Expos – safe and sound
Poland: The International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO in Kielce is underway
Can I say what a real privilege it is speaking here today. In the UK we are always impressed by the resilience and the determination of the Polish people (…). It is, therefore, no surprise, even with all the challenges that the world is currently facing, Poland has laid on a first-rate trade show today. We may be lower on numbers we would normally expect, but looking around the halls earlier today, and peering through the lights at all of you in the seats – I know we may be lower on numbers, we are certainly high on quality here today. And we are all delighted to be here. There is a lot to see and business to do. – Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement, UK, said at the opening ceremony of the 28th International Defence Industry Exhibition now held in Kielce, Poland (8-10 September 2020).
All eyes are on Targi Kielce; not only do the exhibition industry insiders but also a multitude of expo-participating companies watch the first large-scale trade show held after the economic lockdown restrictions have been lifted. MSPO is ranked third in Europe, just after Paris and London trade show. None of Europe’s defence and military trade show has been held this year. The lockdown has caused a similar situation in all economic sectors. The expo organisers’ determination and strenuous efforts culminated in success – MSPO brought together 185 companies from 15 countries. The trade show is an evident impulse for the whole exhibition sector. It is time to recover from COVID hibernation. The Expo has been organised with strict observance of sanitary rules and regulations. 2020 MSPO has been the showcase for the elite of rocket weapons manufacturers – from US Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to the British MBDA European Missile House.
- Many companies find that the trade fair offers the opportunity to regain the market positions they have lost, to recover after the economic collapse. This is also a perfect chance for those looking for new business ideas – says Andrzej Mochoń, President of the Board at Targi Kielce.
A better tool designed to boost economic recovery is hard to find because trade shows bring together various industries. The Kielce exhibition and congress centre has offered maximum public-health safety and security level – all the more reasons to join the Expo.
- The Expo, just like all the trade shows before, has been organised in a most professional way. The show has been put together professionally, as it is every year. Of course, it’s been challenging with current COVID situation, but it has been a lot of safety measure in place, it very effective to again have a chance for all the companies’ representatives to meet. – says Ronald Farkas, Poland – US Operations (Defense Consulting and Representation).
Targi Kielce has gone an extra mile to be ready for the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) and all other autumn events. The centre’s entrances are equipped with non-contact temperature screening as well as automatic disinfection and decontamination booths.
In addition to the standard security measures such as mouth and nose covering, hands disinfection complemented with surfaces, handles, doors, mirrors cleaning and disinfection, the expo centre has resolved to increase the distance between the expo stands, install plexiglass security dividers. All people the exhibition area fill in the epidemiological survey upon entering the facility.
- No reservations regarding this year’s expo organisation – the trade show has been as professional as it has ever been. – says Bogdan Kaliński, ELMARK AUTOMATYKA SA Sales Manager – – The trade show is much smaller than it used to be. (…,) Yet we are getting back to normal. We are glad we have a good location in a nice expo hall, and we have gained new customers.
- HYUNDAI ROTEM has presented its solutions for the first time – says Lee Han – Soo, Senior Manager, Global Defense Sales & Marketing Team, HYUNDAI ROTEM. – We have good feedback from many customers; we keep building positive relations with Polish companies. The expo is also an opportunity for us to establish business contacts. We do understand and appreciate Targi Kielce’s health safety policy. We appreciate the measures implemented to increase the safety of guests, e.g. face-protecting masks and cleaning regime. We hope our visit will bear its fruit.
About Targi Kielce
Targi Kielce Exhibition and Congress Centre is ranked second in Central and Eastern Europe. Every year Targi Kielce hosts over 276,000 visitors and guests from nearly 60 countries, 6,900 companies take part in the trade fair.
The Targi Kielce calendar comprises 70 events – trade shows, exhibitions and 700 conferences, including
- International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing PLASTPOL – Poland’s largest event in plastic and rubber industry, one of the biggest in Europe.
