Textination Newsline

‘High-Tex from Germany’ at Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas shows again how innovative the German textile industry is.

Back to the USA: ‘High-Tex from Germany’ made a guest appearance at Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas in Atlanta for the second time from 22 to 24 May 2018. At the special exhibition organised by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie – BMWi) in cooperation with the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (Messeausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V. – AUMA), a total of 66 companies presented technical textiles, nonwovens, textile-processing machines, smart textiles and textile-research projects to the trade visitors. The textile sector made its first appearance in the USA in 2000. This was followed by highly successful presentations in Shanghai in 2002, in Mumbai in 2007 and in Moscow in 2012.

“Taking ‘High-Tex from Germany’ to Atlanta again was a very good decision. The southeast of the USA has a long tradition of textile manufacturing. It is home to many companies that are always on the lookout for innovative textiles and machines for textile production and processing”, explained Detlev Rünger, German Consul General in Atlanta during the ‘High-Tex from Germany’ press conference. “Fairs bring people together. And this was evident here in Atlanta. With the overseas exhibition programme, we give small to medium-sized companies the chance to show their products in foreign markets”, said Patrick Specht of the Trade Fair Policy and EXPO Participations division of the BMWi.

“‘High-Tex from Germany’ within the framework of Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas was a very good platform for our small to medium-sized companies. After Techtextil and Texprocess in Frankfurt, these two events are the second-most important editions of the trade-fair duo. ‘High-Tex from Germany’ came fully up to our expectations and anyone who failed to take part missed a great opportunity to be noticed”, said Marc Lorch, Member of the Board of Zwissler Holding, who represented the participating companies as exhibitor president.

Michael Metzler, Sales President of ZSK Stickmaschinen, confirmed this saying, “A German pavilion of this scope makes us extremely visible. Thanks to the excellent organisation, we were also able to concentrate on promoting our company and products.” In addition to the appealing exhibition-stand concept and the excellent organisation, the companies taking part were particularly pleased with the high visitor standard. “We regularly exhibit at Techtextil North America but taking part in ‘High-Tex for Germany’ resulted in our best ever day at a fair here. The pavilion is a real eye-catcher”, said Thomas Wiederer, Area Sales Manager, Brückner Textile Technologies. “The visitors to our exhibition stand were very interested in our products. We gained potential customers and were able to make numerous high-grade contacts. The level of interest shown in our highly innovative e-textile solutions, which are completely new in the sector, was very high. We are looking forward to the follow-up phase”, said Andreas Lanyi, Vice President Digital Unit and Internet of Things of the Hamburg-based start-up, Lunative Laboratories.

Besides gaining new customers, the focus of the companies taking part in ‘High-Tex from Germany’ was on cultivating customer relations. “The German pavilion in Atlanta once again gave us a good opportunity to get to know the US market better. We have had a factory in the vicinity of Atlanta for two years now and aim to expand our network in the long term”, said Ronny Schröder, Associate Sales Director Technical and Comfort Products, Sandler. “We like making presentations within the framework of the German pavilion very much”, added Georg Voggenreiter, Technical Sales, Maschinenfabrik Herbert Meyer. “Once again, ‘High-Tex from Germany’ was a good starting point for cultivating contacts with our customers in the USA.”

The companies taking part in ‘High-Tex from Germany’ made their presentations on around 1,300 square metres of exhibition space with their own exhibition stands, with selected exhibits on a central ‘Plaza’, in guided tours and no less than 35 lectures. Additionally, the German Institutes of Textile and Fibre Research (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung – DITF), the Association of the Finishing, Yarns, Woven Fabrics and Technical Textiles Industry (Industrieverband Veredlung, Garne, Gewebe und Technische Textilien – IVGT), the Tübingen-Reutlingen-Zollernalb location agency and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S. provided insights into current research projects and offered information about the sector.

Heimtextil is pushing ahead with the new concept for 2019: now that those responsible have worked out a completely new hall plan, they are turning their attention to redesigning the trend programme. With a meeting of international trend researchers on 20 and 21 February in Frankfurt am Main, the design experts have begun preparations for the trends of the upcoming Heimtextil (8-11 January 2019) at an unprecedented early stage.

‘The Heimtextil trends have enjoyed a worldwide reputation for decades. Showcased in the extensive and progressive way that they are, they are an essential component of our trade fair’, says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. ‘That's why it is very important to us that we continue to live up to our pioneering role with our new trend concept and offer our exhibitors and visitors a future-oriented programme. In the future, we will strengthen this showcasing above all at the digital level’.
 
Starting with the meeting in Frankfurt, trend researchers from three European offices are working on the Heimtextil trends 2019/20. The British design studio FranklinTill will once again play a leading role and is responsible for the implementation of the Trendbook. The Stijlinstituut Amsterdam (Netherlands) and SPOTT Trends & Business (Denmark) have joined forces with them to form the new Heimtextil Trend Council.

During the two-day workshop, the three agencies compiled insights into current trends in interior design, architecture, fashion and art. They focused on developments in materials and textures, colours and patterns. Finally, they defined stylistically formative design themes from which a globally applicable trend forecast will be worked out in the coming months.

New: “Trend Space” in hall 3.0
When it comes to showcasing trends at the trade fair, Heimtextil will receive support from the Frankfurt agency Atelier Markgraph. As a specialist for communication within spaces, Atelier Markgraph is planning an interactive, future-oriented exhibition that will immerse trade fair visitors in the world of trends 2019/2020 using analogue/digital experience formats. In future, the trend showcase will be called “Trend Space”, replacing the previous “Theme Park”. Those responsible for this change have chosen hall 3.0 as the new location. As part of the new Heimtextil concept, the “Trend Space” can be found in close proximity to international textile designers, CAD/CAM suppliers and digital printer manufacturers. Heimtextil is thus bringing the progressive themes of trends, textile design and digital printing together on one hall level, creating an area full of inspiration and future technologies. Hall 3.0 – exclusively for exhibitors – will be opened on the eve of Heimtextil on 7 January 2019.

