A top quality edition
With 900 exhibitors and represented brands, an increase of 47% on the 2017 show, including 31% of new exhibitors, the 2019 SOLUTRANS event proved to be a resounding success, rewarding the substantive work undertaken over the past several years by the FFC (French Bodywork Federation). The exhibition is now an international reference for all stakeholders in the heavy-duty and urban vehicle industry.
A truly international business exhibition
With 27% of exhibitors hailing from 23 foreign countries and 11% of its visitors from 33 countries, SOLUTRANS 2019 furthered its international status, most notably on European and North African markets.
As a confirmation of this worldwide reach, SOLUTRANS was awarded accreditation by OICA, the international Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. The exhibition thus entered the very select club of industry events acknowledged in more than 35 countries around the world, alongside the largest worldwide events for the automobile and heavy-duty vehicle sector.
An exhibition to decode trends…
In an era of digital and new technology, SOLUTRANS 2019 shone a spotlight on the leading industry trends with its new space SOLUTRANS 4.0, bringing together players working in disruptive technology applied to heavy goods and urban vehicles, intralogistics and ICT. In association with CARA[1], the exhibition also hosted an array of innovative start-ups and R&D laboratories from large industrial corporations presenting technological solutions for the future (3D, virtual reality, etc.) and disruptive delivery models based upon drones and robots.
… and reveal innovation and excellence
The innovation capabilities of HGV manufacturers, body builders and equipment suppliers were once again distinguished at SOLUTRANS:
- The prestigious International Truck of the Year Award 2020, Truck Innovation Award 2020, International Van of the Year 2020 and InternationalPick-up Award 2020 went to the Mercedes-Benz Actros Generation 6, the Hyundai H2 Xcient, the Ford Transit Custom Hybrids range and the Ford Ranger respectively.
- The I-nnovation AWARDS, formerly known as Les Trophées de l'Innovation, taken over and organised by the FFC in a revisited format and with a new visual identity, remodelled award criteria and a broader judging panel, distinguished the following firms:
- in the Body Builders category: Gold: LAMBERET - Silver: LECAPITAINE - Bronze: FRAPPA;
- in the Equipment Suppliers category: Gold: KERSTNER - Silver: DHOLLANDIA - Bronze: G-KEEP.
For the first time this year, a special "Joseph Libner Award", was presented to an innovation in each category in acknowledgement of its environmental merits. The 2019 winners of this distinction were CHEREAU in the Body Builders category and JONESCO in the Equipment Suppliers category.
Finally, created on the initiative of FFC and its Chairman Patrick Cholton, the award of “2019 Industry Personality of the Year - Heavy-Duty and Urban Vehicle Industry” was presented to Ms Veronika Wand-Danielsson, Ambassador of Sweden to France. She received this trophy from Gérard Collomb, Mayor of Lyon and former government Minister, Christian Peugeot, chairman of the CCFA and the OICA, and Patrick Cholton, chairman of FFC and of SOLUTRANS.
Centre stage for job skills, know-how and employment
The strategically important subjects of jobs and training were highlights throughout SOLUTRANS on a space spanning more than 1,000 m². This dynamic and operational forum helped people discover or rediscover the different job areas in the industry and their associated training paths. A large Job Forum was set up in partnership with sector specialists (Pôle Emploi, Monster), to put recruiters and candidates in contact with one another. It was supported by the creation of new job search solutions and a tool launched by the FFC, Mobili’Job, whose aim is to aggregate all the job vacancies in the industry. The FFC also organised three “job dating” sessions, during which more than 50 companies met many interested applicants.
The environment at the heart of the concerns of an entire industry
As a major issue for the industry, the environment lies at the centre of all stakeholders’ concerns.
At SOLUTRANS, the opening plenary conference entitled "6th Industry Meeting”, in partnership with PFA, devoted much of its time to the white paper on “Electricity for the heavy-duty and urban vehicle industry,” presented to government representatives at the exhibition’s inauguration.
The plenary examined the feasibility of an electric heavy foods and urban vehicle supply chain, formulating concrete proposals to develop electric mobility between now and 2025.
High quality content to answer queries and provide solutions
To cater to all the expectations of visitors, SOLUTRANS offered a particularly extensive and varied programme which met with popular success:
- A wide-ranging programme of talks and round tables reflecting more than ever the (r)evolutions underway driving the industry’s value chain.
- An optimised outdoor test area for exclusive demonstrations of all types of vehicles (electric or autonomous, concept cars, etc.).
Promoting the industry to the general public
As part of their steps to improve the reputation of the heavy goods and urban vehicle sector among the general public, SOLUTRANS and FFC this year ran an extensive partnership with the radio station Autoroute Info 107.7. Over the space of 4 days, nearly 11 million listeners were able to hear leading experts discuss industry issues and challenges. A wide range of themes were addressed in 20 live programmes, including innovation, safety, jobs and new fuels.
Keenly-awaited and convivial events
SOLUTRANS 2019 was once again the backdrop for highlights that offered everyone a chance to meet up and exchange in a warm and friendly environment, such as the I-nnovation AWARDS ceremony at the Lyon Chamber of Commerce, or the gala evening, which was also a prime illustration of the success of SOLUTRANS with more than 1,200 guests congregating in Hall 2.2 around a gourmet meal and an exclusive live concert by the Rabeats followed by a tribute to Boney M.
Download the full Press Release
Make a date for 2021
The next edition of SOLUTRANS will be held from 16 to 20 November 2021 at Lyon Eurexpo.