interzum to present parts and components trends
interzum_partstrendsSM.jpg
interzum to present parts and components trends

Slowly but surely; the “hot” phase begins: not just for Koelnmesse – the many exhibiting companies are also systematically working towards their appearance at the world’s leading trade show, interzum 2011. After all, most of them have geared the development cycles of their innovations to this biennial event and are now fine-tuning their strategy to ensure the best possible presentation of their products. This is a clear indication that interzum 2011 will once again be a trend show of superlatives, and most of all, a stage for as yet unseen developments.

Two segments that visitors can particularly look forward to are Components & Ergonomics in Hall 5.2 and Function & Parts in Halls 7 and 8. “These halls were in enormous demand and sold out completely, right down to every last square metre very early on,” says Frank Haubold, product manager at interzum. “All leading companies are there,” adds the trade show specialist. And most organisations are pulling all the strings to raise their customers’ awareness of this highlight in the trade show calendar. In the build-up to interzum, Wagner is going to make potential trade show visitors aware of the event and provide relevant information in a four-stage mailing campaign. “As such, we focus on classic communication in the form of a top-quality maxi-format postcard,” announced the Lahr-based Wagner System company. In time for the trade show, the furniture component manufacturer is going to present its innovative “Silencer” chair glide, which reduces noise levels by around 80 percent.

interzum to present parts and components trendsIn addition to new product systems, Blum is also turning to product studies, which increase the level of comfort throughout the entire living space even more. Given that the interior design of furniture is becoming ever more important, visitors will also experience the relaunch of “Dynamic Space”, the “Austrian ideas for practical kitchens”. Other highlights are the “Clip top Blumotion” fittings and the “Aventos” flap range with the “Servo-Drive” movement support system.

At Häfele it’s all about “Space meets Lifestyle”. This concept is once again based on the typical Häfele “Functionality”, since flexibility, mobility and variability are the heart of each new spatial concept. Thanks to Häfele “Functionality” – which is currently well and truly in the process of becoming a brand for vibrant and innovative furniture and variable spaces – end consumers are able to realise their dream spaces. Until now, the focus was primarily on the re-evaluation of the Häfele products in terms of living comfort and customer benefit, but on the occasion of the interzum trade show Häfele is launching the next level of the process by taking designers and architects on board and looking at new partners in the furniture industry for orientation for the design of its service offering, consulting services and new products.

The interzum appearance of the Italian fittings manufacturer, Arturo Salice, is all about the joint presentation of the Salice, Adar and Bortoluzzi Sistemi brands. Salice is introducing its extended product families in the comfortable and damped systems line, as well as innovations in the Salice hinge and flap system range. Interesting additions are the latest developments in the Adar drawer and guide systems and the latest Bortoluzzi sliding door models.

The Global Systems Group (GSG), a division of Leggett & Platt, with which several individual companies areaffiliated, is going to give interzum visitors a first glimpse at the world’s fastest mattress packaging machine. As if that wasn’t spectacular enough, GSG will also bring along a new quilting and wadding machine. However, for the time being, GSG is merely touching on this exclusive innovation for the mattress industry: the company has announced a high-speed machine that has been in development for almost ten years now. Its objective is to facilitate high, lean-based output.

“interzum is one of the most important trade shows for us,” Frank Peter Koch, head of marketing at Hailo, describes the upcoming event. “It gives our customers and potential business partners the opportunity to get a first-hand picture of our product portfolio including our brand-new innovations. We also appreciate the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue – and all that in the inspiring environment of the trade show of innovations.” The definite highlight at the Hailo stand is the “SafetyKit”, a high-quality plastic box with removable bowls and containers, which contain fire extinguishers and fire blankets as standard.

The Israeli producer, Hardoor, is looking forward to presenting “Sesami” to a broad international expert audience. The sliding door system is demonstrated using a five-metre cupboard with doors weighing around 100 kilograms each. Nevertheless, “Sesami” boasts a gentler and easier opening mechanism than ever before. What’s more, the doors open automatically at the touch of a finger...

