Since the unexpected closure of the UK's largest trade show in the field of analytical instrumentation, International Biotech and Laboratory Automation Europe (IBLA), there looked to be a lack of opportunities within the UK for purchasers of laboratory equipment to meet face to face with the various suppliers of the equipment without travelling abroad.
Leipziger Messe has stepped into the breach and is looking to capitalise on the lack of competition for a European showcase this year for the industry which had total sales of around €15bn in 2005.
The new biannual trade fair and conference for analysis, biological and laboratory equipment will launch at the ExCel centre in London, 2 - 4 October 2007.
During the late '80s the then largest show, British Laboratory Week, attracted up to 15,000 visitors and by 1991 had metamorphosed into the Laboratory Exhibition and Conference, which took up more than 17,000m2 at Earl's Court 2.
Due to various factors including the growing importance of the biannual show Analytica and pressure from vendors for increased cost-benefits the trade show business stagnated, with many of the larger companies opting to hold their own shows for customers.
According to Wolfgang Marzin, CEO of Leipziger Messe, organisers of the exhibition the show is aimed at manufacturers and users of analysis instruments in industry, research and development as well as public institutions.
The organisers said they believe the show will be a success because European manufacturers are keen to present themselves to the British market and are aiming to establish LAB as the leading trade fair for laboratory equipment in the UK. They are currently expecting 3,000 visitors to the show.
"That is why we are going to London -- straight to the heart of the English market," said Marzin, who is expecting 90 per cent of the visitors to come from the UK and Europe.
"Almost all the European industry leaders come from Germany and the UK, and these countries are jointly responsible for approximately 50 per cent of the total turnover in Europe," said Marzin.
"At present a significant part of the British market is not involved in key international exhibitions in Germany, despite Germany being one of its main trading partners in this field."
The organisers of the show are hoping to change this, and are working with many prominent associations in the UK, Germany and the rest of Europe to organise the conference programme, including Gambica and Spectaris.
The conference programme currently constitutes of various streams focussing on the pharmaceutical industry, laboratories and chemical industry, laboratory equipment validation, laboratory equipment in healthcare, food science laboratories, and laboratory safety and biosafety.
"Companies from France, Germany and the UK have confirmed their booth space already. This is a clear signal that there is demand from the industry for such a platform," said Marzin.
"With full support of Gambica and Spectaris, our German partner association, as well as other European associations, we are confident that LAB can be established in the UK."