Preview: Trend presentation in late summer
The results of the trend researchers will be recorded in the new Heimtextil Trendbook. Exhibitors at Heimtextil will be sent the Trendbook in advance to assist in their product design and collections. Together with the Trend Council, those responsible for the trade fair will provide an initial insight into the new trends on 4 September. For this purpose, Heimtextil will invite representatives of the press to a preview, the framework of which will also be redesigned.   
 
The following design studios are working on Heimtextil 2019:

The design studio FranklinTill (United Kingdom) will be taking on the main responsibility for the development of the Heimtextil Trends 2019/2020. With its headquarters in London, the studio comprises trend researchers, designers and stylists as well as a broad-ranging, international network of creatives and visionaries. The multidisciplinary agency's varied projects include  trend reports, colour forecasts, design realisations, brand developments and curating trade fairs and exhibitions. In addition to agency founders Kate Franklin and Caroline Till, Titia Dane will also be working on Heimtextil. www.franklintill.com

Anne Marie Commandeur from the Stijlinstituut Amsterdam (Netherlands) manages a team of designers who focus on textile innovations, predictions, colour trends and strategic design concepts. The agency acts as a versatile and dynamic force in the industry and keeps fashion companies and fashion-related companies up to date on the most important developments. This year, researcher Emma Wessel is supporting Anne Marie Commandeur at Heimtextil. www.stijlinstituut.nl

SPOTT Trends & Business (Denmark) advises Scandinavian lifestyle brands with issues relating to consumer insights, trend and colour forecasts. SPOTT aims at the individual development of brands and combines trend research with neuroscience and commercial expertise. Anja Bisgaard Gaede is the founder of SPOTT. In addition to her work as a consultant, she has given many presentations over the past ten years, and has also published a reference book. www.spottrends.dk

Atelier Markgraph (Germany) designs rooms that communicate and stimulate communication. For more than 30 years, the design studio has supported its clients in creating immersive experiences in the areas of conflict where culture, business and science intersect. At the interface of digital and analogue communication, a 60-strong interdisciplinary team translates central themes and brand messages into directly tangible scenarios: from exhibitions and showrooms to exhibition stands, media installations and AR applications. www.markgraph.de

• Einkäufer aus 168 Ländern machen die Ambiente 2018 zur internationalsten aller Zeiten

Mit bester Stimmung geht nach fünf energiegeladenen Tagen die Weltleitmesse der Konsumgüterindustrie heute zu Ende. Fachbesucher aus mehr Ländern als je zuvor vernetzten sich, orderten für ihre Geschäfte die neuesten Produkte aus der ganzen Welt und holten sich Impulse für eine digitale Zukunft.

Auf einer Fläche von 308.000 Bruttoquadratmetern [1] präsentierten 4.441 Aussteller aus 89 Ländern [2] die Trends des kommenden Geschäftsjahres. 81 Prozent [3] aller Aussteller kamen aus dem Ausland und machten die Ambiente zur internationalsten Konsumgütermesse aller Zeiten. Internationale Topentscheider aller Handelsformen waren um sechs Prozent stärker vertreten als vor einem Jahr und stellen damit erstmals 60 Prozent der Besucher. Das sorgte für gute Exportgeschäfte und beste Stimmung in den Hallen. Insgesamt 134.600 Einkäufer aus 168 Ländern [4] besuchten die Ambiente in Frankfurt am Main. Bedingt durch zum einen den Veränderungen in der deutschen Handelslandschaft als auch zum anderen der Parallelität mit Karneval und der Überlappung mit der Feriensaison in den südlichen Bundesländern, die sich aus dem internationalen Messekalender ergab, kamen erwartungsgemäß weniger Besucher aus Deutschland nach Frankfurt.

„Konsum ist in! Auf der Ambiente ist die ganze Welt zu Gast. Hier werden im Februar für die internationale Konsumgüterindustrie die Weichen für das ganze Jahr gestellt. Das belegen eindrucksvoll das Orderverhalten und die Qualität der deutschen und internationalen Einkäufer“, so Detlef Braun, Geschäftsführer der Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Auch Thomas Grothkopp, Hauptgeschäftsführer Handelsverband Wohnen und Büro e.V. (HWB) zieht ein positives Resümee: „Die Messe Ambiente hat wieder gezeigt: Der persönliche Kontakt mit bekannten und neuen Lieferanten und ihren Neuheiten ist durch nichts zu ersetzen. Die Messe in Frankfurt hat die Erwartungen des Fachhandels voll erfüllt!“

Die Top-Ten-Besuchernationen nach Deutschland waren Italien, China, Frankreich, USA, Großbritannien, Niederlande, Spanien, Türkei, Korea und die Schweiz. Bei den Besuchern blieben die Zufriedenheitswerte mit 96 Prozent stabil auf höchstem Niveau. Überproportionale Besucherzuwächse gab es aus China und Korea, Russland, den nordafrikanischen Ländern, Südafrika und ganz Südamerika, der Türkei sowie dem Libanon und Zypern.

Ausstellerstimmen

Trotz leicht geringerer Besucherzahlen stimmten auf der Ambiente Besucherqualität und -frequenz. Darin waren sich die Aussteller der Messe einig.

