Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
Next year will again be a separate event focusing on working machines. In fact, it couldn't be any other way. The Demo Days held in 2018 were very successful, so a sequel is obvious. Only Gregory Olszewski, managing director Matexpo, cannot yet say where the next Demo Days will take place. We are expected to hear that news in early September, during the fair in Kortrijk.
The closing report of Demo Days leaves nothing to be desired in terms of positivism. We quote: "Under a radiant sun, the first edition of Demo Days powered by Matexpo closed Sunday evening, September 9, with 3,878 visitors. Well above the target of 3,000 set by the organization. The Sodewa site in Braine-l'Alleud was the setting where more than 80 excavators, 20 trucks and various crushing and screening equipment could be tested by the public."
Both visitors and exhibitors - about forty companies had brought their machines, trucks and installations - were very enthusiastic about the first edition of the special two-day event afterwards. Even the weather was cooperative, which is a nice bonus when you are walking in a quarry full of sand.
The Sodewa site in Braine-l'Alleud was a pleasant location for an outdoor event on several levels.
The Sodewa site in Braine-l'Alleud was a pleasant location for an outdoor event on several levels. The sandy surface allowed the excavators to actually show what they are capable of. On the other hand, the terrain was hilly enough to provide a more exciting route for the trucks as well. Because of its low elevation, the wind hardly had any hold on it, so working here took on traits of vacation fun. Whether all these conditions can be met at a possible new location remains to be seen. By the way, what could be improved is parking. Now a considerable distance had to be walked, especially by those who had left home later.
The Demo Days in 2020 will follow much the same concept as in 2018. However, Gregory says he is aiming for a slight broadening of the range of machine types. "The emphasis does not have to be solely on digging," Gregory said, adding that the other conditions and agreements around numbers, machine weights, stand design and the like do remain in place.
