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EuroShop 2017: Retailers eager to invest © Messe Duesseldorf / ctillmann
14.03.2017

EUROSHOP 2017: RETAILERS EAGER TO INVEST

With over 113,000 visitors and 2,368 exhibitors the largest EuroShop in its 50-year history

With over 113,000 visitors and 2,368 exhibitors the largest EuroShop in its 50-year history

  • Great international attendance confirms its special global position
  • In focus: digitalisation, omnichannel and emotionalisation of the shopping experience 
  • Accompanying forums very highly attended

After five days, on 9 March 2017 saw the world’s largest trade fair for retail investment requirements, EuroShop 2017, draw to a close in Düsseldorf with the best result in its 50-year history: the 2,368 exhibitors from 61 nations report unanimously on very good to excellent contacts and business deals. Furthermore, very lively post-fair business is anticipated. Over 113,000 visitors (round about 4% over the last event) came to the Rhine to gather information on the range of products, trends and concepts for retailers and their partners on display here in the 18 exhibition halls extending over 127,000 m² of net exhibition space.

Hans Werner Reinhard, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, is delighted: “EuroShop 2017 has further exceeded all the top scores achieved at EuroShop 2014. At its anniversary event it was able to once again show how young and creative the sector and its trade fair are.”

The exhibitors across all exhibition areas spent months preparing for EuroShop 2017 so as to be able to meet the competition with convincing innovations. And they encountered an outstanding response: trade visitors were delighted with product variety and the level of innovation at the stands as well as with the excellent quality and great creativity of the stand presentations.

A total of 138 countries were represented on the visitor side. Commenting on this Reinhard said: “We could not be happier with the trade visitor breakdown. We are recording a constantly high level of demand from Germany and a significant rise in interest from abroad. Throughout the world it is known that EuroShop in Düsseldorf is the global No.1 trade show in the sector demonstrating what the future of retail looks like.”

Held every three years, EuroShop 2017 kicked off with a completely new concept. Its refined profile with seven clearly defined dimensions (POP Marketing, Expo & Event Marketing, Retail Technology, Lighting, Visual Merchandising, Shop Fitting & Store Design and Food Tech & Energy Management) went down well with exhibitors and visitors alike – because this meant exhibitors could be positioned in their optimum segment while visitors conveniently found the suppliers they needed according to area of interest.


The dominant themes at EuroShop 2017 were the continuing digitalisation in retail, tailor-made omnichannel solutions and emotionalisation of the shopping experience in the store.

Online retail is currently fuelling investment in physical stores in the sector. This is because competition from suppliers online means retailers have to make their stores ever more attractive. At the same time, the dovetailing of physical and online stores is generating new retail and interior design concepts. Modern information technology is becoming ever more important here.

“Customers expect both – on the one hand the shopping experience on site in the store and, on the other, delivery to their own front door. Conventional physical retail is now increasingly developing it online activities and large online retailers are looking more and more to opening their own stores. EuroShop has managed to bring both worlds together,” explained Michael Gerling, Managing Director of the EHI Retail Institute, adding: “Physical stores and online retail are growing ever closer together, which is why at EuroShop the exhibition segments of shop fitting and technology are increasingly merging.”

EuroShop 2017 also highlighted that the top priority for stores themselves was unadulterated emotionalisation! Storytelling was at the forefront of many concepts, solutions and products at EuroShop 2017. Whether it was architecture, design, lighting or the embedding of state-of-the-art media in the shop fitting, everything has to follow a joint dramaturgy to give customers that certain kick. So it comes as no surprise that visual merchandising is continuing to gain great significance in the custom design of retail spaces. Here retailers’ willingness to invest in Germany has virtually doubled, according to an EHI study presented at EuroShop.

However, retail is also investing heavily in LED technology and refrigeration technology. This was not just another result from the EHI study, it was also visible in the halls of the exhibition centre. Here energy saving and sustainability are top priorities for retailers – which is why EuroShop Special Ecopark with its accompanying forum met with such a great response.

Overall, the accompanying lecture forums on the different EuroShop dimensions were avidly attended and many EuroShop visitors took valuable ideas home with them from the international line-up of practicefocused lectures, be this from the Architecture & Design Forum, the EuroCIS Forum, the Omnichannel Forum, the POPAI Forum or the Expo & Event Forum.

The next EuroShop will be held in Düsseldorf from 16 to 20 February 2020 and the next EuroCIS, as an annual event focusing on retail technology themes, will already run from 27 February to 1 March 2018.

 

Central America imports more textile machinery © Oliver Brunner/pixelio.de
07.03.2017

CENTRAL AMERICA IMPORTS MORE TEXTILE MACHINERY

  • Large-scale projects in Honduras
  • More vertical integration strived

Following the US President's decree against the Pacific Pact TPP, Central America's textile and clothing industry counts for its main market on further tariff advantages compared to the Asian competition. Next to the so far dominating subcontracting work the sector wants to intensify the production of pre-products, what requires more and better textile machinery for this purpose. Guatemala is already investing, while Nicaragua will continue to stay mainly with sewing and tailoring. The largest technology market was lately El Salvador.

  • Large-scale projects in Honduras
  • More vertical integration strived

Following the US President's decree against the Pacific Pact TPP, Central America's textile and clothing industry counts for its main market on further tariff advantages compared to the Asian competition. Next to the so far dominating subcontracting work the sector wants to intensify the production of pre-products, what requires more and better textile machinery for this purpose. Guatemala is already investing, while Nicaragua will continue to stay mainly with sewing and tailoring. The largest technology market was lately El Salvador.

Honduras wants to expand its textile and clothing industry strongly. The aim of the "20/20" program is to significantly increase exports and with it new jobs. One focus should be the production of sportswear and other synthetic clothing, including pre-products. Central America's "largest factory for polyester yarn" (DTY) went into construction at the end of January 2017 in Choloma. It is expected to cost USD 73 million and produce 25,000 tons per year. According to Mario Canahuati, a Honduran shareholder of the investor United Textiles of America, an additional USD 120 million factory for synthetic materials and garments should be added later.

Observers believe the sector's expansion plans are realistic because it can stem the relatively large investment in the synthetic fiber production. In the Honduran textile industry there are many joint ventures with US partners which can raise capital in North America. In the other countries of the region the sector companies are more strongly medium-sized. They are depending more on the local capital market with its high interest rates and restrictive banks.

Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador invest

According to a machine representative the textile manufacturers in Guatemala will invest more in dyeing machines in order to become more independent from suppliers and keep the quality better under control. According to Invest in Guatemala the sector there delivers higher quality end products than the competition from El Salvador and Honduras, on the US market clothing from Guatemalan is almost twice as expensive.

The textile industry in Guatemala and El Salvador is more vertically integrated than in Honduras: it produces relatively quite a lot of yarn and fabrics by itself and is less dependent of the typical subcontracting (Maquila) method, which only imports textiles and re-exports them as finished clothing. Honduras mainly processes imported synthetic fiber yarns, which the country - like El Salvador - manufactures partly by itself.

The best market in Central America for a large German textile machine manufacturer is currently El Salvador, which imports the most technology in the region. The customers are quite innovative and work more concept orientated, which makes the cooperation easier. Due to increased yarn prices, some weaving companies are currently investing in spinning machines, a machinery salesman says. According to the Central America Strategic Sourcing Review, more than 20% of the factories are "vertically integrated".

In the opinion of machine representatives, Nicaragua is still concentrating on subcontracting. Investors are reluctant to spend larger sums which would be needed for modern textile  manufacturing. In addition there is a lack of good specialists for the foreseeable future, the level of training is only sufficient for easier sewing and clothing manufacturing. In Panama the textile industry does not play a nameable role; in Costa Rica, which is also relatively prosperous, the sector is larger, but exports little.

Central America’s textile and clothing industry

Indicator Guatemala Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua
Number of manufacturers 215 125
(2015)
n.a. n.a.
Employees (direct) 90,000 (2013) 99,100
(2015)
75,000
(estimation)
70,000
(estimation, 2014)
Clothing exports to the USA
(2016, bn. US$) *)
1,380 2,554 1,941 1,472
Production of synthetic fibres
(2016, 1,000 t)
0 26,5 17,2 0
Installed capacity (2015, 1,000 Units)
Spindles 153 n.a. 250 40
OE-Rotors 21 n.a. 1.4 n.a.
Weaving looms 3.9 n.a. 3.2 0.65

*) Costa Rica 29 Mio.; Clothing = almost total industry exports; 80% of exports are for the US; data from US import authority. Source: ITMF; national associations and authorities; Press

Central America Textile companies are usually located in a free zone and produce for export, mainly the US. In Honduras, according to a study by the Central Bank, Maquila - with textile / clothing as the largest segment - produced 36% of pre-products for other contractors and 64% of final products, which in turn were exported up to 99%.

US protectionism could even help

The protectionism, which is announced in the main market USA, develops some optimism to Central America's textile industry. As listed in “Honduras 20/20” it now can deliver more cheaply to the US than the competition from China or Vietnam because of existing trade agreements. At an - now not targeted anymore - omission of cutting US customs duties for Vietnam, it would be much more expensive. In addition, a garment factory in Honduras is able to deliver to the US in two days, a delivery from Vietnam requires twenty days. In the today so very fast fashion world, this is the main reason why Wal-Mart & Co. are ordering massive masses in Central America.

Until now, Central America has been supplying mainly cheap clothing for the US mass market, but, as a German machinery exporter is hoping, they will try to settle themselves against the Asian competition with higher valuable goods. For this the Central American manufacturers would need better technology, which preferable comes from Europe. In the view of other representatives Central America will need in future productive machines that are cheap at the same time. Chinese machines with European components are a big competition.

Machinery imports rising

Central America Imports of textile machinery and sewing machines have risen by one-third to over USD 130 million between 2013 and 2015. In addition, according to the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), Honduras has imported 170 round knitting machines in 2014 and 2015, Guatemala only 26, El Salvador 23 and Nicaragua ten. Germany was the fifth most important delivery country. Leading supplier was the USA. For Guatemala, with its many Korean-owned textile companies, Korea (Rep) was the main supplier.According to ITMF, Central America will shift its investments somewhat away from the clothing area towards the textile sector. Already today, the representative of a German manufacturer says: "We are currently selling very well in Mexico and Central America." 

Central America‘s1) imports of textile machinery (bn. US$) 2)

SITC Product group /Country / Country of delivery 2013 2014 2015 20163)
  total 97.5 116.0 131.6 70.8
72472) Machines for washing, drying, dying a.o. 25.7 27.9 35.4 9.4
724.35 Other sewing machines 21.0 24.2 29.2 18.8
7245 Weaving looms and knitting machines 21.7 23.7 28.8 20.9
7244 Spinning machines 11.5 21.7 19.8 11.6
7246 Auxiliary machines 14.4 12.8 13.8 8.1
72492) Parts 3.1 5.7 4.6 2.0
  USA 32.5 33.4 27.9 12.7
  Italy 8.8 10.6 20.8 17.5
  China 9.1 12.1 15.4 6.6
  Korea (Rep.) 6.2 9.5 12.1 0.5
  Germany 9.6 4.0 10.9 6.9
  Japan 3.9 7.2 7.7 6.0
  El Salvador 48.5 55.4 70.9 70.8
724.35   12.9 16.4 20.5 18.8
7245   7.0 11.7 16.1 20.9
72472)   11.3 12.0 12.9 9.4
7244   6.5 5.1 11.2 11.6
7246   9.4 8.6 7.9 8.1
  Guatemala 28.9 32.6 44.8 n.a
72472)   5.3 6.2 12.4 n.a.
7245   8.9 8.3 11.2 n.a
7244   3.5 4.9 7.2 n.a
724.35   5.8 5.9 6.8 n.a
7246   4.4 3.7 5.5 n.a
  Costa Rica 13.9 21.3 10.2 n.a
72472)   5.2 5.0 5.7 n.a
7244   1.4 11.4 1.3 n.a
7245   5.1 3.0 1.2 n.a
724.35   1.4 1.2 1.2 n.a
  Panama 6.1 6.8 5.8 n.a
72472)   4.0 4.7 4.3 n.a

1) without Honduras and Nicaragua; 2) SITC 724, without household sewing machines, (724.33), household washing machines, (724.71), machines for dry-cleaning(724.72), leather machines(7248), parts for household washing machines; 3) El Salvador only
Source: UN Comtrade

Baby products booming in China © jurec/pixelio.de
28.02.2017

BABY PRODUCTS BOOMING IN CHINA

  • No longer just milk powder demanded 
  • Internet important sales channel

The easing of the one-child policy in China will probably not bring the expected baby boom. Nevertheless, the market for baby products is very interesting for foreign suppliers. Because Chinese parents trust these more than domestic products and they are willing to spend money on imports. After this has been already the case with milk powder, now household appliances, furniture, care products for babies and expectant mothers are in the focus. The internet is very important as a sales channel.

