Shimano Changes Show Policy and Opts for IFMA

STUTTGART, Germany (14 February) - Shimano Europe will exhibit this September at IFMA in Cologne. This decision is a radical reversal by the European headquarters of the Japanese component maker in its show policy.In late December 1999 Shimano Europe and its German distributor Paul Lange & Co announced that they would only exhibit at IFMA in 2000 and in 2001 only at Eurobike. At that time Shimano underlined its dedication to having only one show per year in Germany in a letter to its customers. Now market leader Shimano turned this decision around completely by announcing to exhibit this year again at IFMA held in Cologne, Germany from 13 to 16 September 2001.In answer to questions as to why exactly Shimano Europe is changing its show policy now and opting for IFMA, Shimano's Marketing Director Frank Peiffer frankly discusssed it but it took a formal viewpoint denying that the change had any relation with the dumping complaint. The Shimano decision isn't solving the European trade show controverse either. Last year's Eurobike made clear that this show can survive without Shimano. Friedrichshafen promises 'business as usual' for this year and already has bookings for 384 booths which by mid-February 2001 is 85% of all booked-booths in 2000. (JO)