Vauth-Sagel is planning to use interzum primarily to familiarise its customers with the company’s new orientation, which is going to write new chapters in terms of diversity of design variants and material mix. As regards products, the Westphalians are going to introduce the “Premea Glassline”, a new range of baskets, for the first time. In addition, the “Recorner Maxx”, a corner cupboard fitting, is now available as a production-ready solution without the obtrusive centre tube. “Our trade fair stand design is based around open dialogue with our customers and partners. For example, our lounge area, which features the live cooking zone, takes up a significant part of our stand’s total area of 400 square metres,” explains Claus Sagel, managing director of Vauth-Sagel.

Hettich has designed a completely new trade show stand concept in time for interzum, in order to present its product solutions for the whole range of living spaces. Even if the company is not giving away any details about its innovations in the build-up to the trade show, Wolfgang Steib, director of marketing and sales at Hettich, promises visitors exciting highlights. “Our stand will not only demonstrate our competence in fittings, but also convey Hettich’s brand values of quality, innovations, customer proximity and reliability, and show that Hettich is the ideal partner for sustainable products,” says Steib.

Attendees requiring complete chair solutions should pay a visit to the trade show stand of Käfer und Hummel from Ursensollen. New foam technologies and solutions for processing self-supporting seat and backrest fabrics are also waiting to be discovered by trade show visitors. The Bavarian company is also planning to promote a supply alliance, which jointly designs new developments. But despite the close cooperation, all participating companies remain legally separate entities and are thus able to offer their customers flexibility and independence.

Schnöring, the stamping, bending and spring specialist from Schalksmühle, has come up with an unusual idea for the four trade show days: a guessing game is meant to make visitors stay at the stand significantly longer. In general, Schöring places great importance on addressing its customers personally and is hoping to meet a large number of existing and potential new customers in Cologne – after all, this is the company’s first appearance at interzum.

“Convoy” is the buzz word at Kesseböhmer. The traditional product line has been extended and, in addition, visitors can look forward to further storage space optimisation solutions in general. Kesseböhmer’s presentation places great importance on emphasising the high level of comfort for the end user and conveying emotional opening experiences. The “www.besserhaushalten.de” portal, supported by Kesseböhmer, is also given sufficient space at the stand of the Bad Essen-based company.

In addition to high product quality, Vibo primarily caters to end-consumer demand for environmental friendliness and has recently invested in products that are both environmentally sound and sustainable as confirmed by corresponding international eco-labels. The exhibition space has been fully revised in order to display a new, economical product line for the mid- and low-end market segments as well as new top-end articles. The latter primarily impress with their versatile design options.

“We see interzum as a central trade show platform to showcase our products and innovations and to establish direct contact between our entire sales team and our customers. Every May in odd-numbered years, Cologne becomes the focal point for decision-makers in the global furniture industry,” explains Frank Nessler, managing director at Grass. The trade show appearance of the Austrian company is centred around a green fluorescent cube, which will not only attract attention but also, first and foremost, serves as an exclusive presentation platform.

A recessed luminaire with an integrated screen represents the latest development of Gera Leuchten and is set to excite the company’s partners in the furniture industry. It does away with shields, thus opening up endless opportunities to furniture designers. Furthermore, Gera Leuchten is planning to impress trade show visitors with the effects of light within furniture. “Lighting, especially if it is coloured, can give rooms and pieces of furniture an emotional vibe. The subtle integration of light in the furniture is often crucial for a harmonious overall appearance. And our stand will make this concept evident and tangible,” promises Hening Pölitz, executive partner of Gera Leuchten.

The Spanish manufacturer, Talleres Grala, expects its interzum presence to path the way for its successful entry into the international market. The company has been active in the Spanish market for more than 40 years – and is now planning to turn its attention to export. The key tool on the way to achieving this objective is the range of newly designed fittings for ottomans and a special mount for affixing base fittings to the bed frame.

As a Japanese producer of fittings, Sugatsune has long considered interzum as more than just a platform for the furniture industry. “In our opinion, this trade show has already crossed the threshold between furniture and architecture. After all, interior designers and architects make up an increasing share of the interzum visitors. As a result, we have tailored our trade show appearance to this trend,” explains Thomas Bourdaire, export manager for Europe at Sugatsune. In addition to products of interest to architects, the Japanese company also presents gently closing fittings. The highlight is “LDD”, a new damping system for swing doors. “LDD” also represents the Asian company’s first entry in the interzum award.

