Mindtech 2021 has officially kicked off with a Presentation Ceremony in the Auditorium of the Vigo Exhibition Center (Ifevi).
Mindtech, Metal Industry and Technologies International Trade Fair, is the industrial fair of reference in the Iberian Pole, which will be held for the second time from September 14 to 16 in Vigo.
During the official presentation ceremony, representatives of the institutions and entities promoting the fair took the floor to highlight the importance of holding an on-site fair like this, safe and with all the necessary measures, to boost economic recovery after the impact of Covid-19 and relaunch industrial activity at an international level.
Justo Sierra, President of Mindtech: “Mindtech is the meeting point for the metal industry and all its associated technologies, the intercontinental axis between Europe, Africa and the Atlantic countries. In the current context, Mindtech will mark a before and after in the economic recovery of our industry, we are facing an unprecedented showcase to show the world all that our sector has to offer.”
“We are working hard to make this a safe fair, following all the protocols and measures set by the authorities, but with a firm commitment to prespecialty, because the sector needs to hold meetings like these again, which are essential to close new contracts, make contacts and establish business relationships,” he added.
Lino Comesaña, Business Director Galicia, Asturias and León of Abanca: “We are in a disruptive moment, where Mindtech is a very necessary fair. At Abanca we continue to be strategic partners of all companies in the sector in their digital transformation.
The metal industry and its associated technologies has been overcoming challenges such as Industry 4.0 or renewable energies since its birth, and has always been at the forefront, as this international fair will show once again this year.”
David Regades, State Delegate in Free Zone Consortium of Vigo: “Vigo is the place where the protagonists of industry and economic momentum are, that’s why Mindtech 2021 has to be here. It is the time and the place, and the administrations have to be able to keep pace with the industry, working hand in hand.
“From CZFV we have numerous instruments in place to support the industry, with initiatives such as Via Galicia, Vigo activo or the 193 acceleration projects that we currently have active. Likewise, the Next Generation funds will allow us to boost even more these ongoing initiatives. In this line, we have presented and supported several proposals such as electric self-consumption in industrial parks, the battery factory, hydropower plants, the connected vehicle… all so that the industry continues to generate employment and to shield it in our territory”.
Galo Gutiérrez, General Director of Industry and SMEs at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism: “It is a joy to be here showing the government’s support to the Mindtech fair. The metal industry is very important, and the idea of the Iberian Pole and our trade relations with Portugal is fundamental.
“The way out of the pandemic has a health aspect with vaccination, but also an economic aspect, linked to the Next Generation recovery funds. This recovery plan accelerates the strategic lines of digital transformation and green transition, where industry will be a key lever. We are going to work intensively on an industrial strategy with financing for investments and reforms, which promotes the pact for industry, competitiveness and sustainability, the circular economy and support for SMEs in tangible matters such as aid for investment in machine tools”.
Francisco Conde, Second Vice-president and Regional Minister of Economy, Enterprise and Innovation of the Xunta de Galicia: “It is very important that we, the administrations, are here giving explicit support to this fair. Mindtech has the challenge of amplifying even more the national and international projection of our industry, which is one of the sectors with more potential for innovation and diversification of markets and products.
“Mindtech is going to be the best showcase, loudspeaker and meeting point for the capacity of a digital and sustainable Galicia. We will all work together to repeat the successes of the first edition, also insisting on cooperation with Portugal. We have ahead of us challenges and opportunities such as offshore wind, the mobility of the future, the 4.0 shipyard, the aerospace pole, digitalization and the ecological transition. All of this within the strategic framework of the next generation funds, in which Galicia has already presented 355 initiatives to the government of Spain.”
Abel Caballero, Mayor of Vigo: “Mindtech is an exceptional project to launch industry, which is the heart of the economy. Mindtech is an extraordinary way of understanding progress to achieve economic advancement. It is being held at an important and ideal time, when we are witnessing the end of the pandemic.
“Now it’s time for the most important things, which are industry, the economy and employment. This year we also have the framework of the Next Generation EU, with 27,000 million euros already in the Spanish budget this year, in which the industry has to be a driving force”.
In its first edition, Mindtech had more than 200 exhibitors, 20,000 visitors, the presence of 10 different countries, 24 international speakers, more than 250 B2B meetings and 7 award-winning companies. This year, Mindtech will bring back to Vigo all this hub of knowledge, innovation and meeting.
All the leading industries in the sector will be present again, including automotive, aeronautics, metal mechanics, metal structures, renewable energies, new technologies and much more. In the startup arena, the technologies and business models of the future will once again be on display and a brokerage event will be held as an investment round for startups. Mindech will also host face-to-face and digital B2B meetings to promote high value-added business contacts, and the latest international developments and trends will be discussed at the Mindtech International Conference