AIMMAP, Association of Metallurgical and Allied Industries of Portugal, founded in 1957, is a national non-profit association of public service employers since 1996. Its mission is to represent, internally and externally, companies in the metallurgical sector, contributing to their dynamism and promotion.
1. How did your participation in this edition of Mindtech go in the aftermath of the pandemic?
This second edition of Mindtech was a great success with nearly 200 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from all over the world, with a natural predominance of northern Portugal, who were able to witness in situ the technology, quality, innovation and know-how of the exhibiting companies.
Naturally, since it was held after the pandemic, there was a slight drop in the number of visitors, although this was to be expected.
2. What were the main innovations presented at the fair?
As always, Portuguese metal companies brought to Mindtech several innovative solutions with high added value and with a high level of engineering and technology. It is difficult to single out one of the innovations over others.
3. What is your assessment of this trade fair at sectoral level as the Portuguese delegation?
This was the second edition of Mindtech, and despite being a post-pandemic year, the participation of companies from Metal Portugal surprised with an increase compared to the first edition, which reveals the interest of this event held in a region that, particularly for companies from the north of Portugal, is considered a natural market.
4. In general, how did you deal with the Covid-19 pandemic?
During the pandemic and the restrictive measures associated with it, AIMMAP was more than ever united and supportive of member companies, helping to solve the various problems. These were very difficult times of great uncertainty and yet the Associação dos Industriais Metalúrgicos Meta¬lomecânicos e Afins de Portugal and many of its members rallied behind those fighting on the front line.
5. What are the companies that have been in the Portuguese Mindtech delegation like?
Metal Portugal’s companies are characterised by an enormous diversity and cover many sectors. As for the companies present at Mindtech, we can say that they are mostly industrial subcontracting companies, producers of technical parts with high incorporation of engineering and creation of added value.
6. What future trends in the sector could you anticipate?
The growing importance of this fair in a region that is practically a natural market for national companies justifies that the Associação dos Industriais Metalúrgicos Metalomecânicos e Afins de Portugal continues to promote the collective participation of Metal Portugal. It will certainly be more and more a fair of reference in this area and capable of attracting more and more international visitors.
7. And what is your opinion of Asime’s work?
AIMMAP and ASIME are sister institutions that have been developing a close relationship for a long time. Specifically, in the preparation and realisation of Mindtech, Asime has demonstrated excellent organisation, which has been the basis for the success of the fair.