TIMTOS 2017 opens with technologies changing the world

The anticipation around are very much about what trends will be prominent, what end products might be showcased, and the keynotes that will take place and shape how we think now and the coming year.

In order to accommodate the vast request from the industry, starting from last edition, TIMTOS has utilized Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1 and 3, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 and Yuanshan EXPO Dome @ Taipei EXPO PARK to strive for more space. In the future, with the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2 completed, the request for exhibit space is likely to be satisfied. The scale of TIMTOS will be further expanded.

This edition's theme is "Industry 4.0+ and Smart Manufacturing." Therefore exhibitors’ products focus on the "visualized" cloud service application, "linkable" system integration and "intelligent" machinery to satisfy the market demand for upgraded equipment and smart machines.

The event started with opening remarks by Mr. Lin-Wu Kuo, Vice Chairman, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). He talked about the first-ever TIMTOS 2017 Summit which will be held at Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) during the show. Visitors can look forward to presentations from industry giants such as CISCO, NVIDIA, SICK, SIEMENS, KUKA, Mercedes-Benz and Bosch Rexroth who will share the latest trends in Smart Machine, Smart Factory, Automotive Manufacturing Revolution and Aerospace Supply Chain.

Mr. Lin emphasized Taiwan's unique industrial cluster. He mentioned the high-integrated supply chain is the primary force that makes Taiwan as the 5th largest machine tools exporting country in the world. Although the global economy is facing a downturn due to volatile international situations and many unfavourable factors in the past years, resulting to a decrease of 9% in Taiwan's exporting rate, the region's economy is rebounding and thriving because of the concept of smart manufacturing and Taiwan making its own national aircrafts. Therefore a promising 2017 is expected for the machine tools industry.

As an organization that promotes trade, TAITRA will continue to collaborate with the industry to help machine tool related companies to explore international business opportunities. Mr. Lin further added that bigger and wider exhibition areas will be expected in 2019 for manufacturers who want to showcase their technologies. 

Another keynote speaker during the opening ceremony is Mr. Alex Ko, Chairman, Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI). Mr. Ko mentioned two important things during his speech. First, he said that TIMTOS has hit record high with 1,100 exhibitors using a total of 5,430 booths, making it the 5th largest machine tool show in the world and the second largest in Asia. But the next TIMTOS which will be in 2019, everyone must expect to see about 2000 more booths, making it the second largest machine tool exhibition in the world.

The second important thing Mr. Ko mentioned is that TIMTOS 2017 is expected to bring in US$2.1 billion worth of business opportunities. Taiwan machine tools industry has already held a place in the global automobile and consumable electronics supply chain.

"As we solidify our share in the machine tool market, we have also sensed business opportunities in the aerospace industry. In the next 20 years, the demand for airplane will double which will create a US$5 Trillion business opportunity and therefore increase the demand for machine tools by 10% from the aerospace supply chain. Thus, we have signed a contract with Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) in November 2016 to assist machine tool suppliers expand business in the aerospace industry, he added.

Both Taiwan machinery industry and mechanics and electronics industry have been well developed for years with solid foundation in automated equipment and strong backing of ICT technology. Along with the Asian Silicon-Valley Plan, the industry could accelerate the development of smart factory and system integration. This year, TIMTOS has gathered all the latest results in developing intelligent machines. We are here to grasp the opportunity brought by this 4th industrial revolution to create brand-new growth mobility for Taiwan economy.

In the future, TAMI will provide multiple resources to accommodate different needs and to further assist the industry progress from single intelligent machine to smart production line. "We are working towards to develop smart factories and integrated supply chains," he finally said.

TIMTOS is a communication platform for suppliers of machine tool equipment, components, tools, software and solutions, and buyers discussing their requirements and challenges. This exhibition presents solution modules that are available now and that will be available in the future.