Dining

Birgit Dubberke, Bereichsleiterin Marketing, BHS Tabletop:

„Die Ambiente ist für uns hinsichtlich ihrer Internationalität immer wieder beeindruckend. Nicht nur bezogen auf die Aussteller, auch in Hinblick auf die Besucher. Sie ist der Treffpunkt der Branche. Hier erhält man wertvolle Kontakte zu Ländern, in die man sonst nicht kommen würde. In meinen Augen ist der HoReCa-Markt im Aufwind. Die Gäste sind andere, sie möchten sich emotionaler und als Privatmenschen angesprochen fühlen und das spiegelt sich in den Restaurants und Hotels sowie in den Speisen. Und das zeigt sich auch auf der Ambiente. Die Nachfrage ist da.“

Maren Lehmann, Director Internal Sales, Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen:
„Die Ambiente 2018 lief sehr gut für uns, wir haben unsere Ziele erreichen können und deshalb sind wir zufrieden. Meissen hat sich neu aufgestellt, wir wollten zeigen, dass wir viel mehr können als nur Tradition, und das ist uns geglückt. Die Messe hat dafür eine sehr gute Bühne geboten. Auch die Organisation war super.“

Living

Alexander Haas, Vertriebsleiter, Scholtissek:

„Ob Architekten, Hotellerie oder Gastro – auf die Ambiente kommen die B2B-Besucher, die wir ansprechen möchten. Auch in diesem Jahr lief Contract Business wieder prima: Sowohl die Besucherqualität als auch die Frequenz hat gestimmt. Wir haben unsere Umsatzziele erreicht und sind zufrieden.“

Michael Rossmann, Geschäftsführer, PAD Home:
„Die Ambiente bietet ein internationales Publikum und einen sehr guten Standort. Wir bieten gute Stimmung auf dem Stand, schöne Produkte und engagierte Mitarbeiter. Deshalb lief es bei uns auf der Ambiente 2018 hervorragend. Was die Internationalität der Messe betrifft, war sie in diesem Jahr noch besser aufgestellt: Wir hatten ungewöhnlich viele Italiener am Stand und auch Argentinier und Südamerikaner und das ist ein Novum.“

Giving

Rebecca Staton, Sales Managerin Frankreich & Deutschland, Jellycat:

„Die Messe lief für uns ziemlich gut. Das war schon letztes Jahr der Fall, wir sind daher zufrieden. Zwar wird viel geguckt, doch es wird auch gut geordert. Die Besucherqualität stimmt und auch die Internationalität. Frankreich war dabei, viel Deutschland, Luxemburg, die Schweiz und ein paar asiatische Länder. Auch die Anzahl der Neukunden, die wir gewinnen konnten, entsprach unseren Vorstellungen.“

Ralf Vogt, Eigentümer, Noi:

„Wir sind mit dem Ergebnis zufrieden. Die Ambiente lief gut für uns, unsere Kollektion kam sehr gut an und ist generell gefragt. Auch über die Orderbereitschaft und die Besucherqualität kann ich nicht klagen: Wer auf die Ambiente kommt, hat Orderbefugnis.“

Vaarwel Niederlande, Namaskar Indien!

Die Weltleitmesse stand 2018 ganz im Zeichen von Oranje. Die traditionelle Partnerlandpräsentation wurde vom niederländischen Industriedesigner Robert Bronwasser inszeniert. DO DUTCH setzte Konsumgüter des Königreichs in einen neuen überraschenden Kontext. Am Partnerlandtag gab es darüber hinaus zahlreiche Aktionen und Events unter niederländischer Federführung. Als Ehrengast der Ambiente stand gestern Sylvie Meis im Zentrum aller Aufmerksamkeit. Die bekannte TV-Moderatorin und Unternehmerin, die selbst gebürtig aus dem Königreich stammt, entdeckte auf einer Tour durch die Messehallen modernes Design aus den Niederlanden und Deutschland. Im nächsten Jahr findet die Ambiente vom 8. bis 12. Februar 2019 ganz im Zeichen des Subkontinents statt.

[1] FKM-zertifiziert, 2017: 308.000 Bruttoquadratmeter

[2] FKM-zertifiziert, 2017: 4.460 Aussteller aus 94 Ländern

[3] 2017: 80 Prozent

[4] FKM-zertifiziert, 2017: 140.963 aus 153 Ländern

Hardly any other industry combines technology and design so skilfully as the industry for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems. The visitors of R+T 2018 in Stuttgart can see this for themselves when the new awning cloth collections are presented.

The products and services being showcased from 27 February to 3 March 2018 in a total of ten exhibition halls at R+T in Stuttgart also impress with a high level of innovation. The exhibiting companies have also managed to focus on innovation particularly in the area of awning cloths. For instance, the visitors can look forward to the new awning cloth collections which are on show at the trade fair.

"The collection changes every five years, this time in the R+T year. As a result, there will be all sorts to see in this segment at the world's leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems, whereby outdoor living spaces can be designed stylishly and sustainably", states Wolfgang Rudorf-Witrin, President of the ITRS (Industrial Association for Technical Textiles, Roller Shutters and Sun Protection). During the development of the design a lot of importance was attached to the users' comfort with the awning cloths and there is something available for virtually every requirement.

Fresh from the think tank
With the new collection Sattler not only appeals to the visual senses of customers, but other senses too. "With Lumera 3D Surface it has been possible to introduce genuine and also perceptible structures to the cloth for the first time", explains Markus Szotrell, President of Sattler Germany. This effect is achieved by now inserting the Clean Brilliant Acrylic yarn (CBA) into the thread in combination with the staple fibre yarn. The colour concept of the new collection is an extract of the current colour trends from all areas of the immediate living space. "Near-natural, monochrome colours, i.e. colours of earthy, stony and metallic shades, are having more and more of an impact", adds Markus Szotrell. In surfaces such as gold, chrome, limestone, marble or granite, there are enough patterns to show this new colour which according to the colour analyses by Sattler is bang on trend. Markus Szotrell: "That's why we decided on the name Lumera 3D Surface."