  • No longer just milk powder demanded 
  • Internet important sales channel

The easing of the one-child policy in China will probably not bring the expected baby boom. Nevertheless, the market for baby products is very interesting for foreign suppliers. Because Chinese parents trust these more than domestic products and they are willing to spend money on imports. After this has been already the case with milk powder, now household appliances, furniture, care products for babies and expectant mothers are in the focus. The internet is very important as a sales channel.

Between 17.5 million and 21 million babies are expected to be born every year in China, according to the forecasts of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) within the next five years. This provides a large market for products needed for baby care and for pregnant women. Also baby seats for cars, prams and furniture from abroad are being sought as well.

According to iResearch market research the total sales of products for pregnant women, mothers and babies amounted to RMB 2.3 billion in 2015. (approximately USD 360 billion; 1 USD = RMB 6.39 as an annual average). The growth rate of 25% is expected to weaken in the future, but the demand is still growing strongly. Despite the fact that the birth rates are hardly rising, the "little emperors" are pampered with pleasure. Quality and security promises are the decisive factor for foreign products in the urban middle class.

Quality and safety speak for foreign products 

The share of sales thru the Internet is steadily growing. More than 15% of purchases for the little Chinese are already made via the network. By 2018 the proportion is expected to grow to 23%. This is what market analysts have found out together with the second-largest Chinese online portal JD.com. Furthermore, the per capita purchases are highest in the prosperous coastal provinces. But, for example, mothers in Sichuan in the south-west also spend over RMB 1,000 per year for their offspring.

With China's size, new brands hardly can accomplish a successful market appearance. But the Internet provides a valuable platform and is used by expectant mothers to get information and also to purchase. Leading are the platforms of the Alibaba Group, for example Tmall and the competitor JD.com. There are also specialized shopping portals such as bleibi.com, mia.com and gou.com, as well as social media channels such as WeChat and Internet forums for expectant mothers (e.g. mama.cn or Babytree).

Sales of baby and pregnant women's products (in RMB billion, year to year change in sales in %.)
  Turnover Change
2013 1,400 13.8
2014 2,000 30.2
2015 2,300 25.2
2016 *) 2,600 12.5
2017 *) 2,900 12.0
2018 *) 3,200 10.1

*) from 2016 forecasts
Source: iResearch, JD.com

Alibaba announced in its financial statement about cross-border Internet shopping for 2016, that baby products are already the third largest import category. In recent years this segment has grown considerably, in 2016 imported goods stood already for more than one-fifth of baby products sold on the Tmall and Taobao platforms.

Cross-border trade in baby products is booming

While in the past foreign milk powder brands were in high demand, now bottles, baby seats and care products for mother and child are now in the focus of online shoppers. Chinese milk powder still enjoys little confidence following a large scandal with contaminated milk powder in 2008.

The online trade however also was overshadowed in 2016 by scandals involving counterfeit products, mainly re-packaged milk powder came into circulation. The government therefore is watching the boom in overseas e-commerce with mixed feelings and consumers are becoming more cautious.

In recent years’ diapers, also have been ordered especially from abroad (especially from Japan). While these two categories continue to account for more than half of the sales, baby bottles and child seats experienced explosive growth in 2016. In addition, the mothers like to order cosmetics and personal hygiene, which will not hurt the growing life. This applies in particular to natural cosmetics.

In 2016 the leading countries of origin for online imports were Japan (19.3%), USA (18.3%) and Korea Rep. (13.6%). But Germany was already on fourth place with 8.0%. Particularly popular with "made in Germany" were kitchen equipment (including kitchen appliances), milk powder, baby food and food supplements.

 

Chinas Import of hygienic products*) (in USD millions; change compared to previous year in %)
2010 2014 2015 2016 Change
157 752 1,357 1,310 -3.7

*) HSPos. 9619 Sanitary napkins, tampons, diapers for toddlers;
Source: Chinese Custom

 

Chinas Import of Baby Food*) (in USD millions; change compared to previous year in %)
  2010 2014 2015 2016 Change
Insgesamt 688 1,565 2,518 3,150 25.0
Deutschland 14 60 302 346 14.5

*) HSPos. 1901.10;
Source: Chinese Custom

 

Munich Fabric Start 2017 © munich fabric start
21.02.2017

MUNICH FABRIC START S/S 2018: THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES RECOGNIZED

A stable high number of visitors, the measurable acceptance of all changes and expansions in the Bluezone area and a top level supporting program with a trend lecture by Li Edelkoort and the presentation of the Hightex Award confirm the correctness of the fair concept at Munich Fabric Start. The exhibition time expansion of Bluezone and Keyhouse reflects the success of the Denim segment and the innovation driver in the Keyhouse.

A stable high number of visitors, the measurable acceptance of all changes and expansions in the Bluezone area and a top level supporting program with a trend lecture by Li Edelkoort and the presentation of the Hightex Award confirm the correctness of the fair concept at Munich Fabric Start. The exhibition time expansion of Bluezone and Keyhouse reflects the success of the Denim segment and the innovation driver in the Keyhouse.

Due to the addition of the Catalyzer Hall last fall, approx. 100 exhibitors will present their latest developments in the Bluezone area. The Keyhouse has been accepted as a crystallization point for
trends and innovations and has also been ennobled by one of the rare appearances of the trend visionary Li Edelkoort. At the center are the innovations that have qualified for the Hightex Award and developments in the area of sustainability. The latter were presented under the heading Sustainable Innovations for the first time. There were eight innovative concepts - from jellyfish leather to citrus fibers until fruit leathers - that showed a vision of where textile-technological developments could lead in the future. In the tried and tested format of organicselection, the future theme Sustainability received great attention with the latest developments in sustainable produced fabrics and accessories. Spatially placed around the stele-like structured future visions, highly innovative companies like Schoeller Technologies and various universities showed their novelties. Everything has more of a laboratory character and is therefore more inspiring than commercial, which is effectively underlined by the ambiance of the old industrial structure of the hall. The interest of the visitors shows that it is well received. The trend presentations and expert talks were also held here.

Into the Blue

Across the street in halls 1 to 4, the more basic work takes place. The range is internationally attractive with approximately 1700 collections of about 1000 exhibitors and represents the real happenings in the textile market. Here too the trend fora are well visited. The additionals, as the accessories are called here, received more presence in the trend presentation, which was generally welcomed, as they represent a significant part of the exhibitor portfolio. The details of the presentation themselves however still need to be significantly optimized. It also should be permissible to ensure, that a development of a "two - party society" of this side and the other side of the road, which prefers the special part of the Blues through its concentration of events and visionaries of these halls, should be prevented; knowing that that part is showing a market segment for itself and which hardly mixes with "normal" clothing. An important step however is now the adjustment of the opening days: three equal days for all areas.

Encourage innovation

The Hightex Award was only launched last season. As said by the fair organizers it should promote the "most innovative and forward-looking product developments for fabrics and additionals by the exhibiting companies in the fields of technology, smart fibers, sustainability, resource efficiency, finishing and functionality", as well as the growing "demand for innovation, added value and unique features" in the fashion sector. Sustainability however is only one of the to be considered requirements and is not an exclusion criterion for the pre-selection. Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director of Munich Fabric Start, reported about more than 300 requests in the current season.

The winners of the event were: Place1 Tintex Textiles Portugal, with a breathable, cork-coated Jersey of Tencel / Cotton, followed by Soorty Enterprises from Pakistan, whose bi-elastic denim with a high proportion of recycled polyester (Coolmax) for sportswear convinced the Jury. The 3rd place went to Thermore, Italy, for the development of a heat regulating Inlet from a fiber fleece with a vaporized polymer. The good mood of the entire sector was striking, which obviously did not want to become affected by the worrying environmental conditions in politics and on the export markets.

The platform was used for information and discussions, as the clothing manufacturers are due to missing attractive trends more than ever being asked to filter the right suitable things out of the huge spectrum of materials, colors and patterns, which could be appropriate for them. "For the first time, I am looking pessimistic to the future," the grand lady of fashionable trend forecasts, Li Edelkoort, said. She attributed the most important significance to the parameters of movement and change, which gave her the chance to add to the theme "Transform", free: change – from her point of view an additional facet.

 

GDS on the fairground of Messe Duesseldorf © Messe Duesseldorf/ctillmann
14.02.2017

SHOE SECTOR BIDS FAREWELL TO GDS

7 to 9 February 2017 saw the last GDS being held on the premises of Messe Düsseldorf. This was the 123rd edition of the tradition-rich event. Since Tuesday afternoon we have also known something else for sure, too: not only the organiser and venue will change but also the name. The Igedo Company will present its shoe trade show at Areal Böhler as Gallery SHOES.

7 to 9 February 2017 saw the last GDS being held on the premises of Messe Düsseldorf. This was the 123rd edition of the tradition-rich event. Since Tuesday afternoon we have also known something else for sure, too: not only the organiser and venue will change but also the name. The Igedo Company will present its shoe trade show at Areal Böhler as Gallery SHOES.

In keeping with this “passing of the baton” the evening event of GDS was also held at Areal Böhler on the first day of the trade show. Speaking before many representatives of the shoe sector, Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, used the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts by the GDS team: “Kirstin Deutelmoser and her team have undertaken extraordinary efforts over the years and introduced innovations into the shoe shows time and again. And even the last event was designed with full professionalism and provided visitors with a comprehensive overview of the market. My thanks also go to the sector: GDS only managed to remain such an outstanding meeting point for decades on end thanks to the support from trade and industry. I wish the Igedo Company the best of success for its new concept.”

During the press conference on the first day of the trade show Kirstin Deutelmoser, Director of GDS and tag it!, referred to GDS’ longstanding tradition on the one hand, and the fundamental changes occurring in the footwear sector, on the other: “Around the turn of the millennium GDS registered most visitors. People came to Düsseldorf to discover the new collections and – just as importantly – to network.
But over the past few years the world started turning faster. New players entered the market. The retailscape experienced constant change. And since trade shows are also always mirror images of the market this extreme dynamism within the footwear sector also impacted GDS.
Its own history proved a burden rather than a benefit: regardless of how much you alter a GDS – it will always be measured by its own most successful edition.
We therefore decided it was time for a complete “re-boot”; and to create something new you have to be free of existing structures and traditions. This is why we will hand over the shoe trade show after this GDS to the Igedo Company thereby enabling a complete re-start with completely new structures and signals.
I thank all of those who have accompanied and supported us over so many decades – especially our customers, exhibitors and visitors alike, the many partners of GDS and my great team.
I wish the Igedo Company and Ulrike Kähler, in particular, great success with the new format. And my particular hope is that the sector will make use of the opportunities that come with the re-launch of a footwear trade show.”

GDS with Powerful Farewell Programme

The last GDS offered visitors a comprehensive range of information. 600 brands presented their new collections and the trade show had prepared all the trends of relevance to the 2017/18 Autumn/Winter season for retailers offering concrete services for purchasing and merchandising with the GDS Trend Talks, Trend Codes and Trend Spots.
A special focus for coming Autumn/Winter are sturdy laced and biker boots. Weather permitting, futurist sneakers will also be determining the look on our streets – either in clean white or with prints, another trend theme displayed by many exhibitors.

