As the doors of the EPHJ trade – the largest international one for the high-precision sector and the largest in Switzerland regarding medical technologies – show close after four days of activity, the organizers draw a positive balance sheet for this edition. “We had to wait 27 months before we could finally get together,” explains Alexandre Catton. “This is a long time for the companies we are promoting. Much too long because digital technology will never replace human contact. We have verified this during this week and the testimonies of the exhibitors, as well as the visitors, all point in the same direction!”

These exhibitors knew, as did the organizers, that this edition of EPHJ would be smaller with slightly fewer visitors. However, the 12,000 visitor mark was passed, compared to 20,000 in a normal situation. “This is a first victory for EPHJ,” says Alexandre Catton. “From now on, if the pandemic will leave us alone, we will concentrate on our 20th edition, which will be held from 14 to 17 June, to return to our traditional format.”

The 530 exhibitors present appreciated the high quality of the visitors who came to sign deals or with encouraging prospects of concluding them soon.

In the current health context, it is worth noting that 25 % of the 530 exhibitors present came from abroad, representing 13 countries.  
The Swiss cantons most represented among the exhibitors were, in order, Neuchâtel (94), Jura (66), Bern (64), Geneva (55), Vaud (45) and Zürich (16). Another revealing statistic: while 90 % of exhibitors declared a watchmaking activity and 59 % a microtechnology activity, nearly 50 % of them now had a medtech activity. Proof of an increasingly strong medical diversification.

It should also be remembered that the 2021 Exhibitors’ Grand Prize was won by the company STS. Elected by its peers, STS was rewarded for its alternative solution to rhodium, which has become the most expensive metal in the world. An innovative alternative developed with white platinum that allows certain parts of the watch movement to be covered with the same properties and the same look as rhodium.

After the closing of this 19th edition, the EPHJ trade show returns from 14 to 17 June 2022 at Geneva-Palexpo.