Anuga FoodTec is held every three years to match the innovation cycle of the industry.
And the organisers of the Cologne event told this publication that the number of exhibitors this year was up on the 2006 edition, adding that five to ten per cent were first time participants at the trade show.
Overall, equipment manufacturers appeared modestly optimistic about the industry outlook for 2009; while most of the companies surveyed noted the first day of the Germany based event was slow in term of footfall and sales, they reported that business significantly picked up on the following days of the trade show.
The packaging section of the event was a big draw this year, added the organisers, with developments in food safety and quality technology also proving a big attraction.