The talks delivered by the Innovation and Education Institute SLEM headquartered in the Netherlands revolved around manufacturing rather than design. Visitors learnt which technologies will change the future of footwear production.

Alain-Fabien Delon (22), son of legendary actor Alain Delon, caused one last flurry of camera flashes at GDS, when he strolled through the STUDIO Halls during the Press Walk and browsed the latest men’s styles. The exhibitors befittingly used GDS as a stage to present their brands with catwalk shows or dance performances. 

Fashion bloggers and influencers made sure the new footwear trends were also shared on social media. How this actually works was illustrated in detail to interested retailers and manufacturers at the Social Media Consulting sessions.

The first Gallery SHOES will be held from 27 to 29 August 2017. Relevant details will be published at www.igedo.com.

imm cologne 2017 © Koelnmesse GmbH, Thomas Klerx
07.02.2017

TRADE FAIR DUO OF IMM COLOGNE AND LIVINGKITCHEN ACHIEVES MORE THAN 150,000 VISITORS FOR THE FIRST TIME

  • One in two trade visitors came from outside Germany
  • The top 30 global retail chains were in Cologne
  • Cologne expands its position as the global capital for interior design

imm cologne and LivingKitchen have achieved a record number of visitors this year. "We met our target and have broken the 150,000-visitor mark," said Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH, who is delighted with the results. Roughly every second trade visitor came from outside Germany, with foreign trade visitors accounting for nearly 50 per cent. "That shows we are right on track with our drive to internationalise the events," Böse continued. Dirk-Uwe Klaas, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the German Furniture Industry, was similarly pleased with the figures. "The Cologne furniture show was a wonderful summit for interior decor.

  • One in two trade visitors came from outside Germany
  • The top 30 global retail chains were in Cologne
  • Cologne expands its position as the global capital for interior design

imm cologne and LivingKitchen have achieved a record number of visitors this year. "We met our target and have broken the 150,000-visitor mark," said Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH, who is delighted with the results. Roughly every second trade visitor came from outside Germany, with foreign trade visitors accounting for nearly 50 per cent. "That shows we are right on track with our drive to internationalise the events," Böse continued. Dirk-Uwe Klaas, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the German Furniture Industry, was similarly pleased with the figures. "The Cologne furniture show was a wonderful summit for interior decor. The German furniture industry is completely satisfied with imm cologne. It was the ideal start to 2017, which will no doubt be an excellent year for the industry," said Klaas.

On behalf of retailers, the President of the German Federal Association of Furniture, Kitchens & Furnishing Retailers (BVDM), Hans Strothoff, gave the following verdict: "The trade fair met retailers' expectations. The quality of the exhibitors was high; a large number of new launches were on show, and visitors had a chance to experience attractive product presentations. This makes a visit to the trade fair well worth its while. And it's why retailers also see the trade fair as a fantastic way to launch the 2017 furniture year."

Of the 104,000 trade visitors, around 56,000 came from Germany and approximately 48,000 from abroad (an increase of 4 per cent). Within Europe, increases in visitor figures were recorded in particular from Spain (up 25 per cent), Russia (up 26 per cent), Italy (up 19 per cent) and the UK (up 13 per cent). Visitor numbers from the Netherlands and Poland also increased. Numbers of overseas trade visitors rose, in particular visitors from China (up 5 per cent), South Korea (up 12 per cent) and India (up 5 per cent). A rise was also recorded in visitor numbers from the Middle East  (up 19 per cent), with particularly strong growth from the United Arab Emirates. With these excellent numbers of foreign visitors, the two trade fairs will boost exhibitors' exports.

Koelnmesse Chief Operating Officer Katharina C. Hamma emphasised the quality of the trade visitors: "No other event brings supply and demand together as effectively in this quality as imm cologne and LivingKitchen." Initial evaluations of the results showed that the trade visitors included large numbers of the global top 30 retail chains, such as John Lewis, Home Retail Group, Harveys Furniture -all from the UK - as well as Conforama from France and Nitori from Japan. The major industry players in online retail - including Amazon and the Otto Group - also used the event intensively for their businesses. With these results, the trade fair duo has confirmed its importance for the interior design industry's global commercial operations on a national and an international level.

LivingKitchen closes with good results

In parallel with the world's most important furnishing fair, imm cologne, the international kitchen event LivingKitchen took place this year. For the seven days of the event, 200 exhibitors from 21 countries - including around 50 first-time and returning exhibitors - showed how much innovation the industry has to offer and how high its standards of design and quality are. This year's LivingKitchen not only followed on seamlessly from its success in 2015, but significantly improved on the key figures in many areas. "For us, LivingKitchen 2017 was a complete success. The world's best-performing kitchen industry needs a leading international trade fair in Germany. Our industry presented an outstanding showcase, and we are convinced that the trade fair will significantly boost demand for kitchens, nationally and internationally," said Kirk Mangels, Chief Executive of the Modern Kitchen Working Group e.V. (AMK). A great number of positive comments were received on the event's concept, which is aimed at both business and the general public. When asked about the event's added value, many exhibitors mentioned the fact that Cologne is the only trade fair where they can present their products in the context of a globally oriented interiors show. "LivingKitchen in Cologne is on an excellent course. We will analyse the results right after the trade fair to see how we can work together to continue to develop the event," said Mangels. But it was not just the exhibitors' innovative products that attracted a highly diverse audience interested in the latest kitchens and good food - the cooking events and large cooking shows also drew visitors to the trade fair on the public days.

The next imm cologne will take place from 15 to 21 January 2018 in Cologne, co-located with LivingInteriors.

Koelnmesse - Global competence in furniture, interiors and design
Further Information: http://www.global-competence.net/interiors/

 

Apparel Show © Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
31.01.2017

TEXPROCESS RECORDS HIGHEST NUMBER OF REGISTRATIONS IN ITS HISTORY

Living in Space: special event at Techtextil showcases textile processing technologies for the space industry: Some four months before the start of Texprocess (9 to 12 May 2017), the leading international trade fair for processing textile and flexible materials reports the highest number of registrations in its history and thus continues its pattern of growth. Even now, more floor space has been booked than the previous edition had in total. “It is well worth our while continually developing Texprocess further, with regard to the technologies and processes on display, the hall layout and the complementary programme. With this fourth edition, Texprocess is now firmly established in the marketplace and is attracting other market leaders in the sector to Frankfurt,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt.

Living in Space: special event at Techtextil showcases textile processing technologies for the space industry: Some four months before the start of Texprocess (9 to 12 May 2017), the leading international trade fair for processing textile and flexible materials reports the highest number of registrations in its history and thus continues its pattern of growth. Even now, more floor space has been booked than the previous edition had in total. “It is well worth our while continually developing Texprocess further, with regard to the technologies and processes on display, the hall layout and the complementary programme. With this fourth edition, Texprocess is now firmly established in the marketplace and is attracting other market leaders in the sector to Frankfurt,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt.

Texprocess reports growing numbers of companies signing up, particularly in the CAD/CAM and Cutting, Making, Trimming (CMT) product groups. Technologies and material for Sewing, Joining and Fastening are growing steadily, too.

Among the companies that have already signed up are: Amann, Astas, assyst/Human Solutions, Barudan, Brother, bullmer, Caron Technology, Dürkopp Adler, Epson, Filiz Makina, Gemini CAD Systems, Gerber Technology, Gütermann, Juki, Kuris Spezialmaschinen, MACPI, Malkan, Mitsubishi, Morgan Tecnica, Pfaff, Serkon Tekstil Makina, SMRE, Strima, Tajima, Teseo, Tetas, Veit, Zünd.
The range of products at Texprocess once again covers all stages in the value-creation chain for textile goods, from design, IT, cutting out, sewing, seaming, embroidery and knitting to finishing, textile printing and logistics.

Change in placement for CAD/CAM and Cutting, Making, Trimming
To make the profiles of Techtextil and Texprocess even sharper, the bonding and separating technology, CMT (Cutting, Making, Trimming), CAD/CAM and printing product segments will be concentrated together at Texprocess in hall 4.0. Thus, visitors will find Techtextil exhibitors from these segments at Texprocess. These product groups will be deleted from the Techtextil nomenclature.
Apart from this change, the overall concept behind the halls at the previous event will be retained: trade visitors will find Design, IT, CAD/CAM, CMT and Printing as well as the special IT@Texprocess section in hall 4.0. Exhibitors of machines and accessories for sewing and seaming will be presenting their products in hall 5.0 and 5.1; and hall 6.0 will showcase embroidery technology, together with finishing techniques and logistics for textiles.

The technologies of textile processing for space travel
Both exhibitors and visitors at Texprocess will, this year, have the benefit of a rather special experience at the show: under the heading 'Living in Space', Techtextil will be showcasing the wide variety of applications for technical textiles in space travel, together with the processing involved. This is a cooperative venture between Techtextil, The European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). Close to the location for, amongst others, exhibitors of functional apparel textiles in Hall 6.1, and based on the areas of application for technical textiles, a special, interactive area is to be built to display, with the help of four thematic sections, the high-tech textiles and textile processing technologies that have emerged from and for space travel. The highlight of this area is a virtual-reality experience in which visitors to Techtextil and Texprocess get to go on a virtual journey through the universe, where they will learn about the application of technical textiles in space travel and the processing required to make them.

Complementary programme with focus on Digital Printing and international Innovative Apparel Show
Digital Printing will be one the thematic focusses of the Texprocess complimentary programme. The sector's information service, the World Textile Information Network (WtiN) will, for the first time, be organising the European Digital Textile Conference at Texprocess. The conference will centre round technologies for digital printing on textiles and will be held on Wednesday 10 May in the Saal Europa in hall 4.0.
And digital printing on textiles will also be taken up as a topic in a dedicated series of lectures forming part of the Texprocess Forum. The forum offers, in hall 6.0, expert lectures on current issues in the sector, on all days of the trade fair. For the first time, the programme will have been designed jointly by three partners: the Dialog Textil-Bekleidung (DTB), die International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the World Textile Information Network (WTiN).

Following on from the success of its first edition, the Innovative Apparel Show is to be continued and set on an international footing. For the first time, there will be, as well as a German university, three European universities / colleges from outside Germany, showcasing, on the catwalk, their fashion designs from functional textiles and the processing stages that go into making them. The show will take place on all days of the trade fair. The participating universities / colleges are: Accademia Italiana, Florence / Italy; ESAD College of Art and Design, Matosinhos / Portugal; Esmod Paris/France, and the University of Trier / Germany. The young designers will be displaying designs relating to the three key themes of 'Textile Effects', 'Creative Engineering' and 'Smart Fashion'. Visitors will be able to vote for the public's award throughout the duration of the trade fair and the award will be presented at the last fashion show.

With the Texprocess Innovation Award, Messe Frankfurt seeks, for the fourth time, to honour the best new technological developments in the field. Submissions for the award may be made up until 20 February. The competition is open both to exhibitors at Texprocess 2017 and to other companies, institutes, universities, colleges and private individuals, who are not otherwise exhibiting at the fair. The awards in the various categories will be presented during the joint opening ceremony for Texprocess und Techtextil, on 9 May 2017. At the same time, there will be a special display area in Hall 4.0, showcasing all the prize-winning products at Texprocess.

Visitors will, once again, find many new IT solutions for the apparel industry in the IT@Texprocess section in Hall 4.0, where exhibitors will be presenting product life-cycle management systems (PLM), 'Cloud' applications and 3D CAD systems, which make it possible to create tailor-made clothes in real time and without the need for a Fitting.

