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.
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.
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.
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

1957

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.

1961

In 1961 the A series luffing jib cranes are the bestsellers in the range, framing the famous Bavaria in the picture.

1962

Around a decade after the company was founded, Liebherr is already a leading construction machinery manufacturer, particularly in tower cranes, excavators and concrete mixers. The forerunners of mobile cranes, which were called truck-mounted cranes at the time, are new. A converted bus trailer still serves as a booth.

1965

In 1965 Liebherr showcases 25 exhibits at Bauma. The picture shows the construction of the booth in the outdoor area. The following year Liebherr stays away from the trade show in order to achieve a two-year rotation.

1980

The HS 870 duty cycler crawler crane celebrates its premiere at Bauma 1980.

1998

Under the motto "Innovations and impetus for your success", in 1998 Liebherr demonstrates on a stand area of over 10,000 square metres that the Liebherr Group is one of the leading international manufacturers of construction machinery.

2004

In 2004 the Liebherr booth covers 11,000 square metres, almost the same area as was available altogether at the first Bauma in 1954. More than 70 exhibits underline the Liebherr motto "Meeting Point Progress".

2007

Bauma 2007 falls in the middle of a major growth phase for the Liebherr Group, in which revenue is increased by more than 2.4 billion euros. Liebherr showcases 75 exhibits on a considerably larger exhibition area. However, the full order books present construction companies with the challenge of managing their projects reliably and with high time pressure.

2013

As the largest exhibitor at the trade show in 2013, Liebherr looks forward to sharing its enthusiasm for sophisticated technology with people from all over the world. The four booths on an exhibition area of more than 14,000 square metres correspond to a total area of two football fields. The new trade show pavilion designed for Bauma 2010 consists of two building sections, which together have a length of 200 m: the largest trade show pavilion in the world that can be erected and dismantled again.

2016

"Be Part of Something Bigger" is Liebherr's motto at Bauma 2016. At 40 metres wide, the Liebherr logo on the booth is longer than an Airbus A320. The more than 100 exhibits from the construction machinery, mining and components divisions at the 14,000 square metre booth together weigh around 4,000 tonnes - as much as 800 full-grown African elephants. The Liebherr Group thus attracts around 350,000 visitors from over 200 nations.

2019

Under the motto "Together. Now & tomorrow" Liebherr presents the latest developments in construction machinery, material handling, mining and components with more than 60 exhibits at Bauma 2019.

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.

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