SITL Europe's logistics expertise transported to Paris in March 2012

The varied programme for SITL Europe 2012 has been finalised and, one month before its opening date, SITL Europe 2012 is fully booked. “The occupancy rate is 96% with 900 exhibitors, up by over 10% [year on year]. Within that figure, the number of new exhibitors has risen even faster, with an increase of 20%,” says Laurent Noël, SITL Europe Manager.

SITL stands for Semaine Internationale du Transport et de la Logistique (i.e. the International Week for Transport and Logistics). The trade show, taking place at the end of March in Hall 6 of the Paris Nord Villepinte centre, north of the French capital, will offer many new features and some 100 conferences, thus confirming SITL Europe's place as a leading event in the field.

Aspects of the trade fair not to be missed include The European Rail Freight event; the Eco Transport & Logistics Exhibition; the participation of the RFID University; and, also, the Prix de l'Innovation, together with a range of exclusive surveys whose results are due to be presented at the trade fair.

Two studies will be unveiled exclusively at SITL Europe. The first, presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at the inaugural conference — entitled Global Supply Chain: Shippers' New Expectations — will report on the main trends in the supply-chain sector.

PwC is one of the Knowledge Partners of the 2012 trade show. Its transport and logistics experts, with the support of a new focus group, have developed the International Transport and Logistics Forum. The members of this focus group are industry federations and trade associations, together with supply-chain and logistics managers from the main players involved in industry, distribution and services.

The International Transport and Logistics Forum is a new feature of SITL Europe. The forum will be run as eight conference programmes, each with at least one plenary session, a number of debates, and a range of theme-based workshops. Five of these workshops are inspired by key areas of the exhibition. Established players from the logistics/real-estate sector will organise a conference, in partnership with the Marché International des Professionnels d'Immobilier (or MIPIM, a trade show devoted to the international property market).

Additionally, there will be three programmes dedicated to e-business, international supply-chain management and human resources, as well as recruitment-themed workshops in the afternoon of Friday 30 March.

The second study to be unveiled at SITL Europe has been conducted by EUROGROUP CONSULTING. The unveiling of the study's results will launch the third European Rail Freight event at SITL Europe, which will be built around the theme: Rail Freight, a Competitive Mode of Transport for the Future in Europe — Viewpoints from Shippers, Operators and Public-sector Bodies on Expectations and Developments in Rail Transport. This exclusive presentation will be followed by a two-day programme of conferences conducted by a steering committee of senior experts.

EUROGROUP CONSULTING will be supported in this programme of conferences by members of Association des Utilisateurs de Transport de Fret (AUTF, the association of freight-transport users), Réseau Ferroviaire Français (RFF, the entity in charge of the French railway infrastructure), Association Française du Rail (AFRA, the French association for the rail industry), International Union of Railways (UIC), Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français Consulting (the consulting arm of SNCF, the French national railways operator), and Executive Interim Management (EIM).

As already mentioned, the number of exhibitors expected at SITL Europe 2012 is up by over 10%, as compared to 2011. This growth is across the five key areas of the exhibition, i.e. Transport and Logistics Services; Regions and Infrastructures; Logistics Real Estate; Handling and Warehouse Equipment; and, finally, Information Technologies, Systems and RFID. This growth is also apparent across the theme-based pavilions focused on E-business; Waterways; and, finally, School, Training and Recruitment. Also proving very popular are the new features for SITL Europe 2012: Scheduling-Forecasting; Safety & Security; and, also, the SME Club.

As well as the world's leading names in the industry, many SMEs will be showcasing their expertise in services and transport. These companies are exhibiting either on their own stands or through groups such as Astre, Evolutrans, France Benne, France Lots and Tred Union. Others are represented through regional pavilions and trade federations, for example.

On 27 March, the RFID University will conclude, after a series of conferences and workshops prioritising feedback, with the presentation of the RFID Awards by ESCP-EAP, the Paris business school.

In the same hall, and also accessible with the SITL pass, the second Eco Transport & Logistics Exhibition will bring together leading figures from a wide range of disciplines. These experts will come from trade organisations, along with specialists in materials and equipment for transport, ecological handling and storage, vehicle hire, sustainable building materials, logistics-building, carriers and logistics, urban distribution, carbon-assessment, and environmental management.

Logistical innovation remains one of the priorities of SITL Europe 2012, as demonstrated by the 12th Prix de l'Innovation awards. Nine companies will receive awards at the ceremony, which will take place at the end of the inaugural conference, including, for the first time, the Best Warehouse Handling and Equipment Innovation award.

The other three trophies will be awarded for innovations in the Eco Transport & Logistics Exhibition. An Innovation Gallery at the heart of the exhibition will feature the entries of all the participants.

About SITL

SITL stands for Semaine Internationale du Transport et de la Logistique and translates as the International Week for Transport and Logistics.

SITL Europe 2012 will take place in Hall 6 of the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre, north of Paris (France), from 27 to 30 March 2012.

For further information, please go to: http://www.sitl.eu/

For further information, please contact :
Quote ref. : FTPB3700
Ms Katherine WOODS – Press Officer
UBIFRANCE Press Office in London
Tel: +44 (0) 207 024 3640
katherine.woods@ubifrance.fr