Sewing and apparel-making technology record significant rise in Sales According to information provided by the Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies section of the VDMA (Association of German machinery and plant manufacturers), conceptual partner of Texprocess, the German sewing and apparel-technology industry achieved an increase in turnover of 15.9 percent compared to the previous year in the period from January to October. “With export sales of € 523 million, Germany is in third place amongst exporting nations worldwide, behind China and Japan,” observes Elgar Straub, General Manager of the VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies Association. “Our member companies are outstandingly well placed amongst the international competition. Above all, that is because they are continually developing and innovating. The individualisation of apparel, the digitalisation of the value creation chain and new technologies, such as digital printing and sustainable processing technologies, are currently at the heart of our members' planning for innovation.”

Texprocess will again be taking place in parallel to Techtextil, leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens (also from 9 to 12 May 2017). In all, 1,662 exhibitors from 54 different countries attended Texprocess and Techtextil in 2015, together with a total of 42,000 trade visitors. Over 13,300 of them came to see Texprocess. Added to that, there were around 7,600 additional visitors, who came across from the concurrently held Techtextil.

 

Apparel Show @ Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
24.01.2017

TECHTEXTIL ON A GROWTH CURVE

Living in Space: Techtextil presents technical textiles in the aerospace industry in cooperation with ESA and DLR

More exhibitors and a journey to Mars: visitors and exhibitors can look forward to an even bigger event and a completely new trade-fair experience at the coming Techtextil from 9 to 12 May 2017. With around four months still to go before the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens opens its doors, the booked space already exceeds the total area of the last edition in 2015. Moreover, the extensive complementary programme of events is set to be distinguished by a variety of innovations in 2017. The highlight of this year’s Techtextil will be the special ‘Living in Space’ event in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Centre (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR).

Living in Space: Techtextil presents technical textiles in the aerospace industry in cooperation with ESA and DLR

More exhibitors and a journey to Mars: visitors and exhibitors can look forward to an even bigger event and a completely new trade-fair experience at the coming Techtextil from 9 to 12 May 2017. With around four months still to go before the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens opens its doors, the booked space already exceeds the total area of the last edition in 2015. Moreover, the extensive complementary programme of events is set to be distinguished by a variety of innovations in 2017. The highlight of this year’s Techtextil will be the special ‘Living in Space’ event in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Centre (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR).

“We are branching out in completely new directions with this year’s Techtextil and are, therefore, all the more delighted about the outstanding resonance of our exhibitors”, says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt. “Furthermore, the fact that we have gained strong new partners, ESA and DLR, from one of the main areas of application for technical textiles represents solid evidence of the application relevance of the products and technologies shown at Techtextil.”

Exhibitors include not only international market leaders but also numerous newcomers and returnees. Significant exhibitor growth comes from European countries, particularly from Ger-
many, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and Spain. However, additional growth is also expected to come from Asia.

Special ‘Living in Space’ exhibition and special area in Hall 6.1

In cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Techtextil will illustrate the wide range of applications for technical textiles with reference to the aerospace industry under the title ‘Living in Space’. To this end, the concurrent Texprocess trade fair will also be integrated into the exhibition.

“The technical-textile sector offers the textile solutions needed to move around and survive in space. This is what we will show in a professional and at the same time entertaining way on a dedicated area at the trade fair. For visitors, the area will offer inspiration and orientation”, says Michael Jänecke, Director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing, Messe Frankfurt.

A special area in the vicinity of exhibitors of functional apparel and technical textiles is being created in hall 6.1 and, based on the areas of application for technical textiles, will show high-tech textiles and textile-processing technology from and for the aerospace sector. The highlight of the interactive area is a virtual-reality experience. On a special area, Techtextil and Texprocess visitors can undertake a virtual journey through space to Mars and discover how technical textiles and their processing technology can make it possible to set up communities in space. Additionally, the ‘Material Gallery’ will show textile products and processing technologies from Techtextil exhibitors with links to space travel. There will also be presentations by start-ups that work at the interface of technical textiles and space travel.

In hall 6.1, exhibitors and visitors will also find the ‘Innovation made in Germany’ area of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie – BMWi), which is aimed at young, innovative companies based in Germany. Applications for a place in the BMWi area can still be made on the Techtextil website.

Change in placement for CAD/CAM and Cutting, Making, Trimming

To make the profiles of Techtextil and Texprocess even sharper, the bonding and separating technology, CMT (Cutting, Making, Trimming), CAD/CAM and printing product segments will be concentrated together at Texprocess in hall 4.0. Thus, visitors will find Techtextil exhibitors from these segments at Texprocess. These product groups will be deleted from the Techtextil nomenclature.

Complementary programme with changes to the Innovative Apparel Show

Successfully started at Techtextil and Texprocess in 2015, the Innovative Apparel Show will get in 2017 even more international with universities for fashion and design from four European countries. These universities will present their visionary product ideas using technical textiles and modern processing technologies on all four days. They are: Accademia Italiana, Florence / Italy; ESAD College of Art and Design, Matosinhos / Portugal; Esmod Paris/France, and the University of Trier / Germany. The young designers will show designs revolving around the themes of textile effects, creative engineering and smart fashion while a fashion show in the foyer of Halls 5.1 and 6.1 presents their ideas in a professional way.

Techtextil Symposium in cooperation with Dornbirn MFC 

The concept of Techtextil Symposium, one of the world’s leading events for textile research, is being expanded with the coming edition to be held in seven consecutive blocks, each of seven lectures. Thus, all lecture blocks will be expanded by one lecture. Additionally, Techtextil is working together with the Dornbirn MFC Man-made Fibres Congress for the first time. Thus, Dornbirn-MFC will organise one of the seven lecture blocks within the framework of the symposium (to be held in ‘Saal Europa’ of Hall 4.0).
Moreover, outstanding new developments and advances in the fields of technical textiles, nonwovens and functional apparel textiles will be honoured for the 14th time with the Techtextil Innovation Award, the competition for which is also open to non-exhibitors. Entries are now invited. The deadline for receipt is 20 February.

Together with the international Tensinet network, Techtextil is holding the 14th ‘Textile Structures for New Building’ competition for students and young professionals, which honours innovative and practical concepts for building with textiles or textile-reinforced materials. The closing date for receipt of entries to the competition, which is worth a total of € 8,000, is 26 February 2017. In addition to the awards ceremony, all award-winning works from the student competition and the Innovation Award will be on show in special exhibitions in hall 4.1 and hall 6.1.

Technical Textiles market continues growth
 
According to the Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry (textile+mode) the textile and apparel industry with more than 130,000 employees, 1,400 companies and an annual turnover of around 32 billion euros is the second largest consumer goods industry in Germany. The growth is primarily driven by technical textiles. “German companies are the global market leaders in terms of technical textiles. For years, the turnover has been growing steadily – a proof for the innovativeness of the industry and excellent products. The digitalization of textile products and processes will furthermore trigger an innovation boost in other industries”, says Manfred Junkert, Deputy General Manager of textile+mode.

Held concurrently with Techtextil, Texprocess, Leading International Trade Fair for Processing Textile and Flexible Materials (9 to 12 May 2017), offers insights into all stages of textile processing, including finishing and digital printing. Texprocess is also characterised by an outstanding number of exhibitor registrations exceeding the results of the previous edition, too. Techtextil 2015 was attended by 28,500 trade visitors from 102 nations, as well as over 5,500 trade visitors from the parallel Texprocess.

Sleeping as  a Lifestyle at the HEIMTEXTIL 2017 © Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
17.01.2017

HEIMTEXTIL ENDS WITH INCREASED VISITOR AND EXHIBITOR NUMBERS

  • Matchmaking at the trade fair: exhibitors and visitors highlight the quality of business contacts made
  • Celebrity guests and star designers go on a textile tour of discovery
  • Matchmaking at the trade fair: exhibitors and visitors highlight the quality of business contacts made
  • Celebrity guests and star designers go on a textile tour of discovery
     

Inspiring, touch-focused and close to the industry: Heimtextil finished last Friday after four successful trade fair days in Frankfurt am Main. In spite of the snow, ice and storms, particularly on the first and last days of the trade fair, almost 70,000 trade visitors (2016: 68,277) from across the world attended the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and were won over by quality and variety of the exhibited products as well as the trends of the new season. Growth was driven primarily by Brazil, China, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Russia, the USA and United Arab Emirates. A total of 2963 exhibitors from 67 countries (2016: 2864) presented their new textile products and designs across 20 halls and appeared to be highly satisfied by the orders they received and business contacts they made. Detlef Braun, CEO of Messe Frankfurt, highlighted the positives following the end of the trade fair: “The figures speak for themselves: Heimtextil grew

once again in 2017 in terms of its visitor and exhibitor numbers. But it’s no longer about quantity and hasn’t been for a long time. I am especially pleased about the high quality of the products exhibited as well as the intensity of discussions between purchasers and exhibitors. Frankfurt is the international meeting place and beating textile heart of the interiors industry.”
Also positive: overall, visitors consider the sector’s economy to be in a better place even than last year. Visitors from Germany in particular consider the situation to be good (40 per cent).
“We returned to Heimtextil at the right time: over the past few days, we have been successful in positioning our new profile and new product orientation”, says Andreas Klenk, CEO Saum & Viebahn. “The feedback from our visitors was thoroughly positive and we were able to acquire both export and domestic contacts. We will be leaving this Heimtextil with a good feeling and look forward to returning next year.”

Textile design: the eye feels too

It is not just the feel of a material that determines its appeal – something that was also obvious at Heimtextil with the great interest shown in textile design. The colourful fabrics and varied designs by well-known designers and young talent were very popular and attracted a lot of attention: “For me as a designer, Heimtextil is extremely interesting, in particular because I can see myself designing bed linen, pillows and other home textiles in future in addition to wallpaper”, says star designer Michael Michalsky, who presented his new wallpaper collection at the trade fair.
“At the world’s leading trade fair, competitors are present in great numbers. Here, I can experience marketing of products at close quarters and get direct feedback on my own new products.” And it was not just designers that showed great interest in the globally unique design offer at Heimtextil. Exhibiting companies also used the creative hotspot to acquire new designs for their upcoming collections.

Eva Padberg, Harald Glööckler and Michael Michalsky

The enthusiasm for beautiful and high-quality textiles not only brings trade visitors together, but also numerous celebrity guests. At the opening of Heimtextil, top model Eva Padberg talked with Detlef Braun about the trends of the coming season, the interest of end consumers in sustainability and

the common ground between fashion and interior design. She then used the opportunity to take a tour of the Theme Park trend area and the trade fair.
A meeting point for stars continued to be the Marburger Tapetenfabrik on the first day of the trade fair: Harald Glööckler presented his new collection “Glööckler Imperial” which bore the unmistakeable signature of the designer with its usual luxurious style. Musical accompaniment and a good atmosphere was provided by singer

Dynelle Rhodes from the Weather Girls as well as Frankfurt radio presenter and DJ Felix Moese. Designer Michael Michalsky also presented his new collection of wallpapers in person in cooperation with A.S. Création.

Trend towards more materiality

An end to bare walls and cold floors: home textiles are celebrating their comeback in private homes. Curtains, carpets and decorative cushions are decorating people’s own four walls and lending them a personal note. “We can also confirm the trend towards more materiality. In addition to our new wallpaper products, we have seen an increased interest from visitors in our new fabric collections”, says Andreas Zimmermann, CEO Zimmer + Rohde. This trend is boosting orders at Heimtextil: “The quality of visitors was very high: we met very high-quality, good international purchasers and excellent potential new customers. We are therefore very satisfied with our attendance at Heimtextil.”

Sleepinmg as a lifestyle

After nutrition and fitness, sleeping will be the next big lifestyle theme. This was also proven by the numerous innovations seen in the bed segment. Mediflow from Hamburg, for example, presented an improved version of its water pillow capable of full adjustments for firmness and supportive effect. Robert Kocher, European CEO of Mediflow: “This year, we had lots of new customers at our stand who had heard about us and wanted to know more about our products or even ordered them directly. Visitors primarily came from the Middle East, China, the eastern European region and Scandinavia. We also enjoyed intense discussions with American and German customers. This is also the great strength of Heimtextil. You’ve can shake hands with the world here. It is not just about sales, but also communication and establishing relationships or simply getting direct feedback on our products”. At the sleep campaign stand, visitors and exhibitors alike were able to inform themselves about

the four things that can influence sleep. Heimtextil will continue to focus on the topic of sleeping over the coming years.

