Almost 70 years of technology fair

On September 26, 1956, the RAI opens its doors for the first edition of HET Instrument. At the time, the fair was a partnership between 41 companies with the wish to chart their own course. They are dissatisfied with the range of exhibitions and fairs available at that time. For example, Mr WJ de Koning of NV Kipp from Delft wrote on November 13, 1953: “To Heeren Manufacturers and Traders in the field of Laboratory equipment. The number of exhibitions in which our companies are invited to participate has become too large. For various reasons, the return on participation in exhibitions does not correspond to the high costs involved.”

After a number of years of correspondence and meetings, the Vereniging het Instrument was founded on March 7, 1956. In September that year, the first edition of the fair of the same name followed, which, despite the short preparation time, was a great success. The goal of the companies involved is clear: an independent fair with self-determination in program, layout and promotion, to enable contact between members and the market.

Technological development

In the years that followed, not only the shape and size of the fair changed, but also the offerings of the exhibitors. Corné Reuvers, managing director at Beun-De Ronde confirms this: “There is a huge difference in the offer. Beun de Ronde sold small laboratory instruments. Over the years, this has completely shifted to application-driven equipment.” Beun-De Ronde is one of the 41 companies involved in the founding of the Instrument and also has a rich history itself.

“Trade fairs have become more of a meeting place.”

 

Corné says that before the advent of the internet, trade fair participation was mainly about brand awareness. “When I was still at laboratory school, we went to the fair for a day by bus. There you were introduced to the participating companies for the first time. This has of course changed with the advent of the internet. Trade fairs have become more of a meeting place. A place for customers and suppliers to catch up in a different environment.”

After the corona crisis, trade fairs and events are entering a new era. In a world where video calling has become the norm, there is still room for a physical trade fair, according to Corné. “People need contact with each other. Sometimes video calling is fine, but if you are making a large investment, it is important to build a relationship of trust. There is therefore real value in personal contact, including during a trade fair. In addition, a fair also gives energy to our own organization. Our salespeople and product specialists are on the road a lot and the fair is a time to have contact with each other. It is almost a kind of team building.”

Cooperation

In 2014, HET Instrument will collaborate with the Industrial Automation & Drives trade fair of the FEDA. From that moment on, both fairs will continue under the name World of Technology & Science. The fair consists of four worlds: World of Automation, World of Laboratory, World of Motion & Drives and World of Electronics. From 2018, Machevo & Bulk will also become an official partner and the title Industrial Processing will be present on the exhibition floor.

2024 is the year in which the WoTS reinvents itself. The world of technology is innovating and the WoTS is moving along. World of Automation, World of Motion & Drives and World of Industrial Processing are merged into one world: the World of Industry. This also changes the title of the fair to World of Industry, Technology & Science.

Federation Het Instrument was founded with the aim of organizing an independent fair where suppliers come into contact with the market. At the time, collaboration was the basis for the creation of the fair and FHI. After almost 70 years, a lot has changed, but we are all the more aware of the power of collaboration to achieve technological innovations and solutions.