Pune Hosts AIRIA’s IRE 2017 Roadshow

The All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) recently conducted India Rubber Expo (IRE) road show 2017 in Pune on November 21, 2016, highlighting the significance of IRE 2017 to be held next year in Chennai from January 19-21, 2017. Along with this Expo, the 10th Foundation Day of the Pune Chapter of AIRIA was also celebrated on the occasion. The Guest of Honour of the IRE 2017 was Vinod Simon, who was also the Chief Convenor of the IRE 2017 and the Chief Guest of the event was Kamal K Chowdhury, the president of AIRIA.

Vinod Simon in his speech said, that IRE has become one of the largest rubber shows globally and about 25,000 sq mts is expected to be filled in this edition. Around 400 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors are expected to visit the show. This is for the first time, that a domestic buyer – seller meet is being organised. He further added that in this expo they are keen to see that participation from the rubber products manufacturers. They have seen higher participation percentage of raw material suppliers and machinery suppliers, but the participation of the rubber product makers was very less in the previous editions of the show. This time they have got response from around 30 large rubber products buying corporate companies ranging from Automobile, Railways, Defence sectors and other sectors too. Simon pointed out that Government has earmarked Rs 320 billion for skill development and appealed to all to make use of this opportunity to get their workers adequately skilled.

Kamal Chowdhury while addressing the gathering said that the present turbulent phase of the Indian Rubber industry may not continue for a long time. A combination of speedy response and business agility is necessary to manage the market volatility. He expressed the confidence about the future of the rubber industry as the Indian Rubber industry is vital for the success for “Make In India” drive.

Vinod Bansal, Chairman of AIRIA western chapter said that the IRE was visualised by late Anil Sampat and his team more than a decade back. It was started on a small scale but today it is one of the biggest rubber expos globally. Also present on the occasion were Sunil Bansal, Chairman, AIRIA Pune Chapter and Vikram Makar, who has been chosen as the Chairman of the IRE 2019 and now is the head of Technical committee of IRE 2017.

The lifetime Achievement Award 2016 instituted by AIRIA Pune Chapter was conferred upon the Ramdhari S Agarwal, Chairman of the Jayshree Group for his contribution to the rubber industry and the association. This award is given in the memory of Brij Mohan Bansal who took several steps to help small and mid-size rubber manufacturers in and around Pune to help them achieve in their business. The first recipient of this award was D. T. Keswasni.

About 9th Indian Rubber Expo:

The India Rubber Expo 2017 is expected to have over 400 companies participating from India and around the globe, will be spread across 25,000 square meters and is expected to see over 30,000 visitors. Large Country Pavilions have been blocked for China, Germany and USA and for a number of companies from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Taiwan, among others.