This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at SIL 2011: la logística, ¡más importante que nunca!

SIL 2011: logistics, more important than ever!

Enrique Lacalle, President of the Organizing Committee of the international logistics show and maintenance, SIL 201106/05/2011

May 6, 2011

The year 2011 is being difficult where all sectors without exception are suffering from the current economic crisis. Some more than others, but the truth is that no one has escaped the consequences of the economic slowdown. However this situation has also brought something positive that has forced companies to be used to fund making maximum use of the imagination to optimize costs. That is why there need to withstand the onslaught of the crisis as it is because when we succeed in overcoming this period, which is already spending too much time, we will leave all reinforced.

The quality of the SIL events that allow to activate the sales and make contacts and business is now more essential than ever

The logistics sector, as also to the sector of trade fairs, is experiencing complicated situations but must be addressed with much work, effort, imagination and optimism. The international exhibition logistics and maintenance (SIL) is a Hall that has credibility because it has evolved hand in hand with the sector and it is overcoming this situation, not without difficulty but with courage, work and enthusiasm. This year we have had to redouble the efforts, visited the main international fairs of the sector, flooded the world of information and e-mails, presenting tailored solutions...

The SIL as international logistics and maintenance leader in Spain and second Europe, is a good indicator of the reality of the sector. Therefore, that the quality of the SIL events that allow to activate the sales and make contacts and business is now more essential than ever. Meet once a year in Barcelona is therefore positive and necessary for the sector.

Objectives should be set based on the economic situation of each moment. This year we will have dimensions in square metres, and very similar to those of the past year participating companies. Although I always want more, because I'm a Maverick by nature, I think that do more than what we are doing is difficult. The general situation is for giving. We live a moment in which there are companies spending cuts, some have disappeared, others have been merged, sales have dropped, they have lowered margins, the benefits... have fallen much. Given the economic current situation, if I had to put to it, and note to the SIL's last year I would put it above the notable.

With regard to visitors, we are going well. The SIL is a large concentration of thousands of professionals. The quality of visitors has improved greatly, but the most important thing is that we have managed to make the SIL at the annual Summit of the sector.

In this environment difficult for the world economy should constantly reinvent the SIL and adapt it to the situation at any time. A fair of the characteristics of the international logistics and maintenance is a very profitable if you know work and because if you're not the market thinks that perhaps you have disappeared. On the other hand, the SIL is a good place to listen and learn in all events and meetings that are held, to see what the others do. In short, a very effective, commercial, instrument of knowledge, contacts, internacionalidad… which allows many say: despite the crisis here I am, giving the face and luchando… and which we have stood, and I put the plural, are very strong.

A room other than international makes no sense. Therefore, one of the main features of the SIL is its high internationality

One of the main challenges for the future of the Spanish companies remains export, since only 30,000 Spanish companies export regularly. In times of crisis is when exactly is more necessary than ever before the search for new markets. Extrapolating this comment to the trade fairs sector always I say that a room other than international does not make sense. That is why one of the main features of the SIL is its high internationality. This year we face our thirteenth Edition, which will take place from 7 to 10 June 2011, attentive to the economic situation, looking for the goal that our Hall remains the meeting point with the same enthusiasm as the first day,business and national and international contacts each year, creating the framework and the environments necessary not least talking about the present and future of the sector with the main figures. A room necessary and useful to businesses serving the industry for 13 years. See you at the 2011 SIL!