Key sectors, key decision makers at JEC Americas

Q: When and where will JEC Americas be held?
The annual JEC Americas Composites Show and Conferences will take place in Boston, Mass., Oct. 2-4, 2013.

Q: With JEC Americas, what manufacturing sectors do you see as benefiting most by attending the event?
JEC Americas will focus on four key composites sectors: Aeronautics, Automotive, Automation, and Building & Construction  

Q: How large is the composites industry and what predictions are there for future growth?
The global composites industry represents a value of US$110 billion and an amount of 9,2 MT. The composites market is expected to grow on average at 5% p.a. with a forecast of reaching 12 MT in 2017. 

Composites materials penetration rate in aircraft has strongly increased for the past 30 years both for commercial and military aircrafts. From 1975 where the first composites appeared, penetration of composites in military aircrafts was faster but now we can consider optimum penetration has been already reached and may even have been overpassed. Thus, stability or even a slight reduction of composites penetration in new designs is expected. 

According to analysts, composite rates in military aircrafts are expected to be reduced for three reasons. Composites are not well reacting to high temperatures (engines are directly in the fuselage), they are difficult to repair in extreme conditions, for army, they are considered as too expensive.) For commercial planes, composites penetration continues in new design as composites are applied in all critical parts. This trend is driven by the positive economic global impact of composites (weigh reduction leading to fuel costs savings).

Q: How does America compare to use / implementation of composites versus the rest of the world?
The Americas are a critical strategic market for anyone hoping to compete in the global composites industry. On a global composites market of US$110 billion and 9,2 MT, the region represents 34% of the global composites industry in value, i.e. US$28 billion and 32% in volume, i.e. 2,9 MT. The region represents 34% of the global composites industry in value and 32% in volume, and is a leading innovator in key composites end-markets, including transportation, aeronautics, automation, and wind energy. In North America and Europe, high-end composites (e.g. Aeronautics and wind energy) and manufacturing processes (e.g. injection) are more developed than in Asia (Aeronautics: 9% vs. 4% in Asia; injection processes: 49% vs. 33% in Asia).The economy is dynamic in North America. Some companies work on relocation of manufacturing in America. The price of energy is reasonable. As lightness is required in most applications, the composites market is growing. Industrialists are enthusiastic and study new projects. All these signals are positive. 

Q: What events are planned throughout JEC Americas to attract young students to the industry?
In its mission to develop and foster Knowledge Transfer and Networking serving the entire composites value chain from academics to end-users, JEC Group has developed products and services for the benefit of students and universities around the globe such as the creation of the JEC Students Award launched in June 2013 on JEC Asia and planned for JEC Americas 2013. We also dedicate services and products for students, such as:

• Job Centers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas;
• Long-lasting partnerships with Universities allowing them to present their research during JEC conferences, participate with a booth, and present their technical posters on JEC events;
• Composites tours and sites visits;
• Access badges to all three JEC platforms (Paris, Singapore, Boston);
• Complimentary transportation for students delegations to visit JEC events; and
• Special rates for our conferences and publications.

Q: What are the demographics of those exhibiting?
In 2012, 74% of the exhibitors were from North America, 20% from Europe, and 16% from Asia. The industry understood the clear positioning of the JEC Americas platform, being an event tailored to local needs with the support of JEC global network. 

Q: What are the demographics of those attending?
Fifty-three countries and 36 American states were represented in last year attendees; 80% of them coming from North America, 10% from Europe, and the rest from Asia, South America, and the Middle East.

Sixty-eight percent of visitors were end-user companies, the remaining 32% being composites companies.

Almost three-quarters of the visitors declared themselves as decision makers; 50% of them being top managers or head of departments.

Q: What are the three best reasons you can offer to convince those in the manufacturing sector to attend JEC Americas?
First of all, JEC Americas is more than a showcase of today’s composites technologies. Innovation is the keystone of our platform. Visitors and exhibitors will discover and learn about tomorrow breakthrough, through our I.C.S. conferences but also thanks to the JEC Innovation Awards that will prize 10 companies for their composites innovations.

Secondly, JEC Americas is the place where new manufacturing processes are put forward, not only showcased, but also demonstrated. With one of the main focuses being automation, live demos will be organized over the three-days of the show.

Finally, like every JEC events, JEC Americas is meant to develop networking and we are proud to bring together under one roof the whole value chain of the composites industry and create a one-stop-shopping event for every composites professional.