Gaining strength in the region's thriving industrial sector

The "Power of Four" - a mega trade exhibition consisting of InterPlas Thailand 2008, InterMold Thailand 2008, Automotive Manufacturing 2008 and Assembly Technology 2008 - attracted 32,136 quality buyers to the 25,000-square-meter venue occupied by 800 exhibitors from over 20 countries. The event in particular played a significant role in the Southeast Asian region's plastics and rubber products manufacturing. It also sealed Thailand's position as a leading player in the region as signified by the vast number of companies who are interested in the country's industrial sector. In particular, InterPlas Thailand 2008 or the "17th edition of the International Presentation of Machinery, Technology, Materials, Equipment and Supplies for Plastic and Rubber Industries" again sealed its position as the most comprehensive platform for modern innovations, state-of-the-art technology and top-quality materials and accessories for the plastics and rubber industries, including full-scale plastic manufacturing machinery (especially plastic injection machines from several well-known brands), raw materials, chemicals, test and measurement tools, equipment, parts and services. It served as the perfect venue where potential customers with real needs for applications and buying power can check out the most appropriate technologies to increase their productivity and lower production costs. Featured for the first time was "Composites International 2008", a special zone that showcased the many applications of composite technology. Composite is made from the combination between two or more different materials with separate types and structures. The purpose is to increase the capacity power of manufacturing. Shared characteristics of main and composite materials which resulted as composite technology reinforces the strength of the product. The Composite Showcase was moved from Germany and displayed in Thailand for the first time. The products in this showcase are those found in everyday life and were made from innovative materials that would replace metals in the near future. The series of seminars provided multiple resources of knowledge and technical problem solving measures by professional industrialists and technical specialists. The "Plastics Forum@InterPlas Thailand 2008, Thailand Plastics and Electric Strategy to Strengthen Industry Competitiveness", drew interests from professionals who attended the show. Southeast Asia as an important market The trade show more than stressed the importance of Southeast Asia as market for machinery, technology and solutions. Exhibitors all agree that despite the challenges the region currently faces in the wake of the global economic slowdown, they look at the region as a market with great potential for their products and services. This is reflected in their decision to launch their latest products at the show in response to the growing demand of Southeast Asian manufacturing industries for high-quality, cost-efficient and eco-friendly machinery and technology. They also believe that Thailand has a strong industrial sector that can sustain their operations in the region. The country serves as their gateway to the Southeast Asian market. Matsui (Asia) Co. Ltd introduced Ecobrid a new closed-circuit water cooling system that has high functionality, cost-efficient and environmental friendly features. The machine serves to solve the conventional problems of the open-type water-cooling system for reliable, non-stop operations. "We have been operating in Thailand for the last 22 years and our Thailand factory produces some of our equipment. We believe that aside from Thailand which accounts for 80% of our sales, Singapore and Vietnam are two countries in Southeast Asia with strong market potentials? according to Kenjiro Matsushita, Managing Director of Matsui (Asia) Co. Ltd. The companSuperStar SlipOn