The next Heimtextil, international trade fair for home and contract textiles, will take place from 9-12 January 2018 in Frankfurt am Main.

The Smart Home at the BAU 2017 © Messe München GmbH
10.01.2017

COMFORTABLE LIVING IN A "SMART HOME"

BAU 2017: Theme “interconnected buildings”: A Smart Home is a comfort zone. The lights come on automatically, the door unlocks as soon as an occupant approaches the building. Prior to this, the HVAG system has set the radiators to a comfortable temperature. The letterbox sends a text message when the mail arrives; the washing machine uses the cheapest electricity rates, if electricity has to be paid for at all, as the Smart Building is energy self-sufficient. It knows its occupants' habits and makes their lives as convenient as possible. Even Smart Cities can be created, just by linking these extremely smart buildings. Science Fiction? Not at all. BAU 2017 shows how far digital technology has as yet advanced.

BAU 2017: Theme “interconnected buildings”: A Smart Home is a comfort zone. The lights come on automatically, the door unlocks as soon as an occupant approaches the building. Prior to this, the HVAG system has set the radiators to a comfortable temperature. The letterbox sends a text message when the mail arrives; the washing machine uses the cheapest electricity rates, if electricity has to be paid for at all, as the Smart Building is energy self-sufficient. It knows its occupants' habits and makes their lives as convenient as possible. Even Smart Cities can be created, just by linking these extremely smart buildings. Science Fiction? Not at all. BAU 2017 shows how far digital technology has as yet advanced.

In wintertime, when Julia König returns home after a long day at work, everything has been prepared: the apartment is nice and warm, the lights have been switched on in the hallway and the living room, and the blinds are already down. All relaxed she drops into her favourite armchair and looks forward to the evening ahead. When the young doctor leaves the house in the morning, the heating system automatically reduces the temperature, the security system is activated and all devices unnecessarily consuming electricity are being switched off.
There is no doubt: the smart home makes people's lives easier as it relies on intelligent building technology. What has been a "toy for techies" a few years ago has become reality today. Interconnectivity starts with simple sensors, switches and lights, and can lead to various living room scenarios – including the control of temperature, brightness, movement, door and window contacts, household appliances, communication technology, and entertainment electronics. In the case of a fire, smoke detectors save lives; motion sensors detect suspicious activity in the dark, whilst they have a deterrence effect; and alarm systems protect the house from burglars. From afar you can check whether the stove and the washing machine are off, and the gate is shut.

Smart Home Boom: New applications every week

Almost weekly, new applications are launched into the market. Smart homes thus become increasingly interesting for homeowners and tenants. Another reason is the level of comfort provided to the elderly.
Experts already call it a smart home boom. This is primarily due to one driver: the Smartphone. Since almost all users have an operating system in their pocket that can control more and more applications of the building technology in a very simple way. Apps are connected via Bluetooth Smartphone and Wi-Fi, or remotely via a mobile phone connection.
Hence, the market gets moving, as home automation system providers are finding new solutions in various communication protocols (radio and bus systems). They join up to facilitate more complex control options by combining individual solutions, and to further optimize the use of Smart Home applications.

Enhanced quality of life thanks to interconnectivity
Beyond merely managing heating, lighting and the home's security system these state of the art smart home applications offer far more. The latest developments even enable the connection of building components, such as glazing, doors, and windows; and turn them into intelligent systems that enhance the living comfort and energy efficiency of buildings.

One result could be, for instance, an intelligent facade. It converts smart homes into smart buildings. Smart energy management, shading control, security systems and monitoring functions, as well as real-time monitoring of all consumption and fabrication data of the building pave the way to intelli-gent and future oriented building construction. When this concept is rolled out from the individual building to an entire district, we get a Smart City.

One result could be, for instance, an intelligent facade. It converts smart homes into smart buildings. Smart energy management, shading control, security systems and monitoring functions, as well as real-time monitoring of all consumption and fabrication data of the building pave the way to intelligent and future oriented building construction. When this concept is rolled out from the individual building to an entire district, we get a Smart City.

Smart home solutions capture the market

The interconnected home faces a bright future. More and more smart home technologies are ready to be applied. Over the next few years they will have a major impact on our lives. At BAU 2017 in Munich, every two years the place to meet for everybody in the construction industry, you will be able to see the most significant novelties in this field.

 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin © Mercedes-Benz Fashion
03.01.2017

IMG UNVEILS THE SHOP AT MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK BERLIN

  • IMG announced the introduction of its consumerfacing retail concept THE SHOP at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. THE SHOP launched at IMG’s MADE LA event and has expanded via New York
  • Consumerfacing retail activation invites the public to experience new designers

Fashion Week and other markets. THE SHOP will be open to the public January 17-20, 2017 and feature in season designer collections that are available for purchase immediately.

  • IMG announced the introduction of its consumerfacing retail concept THE SHOP at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. THE SHOP launched at IMG’s MADE LA event and has expanded via New York
  • Consumerfacing retail activation invites the public to experience new designers

Fashion Week and other markets. THE SHOP will be open to the public January 17-20, 2017 and feature in season designer collections that are available for purchase immediately.

“As IMG continues to evolve Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, we saw an opportunity to extend THE SHOP concept in this market to support the strong local talent looking for unique ways to reach their fans,” said Catherine Bennett, SVP and Managing Director, IMG Fashion Events and Properties. “Now more than ever, designers and partners need a multiplatform offering that allows them to interact with both the industry and the consumer in a fresh way. We are excited that with THE SHOP we introduced a concept to address that need.”
THE SHOP at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin is located at Kaufhaus Jandorf, Brunnenstr. 19-21, 10119 Berlin and will offer exclusive designer apparel, jewellery and accessories.
Collections available at THE SHOP include: ATELIER ABOUT, BARRE NOIRE, HIEN LE, HOLY GHOST, IVANMAN, JULIA SEEMANN, MALAIKARAISS, MICHAEL SONTAG, PERRET SCHAAD, PHILOMENA ZANETTI, RIANI, STEIN-

ROHNER, STRENESSE, VEKTOR and VLADIMIR KARALEEV.

THE SHOP opening hours:


Tuesday, January 17, 2017
9 AM to 8 PM Designers: Hien Le, HolyGhost, Michael Sontag, Perret Schaad, Riani, Steinrohner, Strenesse

Wednesday, January 18, 2017
9 AM to 8 PM Designers: Ivanman, Julia Seemann, Malaika-raiss, Michael Sontag, Perret Schaad, Philomena Zanetti, Steinrohner, Strenesse


Thursday, January 19, 2017
9 AM to 8 PM Designers: Barre Noire, Ivanman, Michael Sontag, Perret Schaad, Steinrohner, Strenesse, Vladimir Karaleev

Friday, January 20, 2017, 9 AM to 7 PM Designers: Atelier About, Ivanman, Michael Sontag, Perret Schaad, Steinrohner, Strenesse, Vektor

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin is made possible with the generous support of title sponsor Mercedes-Benz as well as official sponsors Etihad Airways, Fashion ID, Maybelline New York and Hotel Waldorf Astoria Berlin. The event will continue to be endorsed by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Berlin.

ISPO Shanghai © Messe München GmbH
20.12.2016

ISPO SHANGHAI 2017 EXPANDS ITS RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

  • Sports Tech Asia: Messe München and the Organizer of ShanghaiTex Launch a New Trade Show

After its successful debut in 2015 and impressive growth this year, ISPO SHANGHAI will complement its product offer by the new trade show "Sports Tech Asia" in 2017. As a joint venture of Messe München and Adsale Exhibition Services, the event will take place simultaneously with ISPO SHANGHAI at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) for the first time from July 6 to 8, 2017. Within the scope of this cooperation, ISPO SHANGHAI not only presents the finished products but also highly innovative production technologies and the future of manufacturing.

  • Sports Tech Asia: Messe München and the Organizer of ShanghaiTex Launch a New Trade Show

After its successful debut in 2015 and impressive growth this year, ISPO SHANGHAI will complement its product offer by the new trade show "Sports Tech Asia" in 2017. As a joint venture of Messe München and Adsale Exhibition Services, the event will take place simultaneously with ISPO SHANGHAI at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) for the first time from July 6 to 8, 2017. Within the scope of this cooperation, ISPO SHANGHAI not only presents the finished products but also highly innovative production technologies and the future of manufacturing.

Klaus Dittrich, Chaiman and CEO of Messe München, expresses his contentment: “Innovative patterns, knitting techniques and fabrics are becoming increasingly important in sports fashion. By taking this step, ISPO SHANGHAI extends its future portfolio of products and services. The trade show underlines that it is not only textiles that are becoming increasingly smart and networked but also the production procedures with a view in adjusting themselves that fulfills the growing requirements. Therefore, “Sports Tech Asia” is a genuine enrichment for every trade visitor, and we expect that the new technologies will have exciting synergy effects for ISPO SHANGHAI.”

The organizers of this event – Messe München and Adsale Exhibition Services – anticipate an exhibition space totaling 2,000 square meters in the first year. As a multi-segment trade show, ISPO SHANGHAI is primarily mapping the areas of Speed & Strength, Urban & Lifestyle and Nature & Elements. The product offer of "Sports Tech Asia" comprises, in particular, highly innovative machines and technologies for the manufacture of sports products, and will be connected to the clothing and textile segment of ISPO SHANGHAI. As a result, all areas will be on display in Shanghai, ranging from production to the product.

Every two years, Adsale Exhibition Services organizes the "ShanghaiTex" (International Exhibition on Textile Industry) trade show in Shanghai. With more than 1,200 exhibitors, this is one of the most important trade shows for textile machinery in Asia. In addition, Adsale is the organizer of "Chinaplas" (International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries), the world's second largest trade show for plastics, which can pride itself on more than 3,000 exhibitors. Therefore, Adsale enjoys optimum access to the manufacturers of the latest manufacturing technologies for sports fabrics and products.

ISPO SHANGHAI is growing

The new multi-segment trade show, which presents more than 450 brands under one roof, opened its gates for the first time in 2015. In 2016, ISPO SHANGHAI continued on its successful course, recording 470 companies, who represented some 500 brands, and 14,593 visitors. “Thanks to the new exhibition segment, we enlarge our target group and create additional growth opportunities”, states Klaus Dittrich. 
Further information on ISPO SHANGHAI is available at shanghai.ispo.com.

Get more information on Sports Tech Asia at www.SportsTechAsia.com

German Future Prize 2016 © Ansgar Pudenz / Dt. Zukunftspreis
13.12.2016

CARBON RESEARCHERS FROM DRESDEN WON THE GERMAN FUTURE AWARD

  • The award for technology and innovation was presented by federal president Joachim Gauck

The Dresden professors Manfred Curbach, Chokri Cherif and Peter Offermann are the winners of the German Future Prize 2016. The German Federal President Joachim Gauck presented the EUR 250,000 prize on November 30th in Berlin. The research team was one of the three finalists and was able to successfully compete against their competitors. "For the first time in the history of the award ceremony, a team from the sector of construction was awarded. This shows the importance of our research and our desire to bring about the urgently needed paradigm shift in the
construction sector to greater resource efficiency and sustainability," Manfred Curbach, Director of the Institute for Concrete Construction at the Dresden University of Technology and spokesman for the winning team, said.

  • The award for technology and innovation was presented by federal president Joachim Gauck

The Dresden professors Manfred Curbach, Chokri Cherif and Peter Offermann are the winners of the German Future Prize 2016. The German Federal President Joachim Gauck presented the EUR 250,000 prize on November 30th in Berlin. The research team was one of the three finalists and was able to successfully compete against their competitors. "For the first time in the history of the award ceremony, a team from the sector of construction was awarded. This shows the importance of our research and our desire to bring about the urgently needed paradigm shift in the
construction sector to greater resource efficiency and sustainability," Manfred Curbach, Director of the Institute for Concrete Construction at the Dresden University of Technology and spokesman for the winning team, said.