Upcoming expo: 6-8.10.2020. More info: www.plastpol.com
- STOM – the expo cluster combines the 10 international exhibitions – which showcase metal-processing machines, sheet metal processing, laser technologies, measurement technologies and 3D printing. STOM is the most important and dynamically developing event in this business sector.
Upcoming expo : 22-24.09.2020. More info: www.stom.targikielce.pl
- International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO MSPO which is ranked third among Europe’s defence industry expos (after Paris and London).
Upcoming expo: 7-10.09.2021 More info: www.mspo.pl
- KIDS’ TIME – the International Fair of Toys and Products for Mother and Child. Every year, Targi Kielce is the home for Central-Eastern Europe’s largest and most dynamic child products trade fair.
- pcoming expo: 17-19.02.2021. More info: kidstime.pl
Targi Kielce operates 90,000 m2 of exhibition grounds including 36,000 of indoor space in the 7, fully equipped and cutting-edge exhibition halls. There are six international airports (including Warsaw, Krakow, Katowice) located within 180 km radius.
MSPO – essential and very much in demand
All eyes on Targi Kielce in September – not only the military business sector but the broadly defined industry is focused on the Kielce events. There are two reasons why this year has been so exceptional. First of all, it has been the Kielce autumn tradition to offers the world’s biggest military concerns’ the presentation platform for their visions of a modern army. The second aspect is related to the COVID-spurred exhibition industry hibernation. The Targi Kielce president’s and employees’ determination has made it possible to overcome the stand-still and start getting back on track.
The expo was organised with strict observance of sanitary rules and regulations and brought together 185 companies from 15 countries. 2020 MSPO was the showcase for the elite of rocket weapons manufacturers – from US Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to the British MBDA European Missile House. The three days’ exhibition attracted several thousand visitors. HE Jeremy Quin, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, UK, the head of the British delegation and MSPO 2020 Lead Nation Exhibition best recapitulated the trade show. This is how he referred to the expo facts and figures in his speech at the commencement ceremony: “Can I say what a real privilege is speaking today. In the UK, we are always impressed by the resilience and the determination of the Polish people. Examples of that resilience and determination occur again and again in the long history of the nation. It is, therefore, no surprise, even with all the challenges that the world is currently facing, Poland has laid on a first-rate trade show today. We may be lower on a number we would normally expect, but looking around the halls earlier today, and peering through the lights at all of you in the seats – we may be lower on numbers; we are certainly high on quality.”
Huta Stalowa Wola signs the agreement signed at MSPO
The International Defence Industry Exhibition’s expo stand of the Polish Armaments Group was the stage for the official agreement signing between Huta Stalowa Wola [Steelworks] SA and the Czech company Tatra Export. The contract stipulates the design and delivery of a 4×4 vehicle with complete technical documentation which makes it possible to produce the vehicle in Poland. The agreement concerns the 4×4 vehicle version. This vehicle will be offered for the Polish Armed Forces’ programs and projects the Polish Armaments Group is a part of. Ultimately, the vehicle has been acquired to expand the range of chassis for command vehicles and other specialised bodies requiring the use of an advanced 4×4 chassis such as the Rocket and Artillery Forces.
Débuts and première presentations
For years, the International Defence Industry Exhibition has been the display for military equipment first and foremost. However, other uniformed services’ have always been offered cutting-edge solutions. This year’s expo welcomed those who make their début. The XXVIII International Defence Industry Exhibition has differed from the previous years’ trade shows. Yet the equipment suppliers did not disappoint the expo visitors who admired cutting-edge weaponry, helicopters and armaments which enhance the uniformed services’ capabilities. The General Jakub Jasiński Training Centre presented the Anti-Tank Mine Control System for the Engineering and Chemical Forces. “Jarzębiona” is the product’s codename – the system consists of 21 anti-tank mines with an EFP charge and offers 100 meters operating range. The new Ford Ranger XLT, adapted to the military needs also has made its début at the trade show. The cars are produced in South Africa, now they have undergone a complete modernisation – their tyres tires have been enhanced, they have also been equipped with an engine and the added rear-body section especially for the use of uniformed services. The car has been assigned tasks from those of the Honker, heavily used by the military. MSPO was the display for the Leopard 2A4 tank, the one whose construction has been re-designed. The three modernisation areas included improvement of ballistic protection, fire efficiency and functionality enhancement. The ballistic protection strengthening comprises the installation of additional turret armour, replacement of ceramic inserts in the actual armour. The efficiency improvement consists mainly in the weaponry modification, the commander’s sight new version and thermal imaging cameras installation, delivered by the Polish company PCO. The functionality has been improved by electric-drives equipped weapons, fire protection system replacement and the new reversing camera. The modernisation scheme has been implemented by the Bumar – Łabędy from Gliwice. Ultimately, all Leopard 2A4 units are to be the subject of refurbishment.
