IZB attracted more than 40,000 visitors with 840 exhibitors from 33 countries

After three intensive days of trade fair activity, it is now time for the 12th International Suppliers Fair (IZB) to come to an end. With nearly 40,000 trade visitors and 843 exhibitors from 33 different nations, the IZB 2024 was yet again a huge success. Focusing on the key topic of “Empowering Partnerships”, the IZB 2024 highlighted the importance of strategic alliances between OEMs and supplier companies. Such partnerships are essential when it comes to mastering the challenges facing the global automotive industry in these times of radical change. The trade fair provided a platform on which technological innovations were presented and long-term cooperation models were discussed – both of which are sure to shape the future of the industry. The event placed a special focus on the transfer of knowledge, which helps to speed up the process of making new technologies ready for the market. With more than 840 exhibitors and around 40,000 visitors, the International Suppliers' Fair 2024 met with a positive response.

AutoRevista was able to see the great diversity of nationalitiesat the fair , ranging from the Ukrainian Automotive and Mobility Cluster to countries that are less common in the automotive sector, such as Slovenia and Lithuania, as well as the usual presence of the State of Tennessee, where Volkswagen has a plant in Chattanooga. The Asian presence was once again very significant, with special mention of Hyundai, not as a manufacturer, but with its subsidiaries Mobis, Transys and Wia, as well as a space for supplier companies of the South Korean manufacturer. On the other hand, the diversity by type of company was evident with a stand by the Santander Group.

“The automotive industry is currently facing changes with global consequences. Topics such as sustainability, decarbonisation and digital networking demand international cooperation between companies, political decision-makers and stakeholders along the entire supply chain. To that end, it is essential to work together to set the standards for the future. The IZB 2024 demonstrated that the supplier industry is ready and willing to shape this transformation with innovative solutions,” emphasises Thomas Krause, Spokesman of the Board of Wolfsburg AG, the organiser of the IZB. 

According to Krause, the next IZB in 2026 will reveal which of the innovations discussed at this year’s event have successfully made their way into series production. With its stronger presence as an exhibitor at the IZB 2024, Volkswagen AG focused on dialogue. “Our IZB concept was a success: The four Volkswagen Group Hubs focusing on different topics enabled us to discuss a multitude of potential solutions to central challenges with our partners, and we will continue to advance possible implementations of these solutions after the IZB. Our discussions yet again underlined the fact that we all share responsibility – both Volkswagen and its partners in the supplier industry. Only by working together can we make solutions for strengthening the automotive industry a reality, in a sustainable manner and as fast as they are required,” concludes Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Extended Executive Committee of Volkswagen AG and Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand responsible for Procurement.

Focusing on innovations and future topics

This year’s IZB shone the spotlight on the technological innovations and solutions of more than 50 exhibitors, which are summarised and presented in the “innovations@izb” report. These include 16 world premieres developed in response to the challenges facing the future of mobility, which were showcased to the general public for the first time at the IZB 2024. A multitude of exhibitors also made the most of the IZB Live Stage in Hall 4 as an opportunity to present their innovations and premieres. The stage additionally hosted more than 30 specialist talks, panel discussions and keynotes on the key topics of the event, namely Interior & Exterior, Electronics & Connectivity, Powertrain & Battery and Metal, Car Body & Chassis.

"The Live Stage allowed us to present our innovation roadmap to an international audience of trade visitors before discussing it further in numerous one-on-one conversations and Tech-Hubs with Volkswagen",  explains Craig Piersma, Vice President Marketing & Corporate Communications at Gentex. The company demonstrated how a classic rear-view mirror can be transformed into a strategic electronic module, with a range of functions in and around the mirror - such as glare protection and cameras - that perform safety and ADAS tasks and display additional information on screens next to the rear view.

At the IZB, various topics were intensively discussed, for example new technologies, their rapid integration into development and production processes and, above all, sustainability aspects. As a long-standing partner of Volkswagen, Kirchhoff Automotive presented innovative lightweight solutions that support and promote sustainability and efficiency in automotive production. At the panel discussion on ‘Metal, body and chassis’,Dr. Heiko Engels, Executive Vice President Sales and Technical Development / Managing Director of Kirchhoff Automotive Deutschland , underlined the importance of innovative materials and processes based on the example of the company's new steel grade ‘SIBORA’. This material offers increased safety in the event of a collision, while reducing vehicle weight and improving the CO2 footprint of the components.

High-quality exchanges

The new exhibitors at the event were also very satisfied with the high quality of the exchanges and the thematic orientation of IZB 2024. ‘Shaping the mobility of tomorrow means clearly focusing on sustainability, together with the automotive industry through cooperative partnerships. Pirelli strives for climate neutrality by 2030 and systematically focuses on recyclable and bio-based materials, for example P Zero E materials, in its production activities. We are delighted to be able to present these messages and goals at this year's IZB,’ says Mattia Bussacchini, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Pirelli.

This year’s IZB featured a wide variety of exhibitors. In addition to ten of the world’s fifteen highest-volume automotive supplier companies, Volkswagen itself also participated as an exhibitor and invited visitors to enjoy intensive professional exchanges with its representatives at a total of four stands – the so-called Volkswagen Group Hubs – thus fulfilling a request made at past events.

The trade fair also continued its tradition of welcoming both a multitude of exhibitors from Asia and a large number of companies from Lower Saxony, including around 20 companies based directly in the automotive location of Wolfsburg. At a joint stand with ES-Tec, Marc Wille, CEO of Cubos, presented the ‘SolarLink’, a completely new and patented product in the field of charging technology for B2C use. ‘We integrate our solution directly into the photovoltaic system and enable bi-directional charging of electric vehicles,’ says Wille. The company demonstrated its solution by running its entire stand, including its test robots, independently on power from an electrified Porsche 911.

The International Suppliers' Fair (IZB) is held every two years in Wolfsburg, Germany. This specialist trade fair for suppliers to the automotive industry offers the opportunity to discuss the latest trends, technologies and partnerships in the automotive industry, as well as an overview of the innovative strength of the sector. The IZBis organised by Wolfsburg AG.
 

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