The German Future Prize of the Federal President is one of the most important science awards in Germany. The rector of the TU Dresden, Prof. Hans Mueller-Steinhagen, is especially pleased: "Congratulations! This is a great success for the three professors, for the TU Dresden and also for the scientific location Dresden. This is the second time after 2011, starting with the idea and the basic research up to the launch on the market, that scientists from our university are able to make the emergence of innovative innovations comprehensible, thus to convince the top-class jury of the German Future Prize."

The three researchers at the TU Dresden developed a new composite material, which instead of steel reinforcement is based on the use of carbon. Carbon is four times lighter and six times more load-bearing than steel. The potential of the innovative composite is immense. In contrast to reinforced concrete, carbon-concrete is more resistant and at the same time more stable, since it does not rust. Components and structures can be designed to be thinner and will save precious resources such as water and sand. The material also allows filigree shapes and a wide range of applications. When using carbon-concrete, more than 50% material savings are possible. This also is accompanied by a reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The development progress lies in the details too. Components made of carbon-concrete allow a combination with additional functions such as to dam, heating or monitoring of buildings.

Carbon-concrete can not only be used in the area of new buildings. The material is excellent also for reinforcing existing buildings. The lifetime of buildings, bridges and masts can significantly be increased by applying a thin layer of carbon-concrete. Since 2006 old and new buildings, such as a department store in Prague or even huge silos - such as the sugar silos in Uelzen, have been reinforced by these procedures. Thus, the building material carbon-concrete represents not only an innovation for the location Dresden but is becoming important more and more worldwide.

The importance of the carbon-concrete technology has also been recognized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research which supports the in 2014 founded association C³ - Carbon-Concrete Composite e.V with up to EUR 43 million. The C³ e.V. is an interdisciplinary network of more than 150 partners from the fields of business, science and associations, which jointly promote the introduction of the material on the market.

Greenshowroom and Ethical Fashion Show Berlin © Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
06.12.2016

GREENSHOWROOM & ETHICAL FASHION SHOW BERLIN: PLAIN SAILING INTO THE WINTER SEASON

  • New exhibition area at the Club
  • Key topic "ActiveSlow": design and performance meet resource efficiency and recyclability

Enlarged surface area and strong support from exhibitors: excellent signs for Greenshowroom and the Ethical Fashion Show Berlin as they enter the busy preparation phase. 'The booking situation for both trade fairs is highly promising. We have a number of strong labels on board, including both global pioneers and up-and-coming newcomers from the eco fashion segment', says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. From 17-19 January 2017, visitors can look forward to an inspiring product range and the largest exhibition surface area the trade fair duo has so far enjoyed on the site of the Berlin Postbahnhof.

  • New exhibition area at the Club
  • Key topic "ActiveSlow": design and performance meet resource efficiency and recyclability

Enlarged surface area and strong support from exhibitors: excellent signs for Greenshowroom and the Ethical Fashion Show Berlin as they enter the busy preparation phase. 'The booking situation for both trade fairs is highly promising. We have a number of strong labels on board, including both global pioneers and up-and-coming newcomers from the eco fashion segment', says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. From 17-19 January 2017, visitors can look forward to an inspiring product range and the largest exhibition surface area the trade fair duo has so far enjoyed on the site of the Berlin Postbahnhof.

Greenshowroom is all about highquality labels presenting contemporary styles. The highlights on the upper floor of the Postbahnhof include Ackermann Taschenmanufaktur with its timelessly elegant bags made from olive leaf-dyed cow leather and aged chamois tanned deer leather – designed and made at the company's own manufactory in Lüneburg. Living Blue, a premium label from northern Bangladesh, will present its new products once again. It creates superb accessories and fashionable pieces using local craftsmanship and home-grown organic indigo dye. New to the trade fairs is the Dutch-New  to Greenshowroom: Rhumnaa South African newcomer label Rhumnaa. The designers at Rhumnaa get their inspiration from the stories of South African artists and develop high-quality fashion lines.

The streetwear segment at the Ethical Fashion Show Berlin will also sparkle with numerous top players. With ShineConcept, Johanna Riplinger presents her second line in the casual segment. The new women's outerwear collection is based on the use of organic cotton that has been enhanced by pure vegetable dyes and is fairly produced in India. Langbrett from Berlin promises trendy clothing, art and zest for life for city residents who surf and is thus one of the major emerging labels at the Ethical Fashion Show Berlin. Remei presents its new Naturaline collection: shirts, sweaters, trousers and more made from sustainably produced organic cotton for the whole family. Lanius will present a collaboration with Kunert, a premium expert in hosiery. Their special focus is on colourful knit groups and new developments in the merino wool segment, namely Lanius ecowool. And the Danish label Amov will celebrate its début at the trade fair – stylish, minimalistic and long-lasting everyday favourites. In January, the Danish newcomers will unveil their third main collection, which has been developed by designer Winnie Wilki Fristrup. The Ethical Fashion Show is developing not only in terms of quality, but also space, and will be expanding its surface area: an additional exhibition area will be created in the Club at the Postbahnhof. The expansion of the surface area has been made possible by moving the fashion shows to the neighboring Energieforum.

Key topic "ActiveSlow"

Progressive design and performance in combination with resource efficiency and recyclability are the central themes of the winter season. In a showcase entitled "Active Wear +", Manufactum and ESMOD Berlin International University of Art for Fashion present a selection of prototypical functional clothing. Selected exhibitors from both trade fairs will also present design innovations that are characterised by their particular focus on resource efficiency, slowness and recyclability. More in-depth information will be provided at the panel discussion entitled: "Save the sea: the issue of textile shedding into water bodies".

imm cologne 2017 © Koelnmesse GmbH
29.11.2016

IMM COLOGNE 2017: SUSTAINABILITY TAKES OVER THE BEDROOM

  • In Cologne, bed manufacturers will be presenting their new products and ideas in the Sleep Segment.
  • The subject of sustainability will be a key area of focus in a segment strong on Innovation.

"You made your bed, now sleep in it", so the saying goes. The choice of bed determines how well we sleep. That sounds simple, but is in fact quite complex. There are beds of different heights, with varying levels of mattress thickness, type and size, box spring beds, waterbeds and futons. This year, once again, the Sleep segment at imm cologne 2017 offers a complete overview of what is currently on offer from the industry. Across approximately 18,000 square metres, all of the big names in the industry will be presenting their ranges. The themes of the action areas are sustainability and Recycling.

  • In Cologne, bed manufacturers will be presenting their new products and ideas in the Sleep Segment.
  • The subject of sustainability will be a key area of focus in a segment strong on Innovation.

"You made your bed, now sleep in it", so the saying goes. The choice of bed determines how well we sleep. That sounds simple, but is in fact quite complex. There are beds of different heights, with varying levels of mattress thickness, type and size, box spring beds, waterbeds and futons. This year, once again, the Sleep segment at imm cologne 2017 offers a complete overview of what is currently on offer from the industry. Across approximately 18,000 square metres, all of the big names in the industry will be presenting their ranges. The themes of the action areas are sustainability and Recycling.

imm cologne is the perfect place to guide the trade through the multiplicity of beds and mattresses: once again, in 2017 bedroom furniture for every taste and need will be on show here. Says Arne Petersen, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse: "Our Sleep segment is again expected to be hugely popular at the coming imm cologne 2017. Hall 9 is already fully booked and Hall 5.1 has also to a large extent been booked by vendors from the Sleep segment."

The big exhibitors will without exception be represented again in the coming year in the city on the Rhine, including the German company Oschmann, which has been manufacturing upholstered beds for five generations, and the home textile specialist Frankenstolz.

And Tempur, Hilding Anders from Sweden, Badenia, Rummel Matratzen, Veldeman, Auping, Fey & Co. as well as De Rucci will be showcasing their contributions to a restful sleep in Cologne. A lot of international companies will be debuting at imm cologne in 2017, including Perzona International, Ecus Sleep, Ersan Madeni, Boydak and Toom Tekstiil, among others. And a number of German companies will also be among those represented at imm cologne for the first time, including Centa Star and Shogazi. Shogazi has been specialising in healthy sleep since 2002. With its mattresses made from natural materials, the Munich-based manufacturer is a perfect match for the focal point of the Sleep segment at imm cologne 2017.

The subject of sustainability will be addressed in two special areas: in cooperation with the American organisation ISPA (International Sleep Products Association), Koelnmesse is creating a Lounge area in Hall 5.1 on the theme of "Mattress Recycling".Hall 9 also addresses the topic of the responsible use of resources: "The Recycling Lounge ties in with the topic we'll be covering in Hall 9, which is the subject of sustainability", explains Petersen. "In this way, the Sleep segment in 2017 will again illustrate the current state of the bedroom furniture segment whilst at the same time offering answers to issues that are relevant to society."

The Poles like new Clothes for themselves © Hardy5 / pixelio.de
22.11.2016

THE POLES LIKE NEW CLOTHES FOR THEMSELVES

  • German fashion demanded
  • Shoe chain CCC is expanding

Warsaw (GTAI) - The demand for textiles, clothing and footwear is developing particularly dynamic in Poland in 2016. These items are also popular Christmas gifts. Despite strong competition, Germany remains the third-largest foreign supplier of clothing and continues to grow. The German online retailer Zalando is building its first huge logistics center in Poland. The Discounter KiK is opening further branches. The domestic shoe chain CCC is expanding.

  • German fashion demanded
  • Shoe chain CCC is expanding

Warsaw (GTAI) - The demand for textiles, clothing and footwear is developing particularly dynamic in Poland in 2016. These items are also popular Christmas gifts. Despite strong competition, Germany remains the third-largest foreign supplier of clothing and continues to grow. The German online retailer Zalando is building its first huge logistics center in Poland. The Discounter KiK is opening further branches. The domestic shoe chain CCC is expanding.

Retail sales of textiles, clothing and footwear are the fastest growing of all product groups in Poland. According to the Statistical Office (GUS) (http://stat.gov.pl), the real growth rate reached 15.8% in the first three quarters of 2016 compared to January to September 2015. The total retail sales rose by 5.3% in the same time. The forthcoming Christmas business is expected to further stimulate the demand for fashion items. The in the current year introduced children's allowance also will heat the purchase power of the Poles.

Sales value of clothing and footwear in Poland (in Zl billion)
2012 2013 2014 2015 1) 2016 2) 2017 2)
28.7 28.9 31.8 33.4 35.3 37.1

1) Estimation, 2) Forecast
Source: Market research company PMR

First and foremost, growing is the demand for common items in the lower, middle and upper segment. Clothing manufacturers however in the luxury category do not benefit from the rising demand. According to the consulting firm KPMG, the poles spent in 2015 about 14.3 billion Zloty (Zl, about EUR 3.4 billion, 1 EUR = 4.1841, average price 2015) for luxury goods, including Zl 2,065 billion for clothing and accessories. These, however, form an important product group and rank second behind passenger cars (ZI 6.974 billion).

The largest domestic clothing company LPP  also felt the fact that the demand potential in the precious segment is limited. The company is known for its brands for everyone, especially "Reserved", which generates almost half (47%) of its revenues. At the beginning of 2016 LPP launched its new premium brand "Tallinder". After the sales however remained below the expectations, LPP announced the gradual abandonment of this project in September 2016.    

Tallinder was supposed to compete with the established gents brands and suppliers of other high-quality clothing names like Vistula, Bytom and Prochnik. The market leader in men's clothing Vistula, which also includes the jewelry chain "W.Kruk" and the brand of women's wear Deni Cler, expects in 2016 (2015) an increase of ZI 590 (518)  million and of its net profit to ZI 37.0 (28.3) million. Bytom follows far behind with projected revenues of ZI 154 (131) million and a net profit of EUR 14.1 (12.4) million.
 
