Mobility, digitalisation and energy grid are the mega trends and main topics of the current political and industrial agenda in many countries worldwide. Governments and companies are investing heavily into e-mobility and renewable energy technologies and according to business analysts, this is just the beginning. In order to combine these megatrends and bring all major players together, MES Expo has been launched this year for the first time. From 5 to 7 November, the Mobility Electronics Suppliers (MES) Expo is taking place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
The MES Expo takes place at the Berlin Messe fairground I © MES Expo 
MES Expo 2019 – Opening Round Tour – Ribbon Cutting: Dr. Christian Göke, CEO, Messe Berlin GmbH; Olaf Zinne, Director, ZVEI – Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e. V.; Dr. Ben Möbius, General Manager, Verband der Bahnindustrie in Deutschland (VDB); Zhenqing Liu, CRRC; Heike van Hoorn, CEO, Deutsches Verkehrsforum e.V.; Andreas Wagner, CEO Germany, Mitsubishi (l.t.r) I © MES Expo
Over 50 suppliers from 12 countries are exhibiting at the MES Expo I © MES Expo 
MES Expo 2019 – Dialog Forum – Welcome by Olaf Zinne, Director, ZVEI – Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e. V. I © MES Expo
The new trade fair for suppliers of electronics to the mobility sector provides rail, utility vehicle and automotive companies with a new platform that focuses on multiple modes of transport and offers them an opportunity for an interdisciplinary exchange of views.
“Be it driverless vehicles, electrification or connectivity – the mobility sector is facing fundamental change. The basis for these developments is the electronics supply industry. With MES Expo we have created a trade fair that gathers all the players, offers a platform that inspires and lets participants work together on the future of mobility“, said Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin.
From startups to global market leaders – exhibitors present their innovations
The high proportion of international exhibitors is proof of the global demand for a new and innovative trade fair concept. At MES Expo more than 50 exhibitors from 12 countries are presenting their visions for an electric future in the mobility sector. This is where global market leaders such as CRRC and Knorr-Bremse can meet creative startups, among them Automotive Artificial Intelligence (AAI), as well as established companies such as HARTING, Mitsubishi Electric and Nokia.
Currently, electronics control 80 per cent of new products made for automobiles. Batteries determine the output and range of electric vehicles, smart microelectronics provide the technological basis for driverless vehicle systems, and electronic systems optimise road and rail transport. The flourishing startup scene is among the main drivers of innovation, to which MES Expo is devoting an entire section in Hall 2.2. The Startup Area is where new companies are presenting their smart ideas for a carbon-neutral mobility sector of the future to industry experts, potential investors and joint venture partners.
RINSPEED microSnap concept vehicle with HARTING charging station and cables I © UTM 
Lumineq, a CRRC subsidiary from Finland, showcased transparent window displays which will be useful for automotive and public transport applications in the future I © UTM
Specialist supporting programme – from Connected Mobility to Rail 4.0
The industrial fair is augmented by a diverse congress programme at the Dialogue Forum in Hall 1.2 which will examine the mobility sector’s future prospects. The three industry associations ZVEI, VDB and DVF are responsible for one day of programme events each. With speakers from Siemens, Bombardier and Toyota as well as lectures on Rail 4.0, connected mobility and climate-friendly transport, they will be presenting the theoretical background to MES Expo.
During the first day of the fair, ZVEI and PWC (Price Waterhouse Cooper) presented a study on the future of the power distribution grid, taking into account the trends of e-mobility and re-charge needs for electric cars and buses. The German NOW, a government body responsible for funding hydrogen and e-mobility projects, presented the latest funding programs available for e-cars. Siemens Mobility presented its e-highway which consists in the electrification of highway for trucks which are operated like trolleybuses. Bombardier presented its latest development of the emission-free battery train which is capable of replacing regional diesel trains.
The electronic supply industry – an innovation driver
The aim of the specialist supporting programme is to showcase the industry’s innovative drive across every area of transport: “Germany’s electronics suppliers stand for a highly innovative industry. With up to 12,000 patent applications per year, we can lay claim to shaping Germany in the long term as a business location. Innovative products and systems account for 40 per cent of our industry’s turnover, and one in three of the processing industry’s innovations are based on our solutions. MES Expo has also taken an innovative approach. As an exclusively B2B trade targets mainly electronics suppliers, takes all modes of transport into account and reflects every area of the mobility sector. We are glad to be supporting that“, said Olaf Zinne, managing director of ZVEI.
Speakers from vehicle manufacturers such as Siemens Mobility and transport companies such as Deutsche Bahn will be talking about their markets’ demands, which are changing in particular due to digitalisation. The focus of this platform for dialogue is on the process of change taking place in the mobility sector. Companies including Mitsubishi Electric, VIP-Virant and Kiepe Electric will be presenting their latest mobility concepts.
05.11.2019
