How important is IP transfer in trade promotion?
Transformer Technology magazine aims to cover all the significant trade exhibitions and fairs on the European 2026 calendar. It is unique and not offered by any other transformer and technology trade magazine. In this article out Transfromer Technology magazine corresponded reports on the Hannover Messe.
The 2026 Hannover Messe concluded on 24 April 2026. It had been 5 intense and exciting days. This year, the focus was largely on Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, Automatization and Robotics. Brazil had been the strategic exhibition partner and the Brazilian national pavilion, bright and colorful in yellow, blue and green, added an almost carnival like sparkle, to this traditional German show case and fair. As partnering country, a significant large number of Brazilian companies participated.
The Hannover Trade Fair always had the reputation as being the showcase for Germany industrialization and manufacturing and the 2026 exhibition did not disappoint, clearly reflecting German and European significance in automation, digitalization and robotics.
In the modern world of today, Europe, on a global stage, has, however, lost its industrial dominance, perhaps even significance and to an extent some may argue, competitiveness. Regaining this dominance, given current industrial development policies, restrictive environmental legislation, energy distribution constraints and more importantly incentives, is most unlikely.
How does this impact one of the oldest and most significant trade fairs in Europe?
Do we need to move past trade promotion?
Industrial development consultants often call for a differentiated approach and strategy to counter the large and fast-growing industrial base in Asia. The transfer of IP, as means of industrial relocation, and importantly a tool to secure and retain relevance, is widely considered as an effective corporate strategy. Intellectual Property transfers have seen an upward trend in recent years. It therefore begs the question as to whether traditional fairs like Hannover, and others, will and can adapt accordingly. Showcasing industrial technology and products are no longer sufficient to remain globally competitive.
Hannover, like other European fairs and exhibitions, is certainly expected to play a significant new role in facilitating Intellectual Property discussions and eventual transfers. It will have to set and manage the stage differently enabling companies to connect, expand their network and set them on their way to success in future. It has already allocated substantial significance and exposure to AI and in particular, Start Up companies.
Our Transformer Technology magazine correspondent visited the Hannover Messe. In comparison to preceding years, a significantly smaller number of halls had been allocated to the energy industry and more specifically the transformer industry.
Is Hannover still relevant to the transformer and transformer component supply chain?
This question has been put to the transformer-related exhibitors housed in halls 11-13.
In an interview with Bulgarian based, distribution and special type transformer manufacturer, Lemi Trafo, Evgeny Slavenin, their Managing Director, told Transformer Technology magazine “we had been apprehensive. Germany is an important market. We have been participating in this exhibition for several years and we have been aware of a steady decline in the participation numbers of transformer companies exhibiting and participating. This year, however, within the first two days, our expectations had already been surpassed. Our decision to exhibit has been validated.”
Similar thoughts have also been raised by Ares Group sales director, Cemil Berker. “We are a growing group of companies. Our Hannover exhibition stand had been purposely designed. It captures and reflects on Energion, Ares Tank and Ares Trafo, our three companies responsible for distribution and medium transformers, transformer tanks and very importantly, our transformer component manufacturing and supply. Germany is an important transformer market. Our reputation, as one of the leading, if not, the fastest growing and leading transformer component manufacturers and suppliers to the European market, demands our participation, attendance and visibility. We are here to connect and build on new and existing commercial partnerships and in doing so ensure success. The decision to participate in the Hannover Messe is a clear reflection of intend. We offer a solution to supply chain constraints.”
Chris Gerber, Belgium based transformer industry consultant and strategy advisor for Indian based, Yash HighVoltage bushings had been at the IEEMA Hannover exhibition stand. IEEMA is the apex association of the electrical, industrial electronics and allied equipment manufacturers in India. In certain quarters, he is recognized and accredited for his role in laying the foundations for connecting IEEMA and Eurolectric and their collaboration and cooperation agreement signed in 2025. Asked to comment on the visit of Mario Voigt, German minister of state in the chancellery of Thuringia, he reflected on the importance of India as a reliable supply chain source to European industry, particularly, the transformer and transformer component industry. He went on to say “that the ministerial visit to the Indian IEEMA stand clearly illustrates German government commitment to strengthening bilateral trade relations with India and the efforts of the Indian association for the electrical and electronic industry to create a foundation and platform for Indian industry in Europe”.
In conclusion, and as comparison to other exhibitions, some key statistics of the Hannover Messe, as presented by the event organizers: halls 11-13 dedicated to topics such as energy infrastructure, hydrogen, power engineering and automation and storage, some 3 000 exhibitors of which around 65% had been from Germany, and more than 200 ‘start-up companies’ participating. 110 000 visitors.
IEEMA is also the key organizer of Elecrama 2027, the 17th edition, of arguably the one of the world’s largest electrical exhibitions. The exhibition will be hosted at the India Expo Mart in Delhi as from 20 to 24 February 2027.
This article was originally published in the June 2026 issue of the Grid Modernization and Flexibility magazine.
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