Last Updated on September 11, 2024 by PALFINGER
After four days of engaging with the world’s leading professionals in the maritime sector and showcasing our innovative solutions, PALFINGER MARINE wrapped up another successful participation in this year’s SMM in Hamburg. The event – the world’s leading maritime trade show – took place from the 3rd to 6th of September 2024. This global platform brought together over 48,000 participants from more than 100 countries and featured 2,200 exhibiting companies. As always, PALFINGER MARINE’s presence was marked by numerous exciting highlights and meaningful connections made throughout the event.
The PALFINGER MARINE booth acted as an explorational and interactive showcase of our newest state-of-the-art maritime solutions, manned by our capable experts. It proved a successful meeting zone for visitors and partners to explore our latest product innovations, connect, and exchange ideas. See some of the highlights in the video below.
PALFINGER MARINE’S RISING STARS – CRANE DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS AT THE SMM HAMBURG
This year’s edition of SMM Hamburg was particularly special for PALFINGER MARINE, as it marked the debut of several exciting new product highlights. The ultimate eyecatcher at this year’s PALFINGER MARINE booth at the SMM was our PK 25.001 M fully foldable knuckle boom crane. The fifth and latest redesign in the slewing cylinder generation boasts several new enhancements, such as its optimized lifting geometry and higher lifting capacity. The single power link system guarantees reliability in various applications. In addition, we showcased a scale model of the FRSQ 850 A DC fast rescue boat featuring an A-frame davit, highlighting PALFINGER MARINE’s commitment to advanced safety solutions in maritime operations.
The PK 25.001 M wasn’t the only exciting debut at the trade show. We also digitally launched the PFM 2100, PALFINGER MARINE’s first heavy-duty foldable knuckle boom crane featuring our patented P-profile. The PFM 2100 boasts an impressive nine boom extension, offering a maximum outreach of 29 meters and a lifting capacity of up to 4,000 kilos. Its high-end flow control valve allows multiple hydraulic functions to operate simultaneously, ensuring smoother, faster, and more precise performance.
Finally, we were also thrilled to unveil our new P-TELB series, PALFINGER MARINE’s new fully enclosed lifeboat models. Featuring an innovative double-deck seating arrangement, this series maximizes passenger capacity relative to the lifeboat’s length. The largest of four models can accommodate up to 150 passengers.
MEMORABLE VISITOR EXPERIENCES AT THE PALFINGER MARINE BOOTH
To deliver an unforgettable experience, PALFINGER MARINE’s booth offered a range of interactive and engaging features. Visitors were able to explore our innovations on a dynamic touch-screen display, allowing for an immersive dive into the company and product portfolio. A claw machine gave guests the chance to win exciting prizes. Meanwhile, our spacious bar area became a popular gathering spot, serving freshly brewed coffee, as well as snacks and drinks, creating the perfect environment for networking and relaxed conversations.
At the claw machine, guests had the chance to win exciting prizes.
NETWORKING EVENT WITH PALFINGER’S EXECUTIVE BOARD AND PARTNERS
This year’s SMM Hamburg also saw a strong presence from PALFINGER’s dedicated executive board. PALFINGER CFO Felix Strohbichler emphasized the importance of PALFINGER MARINE’s contribution to the overall success of the group and added: “The SMM is a very important opportunity for us to show our offering and meet our customers and partners.” At her first trade show with us, CHRO Maria Koller welcomed the opportunity to showcase career opportunities: “I’m very happy to be here. I’m glad my first trade fair involves the marine business. It’s our most international division, and, as an employer, we can offer very exciting career opportunities.” Last but not least, PALFINGER CEO Andreas Klauser summarized the positive atmosphere:
The curiosity of people, the visitor traffic, clearly shows how interested our customers are – not only in our products and solutions, but also our services.
Andreas Klauser; PALFINGER CEO
from left to right: CFO Felix Strohbichler, CHRO Maria Koller and CEO Andreas Klauser at the SMM 2024
At the end of a busy trade show day on Wednesday, PALFINGER MARINE invited partners to attend a relaxed customer event – the perfect opportunity to network in a more informal atmosphere beyond the usual trade fair hours. In attendance of all three executive board members, Klaus Schreiber, Vice President Sales and Service at PALFINGER MARINE, and Jarle Sørstrønen, Product Line Leader Marine Solutions, joined Andreas Klauser on stage for an opening speech.
Jarle hailed our recent successful transformation process: “We went through a phase of organizational changes, emphasizing and investing even more efficiently in our core strengths within the product portfolio.” Klaus, on the other hand, highlighted a shift in customer demands: “Service is gaining in importance, which is why we have started investing heavily in a global service network, customer care, and the digitization of processes.” The final words were reserved for our CEO, who, after outlining the great potential of the marine business, invited guests to engage in discussions while enjoying excellent food and drinks. The best ingredients for a stimulating networking event.
The SMM Hamburg 2024 was a resounding success. We are looking forward to sharing our innovations with partners and customers at major trade shows across the globe. See you at the next event!