The Hong Kong International Machine Tool Exhibition was back again for its fourteenth year towards the end of March. The nature of machine tools meant a spacious 15,000 square metres of exhibition space was required, catering for 334 exhibitors across the four days of the event. Held in conjunction with two other more specialised shows -- the 10th Hong Kong International Plastics Exhibition and the 9th Hong Kong International Packaging Exhibition -- the whole event demonstrated the ongoing vitality of these industries as it drew attendances of nearly 38,000 visitors, mostly manufacturers, machine users and agents from the Asian region, Europe and the USA.

On show was the latest in mould making and metalworking technology, including electric injection moulding machines from Japan and Europe and a display of the latest in laser cutting technology. For professionals within the industry, the copious displays of state-of-the-art pressing and drilling machines, welding equipment, power and hand tools and numerous other specialised items were a delight to linger over, as the HKCEC was transformed into a huge and gleaming factory floor.