Exhibition space fully booked; Unparalleled Interdisciplinary Synergies with Wind, MobiliTec and Industrial Automation Shows; Green Themes Center Stage at MDA Forum

Hannover, Germany and Princeton, N.J. - January 17, 2013 - - From March 8 to 12, 2013, the MDA (Motion, Drive & Automation) fair at HANNOVER MESSE will showcase all the latest products and innovations from the world's top suppliers of electric and mechanical power transmission systems and pneumatic and hydraulic technologies. MDA is staged every two years as part of HANNOVER MESSE, the world's biggest industrial technology show. With its over 1,100 exhibitors, two thirds of which come from outside Germany, MDA is regarded as one of the heavyweights of the HANNOVER MESSE lineup of flagship shows and an absolute must for all leading manufacturers in the sector.

"We're delighted to report that this year's MDA show is almost fully booked. The participating exhibitors can look forward to a truly unique and highly international showcase. They can also expect to reap major benefits from MDA's myriad synergies with the other HANNOVER MESSE flagship fairs. MDA has built a well-deserved reputation as the industry's number one event for new business development and quality networking," said Dr. Jochen Köckler, member of the Deutsche Messe Board of Management.

This year's MDA exhibits will be located in halls 20 to 25 and in the Industrial Automation halls 15, 16 and 17 at the Hannover Exhibition Center. The MDA exhibits in Hall 17 will center around solutions and systems for automation technology, thereby marking the transition from the purely power transmission and control technology-focused showcase that is MDA and the Industrial Automation fair.

"As a result of the optimized hall layout at this year's show and the ongoing evolution of power transmission and control systems, the MDA show continues to make inroads into the Industrial Automation halls. The areas of overlap between the two fairs are increasing as more and more power transmission and control technology companies offer turnkey solutions or merge with providers of complementary technologies," explained Köckler.

MDA exhibitors will also benefit from the many important synergies arising from their proximity to the international Wind fair in Hall 27. Hall 27 will be home to the world's leading wind technology companies, an important target group for drive manufacturers. Wind turbine drive systems rank among the most sophisticated of their kind. According to the German Engineering Federation, the powertrain assembly of a modern wind turbine - comprising gearbox, bearings, generator, transformer, clutch, brakes, control and sensoring systems - accounts for nearly half of its total cost.

"The products of the power transmission and control technology sector are the building blocks of modern plant and machinery. They are like "lego pieces" for engineers if you will. If you want to build the best machines, you will need the best lego pieces, and MDA in Hannover is where you'll find them. No other fair can boast a comparable technology offering," said Christian H. Kienzle, the CEO of ARGO-HYTOS GmbH and Chairman of the VDMA's Fluid Power Association.

The MobiliTec show, which shares hall 25 with MDA exhibitors, will be another big source of synergy potential. MobiliTec is the world's leading trade fair for hybrid and electric powertrain technologies, mobile energy storage and alternative mobility solutions. In 2013, MobiliTec will again feature all the latest high-tech solutions and applications across the entire eMobility spectrum.

The MDA show is both a key business barometer and a catalyst for innovation. It is also an excellent opportunity for the industry leaders to present their capabilities to HANNOVER MESSE's high-caliber audience of visitors from the worlds of business and politics.

"For German providers of power transmission systems, MDA is the most important show on the event calendar. The fair is simply unmatched in its ability to bring together customers and industry professionals from around the world while generating maximum public exposure for the wider mechanical engineering sector. MDA's strong appeal to worldwide buyers and technology partners is particularly important to an internationally oriented company like Schaeffler. We are also very pleased with the choice of Russia as this year's Partner Country. German mechanical engineering companies are highly capable and ideally positioned to offer valuable technological support to Russia as the country embarks on its comprehensive program of infrastructure investment," said Robert Schullan, who is Chairman of the MDA Executive Committee and the Power Transmission Association within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and a member of the Management Board of Schaeffler AG.

"For us, MDA is this year's most important tradeshow platform and a key indicator of our market prospects in 2013. And unlike many of the smaller and more specialized local trade fairs, HANNOVER MESSE has a strong international appeal, giving us exposure to potential customers from around the world," explained Ekrem Sirman, Chairman of the Management Board of Harmonic Drive AG.

Power transmission and control technology providers cautiously optimistic

Following a bumper year in 2011, German providers of power transmission and control technology recorded modest sales increases last year. The VDMA's forecast for 2013 points to a fairly static market. "The power transmission and control technology sector is one of the most important parts of the world's industrial subcontracting industry. It is a fast-evolving sector that supplies highly innovative systems and components to almost all parts of the industrial value chain, worldwide. How 2013 shapes up will, of course, largely depend on the economic development of our key markets, namely Japan, China, USA and Italy. However, we expect market conditions to improve overall as from the middle of the year," said Hartmut Rauen, head of the VDMA's power transmission and fluid power divisions.

MDA sets technology trends

The focus of R&D efforts in the power transmission and control technology sector is firmly on further boosting energy efficiency, sustainability and resource conservation and this will be reflected in the latest products and solutions on show at MDA in 2013. This year's MDA Forum will also cover a wide range of "green" themes, including Drive Technology for Wind Turbines; Sealing Technology and Condition Monitoring for Components, Systems and Hydraulic Fluids. There will also be discussion on "Lightweight Design in Fluid Power and Power Transmission" and "Designing for Recycling." The MDA Forum is organized by the German Engineering Federation.

About HANNOVER MESSE (the Hannover Fair)

The world's leading showcase for industrial technology is staged annually in Hannover, Germany. The next HANNOVER MESSE will be held from 8 to 12 April 2013 and feature Russia as its official Partner Country. HANNOVER MESSE 2013 will comprise 11 flagship fairs: Industrial Automation - Motion, Drive & Automation (MDA) - Energy - Wind - MobiliTec - Digital Factory - ComVac - Industrial Supply - Surface Technology - IndustrialGreenTec - Research & Technology. The upcoming event will place a strong emphasis on industrial automation and IT, energy and environmental technologies, power transmission and control, industrial subcontracting, manufacturing technologies, services and R&D.

About Hannover Fairs USA

Hannover Fairs USA (HFUSA) provides global fair exhibitors lead generation and product launch support across target buyers and distribution networks worldwide. HFUSA works closely with exhibitors to help them maintain their competitive position on and off the show floor and to connect with a broad range of new market audiences. For more information, go to www.hfusa.com.