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Bauma: How it all began
It won't be long before the world's largest construction machinery exhibition opens its doors. Those who - like us - can hardly wait until Bauma finally gets underway can pass the time until then with a look back at the events of past years.
The first Bauma takes place in 1954
The success story of Bauma began in 1954 as a spring show for construction machinery. The trade show, which was still small at the time, takes place in the Theresienhöhe district in the middle of Munich on an annual basis. 58 exhibitors present their products on an area of 12,000 square metres for nine days, attracting around 8,000 trade visitors. The focus of the trade show is to replace the physically difficult construction work after World War 2 with machines, accelerate work processes and thus achieve as much as possible with as little effort as possible. Two years after the start of the trade show in 1956, Liebherr is also represented as an exhibitor. Only five years after the company was founded, it can already exhibit an impressive range of construction machines. In addition to the tower cranes, Liebherr is presenting the L 300, one of the first hydraulic excavators in Europe.
The rush to the trade show is so great that the number of exhibitors and visitors multiplies by 1957. In 1959 the trade show is renamed the "German Construction Machinery Exhibition" because German construction machinery is also in great demand abroad. The show ground has now grown to 76,000 square metres and around 320 exhibitors. In order to stand out from the growing competition, they are now also placing increasing emphasis on the impressive presentation of their products.
Therefore, in 1961 the space requirements become so great that the trade show moves to the Theresienwiese site with its 180,000 square metres of space. Just one year later, in 1962 Bauma moves to the Oberwiesenfeld site and the exhibition area expands again to a total of 200,000 square metres. This year the trade show offers space for 300 technical innovations.
A view of the show grounds in 1969.
Bauma is taken over by Messe München
In 1967 Bauma, organised for the first time by Messe München, takes place for the last time at the Oberwiesenfeld site. There, it had to make way for the construction of the sports facilities for the 1972 Olympic Games. Five years later it is taken over completely by Messe München.
In 1969 the trade show returns to the Theresienwiese site after seven years and from then on takes place every two years. This year it is already attracting visitors from 50 different countries. It is no wonder then that Bauma 1971 developed into the largest construction machinery exhibition in the world: 824 exhibitors from 20 countries showcase their products there.
In 1975 Bauma is cancelled under pressure from the major German exhibitors due to the construction recession. From 1977 onwards it is held every three years, alternating with Intermat (France) and Conexpo (USA). On 317,000 square metres of exhibition space, 963 exhibitors showcase their construction machines, attracting 135,000 visitors from 81 countries.
The beginning of the 1980s saw the focus shift more to environmentally friendly construction machines.
Environment gains in importance
Heading into the 1980s the environmental aspect is becoming more and more important in the construction industry because the construction machines are often also used in densely populated areas. Due to the constant expansion of the trade show, the exhibition space on the Theresienwiese site is reaching its limits. That is why the trade show is held there for the last time in 1995 before moving to the show grounds in Munich-Riem in 1998. There the exhibition space available to the trade show is over 30 times larger than in the founding year 1954.
In 2004 it is supplemented by Bauma Mining, making it the world fair for construction and building materials machinery, construction vehicles, construction equipment and mining machinery. With its 500,000 square metres of exhibition space, Bauma is bigger than ever before.
Bauma 2010 is all about confidence.
Confidence after the global economic crisis
One year after the global economic crisis, Bauma 2010 is characterised by growing confidence. The 555,000 square metres of exhibition space are fully booked. Almost half of the exhibitors expect the economic situation to improve in the future. This is confirmed by the fact that many exhibitors can already report more sales than planned at the halfway point of the trade show. Liebherr is also seeing the first positive signs of an upturn after the global economic crisis. With a new exhibition appearance, the Liebherr Group underlines that it believes in the future and will not let itself be diverted from its path even by a crisis.
In 2013 the 30th Bauma takes place. The anniversary emphasises its solid position in the world of construction machinery and mining manufacturers.
In 2022 the world's leading trade show for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment will be held in October instead of April due to the Corona pandemic. Sustainability, forward-looking technologies and digitisation systems as well as the path to zero emissions are the focus topics. Liebherr will be presenting over 70 exhibits on an exhibition area of 15,000 square meters.
Liebherr at Bauma
- 1957
- 1961
- 1962
- 1965
- 1980
- 1998
- 2004
- 2007
- 2013
- 2016
- 2019
The model range is growing: At Bauma 1957 Liebherr presents new cranes, (crawler) excavators, a hydro truck crane (an excavator with a crane jib) as well as the first mixing technology products.
The model range is growing: At Bauma 1957 Liebherr presents new cranes, (crawler) excavators, a hydro truck crane (an excavator with a crane jib) as well as the first mixing technology products.
At Bauma 2022
At Bauma 2022, which takes place from 24 to 30 October 2022, true to the motto "On your site", Liebherr shows that it is always on its customers' side, wherever they are - whether directly on the construction site with innovative product technologies or through individual advice, worldwide services and comprehensive solution concepts.
