Germany’s robust demand for firefighting vehicles is showing no signs of slowing down. That is the verdict of a recent market and economic status report put out by the firefighting technology association within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), and welcome news for companies planning to exhibit at INTERSCHUTZ 2020. In its report, the VDMA cites technological innovation as a key decision-making criterion for German public authorities and purchasing executives. Other key criteria include the quality of the vehicles and the associated equipment and software. Standardization and service are also mentioned as critical issues. The report further notes that buyers are looking forward to seeing the first market-ready electric drive systems.
“We expect that investment in firefighting vehicles will continue to be buoyant for the remainder of this year and through next year,” said Dr. Bernd Scherer, CEO of the VDMA’s firefighting technology association. “Firefighting tech providers are already busy gearing up to reach and impress purchasing managers at INTERSCHUTZ 2020. They stand committed to innovation and technological progress – not as ends in and of themselves, but rather only if the resulting advancements lead to real-world benefits in terms of quality, functionality or safety.”
Human resources the biggest challenge
Overall, the report rates Germany’s fire services as being “well equipped” to “very well equipped” in terms of modern firefighting technology. “This healthy level of technical procurement over the past year is likely to rise even further this year,” Scherer said. “However, the biggest challenge for the sector is, in fact, human resources, namely retaining existing staff, recruiting new staff, offering appropriate professional development programs and ensuring operational readiness. All of these points are right at the top of the sector’s agenda.”
Innovation is driving investment
“In our view, better technology, better performance and new fields of application are the key drivers of investment in Germany’s fire services. And providers who also tick the quality and service boxes will enjoy particularly strong demand,” Scherer added.
Scherer notes that the overall sector trend is further towards product standardization, with over 80 percent of users regarding standards and overall weight as being very important. “German standards are an invaluable marketing asset. When it comes to vehicles and equipment, European, and particularly German, fire and rescue service technology standards are highly respected worldwide.”
Electric drives are coming
According to Scherer, the growing number of market-ready electric drive solutions represents a promising new mobility option for the fire services: “Smaller vehicles weighing less than 3.5 metric tons, in particular, are already available and in demand. The main obstacle at present is the charging infrastructure, which is not yet fully developed.” eMobility will be a key theme for the vehicle manufacturers exhibiting at the next INTERSCHUTZ.
Nearly half of all INTERSCHUTZ visitors play a role in purchasing decisions
INTERSCHUTZ is the world’s leading technology show for the fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security. It is also very much a business show and a regular calendar fixture for decision-makers and purchasing executives in these sectors. Technology providers catering for the fire and rescue service sectors use INTERSCHUTZ to showcase their latest developments and innovations. On the visitor side, INTERSCHUTZ attracts public procurement officials, mayors, treasurers, chief fire officers, regional fire officers and commissioners as well as decision-makers from professional, private and volunteer fire services and an international mix of others who play a major role in purchasing decisions, e.g. from business, municipal or state backgrounds.
The INTERSCHUTZ 2015 visitor survey revealed that 43 percent of the show’s over 150,000 visitors were involved in their organizations’ capital investment decision making. Over 32,000 visitors used information gathered at the show as the basis for concrete investment and purchasing decisions, and over 8,000 visitors placed orders at the show. The next INTERSCHUTZ will be held from 15 to 20 June 2020 in Hannover, Germany. The show is organized by Deutsche Messe with the support of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), the German Fire Services Association (DFV) and the German Fire Protection Association (GFPA).
For more information please visit: www.interschutz.de
