SMM 2008 in Hamburg is the foremost largest biennial trade fair in Europe in the shipbuilding sector. In this edition, the trade fair has hosted
spread over 15 pavilions, with an influx of 47,000 visitors. The trade fair, is the most comprehensive in the industry, having had numerous workshops, conferences, symposia, as well as the latest technological innovations in the sector.

LOSAL, as in the previous edition, had a stand within the maritime pavilion of the Spanish contingent. This platform has allowed for the market expansion of bulb flats as an outstanding product for naval uses. Throughout the 4 days that the trade fair lasted (23-26 September), around 100 companies from many different countries visited the LOSAL meeting point. Shipbuilders, stockists, ship repair companies, engineering offices etc. and of course, the vast majority of our current customers.

All the participants, agreed in stressing, the consistency of demand for bulb flats for next year, tied to the manufacture of medium sized (60-180HP) vessels. However, the volatility in the prices of billets has caused in the short term that the major customers reduce their available stocks, and in fact, to hold back some orders for 2009, until the price situation stabilizes. The international financial crisis may affect the financing of shipbuilding projects, so demand could be affected in the mid-term.

The very volatile situation of raw material prices requires all bulb flat manufacturers, to increase their levels of competitiveness and adapt to market conditions.

The globalization of the consumption of bulb flats is a reality and flexibility is essential to maintain the customer service and therefore a competitive position.

Given the importance of the trade fair in general and the success of number of visitors for LOSAL in particular, is an absolute must, which will once again count with our presence in the next SMM edition, which will be held on 7-10 September, 2010.