Parà also has a new collection ready for R+T 2018 in Stuttgart. "The Tempotest collection contains over 500 variants and includes historical evergreens as well as brand new textile concepts never seen before", reports Matteo Parravicini, member of the Executive Board at Parà. For example, for the fabric "wild silk" the focus is on natural irregularity, whereas the "lifestyle" fabric knows how to convince with its complex textile structure. "The market is becoming increasingly complex and we have responded with a broad offer of over 140 plain colours", adds Matteo Parravicini.

Dickson completely changed its focus for the development of the new collection.
"Previously collections were directed more on what happened yesterday, now the focus is on what will be", explains Lars Rippstein, President of Dickson-Constant. This realignment consciously focuses on the significance of plain colour shades. "These findings are based on the first-ever comprehensive and representative consumer study", reports Lars Rippstein. The new collection arrangement is design-oriented and a total of three areas were created. "Graphic" contains pastel and structured plain colours as well as subtle stripes and graphic jacquard patterns. "Colour" represents natural green, sunny yellow and fiery red shades in tone-in-tone stripe patterns. Lars Rippstein: "With the "Essential" palette we show diverse designs in six different colour ranges: grey, green, blue, red and pink, yellow and orange, as well as beige and brown. On the whole the collection is more modern and we are convinced that our partners will be successfully positioned with it."

Overview of trends
The visitors of R+T 2018 in Stuttgart can already look forward to a broad range of designs with which they can impress and inspire their own customers. With the new awning cloth collections it is easy to find the right cloth for every requirement and thus set standards in the outdoor area both in terms of quality and design orientation - including a comfort factor.

Megatrends are becoming increasingly visible in the way we live.
Be it globalisation, urbanisation, digitalisation, individualisation or neo-ecology: German and international manufacturers are keeping pace with the times and are offering more and more options in their range of furniture and fittings. Customer needs can no longer be deduced from socio-demographic characteristics and target groups alone - people's lifestyles are too different for that these days. The megatrends influence the directions in which the additional options develop: They drive things forward and point out new directions at the same time.

The megatrend of individualisation has intensified in the furniture sector on at least two levels: The catalogues are bursting with diverse options and the internet is the first port of call to get an idea of what's on offer. Several portals offer tailored advice or allow you to furnish your own home in a virtual reality setting.

The megatrend of digitalisation has also impacted on the way we live in two very clear ways. When it comes to the products themselves, the "smart home" is becoming increasingly important. Many household appliances, doors and windows, white goods and heating control systems now come with applications that improve comfort and convenience in everyday life. The second element has far-reaching effects on our mood. The honest ones among us will admit their overexposure to various media. Within a minute of waking, most people have their smartphone in hand as they start their day. The sensory overload immediately begins, if not with a smartphone then with the television or radio triggering constant distraction and a desire for a multitude of things. We lose ourselves in the face of so many options (the weather, the stock market, breaking news, emails, recipes, music). When the back of your mind wakes up too - and with that a torrent of terms such as digital transformation, chatbots, bitcoins, blockchain, dash buttons begins to flow - you suddenly feel an urgent need to get a grip on reality. Old favourites are making a come-back. Vinyl records, classic cars and filter coffee are all enjoying a boom. In home furnishing, models from the "good old days" are hugely popular: the vintage look, retro, boho-chic, mid-century design. In our fast-paced age, it comes as no surprise that many people in the developed world have fallen in love with this style of furnishing. In the virtual world, we are looking for something real, or at least something purportedly real … and Pantone declares ultra violet the Colour of the Year 2018. It is an old acquaintance: clerical power, feminism, extravagance, drama, creativity, "the last attempt", mystical and spiritual, both future-oriented and traditional, but a counterculture most certainly. Denmark has given the world the "Hygge" phenomenon, a countervailing measure that brings cosiness back into our homes.

Two-thirds of Germans want their home to exude cosiness. Most people find that easier to achieve with an organic design language, authentic materials and warm colours than with cool, angular and minimalist furniture designs. Colourful combinations of furniture, wall colours, wallpaper, decorations and accessories are also popular because they help express the desired feeling of individuality.
 
Good lighting is becoming ever more important for the overall atmosphere in the home. LED lighting technology is now cost-effective, and can be found in the glass display case, behind the shelf or under the bed, making an important contribution to the home's cosy lighting ambience. The lighting industry's latest highlight is improved LED light batteries with long run-times. These flexible, portable and cable-free light sources are very handy for small apartments. This kind of small lamp can be used as a functional light in the kitchen, as a reading lamp at the table and as indirect illumination when chatting in the evening. In former times, candles were carried around the home, today we carry cutting-edge LED battery lamps. Talking about candles, the consumption of real candles has been growing steadily over the last five years. According to the European Candle Association (eca), each EU citizen consumed an average of 1.45 kg of candles (+6.2%) in 2016, with further growth expected. Opulent, Baroque-like candlesticks are in fashion, and help to create cosy living spaces. Candlelight is highly prized. Indeed, we could speak in terms of a digitalisation by candlelight. There is a close link between living style and the longed-for attitude to life. In times like these, it is not surprising that more and more people divide their world in two. On the one hand, they have a "private shire", as Stephan Grünewald from the Rheingold Institute calls it, in which they feel snug and safe. Then they have an external "grey country", an often frightening world of terror, globalisation, food scandals, Brexit and capricious political leaders. The private sphere is often designed as an idyllic retreat to make it easier to filter out the external world. This idyll is the counter-world to the hard and digital reality. It's all about nest-building, comfort, security and cosiness - a means of escaping the often-overwhelming anonymity of the external world.
 
