April 13--The Chinese laser sector continues to be positive heading into 2006. With this in mind, 163 companies from 18 countries took part in the first Laser.World of Photonics China 2006, which ran from 21-23 March at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.
The show attracted more than the expected 5000 trade visitors. The exhibitor number and visitor number are both beyond the organizers' expectations. Exhibitors included TRUMPF, Coherent, Rofin, Laservall, nLight, GSI, JDS Uniphase, and Melles Griot, as well as local companies such as Han Laser, Chutian Laser, Huagong Laser, North China Research Institute of Electro-optics, and Hi-Tech Optoelectronics, plus national pavilions from the U.K., Germany, and the USA.
Feedback from participants in the show, both exhibitors and visitors, was positive overall, and many were focused on making new contacts for medium- and long-term business.
"Rofin just entered the Chinese market, however we are the long-standing exhibitors of Laser.World of Photonics. The purpose for us to participate in Laser. World of Photonics China 2006 is to create awareness for our company's corporate image, product, and technology. All in all, we've already approached our target," said John Peng, managing director of Rofin.
"We are very happy about our presentation here. The quantity of the trade visitors was beyond our expectation. We will participate again next year," said Gunther Weinmann, general manager laser divsion of TRUMPF.
"One bonus of the event was the co-location with Electronica & Productronica China and Semicon China. It provided many good business opportunities to laser equipment manufacturers like us. We are satisfied with the result of this debut event in China," said Jenny Shao, regional sales manager of GSI.
During the show, various programs were held concurrently. These included the symposium on the Lastest Developments and Advanced Technology of Laser Applications and the international Conference on Laser Processes and Components held togeteher with Laser Zentrum Hannover, which is considered to be one of the biggest seminars of its kind held in China. These events attarct large numbers of laser technology R&D personnel.
The next edition of Laser.World of Photonics China will be held from March 20-22, 2007, in the Shanghai New International Expo Center.