CCC is aiming abroad

Due to the growing demand, the number of specialist stores for clothing is growing, according to GUS us to around 37,100 until the end of 2015 (2014: 35,900) . At the same time the number of stores for shoes and leather goods, which amounted to 8,200 (8,300) in 2015, fell slightly. One reason for this is the proliferation of relevant trade chains, such as the shoe chain CCC, which contributes to a consolidation, and the increasing online trade.

In 2016 alone CCC opens around 40 new stores in Poland and increases its sales area by 20 to 30% annually. In 2016 this will increase by 105,000 sqm and 2017 by 120,000 sqm (net). The trade chain is looking for additional franchisees in other European countries, now also in Asia and the USA. In the Russian Federation CCC wants to open large salons with about 1,000 square meters. According to the chain founder Dariusz Milek in an announcement of the daily paper Rzeczpospolita the presence in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Central European neighbors should be increased too.

The branch networks in Germany and Austria should not be increased further in the near future; In Austria there are already almost all of the targeted total 70 CCC stores.  Due to the lack of profit in these two countries, their share of the group’s total income, which is expected to reach some ZI 3.2 billion in 2016, should not exceed 10%. CCC also relies on e-commerce. After the trade chain had already acquired the online shop for shoes eobuwie.pl, it wants to start in spring 2017 with its own e-shop.

Polish imports of clothing exceed exports. The two main suppliers of textiles, China and Bangladesh, were able to further increase their deliveries to Poland in 2015. Germany also achieved growth and finished third. Slovakia has multiplied its exports. Among the customer countries Germany was by far the most important player with a further significant increase in its demand. The other ranks were followed by the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, Sweden and other mostly European countries.

Polish foreign trade with clothing made out of woven fabrics (Zl million)
Customs tariff 6201 to 6209 2013 2014 2015
Import, thereof from: 5,392.4 6,910.0 8,589.6
.PR China 2,115.3 2,532.3 2,915.8
.Bangladesh 758.4 1,019.2 1,243.5
.Germany 522.1 607.7 745.4
.Turkey 290.6 404.3 570.9
.Slovakia 25.0 82.6 396.9
.India 258.8 329.9 366.7
Export, thereof to: 5,895.4 6,830.1 7.894.9
.Germany 2,997.3 3,677.7 4.388.0

Source: Central Statistical Office CIS

Germany is not only characterized by high-quality clothing and well-known brands in Poland. The in Europe leading chain KIK is spreading further in the neighboring country. By the end of 2017 the number of stores should increase to 200. Its first store in Poland KIK opened in March 2012.

E-commerce is likely to give further impetus to the German supply of clothing. The large online retailer Zalando is setting up its first logistics center in Poland in Gryfino in the area of the special economic zone Kostrzyn-Slubice (Küstrin-Frankfurt / O.) for an amount of EUR 150 million. According to the property developer Goodman, it will be the largest logistics area occupied by a single company in Poland. At the same time, it is one of the most extensive BTS (built-to-suit) projects in the country, in which an object is fully built according to the requirements of the future user. Its opening is scheduled for the second half of 2017. Zalando wants to supply from there Poland, the Nordic countries and a part of Germany.

Polish foreign trade with knitted clothing (in Mio. Zl)
Customs tariff  6101 to 6114 2013 2014 2015
Import, thereof from: 5,191.6 6,748.2 8,404.7
.PR China 1,574.1 1,970.7 2,378.5
.Bangladesh 903.2 1,258.8 1,583.4
.Germany 538.1 723.8 927.5
.Turkey 512.9 628.7 796.5
.Cambodia 235.4 464.3 586.7
Export, thereof to: 4,521.4 5,108.9 6,299.0
Germany 1,888.0 2,343.8 2,996.3

Source: Central Statistical Office CIS

 

Barbara Ruf © Pressebüro Kirsten Reinhardt
15.11.2016

ART SHOP-WINDOW INSTEAD OF VACANCY

More and more retail stores are empty - even in good business locations like Pfeilstraße, one of the top modem fashion lines of Cologne. Glued blades are not a solution for real estate owner Helga Festi. She put on interim usage until the appropriate tenant is found. With success: the Popup-studio of the artist Barbara Ruf brought a win-win situation for all.

The displacement competition and the struggle between in-house trade and the growing power of the online platforms become visible to all: there are the vacancies in the business streets, which look unattractive. Not only small towns and affiliates are affected, but also the shopping streets in the big cities. In Pfeilstraße, one of the top addresses in Cologne for upscale needs, currently there are four business locations empty or are being renovated.

More and more retail stores are empty - even in good business locations like Pfeilstraße, one of the top modem fashion lines of Cologne. Glued blades are not a solution for real estate owner Helga Festi. She put on interim usage until the appropriate tenant is found. With success: the Popup-studio of the artist Barbara Ruf brought a win-win situation for all.

The displacement competition and the struggle between in-house trade and the growing power of the online platforms become visible to all: there are the vacancies in the business streets, which look unattractive. Not only small towns and affiliates are affected, but also the shopping streets in the big cities. In Pfeilstraße, one of the top addresses in Cologne for upscale needs, currently there are four business locations empty or are being renovated.

For Helga Festi no nice view. The full-blooded fashion retailer passionately led her fashion shop Lips in her own property and retired in 2014. The successful Lips concept was leased. But the continuation with another handwriting did not work. The shop floor was empty in spring 2016, the search for a suitable tenant takes time. Reason enough for Helga Festi to look for another intermediate use. There a coincident happened and brought a chance: the Cologne artist Barbara Ruf walked by her shop with a painting under her arm. From a conversation a plan developed: Already two weeks later the painter came with an easel and 100 paintings and moved for two months in the rooms of the Pfeilstraßen 41. Just in time for the autumn street festival, Barbara Ruf presented herself in her pop-up studio with a retrospective of her art. Instead of an ugly vacancy a win-win situation happened for all.

The popup studio represents a whole new dimension for Barbara Ruf. "It is inspiration and a new territory at the same time," the artist rejoices. "I paint daily and I am inspired by the wonderful ambience and the passing spectators. It's like a shop window."

The time in the temporarily rented studio the painter knew how to use, she presented herself daily as a gallery, arranged in October a vernissage with the coherent title Intermezzo and celebrated a live art performance. For two hours the guests watched the picturesque history of the painting `Deutzer Hafen'. It is the fifth from the new picture cycle with photos of the recently deceased Cologne photographer Hans-Peter Fuhrmann, all of which were created in the pop-studio.

Real estate owners should be mobile

Also after the artistic in between use Helga Festi is still adventurous. "I always had a good partnership with my neighbors of Pfeilstraße and would like to keep a certain standard. The intermediate use is a good tool for testing for both sides – smart property owners should be more flexible. "At the beginning of November the streetwear label DZZD celebrated as a pop-up store opening and tested the location in Cologne. If the start is good, the long-term rental agreement will be signed. An appointment for next year is already envisaged.

Further information about Barbara Ruf at www.barbara-ruf.de

PERFORMANCE DAYS © PERFORMANCE DAYS functional fabric fair
08.11.2016

THE BEST INNOVATIONS AT THE NOVEMBER 2016 PERFORMANCE DAYS ARE COMING OUT OF ITALY!

Coveted awards for active insulation and sustainable hybrids

The awards presented at PERFORMANCE DAYS are coveted trophies in the world of functional textiles. The winning fabrics or technologies are always truly pioneering innovations. In Fall 2016, the "Oscars of Function" go to Imbotex and Pontetorto.

Coveted awards for active insulation and sustainable hybrids

The awards presented at PERFORMANCE DAYS are coveted trophies in the world of functional textiles. The winning fabrics or technologies are always truly pioneering innovations. In Fall 2016, the "Oscars of Function" go to Imbotex and Pontetorto.

PERFORMANCE AWARD for the insulation "TWINS" from Imbotex
The Italian company Imbotex is well known for its high quality insulations. The latest generation is called "TWINS" and does not merely hold the warmth, it applies intelligent technology to create heat on demand. This is made possible by the two "faces" of the twin design. The patented, bonded fleece material consists of a lining made from a blend of polyacrylic and polyester that transports moisture quickly away from the skin. On the outside, hydrophobic polypropylene rapidly releases the moisture into the environment. The water vapor formed at the level of "insensible perspiration" is quickly transported to the outside and the body stays dry. During this process, the kinetic energy of the water vapor converts to heat energy and the inner lining of the garment remains pleasantly warm, even in the low temperatures of winter. "TWINS" from Imbotex was the winner of the PERFORMANCE AWARD for this intelligent solution that produces additional warmth and ensures a dry feeling.    

ECO PERFORMANCE AWARD for the hybrid design "ECO HYBRID" from Pontetorto
Engineered hybrids, that is, hybrid solutions that combine multiple zones and fibers in one fabric length are the future of functional clothing. Through such hybrid engineering, sports styles are given the added value of such useful features as thermal retention, climate management, durability, lighter weight, and elasticity; and, all of these at the exact position where it is desirable to have the function. Another advantage of this fabric design is the elimination of irritating seams, which means increased comfort for the wearer. Nevertheless, to manufacture these hybrids requires much experience with jacquard production. The new fabric "ECO HYBRID" introduced by fleece specialist Pontetorto represents not only a sophisticated and highly functional jacquard hybrid with different zones – it is entirely produced with absolutely sustainable methods. The fibers used, in this case polyamide and merino wool, are both quickly degradable and environmentally friendly. The fact that merino wool is degradable is not unusual as it is a natural product. The special aspect of this concept is the polyamide fiber used exclusively by Pontetorto, which is fully degradable within three years! For so much "green" innovation, Pontetorto was selected as the winner of the ECO PERFORMANCE AWARD.
 
All of the newest trends for Winter 2018/19 and our FOCUS TOPIC are on display on November 16-17, 2016 at PERFORMANCE DAYS in the Munich MTC. For all those who cannot wait, a lot of information is already provided for you online at: https://www.performancedays.com

About PERFORMANCE DAYS
PERFORMANCE DAYS — The “functional fabric fair” launched in 2008, is the first and only event created especially for functional fabrics for sports and work clothing. The aim of the semi-annual trade fair is to give leading and innovative textile manufacturers, suppliers and service providers the opportunity to present their functional fabrics, membranes plus treatments, laminates, paddings, finishes, and accessories such as yarns, tapes, prints, buttons and zippers.
No entry fee and free admission to all events for industry visitors.
Detailed information and advanced registration online at: www.performancedays.com

 

Domotex 2017 © Domotex; Deutsche Messe
01.11.2016

DOMOTEX 2017: THE LOVE OF FLATWEAVES

Flatwoven or tapestry-woven carpets and textiles have been made by generations of weavers in all corners of the world. The technique lies at the heart of the history of textile weaving, but kilims and tapestries remain as relevant and important in the world of contemporary design and interiors as they have ever been.
 
For some people, the mention of a flatwoven rug instantly suggests an Anatolian kilim, for others it is a tightly woven Caucasian sumakh or a double-sided striped jajim, an Iranian eating cloth called a sofreh, a Navajo rug, a French Aubusson carpet or a Moroccan kilim. The visual language and identities of the flatweave are even more diverse than those of pile carpets.

Flatwoven or tapestry-woven carpets and textiles have been made by generations of weavers in all corners of the world. The technique lies at the heart of the history of textile weaving, but kilims and tapestries remain as relevant and important in the world of contemporary design and interiors as they have ever been.
 
For some people, the mention of a flatwoven rug instantly suggests an Anatolian kilim, for others it is a tightly woven Caucasian sumakh or a double-sided striped jajim, an Iranian eating cloth called a sofreh, a Navajo rug, a French Aubusson carpet or a Moroccan kilim. The visual language and identities of the flatweave are even more diverse than those of pile carpets.

To comprehend the relevance of flatwoven rugs in today's market, you only have to look at some of the previous winners of the Carpet Design Awards and the range of beautiful designs for contemporary flatweaves offered at Domotex and beyond. While flatweaves traditionally had a utilitarian purpose such as to decorate the home, to serve as various covers, as mule saddles or to wrap food, today they are a popular floorcovering choice the world over. The method with which they are woven lends itself to creating flat planes of colour and geometric patterns.
These traditional tribal designs perfectly suit our contemporary design sensibilities currently focused on the minimalist aesthetic. The pure blocks of colour, simple stripes or checks that flatweaves offer are ideal for modern interior spaces. In addition flatweaves are often offered at lower price points than pile carpets.