Before the backdrop of globalisation, the home becomes the central location of identity. Furnishing their homes in a personal way gives people a sense of belonging. Identity is a matter of self-creation, not only in terms of the personality but also of the private environment. We form our identity on a day-to-day basis through the way we live. Many people perceive the world as an excess, and they see their own home as an identity-forming protected zone. The home is guarded, fashioned and loved. Security technology and creativity are spreading and the home is becoming the only enclave of informality. Following the maxim "The world is too much for me, I'm enough for myself", the home is a retreat, a refuge and an idyllic world.
 
In the modern age, populations tend to move from rural areas to the cities. For the first time in history, more than half the world's population now live in urban conglomerations. Major cities face two challenges that have long been identified: The constant need to find more living space, and managing the growing volume of traffic. When it comes to the way we live, the megatrend of urbanisation becomes more concrete in a number of respects. There is already a growing longing for ruralisation among city dwellers, while - paradoxically - new digital innovations are making possible new ways of working and living, far away from the smoke and smog of the city. It is already possible to work without a fixed base in a number of occupations. In future, the toilet lid in the smart home will regularly test the urine for signs of disease, taking care of prevention and making medical care plannable. Villages could experience a renaissance when drones deliver shopping, and electric driverless cars take children to school.

In the season ahead we will see the introduction of more organic forms, especially in the seating furniture sector. Organic design takes its cue from organic nature. Dynamic curves and powerful cambers come to the fore as striking characteristics. Organic design is soft and is therefore distinct from geometric and functional shapes. A wide range of natural fibres is on offer as upholstery fabrics for padded furniture, with corduroy and velvet playing a prominent role.   

The blue colour spectrum - from European blue and light blue to turquoise and petrol - remains popular. Blue represents harmony, imparts a sense of reliability, and has a pleasant calming effect. Olive green is the new trend colour, representing naturalness, spring, hope, health, youth, nature and vegetation. However, olive is not gaudy; the grey aspect in it makes it a quiet and inconspicuous choice.

Linoleum is making a come-back. The material was invented in 1860 and consists mainly of linseed oil, ground cork dust and jute fabric. It was originally intended for use as an elastic floor covering and it is still used in that way to this day. The furniture industry utilises linoleum as a tabletop surface, sideboard front and bureau inlay. It is a robust, green material that stands for healthy living.

Solid wood is about to strengthen its position further. The designs for tables, cupboards and sideboards are delicate and elegant, having moved away from the rustic look of the past. Oak remains the top seller, but walnut and cherry wood are maintaining their position. Wood combined with other natural materials such as glass and metal is also a popular choice for the visible parts of cabinets.

The visual quality of furniture in all price categories is generally improving. In future, furniture that looks cheap in whatever way will not sell well. With the smart home, the bathroom show and the lighting show - in addition to all the other furniture and fittings exhibited at imm cologne 2018 - we will experience an explosion of innovation and inspiration. By passionately opening oneself up to something, that thing is freed from the vortex of the ordinary and everyday. That is just as true for good food as it is for good furniture at imm cologne. Only those who dare to do so can discover the new.

The recently concluded trade fair once again demonstrates: The PERFORMANCE DAYS concept works! At the 19th edition of the trade fair for functional fabrics and sport accessories, new top ratings were achieved in all areas.
Innovation is the specialty at PERFORMANCE DAYS. The functional fabric trade fair has a reputation for being the first to show the newest trends way ahead of the other trade fairs and industry gatherings. The fair offers several unique tools such as the Focus Topic, the PERFORMANCE FORUM with the PERFORMANCE TABLES and the PERFORMANCE WALL, the PERFORMANCE AWARDS, the comprehensive presentation and workshop program as well as the guided tours. What makes this fair so special? Not only the free admission to the fair, but all of the top quality programs are also free of charge! So much commitment to service and trend scouting pays off: The recent trade fair held on November 8-9th, 2017 at the MTC in Munich once again broke all previous records!

Visitor and Exhibitor plus
The halls of the MTC were filled to maximum capacity and recorded significantly more visitors than the previous fair last April and even more than the fair in November 2016. The number of trade visitors rose from 1868 in November 2016, to 2001 breaking the 2000 mark for the first time. This growth corresponds to a 7.1 percent increase. In comparison to the previous year, the number of exhibitors was also greater in autumn 2017, registering a 9.9 percent increase. A total of 177 exhibitors from 23 countries occupied all of the halls to capacity, confirming the decision to relocate to the halls of Messe München, which is scheduled for November 2018. Even now, shortly after opening the exhibitor registration period, demand is already higher than the number of available spaces.

The move to Riem
When the doors of PERFORMANCE DAYS open next year on November 28-29th, 2018, the trade fair will be celebrating not only its 10-year anniversary, but also the first edition of PERFORMANCE DAYS at the new location. In the future, one of the large halls on the exhibition grounds in Munich-Riem will be provided twice a year for functional fabrics. For the debut, it will be located in Hall C1, with easy access via the north-west entrance from the west parking garage.

All highlights also provided online
As usual, when the most recent exhibit comes to a successful close, a special service is made available to all those who did not have enough time: All the highlights and important information like the presentations (also as a podcast!), as well as all the fabrics at the Forum will be available directly at www.performancedays.com. Even more interesting for you: Samples of all featured PERFORMANCE FORUM fabrics can be ordered online, which means direct sourcing of materials is now possible from the comfort of your office.
A special highlight of the past exhibition was the Focus Topic "Thermal Technologies – From Fibre to Smart Textiles." The topic covered the entire spectrum of heat retention and generation in sports clothing, as well as the ECO PERFORMANCE AWARD. The award winner was Pontetorto for the development of the first fleece to be produced with a brushed inside and with particles and fibers that are biodegradable even in sea-water. This innovation was a joint development between Vaude and Lenzing. The workshop presented by Ana Kristiansson about the possibilities of founding a sportswear brand was also very well received.
Besides the familiar exhibitors like Invista, Cocona/37.5, Lenzing, Microban, 3M, bluesign, Burlington, Dyneema, Nilit, Outlast, Pertex, Polartec, Pontetorto, PrimaLoft, Schoeller, Singtex, Sympatex, Südwollle, Toray, and YKK; the Messe welcomed new exhibitors like Freudenberg Performance Materials, Clo Insulation, Flying Textile, Inuheat Group, ISKO ARQUAS, Manifattura Effe Pi, The Woolmark Company, and Tough Knitting Enterprise.

