?
Enrique Lacalle: SIL was born twelve years ago as the response to the needs of the logistics sector of having a business platform where professionals and companies could exchange ideas, products and services. Our exhibition has always positioned itself as an international referent besides of being the main annual event for such an economic relevant sector as logistics. During twelve years we have never failed to this meeting with the sector. In every edition we have been there with the best and most complete business and knowledge platform of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Area being, furthermore, a bridge with Latin America. Today SIL is the Mediterranean annual logistics meeting.
JCtrans: How does the current economic situation in Spain affect SIL?
Enrique Lacalle: SIL has completely overcome the current Spanish economic crisis. The fact of making an Exhibition in a moment like this deserves a high distinction. It is a must to have a meeting point for sales activation and making contacts and business. It is not a time for saving in Exhibitions but for investing in them. We cannot deny that the current situation may invite to attend to Exhibitions with smaller stands, but one must be there. Today more than ever companies must take the blow because otherwise someone may think they have shut down or that things are going bad... Now it is the time for companies to show an image of normality.
JCtrans: Which innovations will SIL present this edition?
Enrique Lacalle: With the aim of presenting a more sectorized offer we have designed new exhibition areas devoted to the electronic commerce (SIL E-Commerce) and to the packaging sector (SIL Pack). These areas complement the two new ones created last year: SIL Tech (for new technologies) and SIL Trans (for road transport). Moreover, in order to complete the e-commerce offer we will carry out a specific workshop in which current topics related to logistics and electronic commerce will be developed besides of business and professional practices and practical cases.
Today, four months prior to the celebration of SIL2011, we are about to finish some other innovations like, for example, a technical conference dedicated to air cargo or a new exhibition area for identification.
JCtrans: This year you have launched the campaign 'Together we make SIL' aimed to know the needs and concerns of your visitors. What conclusions have been drawn?
Enrique Lacalle: It has been a very positive experience which has helped us a lot to define the programs of the different technical conferences to be held at SIL. Let me remember that within the framework of the International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition a wide set of technical conferences and parallel vents take place to encompass all sectors taking part in the logistics chain. Thanks to the 'Together we make SIL' campaign we will tackle all needs and concerns that our visitors have expressed. For us, our visitors are very important. Thus, we give them the prominence they deserve.
JCtrans: Year after year SIL counts with more international participation. How do you explain this?
Enrique Lacalle: Being logistics a global and worldwide activity, so must be SIL. We have always focused our efforts to have a growing international presence in every edition. I have always believed that a non-global Exhibition has no sense. Thus, we have always bet for internationality. SIL 2011 will, once more, be very international with the presence of companies of nearly all continents. Last year, with 45 % of international participation, was our most international edition and we trust to reach similar figures this year. As of today, we have confirmation that companies from Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra, Germany, Italy, UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, France, China, Hungary, USA, UK, Holland, Panama, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic, Argentina, Chili, Finland, North Korea, Denmark, Japan and Switzerland will take participate in SIL.
JCtrans: Another feature of SIL is the wide range of technical conferences and parallel events. Which will be the main technical conferences this year?
Enrique Lacalle: We will continue with traditional values like the 9th Mediterranean Logistics and Transport Forum, which coincides with the startup of the Union for the Mediterranean and the bet for the sector as the basic axis for economic integration. Parallel to them, we will develop our broad agenda of usual technical conferences which undertakes all links of the logistics chain. This year, as a great innovation in this sense, we are very proud of holding the celebration of CSCMP Europe coinciding with SIL dates. We are pleased that the CSCMP European bet goes hand in hand with the International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition.
JCtrans: Which are SIL aims for the future?
Enrique Lacalle: To keep on serving to the sector and to try to be more alike the great German exhibitions, which are our referents? SIL is the leading Exhibition in the Mediterranean and the second in Europe. This is why we take good note of the great European logistics exhibition taking place in Munich, because we would like to obtain the maximum resemblance. We want to be even bigger, even more international, if possible, and with a total representation of the sector.
JCtrans: How do you see the logistics sector development in Spain compared with that of some other European countries?
Enrique Lacalle: In logistics terms, Spain is a very important country because it connects directly with Africa, it has important ports with a main leadership in the Mediterranean, it has great infrastructures... Logically Spain has a great potential, but we have to accept that we will never be like Germany, the great European power.
JCtrans: What does the city of Barcelona represents for the logistics sector?
Enrique Lacalle: Barcelona is a geostrategic trade point with the Mediterranean, Asian and American areas. The city is the way to Europe. It has an important port and has always bet for transport and logistics as strategic sectors, constituting one of the key axes for its economic and social development. All this has made Barcelona to become a city with a major importance in the Mediterranean, as it is stated in the fact that it hosts the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat. The weight of the city of Barcelona in the Mediterranean is also confirmed by the annual celebration of the International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition (SIL), the Mediterranean logistics community referent.
JCtrans: And finally, how do you see the logistics sector nowadays, in a moment in which efficiency is fundamental to develop and consolidate solid businesses?
Enrique Lacalle: Logistics is a strategic sector of great future because nowadays it is impossible to create a successful company without good logistics. In these moments when companies need to reduce costs, to immediately respond to their clients' needs, to offer the best quality in the provision of their services, to optimize resources and production... logistics plays a fundamental role. Logistics is a top element to dynamize the economic activity because it is a key factor for competitiveness and the authentic engine of the industry. |
