STAYING the COURSE

WHILE IMTEX 2022 HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED, IMTMA DG & CEO V ANBU SAYS THE ORGANISER IS FULLY COMMITTED TO HOLD THE EVENT SAFELY AND SUCCESSFULLY, DESPITE THE PANDEMIC

SYED AMEEN KADER

FOLLOWING THE POSTPONEMENT LAST YEAR, Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IM- TMA) has had to reschedule the IMTEX 2022 to a future date due to the sudden rise in omicron cases. Despite all the uncertainties surrounding the newfound virant of COVID that has forced multiple states to impose varied levels of restrictions, the association is committed to holding the exhibition in the near future with utmost health and safety precautions.

In an exclusive interview with the Manufacturing Today, V Anbu, Director General & CEO, IMTMA and BIEC talks about the rational behind rescheduling the event and various other pressing issues that the industry has been facing.

Here are the excepts: What prompted you to take this decision to reschedule the event to a later date? IMTMA has arrived at this decision following the recent spike of Covid / Omricon related cases at multiple geographical regions in India. The exhibition has been rescheduled and the new dates will be announced shortly. We believes that the decision will help exhibitors and user segments to recover well from the Covid impact, leading to maximum participation and high-quality business outcomes.

Tell us what kind of preparations you are having to make sure the event becomes a huge success despite all the challenges while at the same time ensuring health and safety of participants?

IMTEX 2022 had to be rescheduled due to the prevailing uncertainties and the changing dynamics of the market. As we plan to hold the event on a new date to be decided soon, IMTMA will be taking all the safety precautions such as mandatory online and pre-registration of exhibitors, visitors, and service personnel. Other safety precautions like mandatory face masks, thermal scanning, entry to people who have taken double vaccination, payments through digital platforms, maintaining social distancing, etc. are being practised.

We are confident of holding the event safely at a later date, as our venue Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) has the experience of hosting the prestigious India International Jewellery Show 2022 and the Green Vehicle Expo 2021 safely.

What to expect this year from IMTEX as it has set a benchmark over the years?

Talk us through the 50-year-old legacy of IMTEX and its role in bringing/connecting the industry players together. This show is unique as we will be organising a combined metalworking exhibition, showcasing metal cutting, metal forming, tool tech and digital technologies.