interzum 2017 draws record woodworking crowds
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Photo By Koelnmesse

COLOGNE, Germany -  New developments in fastener connectivity, improved access and lifts for cabinets doors and closets, flexible storage solutions, and an abundance of new overlay textures, embossed in registration designs, finishes and patterns were just some of the items drawing high interest from a record setting crowd at interzum 2017.

More than 69,000 visitors from 152 countries – a 19 percent increase from the previous show – attended the world's largest trade fair for furniture, cabinet and casework production and interior construction.

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Held in Cologne, Germany, May 15-19, interzum featured 1,732 exhibitors from 60 countries, an increase of 13 percent, spread over 185,000 square meters of exhibit space.

"It was the best interzum yet," said Katharina Hamma, COO of show organizer Koelnmesse GmbH.  "Interzum has reached a new level with the rises in visitor figures, the growth in exhibitor numbers and the increase in floor space combined with measures to enhance the event's quality."

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The fair also attracted a number of international visitors. According to show management, more than 51,000 visitors came from outside Germany, with the number of visitors from North America rising 26 percent this year.

What follows is a brief recap of some of the new products soon to be seen in North America, and other trends at the show.


Lamello used interzum for the worldwide launch of Cabineo, a CNC connector that requires no edge drilling while offering high clamping force and fast installation. The RTA system is a one-piece connector without dowels so no pre-assembly of screws or dowels in the side panels are necessary.  Quick and easy to install, Cabineo can be drilled or machined.

Moovit MX

Hafele also had lots of new items on display including the ixconnect tool-less connector system which won a Best of the Best award, with the Verlander connector system also earning a  High Product Quality Award.  Along with innovations in the Slido system, shown in one creative display with Smuso components and doors with damper systems embedded in the track. Available in a new drawer height of 115mm, the Moovit MX drawer system also features an innovative fluid damper for quiet, continuous soft closing without visible and noticeable stops. New innovations in lighting incorporating Bluetooth technology also were featured.

Aventos HK

One of the highlights at the Blum booth was the concept product: an automated push to open/soft-close pocket door product for large doors. Also on display by Blum were: the Aventos HK Top (new generation) lift system,  the ClipTop 155 hinge which offers zero protrusion of doors in the cabinet, and 8-13mm hinges for thin doors.  On the machinery side, the company offered an Easy Stick adaption for the Blum Minipress, which makes drilling patterns easier for cabinetmakers.



Tavinea Sorto

Drawing a lot of interest at the Grass booth was the Tavinea Sorto drawer organization system and also the larger version Tavinea Opima.  Grass also featured the new modular drawer side design elements of the Vionaro iD. Other new products include Nova Pro Scala H250 high closed drawer side, Tipmatic soft close, the Kinvaro D flap system that folds down to open, and the Tiomos Hidden concealed hinge that is fully recessed into furniture.


Push-to-open technology

Hettich's theme this year was “Fascin-action,”  and the new lines certainly did. Among the items featured  were the Wingline push to move and pull to move doors, which are a great way to gain usable storage space in tight areas,  including under the stairs. Also on display were the Slideline doors with a single and double track, shown in closets, kitchen and bath vignettes; plus TopLine sliding door systems. Attendees also liked the LegaMove lifting system, which can bring upper cabinets “down” or workstation heights up. The LegaDrive offers power assisted height adjustment. Hettich also now offers push to open Silent for the AvanTech, ArciTech, InnoTech and Actro 5D as well as Quadro for wooden drawers.

Award-winning Air hinge

One of the highlights at the Salice booth was the Air hinge, a 2016 Challengers Award winner and named one of the Best of the Best at interzum. Also making a splash was the Wind lift system, available in five cover colors and which features an adjustable mechanism that attaches to the top of the cabinet door for a cleaner footprint. The newly designed Pacta is a soft close hinge with integrated damping for drop down flap doors. Also a new addition, the Silentia+ hinge allows users to quickly and easily customize the speed of the soft close mechanism. Also on display was the Shelf concealed runner, which allows for locking in the open position, a particularly useful feature when using for cutting boards. Another new product was the Slider M50 coplaner sliding door system with soft open and close features, and a capacity of more than 200 pounds. The LineaBox features metal side drawers attached to a concealed runner and can be used with a split organization system that will launch in the U.S. later this year.