In line with the MSPO tradition – DEFENDERS awards
One of the last highlights of the International Defence Industry Exhibition has been the presentation ceremony of the DEFENDER awards – the distinction is awarded every year by the Kielce defence trade show’s Programme Board. The gala ceremony was also the occasion to present the extraordinary awards of the Polish Army.
Not only is the function the accolades presentation time, but also the recapitulation of this year’s expo As Andrzej Mochoń PhD. emphasised how difficult it is to offer a brief punchline for this year’s event. – It is not easy to provide a quick wrap-up … was it a success or a failure? The same question is on our Exhibitors’ lips when we talk to them. Time will tell how much we gained at this event. However, already today, I can say that it was worth fighting for this year’s only defence industry exhibition in Europe. – said the President of Targi Kielce.
The DEFENDER awards have been bestowed to:
- The Air Force Institute of Technology in Warsaw (the leader); the Central Military Bureau of Design and Technology SA from Warsaw for the e-NOSP network-centric system which uses data teletransmission for readiness management of aircraft ground handling equipment
The Military Institute of Armament Technology from Zielonka (the leader); Autocomp Management LLC from Szczecin for the shooters training autonomous simulator of the PIORUN portable anti-aircraft missile system
- ZURAD for its RobUV
The gala was the occasion to present the accolades of the Inspectorate for Armed Forces Support (the award goes to the 4th Regional Logistics Base in Wrocław for SKN-1Z control and repair station of the DNRS / 288 turret fire control system HITFIST 30mm at the KTO ROSOMAK), as well as the Main Award of the General Command of Branches of Armed Forces (presented to the Naval Inspectorate of the General Command of Branches of Armed Forces). The expo organisers appreciated the Armed Forces Exhibition. The General Staff of the Polish Army, the General Command of Branches of Armed Forces and the Inspectorate for Armed Forces Support were also the medal winners in recognition of their involvement. Special thanks and appreciation was offered to Colonel Grzegorz Lisowski, Deputy Chief of Technical Services Unit of the Inspectorate for Armed Forces Support.
Safety comes first
“Publish health safety” was this year’s MSPO’s key-word; it was on everybody’s lips. Sebastian Chwałek appreciated the Targi Kielce efforts in this aspect – the Secretary of State in the Ministry of National Defence, Chairman of the Programme Board, personally involved in the organisation MSPO recapitulated the three days’ trade show in his speech at the gala ceremony:
- This is the perfect moment to thank all those who have contributed towards making the September in Kielce meeting possible, the fact that despite the current epidemic state. We have been able to cultivate the many years’ traditions tradition and discuss safety, security, defence and weaponry. Special thanks go to the Expo organisers and hosts – Mr Andrzej Mochoń, CEO and all Targi Kielce employees, as well as to municipal and local authorities. Thank you for making it possible for us to participate in this unique event, thanks for your hospitality and security measures in place. The precautions were ubiquitous.
The Świętokrzyskie region MP’s, representatives of the government and city authorities have been involved in the endeavour, which made it possible to organise this year’s trade show.
More information at: www.targikielce.pl/en
Contact:
Monika Kowalczyk
phone: (+48) 413 651 302
e-mail: kowalczyk.monika@targikielce.pl
