I am interested in the knowledge-based projects

Babak Homayounfal, the managing director of Sahar Engineering & Trading Company, is a frank person, who is very sensitive to plastics industry events. He didn’t attend the previous exhibition because he believed that the show was beneath the Iran’s polymer industry dignity. In his opinion, the polymer industry is a tenant now, and it must become a home-owner by forming an alliance. He is one of the people who have suggested preparing a permanent exhibition place for plastics industry by gathering capital from many investors to create the possibility of long-term investments.
Homayounfal has started his job by selling injection molding accessories. “I remember that Mr Isa Gharibi bought the first magnet system from us and then we sold this system to many companies such as Mehr Cam Pars. After a time, along with the accessories we offered injection molding machinery as well, and now our sale focuses mainly on the injection molding machines and accessories, and to some extent on the compounding extruders. We pay attention to knowledge-based projects. Despite most people who think this is impossible, I believe that we certainly are able to carry out knowledge-based projects in our country.”
He said that he has opposed the exhibition structure for years. “For example, this year the Hall 38 was assigned to those who would pay the fees in currency, and the fees in this hall were extremely high. Therefore, most companies didn’t get a stand in Hall 38. Although we are a trade company, we preferred to be close to our collaborators. So, we got a stand through Polymer Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association. In my opinion in Hall 38 just posters will be exhibited instead of the machines and machinery! However, I want to show my machinery. Although Hall 38 is a better place for exhibition, I preferred to go along with the manufacturers association. We have got a stand in Hall 7, though its area does not fulfill our needs. We will try to have a good hall. I think the neighboring stands play a more important role in having a successful exhibition than the hall condition and structure. With a good cooperation, good results will be gained. In my opinion not paying attention to IRANPLAST exhibition helped the neighboring countries to bring up their exhibitions.”
He believes that a consortium of industry and oil ministries should organize the exhibition. “The industrialists can also be involved. However, due the high number of associations and guilds, they have a limited power. I do not agree with any association, since they do nothing except protesting on the exhibition occasions.”
Homayounfal says that their contract with ENGEL Company finished last year and they have started working with Wittmann Battenfeld Company. “Due to the market situation and the changes that were going on in the government, we did not expect to have big sales. However, Thank God, we had a good record and most of our sales were turnkey projects. In the IRANPLAST exhibition we will expose some packaging and medical machines.”
“I hope to have a good exhibition and all the contributors gain good results. This exhibition is not internationalized yet partly due to the sanctions and partly because of not having a dynamic exhibition. One of the issues that concern me is that whether Hall 6 & 7 will be able to supply enough electricity for that large number of machines. And, I hope Hall 38 does not turn to a hall full of posters! If I were in charge, I wouldn’t spend the exhibition budget in this way,” he added.