The Swiss high precision manufacturing trade show, EPHJ, is back on track and will now take place from 15 to 18 September this year. The organisers say that it is essential that we now begin to prepare for the future.
The show was originally due to take place in June but has been postponed due to Covid-19. It is the largest annual trade fair for the watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors in Switzerland and is held at Palexpo in Geneva.
“We have held widespread discussions over the past few weeks with numerous exhibitors to obtain as accurate picture as possible of the situation on the ground”, explains Alexandre Catton, Director of the EPHJ Trade Show.
“We received the following feedback. Some of them believe that the situation is difficult and that the market trend, the persistent uncertainties and the potential fall in footfall mean that they should concentrate on other priorities. For others, the majority, the desire is a return to normality; for them, to be able to present their innovations and to meet clients and prospective customers at the Trade Show is a priority.”
At present, the vast majority of exhibitors have retained their booking for the 2020 show.
The organisers say that it is very important in the current environment, which makes recovery extremely difficulty for an industry like the watchmaking and jewellery sector, to bring together all the players and to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
“Since its inception, the EPHJ Trade Show has been at the service of the watchmaking community and the microtechnical industries as a whole. It is therefore our duty to remain at the service of all those exhibitors who want the Trade Show to take place to help them to relaunch their business activities.”
The organisers are fully aware that it will not be business as usual, even if the current travel restrictions in place for certain major businesses will have much less impact on manufacturing businesses and companies established in Switzerland who are subject to fewer constraints in travelling to Geneva. However, they prefer to take this economic and commercial risk together with the exhibitors rather than to let down all those who want to come to the Trade Fair.
“This decision has been taken based on the data currently available”, specifies Alexandre Catton. “Depending on how the health restrictions evolve between now and September and on the authorisations granted to the EPHJ Trade show, we will make adjustments and put in place the health and safety measures required.”
He says that the EPHJ Trade Show wants to stand alongside all those companies who are battling for their future. Trade visitors should come to the event at this this difficult time for their suppliers and all those companies who are the heart and soul of the high-precision world.