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 semiannual 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, fin-ishes, and accessories such as yarns, tapes, prints, buttons and zippers.
The industry experts who come to this fair – the sports fashion designers, product managers, and decision-makers (see online: Visitor List) represent almost every European active clothing and func-tional wear manufacturer – can find a complete selection of high quality materials available at just the right time in April/May and November. The dates are intentionally scheduled early thanks to our expertise in functional fabrics and are optimal for summer and winter sport collections. (All trade fair catalogs from past events are available online at Catalogs as well as a listing of current exhibitors at Exhibitor List).
 
The relaxed and focused workshop-like atmosphere at PERFORMANCE DAYS differentiates it from the other fairs which are often unmanageable and more stressful. That is one of the reasons why the Munich trade fair at the heart of the European sportswear industry has become one of the top addresses for new fabrics, innovations, and is the preferred meeting place to conduct business.
In the unique PERFORMANCE FORUM of PERFORMANCE DAYS, the visitor receives an inspiring and well-grounded overview of the new materials, trends, and innovations of the exhibitors. The PERFORMANCE AWARD and the ECO PERFORMANCE AWARD are also presented here. Qualified guest speakers present special topics and their collaborative ventures in guided tours, workshops and presentations to complete the range of information provided at PERFORMANCE DAYS within the Program (see after the fair online in the Presentation Library).
No entry fee and free admission to all events for industry visitors.

• New hall configuration and venue layout
• Keynote theme “UNIQUE YOUNIVERSE” brought to life in amazing immersive display zones by exhibitors, artists and emerging designers 
• New Friday-to-Monday run of the show

People matter – now more than ever. This is underscored by the huge interest taken by exhibitors in the run-up to A+A 2017, once again allowing the world’s leading trade fair for safety, security and health at work held from 17 to 20 October to post top marks. A total of 1,930 exhibitors from 63 nations and over 67,000 trade visitors came to the world’s largest trade fair for this industry in Düsseldorf. This means that this year A+A – together with the International Congress for Occupational Safety and Occupational Medicine – very much underlined the huge importance of health and safety at the workplace.

Investing in the health of employees pays off. It helps to ensure the performance of the workforce and increase productivity. It is all the more important to foster a holistic approach to prevention that takes all aspects of occupational health management, safety and workplace design into consideration. “Here the A+A, as the world’s leading trade fair for safety and healthy, joins forces with its partners,” sums up Messe Düsseldorf Managing Director Joachim Schäfer. “Digitalisation is no longer just something for the future and has now penetrated virtually all areas of life and work – likewise the Internet of Things that now networks billions of things together worldwide. It is fabulous that A+A is not just a stage for new technologies but is now also being seen globally as a bridgehead between the past and the future of our world of work.”

Bigger and More International than Ever: Top Marks across all Disciplines
Organisers and exhibitors alike were satisfied with how A+A 2017 went. The 31st edition of A+A held from 17 to 20 October attracted more than 67,000 trade visitors (2015: 65,000) to Düsseldorf who gathered information from the 1,931 exhibitors from 63 nations on the latest trends in the fields of occupational safety, promotion of health at work and security management in nine trade fair halls occupying for the first time 70,733 m2. At 40% the proportion of international visitors who came from over 100 nations also exceeded the share recorded at the previous event. “A+A is continually growing and underlines at all levels its relevance for the sector as the world’s leading trade fair and congress event,” says Messe Düsseldorf Managing Director Joachim Schäfer delighting at the excellent mood over the past four days and summing up talks with exhibitors and international delegations as follows: “We are proud to have been able to send out across the entire world strong signals to the markets and key impulses for political debate.” Against this backdrop the new look of A+A and the focus on what matters not just in the world of work have proven their worth: people.

Platform for Innovations and Investment
"People matter – what an apt statement,” sums up Klaus Bornack, President of the Trade Fair Advisory Board and Managing Director of Bornack GmbH & Co. KG. “A great A+A once again moved the sector with many innovative products, even more exhibitors from all specialist fields and, in turn, a rising number of very interested trade visitors from home and abroad with specific technical queries and a great deal of interest. This is confirmation that PPE is a growth market and that A+A is a leading international marketplace for safety at work.”

No. 1 International Event for Workwear  
The good investment climate as well as the interest from trade visitors in high-quality personal protective equipment and protective workwear was confirmed by a current study conducted on the German market for personal protective equipment that was published during A+A 2017 by market research firm macrom. This study showed that the volume of the entire German PPE market grew between 2014 and 2016 by 9.2% to a total of Euro 1.97b. Leading here with the largest market share is protective workwear that is increasingly also being worn in the private sphere. Commenting on this Birgit Horn, Director A+A 2017, said: “While protective workwear in the past was generally uncomfortable and not particularly fashionable, staff today are fairly willing to show themselves in public wearing this clothing. Thanks to the development of high-tech  clothing in the sports and outdoor sectors people no longer have to deprive themselves of top design and optimum performance. This was also confirmed by the over 200 Corporate Fashion exhibitors and rounded off by newly designed fashion shows.