“interzum is the only trade show we attend as an exhibitor to showcase our support slat product,” says Petra Schweitzer, managing director of Sperrholz Schweitzer, from the Austrian town of St. Marienkirchen. At interzum, Schweitzer will offer its high-quality beech support slats, which are produced in Western Europe, in all dimensions, designs and anatomical shapes. Also on offer are birch support slats from its Russian joint venture operation. In addition, the specialist wants to prove that the company is a reliable and predictable supplier and business partner.

Beloxx has further refined the technology and design of its electronic keyless closure systems. Next to “BeCode”, the new “BeCode Easy Local User Mode”, “RFID BeCode” and the “wBeKlox” are set to cause quite a stir. “One of the eye-catchers at our stand is definitely the ‘BeCode evo/evo+’, which has been carefully refined by hand with 200 ‘Swarovski Elements’. ‘Swarovski Elements’ is the premium brand for the finest, precision-cut crystal elements in a variety of colours ranging from aquamarine to vintage rose. This stylish closure system enhances the individual appearance of your furniture and gives it that very special touch,” says Matthias Blunck, managing director of Beloxx.

The Swiss company Peka System considers interzum the most important trade show of the year and has developed a new tall cupboard generation by the name of “Convoy” just for this exhibition. As if that wasn’t enough, the company has responded to the merging of kitchen and living space with new clip-on elements. In general, the Mosen-based manufacturer sees this trend as the key development in the furniture industry and is changing its product designs accordingly.

From 25 to 28 May 2011, Siso is focusing on all matters related to technology. The supplier has announced a new digital door viewer module as well as streamlined cable outlets and cable ducts. The Danish manufacturer has also declared interzum as the “number one” event and is hoping to attract a large number of visitors and establish contact with both existing and new customers.

FGV has announced “Ten” as its interesting innovation for the interzum trade show. The storage space concept is equally suitable for kitchen and bathroom furniture, but can also be used wherever order is required behind furniture fronts. According to the Italian company, “Ten” boasts a range of varieties that is unparalleled in the market and, with its multifaceted functions and capacities, is going to appeal to industry and retailers in equal parts. “For FGV, interzum is a welcome occasion to prove that we are interpreting the latest trends correctly. At the same time, the trade show also gives us the opportunity to check the pulse of the global market by listening to exactly what our customers have to say. interzum is simply the perfect platform for this type of interaction”, says Renato Formenti, chairman of the board at FGV.

EBB Beschlagtechnik has announced the launch of a world first for interzum. “Miro” is a new type of niche system for kitchens and bathrooms with a combination of different application options and top quality processed components and materials – a synthesis hitherto unknown in the market. To set the stage perfectly for “Miro”, EBB is going to hold a show cooking event to demonstrate the capabilities of its niche system. In addition, the company is going to celebrate its innovation with a beach party.

The supplier industry is very clearly moving towards a trend to raise the profile of the brand in the awareness of end consumers. The mere presence of the large number of manufacturers at LivingKitchen, which was also attended by end consumers, has shown that there is definitely a desire to enter into direct contact in order to manifest a certain product quality along the lines of “Intel inside” in consumers. Here, Marketeer offers a good option to elegantly position a company name on furniture components by means of its logo labels. As part of interzum, the Lindlar-based company is going to present 3D metal labels, “LogoRel2 and “LogoMetall”, which serve to impressively position brand or company names permanently.

Lengersdorf also has an exciting programme in store: new products for dampening sliding doors of any type. The focus is on central dampers and end position stops, in particular.

At Metalldecor, on the other hand, it’s all about colour. The new children’s range with colourful hooks, clothes hangers and clothes racks sets the scene in May. In addition, interzum visitors can look forward to a rejuvenated and regenerated company offering a broad range of furniture fixtures and accessories. For Italian manufacturer, Bellano, interzum is also a premiere: the supplier has not attended any other international trade shows up to now.

Alu-Style is another company celebrating its first interzum appearance. The range of the Hungarian organisation comprises everything from sliding door and wardrobe systems to wall systems and handles. The aluminium furniture doors and a newly developed partition door system are true trade show innovations.

Multifaceted – that’s interzum. And it is already becoming apparent that the tried and tested platform will once again become a trade show of innovations, as it has been many times in the past. Anyone interested in the latest developments in furniture technology should head to Cologne and attend interzum.

SOURCE: interzum 2011

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