Cornerstone MAXX

Among the new products on display by Vauth-Sagel, the Cornerstone MAXX corner unit features a wider opening to bring the contents of the two tray-like shelves fully in front of the unit. Easy to install, the fixing system is practically invisible and the shelves have a linear design. Movement is supported by a Power-Assistant Movement system.  Vauth-Sagel also showed the Planero new storage tray shelving system; Planero can be used in all Vauth-Sagel product groups, such as the VS TAL Larder and the Cornerstone MAXX.

New patterns and textures

Rauvisio Crystal Mirror

Rehau showed a variety of new items including new patterns  such as stone, thinner (2mm acrylics) and new materials. New materials include the High Product Quality Award winning Rauvisio Crystal Mirror, which is an acrylic on MDF, specially coated for mirror effect, but can be cut with standard woodworking tools.  The company has added a hard coating to the Rauvisio Crystal line, making it even more durable for use in cabinets and other products. Also drawing a lot of interest from attendees was the Rauvolet Vetro glass tambour door with thinner edges. The company says it also continues to see a growing popularity of products with deep textures.

Galaxy mixed with wood tones

Booth "zone" vignettes at Schattdecor highlighted colors and textures for the way we live. The Community Zone symbolized multifunction spaces featuring natural looking, warm and textured decors. Ageless Living reveals the fun, adult/youthful (think man cave), with fun patterns such as Galaxy, mixing with wood grains for casegoods and flooring. Smart Home shows designs and product options integrating power access. The final area, Micro Housing, showed colors and patterns suitable for small setups.  The displays also showcased the company’s range of printing capabilities.

Located in the Design Post, adjacent to interzum, Interprint was showing off its latest ”six pack” of trendy colors: three oak interpretations, one chestnut, walnut and marble design. Working with five international designers, the company created new patterns and textures on display:  the oak-based Reef, weathered spruce patterned Picea, textile-looking Comfy, the industrial Yonga which resembled chips/OSB board, and a walnut-textile combination called Harris & Crusoe. Digital printing continues to make a splash at Interprint, which reportedly has the largest industrial digital printer that can go up to 15 feet without repeating the pattern.

Renolit promoted its realistic textures and EIR products. Also displayed was the Makalu décor, a concrete look offering different shades of gray and embossed flaws and air pockets for a realistic industrial look. Renolit also showed three new oak patterns: Grandson Oak weathered décor, Kronberg planked oak and the Kendal Oak featuring a contoured grain and slight red cast, giving it the look of oiled wood. The company also highlighted its expanded metallic looks.

Among the offerings by Döllken was the new 3D-Space-Wave edgeband, winner of the pro-K award 2017. The 3D edgings feature an extreme depth effect and are available in stainless steel, titanium, old bronze, aluminum and copper, in 23 x 1.3mm and 43 x 1.5mm. The edgings are also available in a prime matt as well as a high gloss finish.

Other notes

A first-time exhibitor, Osborne Wood Products displayed its range of furniture and kitchen components, including wood/metal legs. Also garnering interest from attendees were the mouldings and trim, corbels and other wood components.

Northwest Hardwoods also reported the lumber supplier had a good show, with a lot of interest in the company's alder and other domestic  offerings; it currently boasts 75 percent of the market share of alder in the Pacific Northwest. Also available are a range of exotic species for export and domestic use.

The 2019 interzum will take place May 21-24, in Cologne, Germany.  For additional information visit interzum.com
 

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About the author
Karen Koenig | Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at [email protected]