The Future of Work is Now  
From smart skin sensors and the measuring of vital parameters to backfriendly exoskeletons and smart fleet management, data glasses and sensor-controlled fall protection: the future of work is now. This was made clear not just by the new A+A Highlight Route. Across the halls renowned exhibitors like 3M, BORNACK, Honeywell, Uvex or the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung – IFA) presented highlights focussing on “Smart PPE”, “Digitalisation of Work” and “Digital Applications and Solutions” – from the prototype to the mass-produced product. Also addressed were such aspects as the urgently required reorganisation of work processes for the ageing population or the new demands on the world of work from the younger generation.”
 
At the Highest Specialist Level: The A+A Congress
Also enjoying great acclaim was the International Congress for Occupational Safety and Occupational Medicine that is traditionally organised by the Federal Association for Occupational Safety and Health (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Sicherheit und Gesundheit bei der Arbeit e.V. – Basi). “We had a very exciting A+A congress,” was the verdict of Basi Managing Director Bruno Zwingmann. “For the first time we were able to welcome to the congress new groups of people interested in occupational safety – for instance, representatives of the severely handicapped who also discussed the founding of an umbrella association at the congress.” Over the four days of the trade fair a total of some 5,000 congress delegates streamed into CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf Süd to gather information on the varied range of topics on offers. The 60 focal series dealt with such topics as production operations in the location of Germany with ageing workforces, positive aspects of digitalisation and mental stress with a focus on small businesses and their working conditions. The top events included one focusing on the “Fighting Cancer at the Workplace”. The A+A Congress was accompanied by the conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) attended by top ranking figures.

A Burning Issue: Fire Prevention
As the most important sectoral platform worldwide for personal protective equipment and protective workwear A+A once again this year showcased everything revolving around modern firefighters protective clothing as well as the entire spectrum of personal protective equipment for firefighters: be this head, eye, body, hand, foot, ear, breathing or rope protection. Also on display were the preventative measures and concepts that can help to prevent accidents, major disasters and rescue missions and how firefighters are trained in realistic conditions in real fires.
The next A+A will be held from 5 to 8 November 2019.

• Preview of Heimtextil “Theme Park” with FranklinTill Studio, Stijlinstituut Amsterdam and Studio Felix Diener
• Four “Spaces” depict macro trends; five additional themes showcase the colours, materials and designs of the new season

Frankfurt am Main - Urbanisation is one of the key words of our time. More than half the world's population already lives in cities. In its “Theme Park” inspiration area, the upcoming Heimtextil (9-12 January 2018) will reveal how urban life is likely to impact the worlds of living and working in future. As part of the official “Theme Park” preview on 30 August 2017 in Frankfurt am Main, the London design studio FranklinTill gave an initial insight into the new trend concept. Under the title “The future is urban”, Kate Franklin and Caroline Till presented the new Heimtextil Trendbook. Together with Anne Marie Commandeur from the Stijlinstituut Amsterdam and Felix Diener from the Düsseldorf studio of the same name, they published their predictions for future interior design.

'FranklinTill and all the trend experts involved have managed to provide the international interior industry with a superb source of inspiration to use in their product developments. With the new Heimtextil Trendbook, textile manufacturers, designers, fitters and furnishers will get a valuable overview of trailblazing design developments', says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. The “Theme Park” will also provide in-depth information about new design themes during the trade fair in January. The elaborately designed presentation in hall 6.0 will incorporate market-defining themes and present solutions for the textile interior of tomorrow. Those interested in trends can already get some answers to their furnishing questions of the future on www.heimtextil-theme-park.com.

The new book and the showcase at the trade fair will give a comprehensive idea of how rooms will be designed in the future. How will we live, work, shop and cohabit? Four so-called Spaces will provide a platform for upcoming lifestyle trends and present numerous pioneering projects and creative works.

The Flexible Space

This lifestyle trend shows solutions for big city dwellers who are increasingly living like modern nomads and in ever smaller flats. Designers, architects and planners tackle this challenge with a great deal of ingenuity and optimise the available space with convertible and adaptable design.

The Healthy Space

We've long known the far-reaching effect that the spaces in which we live, work, learn and relax can have on our well-being. Designers, architects and materials scientists are increasingly searching for innovative design that promotes our levels of health, satisfaction, attentiveness and productivity. From the integration of plants indoors to new directions in wellness, the healthy space is on the rise.      

The Re-Made Space

Another phenomenon of urbanisation is the rapid generation of waste. For the first time in history, the amount of waste produced in cities is growing faster than urbanisation itself. To conquer this huge mountain of waste, cities must understand that the future is to put waste on an equal footing with resources. This will make waste a starting point for new design.   

The Maker Space

The maker movement has triggered a revolution in the manufacture of interior design objects. It has the potential to fundamentally change production, particularly thanks to the democratisation of digital manufacturing technology. DIY instructions, open source and downloadable designs make it possible for everyone to develop their own personalised products wherever they might be. 

The trend experts have also worked on the development of an additional five themes that give an outlook on the trendy colours, materials and designs of the 2018/19 season.

Relax/Recharge

Colours are known to influence moods and feelings. In contrast to current views, blue has been shown to be stimulating and red calming. Relax/Recharge is a transformative design option that uses the power of colours to bring the energy balance of over-stimulated urban living worlds back into equilibrium. walls, floors and furniture are completely immersed in colour.  

Perfect Imperfection

Indigo, one of the oldest dyes in the world, is currently much in vogue among numerous current brands and designers. They are rediscovering indigo dyeing and accepting all of the foibles and the many colour gradations of this deep blue colour. Based on the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi (“accepting the imperfect”), materials and products bear the traces of the way they were made. Brush strokes and seams are made visible and welcomed as part of the poetic documentation of the creative process.