Over the last five years the design industry has been increasingly focused on the concept of craft, makers, handmade goods, and with designs that are easily recognised as handwoven. Flatweaves fit clearly into this trend. Their flat surfaces are a perfect way to show off excellent quality wool, accomplished weaving and brilliant colour, all of which can be the deciding factor when choosing a rug. There is something very open and honest about the design of a kilim, a characteristic much appreciated by design savvy buyers who are able to recognise the integral, genuine texture that the flatwoven surface offers.

Some examples of highly desirable and popular kilims on the market today include Hamburg-based Naziri's super chic Iranian kilims that have won numerous Carpet Design Awards, four of them over the last two years Their simple tribal patterns have a traditional soul but a contemporary perspective.

Werner Webber's Mazandaran kilims from Northwest Iran are eye-wateringly beautiful in design and intense in colour, akin to works of modern art. Other brands producing striking flatweave designs include Zollanvari, Edelgrund and Rug & Kilim, a New York-based brand whose Swedish folk art inspired flatweave Marta Stripe won Best Traditional Design at the CDA 2016.
 
Flatweaves have been well represented during the eleven years of the Carpet Design Awards and many have gone on to win a coveted prize, proof that they are an important element within the language of contemporary carpets. For the 2017 edition of the CDA, flatwoven rugs have been granted their own 'best of type' category. It is clear that it will be a popular and highly competitive part of the awards.

 

Orgatec © Photo: Koelnmesse
25.10.2016

ORGATEC 2016 ADDRESSES THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN TOMORROW'S WORLDS OF WORK

From 25 to 29 October, at ORGATEC in Cologne, 665 companies from 40 countries will be presenting the current trends in the world of work of the future. Long gone are the days when just desks, filing systems etc. were presented at the leading international trade fair for the modern world of work. Nowadays, it is much more to do with work culture, work processes and work environments. With its wide spectrum of products and concepts from international exhibitors, plus an excellent programme of events, ORGATEC 2016 is once again set to act as a think tank for the international office furniture industry. Topics to be addressed at the fair, which is expected to attract around 50,000 trade visitors from all over the world, will be new ideas on the current trends of team working, digitalisation, holistic interiors and the attractiveness of the workplace. The following is an overview of what is on offer in the supporting programme.

From 25 to 29 October, at ORGATEC in Cologne, 665 companies from 40 countries will be presenting the current trends in the world of work of the future. Long gone are the days when just desks, filing systems etc. were presented at the leading international trade fair for the modern world of work. Nowadays, it is much more to do with work culture, work processes and work environments. With its wide spectrum of products and concepts from international exhibitors, plus an excellent programme of events, ORGATEC 2016 is once again set to act as a think tank for the international office furniture industry. Topics to be addressed at the fair, which is expected to attract around 50,000 trade visitors from all over the world, will be new ideas on the current trends of team working, digitalisation, holistic interiors and the attractiveness of the workplace. The following is an overview of what is on offer in the supporting programme.
In high-calibre congresses and forums, trade visitors from all over the world can find out about current trends and discuss pressing issues of theory and practice.

ZEIT Work & Style conference
The Work & Style conference, a premium congress format hosted by the renowned German weekly newspaper "DIE ZEIT" will launch this year's ORGATEC and address both sociopolitical and aesthetic questions, in particular the following issues: what role does work play in the identity of the upcoming generation? How will work, life and lifestyle interact? What is it that makes an employer attractive? Which approaches to work will be successful in the future?
26 October 2016, from 10:00 a.m., Congress Centre

ORGATEC  Trend Forum
At the Trend Forum hosted by Hajo Schumacher, creativity and design will be the focus of discussion: with numerous exciting talks on the various different aspects of office design and work culture by distinguished speakers from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the Fraunhofer Institute, among others. On the very first day of the trade fair, it's already all about "Working differently and better!" This is where Bernd Fels, co-founder of if5, will be presenting trends, facts, ideas and examples for the journey into the world of work 4.0. The talk by AECOM, entitled "See further, go further - transformational change" will provide an in-depth exploration of the new challenges facing the world of work in the future and what new approaches global companies are adopting. And trend consultant Brigitte Gebhard will delve into the subject of creative learning environments under the banner of the "New Work Order".
25.-28. Oktober 2016, Halle 6, Stand B 029    

workplace congress
The trade journals "Der Facility Manager" and "industrieBAU" are hosting the second workplace congress at ORGATEC in Cologne. The congress, like its first edition, will focus on all aspects of the challenges posed by the office, in particular how to provide functioning, motivating workplaces. Practical concepts and solutions for office workplaces will be presented. Acclaimed speakers from research, teaching and practice will explore topics such as space and room planning, lighting, acoustics, air conditioning and ergonomics, and discuss current trends and their experiences, gathered over the course of many years in the field. The event is recognised by the Chamber of Construction Engineers of North Rhine-Westphalia as an advanced training course with six time units of 45 minutes each.
27 October 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Offenbachsaal 

SEO Day
Presented for the first time at ORGATEC 2016: the SEO Day is an annual industry meeting of the search machine optimisation scene. Around 800 experts are expected to attend, with more than 40 German-speaking industry experts on hand, holding numerous talks and sharing the latest tips and tricks in the area of search engine optimisation, Google and co.
27 October 2016, Konrad-Adenauer-Saal, Congress Centre North

Speakers' Corner
Following a successful premiere in 2014, exhibitors at ORGATEC will this year once again have the opportunity to present themselves as well as new products and services to a broad trade audience and answer questions directly on site. In half-hour-long presentations, speakers will introduce trends, innovations and methods from their particular field of expertise (daily between 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m).
25 through 28 October 2016,11:00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., Hall 11.2, Stand J 002

Alongside the congresses and the forum, ORGATEC 2016 also offers numerous special events that offer trade visitors real added value. The offering ranges from the presentation of innovative materials, through Scandinavian design for indoors and outside, to the current trend of co-working spaces.

"RE/WORK - Moments of Inspiration by Ippolito Fleitz Group"
The competence centre "RE/WORK - Moments of Inspiration by Ippolito Fleitz Group" is an inspiring staging that traces valuable moments of inspiration, combines analogue and digital experiences, enabling a fresh view on the world of work from new perspectives. It shows, in a creative and humorous way, what the office of the future might have to look like in order to address changing requirements. The workplace is no longer bound to a particular space, but rather to moments: moments of networking through the perfect integration of technology, moments of well-being, of inspiration, of lifelong, playful experimentation. The competence centre takes ten examples of these moments and brings them to life in three dimensions. The Competence Centre takes ten examples of these moments and brings them to life in three dimensions.
Daily, Hall 11.2, Stand E 031/ F 030

The influence of design on co-working spaces can be seen by visitors to ORGATEC at the special event "The smart working space", in which the "smart co-working lobby" model showcases a module that will be at the core of the modern office block and that enables the co-working philosophy to be adopted in existing buildings. Using this approach, the trend towards co-working can be embraced relatively quickly and economically. The model will be presented in the form of a fully functioning prototype at ORGATEC. The curator of this specially designed area is Michael O. Schmutzer who, as Managing Director of Design Offices, has turned the idea of "New Work" into a remarkable success story. "The Smart Co-working Lobby" was developed in cooperation with the prestigious interior design office, brandherm + krumrey interior architecture (b-k-i), based in Cologne and Hamburg.
Daily, Hall 9, Stand B 010

Innovation of Interior
In Hall 8, the experts from Haute Innovation will be demonstrating the potential offered for modern working environments by the latest innovations in materials. They will be presenting about new sources of raw materials for manufacturers and planners, sketching out scenarios for the deployment of intelligent materials in the context of the smart office or smart home and outlining the opportunities for additive manufacturing in the furniture industry.
Daily, Hall 8, Stand B 010

Design meets movement
Creative design will be lined up for the visitors in the Passage between Halls 10 and 11. In the special exhibition Design meets Movement, leading European designers will present smart solutions from Scandinavia that go beyond working indoors and act instead as an interface to the outside world - a multifunctional installation for outdoor working.
Daily, Passage 10/11

ORGATEC Boulevard - Creativity Works
Exceptional design will also be on display on the Boulevard. This is where Koelnmesse, in cooperation with the German association for the office and working environment (IBA / Industrieverband Büro und Arbeitswelt e.V.) will be presenting various projects on the topic of "Creativity Works". For instance, the magazine FRAME will be staging a captivating exhibition of forward-looking workplace design in collaboration with young creative professionals. The magazine "100 working SPACES" will be presenting 100 current and innovative workplaces and office concepts from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as the best and most amazing projects from the rest of the world. And, presenting the results of their research project, students of design at the University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf (HSD / Hochschule Düsseldorf) will be showing an ingenious fusion of fashion, workspace, performance and identity.
Daily, Boulevard

ORGATEC, with its 50,000 trade visitors from all over the world, has also traditionally been the appropriate place for the awarding of important honours. This is also the case in 2016.

Prize ceremony for the "Büro & Umwelt" ("Office & Environment") competition 
Sustainable behaviours in everyday office life and attention to environmental requirements in the procurement of office equipment are extremely important for our environment. The German Association for Environmental Management, B.A.U.M e.V. (Bundesdeutscher Arbeitskreis für Umweltbewusstes Management) aims to draw attention to this with the "Büro & Umwelt" competition. At the heart of the competition is the sustainable handling of resources in everyday office life, as well as the awareness of environmental concerns when procuring office equipment.
25 October 2016, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Trend Forum stage, Hall 6, Stand B 029

"Architektur + Office" Innovation Prize
The 9th Architecture + Office Innovation Prize will be awarded by AIT and xia during ORGATEC 2016. Designers and manufacturers will submit their products to the critical judgment of renowned architects. The aim of the award is to underline the importance of quality in architecture in the office interiors sector. Products on the market that are particularly effective in addressing the concerns of the target group will be awarded a prize. All of the submitted products will be displayed in a special exhibition at ORGATEC 2016 in Cologne.
25. October 2016, Hall 10.1, Stand E 011

Time is money. The same is true for the trade visitors to ORGATEC 2016. In order to get a comprehensive overview of the important new developments and trends on show, guided tours around the trade fair are available.

Guided tours around the fair by the Mensch&Büro-Akademie (People&Office Academy)
The Mensch&Büro-Akademie (MBA) and PRIMA VIER Publishing Frank Nehring (P4) will be offering two guided tours around ORGATEC 2016, based on the topics of "Health & Ergonomics" and "Design & Innovation", both taking place twice daily on 26, 27 and 28 October 2016.
Meeting point: Hall 7, Stand B 073

Guided tours for architects organised by Bauverlag
Actively promote dialogue between architects, interior designers, lighting planners and exhibitors - with this aim in mind, Bauverlag publishers is offering guided tours on four trade fair days to selected trade fair highlights at ORGATEC. The "Bauverlag architects' tours" around the trade fair will be conducted by editors from the magazines "Bauwelt" (Building World) and "DBZ" (Deutsche Bauzeitschrift/German Building Magazine). In the approx. 2 ½ hour tour around 10 important exhibitors will be visited. You will be met by competent representatives at the stands, who will demonstrate their new products and systems specifically from the viewpoint of the architect.
25 through 28 October 2016, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., setting off from: Passage 3/11, Stand P 001  
 
SIX-TO-NINE Party
What could be better than bringing the exhibition day to a relaxed close? On the first day of the fair, nothing could be easier - the ORGATEC Boulevard is the perfect setting for the legendary ORGATEC SIX-TO-NINE party. On the evening of the first day of the fair, all exhibitors, visitors and journalists are invited to this industry meeting to engage in lively conversations and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere.
25 October 2016, 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m., ORGATEC Boulevard