Trade show exhibitors angered by Chinese ‘corporate spying’

Exhibitors at the recent EuroTier machinery show in Germany have complained about alleged “corporate spying”, suggesting Chinese businesses are using the event to “steal” their innovations.

Held every two years in Hanover, EuroTier is the world’s leading trade fair for livestock technology, this year hosting more than 2,000 exhibitors from 51 countries.

It is organised by DLG, the German Agricultural Society, which also manages the Agritechnica machinery show.

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During both these events, exhibitors launch new machinery, equipment and technology, and introduce their latest concepts.

However, at this year’s EuroTier, some exhibitors took exception to some Asian visitors on their stands “taking endless photos of every inch of the machines”.

Some exhibitors said they were “frustrated” at the number of times they saw Chinese visitors on their stand taking photos, classifying it as a form of “corporate spying”.

Incident

In one incident, a prominent EuroTier exhibitor saw a very similar looking product to his own on the stand of a Chinese exhibitor, as well as posters showing a farm with that product installed.

The exhibitor, who prefers to remain anonymous, asked the Chinese exhibitor to remove the product and posters, as they were clearly his own.

The exhibitor said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The other exhibitor clearly had my product on his stand, and the posters, we believed, were on a farm in my country.

“I reported this incident to DLG and hope they can monitor these things in the future.”

‘Common practice’

Another exhibitor also voiced concerns about events at last year’s Agritechnica show.

He said that one morning when staff arrived to open the stand, there were a number of Asian visitors waiting.

When the stand was opened, they entered and proceeded to take lots of photos of the new machines being launched.

Both exhibitors said this was becoming “a common practice” and was “very concerning”.

They said stand costs were significant and that DLG should be monitoring this type of behaviour, and taking action if necessary.

Protection

DLG was quick to reassure exhibitors that certain protocols are in place to assist them with such behaviour.

EuroTier project manager Ines Rathke said: “DLG strives to balance an open, innovative environment with strong protections for exhibitors.

“Concerns about unauthorised photography and potential plagiarism at EuroTier are taken very seriously.

“Clear rules are in place to regulate photography and protect exhibitors’ intellectual property. If a company suspects unauthorised activity, they have access to legal support.”