Soft Minimal

Urban living systems are multifunctional and can be adapted. Soft Minimal focuses on interior designs and products that appeal because of their functionality and are valued for a lifetime. Cosy materials – wool, felt, linen and bouclé yarn – give a minimalistic flat some warmth and personality. A reserved colour palette of muted pastel colours and neutral shades complemented by matt black ensures timeless elegance.

Adapt+Assemble

Freed of all excess frills, the designs appeal with geometric and interchangeable shapes and materials that are perfect for packing and transporting – travelling and moving made easy. The textile techniques used are simple and reliable. Industrial materials are reinterpreted and converted for home use. Bright primary colours ensure a playful appearance.

Urban Oasis

Designers transform interiors into green oases in order to use nature to achieve an increased sense of well-being. Green is regarded as the most relaxing colour for the eye. Lush green shades are used to refresh both body and soul. Dark forest and sage green are mixed with matt pink. Textures that imitate nature ensure a full, soft feel.

Beyond the “Theme Park” and Heimtextil trends for 2018/19, the trade fair will also focus on the theme “The future is urban”: with its new exhibition format “Interior.Architecture. Hospitality Expo”, Heimtextil will give answers to questions relating to sustainable urban design as well fire protection regulations and structural requirements. Selected suppliers will present their textile products and material solutions in the exclusive surroundings of the new Expo in hall 4.2. In this way, they can position themselves to specifically target interior designers, hoteliers and project planners.

• Exhibitors from 9 countries showcased products across 6 categories: upholstery, bed, bathroom, table, window and floor
• Summer 2017 Seminar Series highlights include home furnishings color trends, sustainability and post-consumer recycling, and appealing to the millennial shopper

The 8^th edition of Home Textiles Sourcing Expo opened its show floor to exhibitors and buyers alike on Monday July 17, 2017. As a long-term joint venture partnership between Messe Frankfurt and CCPIT-TEX, the show is the only trade event in North America to focus solely on home textiles and finished soft goods for all home applications.

Over the last eight years, Home Textiles Sourcing Expo has become a go-to event for manufacturers, retailers, jobbers, converters, contract specifiers and designers searching for the perfect fabric or manufacturing resources for their next home collection. This July’s edition showcased home products in six categories, including upholstery, bed, bathroom, table, window and floor.
 
Home Textiles Sourcing Expo Summer 2017 featured 158 exhibitors representing 9 countries, making this edition the most globally diverse group in show history. Countries represented included USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Bangladesh and more. Dedicated pavilions included the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC)-sponsored India pavilion, the Pakistan pavilion featuring 8 suppliers, and the always popular Turkey pavilion. The Suzhou China pavilion also made its debut on the show floor with suppliers specializing in quality silk bedding and home textiles.

High-quality cotton, kitchen textiles, premium bedding and luxury bath textiles were also to be found among July 2017 exhibitor product offerings. “The Summer 2017 edition of Home Textiles Sourcing Expo was the most diverse showing of exhibitors in the history of the show from both a product and sourcing destination perspective”, said Jennifer Bacon, Show Director. “Our attendees were able to source quality textiles and finished goods from both established and emerging sourcing destinations. The access our show gives buyers to products in almost every home category – bedding, bath, floor, upholstery and more – is hard to find elsewhere. “

Once again taking place alongside Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA, as well as the debut edition of Avanprint USA, the Summer 2017 edition of Home Textiles Sourcing Expo ultimately welcomed a diverse group of visitors from 45 countries. Together the four co-located shows welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors from a combined 72 different countries, making the Summer 2017 shows the most well attended in show history.
   
Texworld USA Seminar Series, organized by Lenzing Innovation, cater to home furnishings and home goods industry with timely topics
The Lenzing Innovation seminar series once again proved to be a big draw for Home Textiles Sourcing Expo attendees. Several home trendfocused seminars catered specifically to the home market and spoke directly to issues that the industry is facing.

Home-industry focused seminars included:
INSPIRING AND EXPRESSING COLOR: DEFINING THE ESSENTIAL TRENDS FOR HOME FURNISHINGS 2018
Laurie Pressman, Vice President - Pantone Color Institute
Color palettes for 2018 break free from traditional thinking. Colors are revitalized, hues are mixed in novel combinations and new color directions instantly and effectively express a fresh approach. While commerciality is still critical, taking a more unique approach to color will help you stand out from the mainstream. Colors range from classic arrangements through to fully saturated, punchy narratives all the while leading to newer and more unique color expressions.

BREATHE EASIER: ASTHMA AND ALLERGY-FRIENDLY TEXTILES
Dr. John McKeon, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer - Allergy Standards
Asthma and allergies strike one-in-four Americans, that’s 60 million people who spend an estimated $10 billion a year on products marketed to this group! But claims made by companies today can’t be verified because there is little or no governing regulation. What can companies do to capture a piece of this growing market?    

APPEALING TO THE MILLENNIAL SHOPPER: WHAT HOME TEXTILE RETAILERS ARE DOING TO CAPTURE THIS CRITICAL DEMOGRAPHIC
Jennifer Marks,  Editor-In-Chief - Home & Textiles Today Magazine
Moderator - Nina Nadash, Home Textile Manager (Americas) - Lenzing Fibers, Inc.
Despite the fact that Millennials are coming of age in one of the most frenetic economic climates in the past century, research shows almost 3 out of 4 are willing to pay extra for sustainable offerings. Marketers of products and services committed to positive social and environmental impact need to ensure they are communicating their brand message in a way that builds confidence with this critical consumer demographic. Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief of Home & Textiles Today will be on hand to give her perspective on the Millennial market, highlighting the importance of matching your brand message to the personal values of this important consumer group.