Interview
A brilliant stage
After the IAA: In a brief review of the trade fair in Hanover, Andreas Schmitz highlights the large number of international visitors who attended the show and is already looking ahead to two years’ time.
It was an IAA Transportation like no other. Over 150 world premieres and new products, plus a new record for international participation with 1,589 exhibitors from 46 countries. Schmitz Cargobull, too, welcomed more international guests than ever before. Watch Andreas Schmitz’s review of the trade fair in this video.
More than 140,000 visitors flocked to the IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, with international trade visitors accounting for around 40 per cent of the total. This was accompanied by strong media interest: the organiser, the VDA, recorded just under 1,400 members of the press from 50 countries, who reported on the latest developments and innovations in the commercial vehicle industry – and continue to do so in the wake of the trade fair.
The increased internationalisation has also made itself felt at Schmitz Cargobull, as Andreas Schmitz points out: “For the first time, we are seeing that we have a great many American and Canadian customers, as well as customers from Australia and practically all over the world.” And this is no coincidence: “We have, after all, just entered the international market with our refrigeration products – namely insulation panels and refrigeration units – as well as our telematics solutions.”
“Our customers are once again coming up with new ideas, which are then incorporated into the further development of our products.”
Andreas Schmitz, Chief Executive of Schmitz Cargobull AG
The IAA Transportation is the go-to event for showcasing the company to a global audience. “Of course, the trade fair in Hanover is a fantastic platform. The opportunity to engage with our customers is particularly important,” emphasises Andreas Schmitz. “They always bring fresh ideas to the table.”
Consequently, the presentation of the latest developments – and there were certainly quite a few of them this year – is not a one-way process. Rather, the developers also learn from customer feedback and take on board new ideas.
“In two years’ time, we’ll be showcasing new features which offer more value at the trade fair – features we’re already working on.”
Andreas Schmitz, Chief Executive of Schmitz Cargobull AG
Product development never stands still, and many of the ideas that have been taken up are already awaiting concrete implementation. “And we’ll be showcasing those again in two years’ time,” promises Andreas Schmitz. The next IAA Transportation will take place once more in Hanover from 19 to 24 September 2028.
