75 years at the HANNOVER MESSE – an impressive tradition for Gustav Klein. But why is the world’s leading trade fair of the industry so important for the company, and what role does the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells EUROPE division play? A conversation with Bernhard Rill, an experienced trade fair expert and for over 30 years at the HANNOVER MESSE, and Martin Dlauhy, who had his trade fair premiere last year.
Mr. Rill, you have been to the HANNOVER MESSE over 30 times – what makes the fair so important for Gustav Klein, but also for you personally?
Rill: The HANNOVER MESSE is internationally staffed and offers the opportunity to exchange ideas with a wide variety of industries in industry. Not infrequently we had visits from interested parties and partners. Also this time one of our big international customers is represented here again in the same hall.
Mr. Dlauhy, you as a ‘trade fair fresh man’, what do you personally take with you from the past year or what are your expectations for the HM25?
Dlauhy: A now 75-year history connects the company Gustav Klein with the HANNOVER MESSE, which is already impressive in itself. With our high-performance high-performance test systems for DC simulation and testing, we provide the basis for a wide variety of test applications in the areas of automotive, hydrogen and test laboratories. In the theme hall “Energy for Industry” in the exhibition area “Hydrogen + Fuel Cells EUROPE” we already presented the company Gustav Klein in 2024, were able to exchange ideas with numerous international industry experts and of course also make valuable business contacts. For 2025, I am looking forward to meeting existing and prospective customers, participating in specialist lectures and of course hoping for positive impulses.
75 years of trade fair presence are impressive. How has the fair changed during this time?
Rill: In the past, business transactions were often sealed directly at the trade fair – today the Internet has changed many of these processes. But one thing remains indispensable: personal exchange. HANNOVER MESSE offers the ideal platform to experience innovative solutions live, meet new business partners and make valuable contacts that cannot be created online in this depth.
You are with Gustav Klein in the area Hydrogen + Fuel Cells EUROPE. Why is this topic so relevant to you?
Dlauhy: With the holistic topic of energy transformation, away from fossil fuels to renewable energies, the challenges of storage and energy transport are essential. Hydrogen as an energy carrier can be transported flexibly and fuel cells convert hydrogen into direct current via the process of reverse electrolysis. The principle itself can therefore make a significant contribution to the energy transition, and of course, work still needs to be done on the cost efficiency of hydrogen production and downstream electricity generation for broad commercialization.
The relevance of the topic “Hydrogen + Fuel Cells” is solely due to the industrial added value and the versatile applicability. When asked how the commercial business case for a cross-sectoral use of hydrogen power generation is to be solved, I hope to receive interesting input through our participation in this year’s HANNOVER MESSE.
How has the interest in hydrogen developed at the fair, and what does this mean for HANNOVER MESSE?
Rill: Hydrogen has not yet established itself in the market as strongly as initially hoped. Because the topics of efficiency and cost-effectiveness were underestimated. We should use the HANNOVER MESSE to show our own solutions and initiate possible cooperations.
What should not be missed by visitors at your booth?
Rill: Our new technology with independent water cooling sets new standards in efficiency and reliability. At the HANNOVER MESSE you can experience them live and convince yourself of the advantages. A visit to our stand is worthwhile!
