UNITI expo, the new European trade fair for the retail petroleum and fuel handling markets, opens tomorrow at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre in Germany.

The new expo, which will run from June 3-5, aims to unite all core and peripheral aspects of the industry under one roof for the first time. It is supported by leading forecourt equipment manufacturers who have now switched allegiance from the biennial Frankfurt-based Automechanika exhibition.

UNITI expo will feature more than 300 exhibitors from 25 countries, with an estimated 10,000 visitors expected to attend, including representatives from major oil companies, petrol station operators, fuel distributors, installers, service companies and car wash operators.

The exhibition will extend across 35,000sq m of space and incorporate three exhibition halls, organised into eight themes that cover all industry requirements: Forecourt Equipment & Technology; Logistics; Motor Fuels; Lubricants & Additives; Car Wash & Car Care; Shop & Convenience Retailing; Payment & Automation; and Services & Media.

A central plaza area of over 300sq m will offer visitors to UNITI expo a comfortable seating area, with complementary refreshments and free Wi-Fi facilities. The plaza is, say the organisers, a good example of how they want UNITI expo to appeal differently to visitors, having a much greater focus on customer care, than any other international event staged previously.

The Stuttgart Exhibition Centre, described as one of the most modern convention and exhibition centres in Europe, is only a five-minute walk from the international airport, with its own motorway exit and train station.