Scandinavia’s largest defence expo fills up fast: 70 companies join waiting list

Scandinavia’s largest defence industry exhibition is becoming increasingly crowded.

Three months before DALO Industry Days opens at Messecenter Herning, the organiser reports that the event is effectively sold out.

The exhibition will host around 800 exhibitors across indoor and outdoor stands. According to DALO, all indoor stands were sold on the first day.

- Since then, it has been possible to expand and optimise the indoor exhibition area, allowing companies from the waiting list to be accommodated on an ongoing basis, DALO said in a written response.

Around 70 companies are currently on the waiting list for indoor stands, although outdoor exhibition space remains available, DALO added. 

A relatively large stand

The Danish listed plastics group SP Group will participate at DALO Industry Days with a relatively large stand representing several subsidiaries.

According to vice-president Søren Ulstrup, this marks the first time SP Group has taken an active role at the exhibition because the defence sector has become a strategic priority for the company.

- In short, our participation is driven by the fact that the defence sector is a strategic focus area for us. It is essential that we are present where developments are taking place, Ulstrup said.

SP Group subsidiaries with potential defence sector applications include SP Tinby, SP Gibo, SP Danvinci, Idé-Pro, Bovil and SP Moulding.

- We are currently seeing more opportunities to supply the defence sector than before, while at the same time being involved in a number of promising projects that we expect could develop into full-scale production.

Ulstrup said it was particularly significant that greater emphasis is now being placed on European production and sourcing within the defence sector as well as restrictions linked to production in China and, to some extent, the United States.

- These framework conditions create new opportunities for us, because competition is increasingly based on quality, security of supply and geographical proximity, not solely on price, he said.

Expanded significantly

DALO Industry Days is held annually as part of the Danish Ministry of Defence’s Open for Business strategy, bringing together the Danish armed forces, the Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), and domestic and international defence companies.

The exhibition serves as a meeting point for the land, maritime, air and space, cyber, IT and security sectors, as well as for companies with products relevant to the defence industry.

The event has expanded significantly in recent years, prompting DALO to relocate it from Ballerup on the outskirts of Copenhagen to Herning in central Jutland.

Pressure on accommodation in the Herning area has become so intense that some companies have reportedly resorted to renting mobile homes to secure lodging during the exhibition.

Outdoor stands are still available, including a large tent structure and open exhibition space.

DALO Industry Days takes place from 19–20 August.