News
Focus Küche & Bad 2006: Satisfied Exhibitors and great Prospects for the Fall
Focus Küche & Bad was a complete success, with 80 exhibitors from home and abroad presenting their latest products at the September 16-22 show. Over the course of the week, 11,000 visitors from 30 nations came to the Enger Exhibition Center to find out about the latest trends on the European kitchen and bathroom scene. The industry sees that once again it's in the ascendant and is looking forward to positive growth.
More Exhibitors and more Visitors
In total around 80 (previous year: 74) German and international exhibitors put their expertise on display for the sixth edition of the industry forum, including companies, associations and service providers from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Spain. Among the market leaders represented were AEG, Bauknecht, Best, Blanco, Damixa, Format, Franke, Gorenje, Liebherr, Naber, Samsung, Sharp, Schock, smeg and Villeroy & Boch as well as for the first time, the Leonberg-based kitchen specialists association, "Der Kreis".
In view of the renewed rush for the 7,000 m2 or so of exhibition space, event organizer, Bielefeld-based Survey Marketing + Consulting, took the step of re-locating both show restaurants in external catering marquees. With no space left, companies who registered after the halls were sold out exhibited in additional show marquees erected at the entrance to the show. In total around 11,000 (previous year: 10,400) national and international experts from manufacturers, bath and kitchen showroom proprietors, designers and architects as well as executives from purchasing organizations and furniture stores made the trip to Focus Küche & Bad 2006. Even on the opening weekend, more than 3,700 visitors were recorded in Enger. Once again this year, the Benelux countries proved to be the strongest contingent, and even business specialists from Asia, Australia and USA found their way to East Westphalia.
VdDK Press Conference: Domestic Market revitalized
Again this year, the German Kitchen Manufacturers' Association (VdDK) chose the Focus Küche & Bad exhibition venue as the platform for its annual press conference. Association President, Stefan Waldenmaier, predicted a steady and continuous upswing for the German kitchen industry in the third quarter of 2006. Whilst exports have been growing year on year, the domestic market was now finally showing distinct signs of revitalization.
Head of the Association, Dr. Lucas Heumann, reported on the results of a recent VdDK survey and was followed by statements from companies in the kitchen furniture industry concerning significant increases in their competitiveness, even in some cases leading to the creation of new jobs, as a result of increasing the hours worked without compensatory salary increases. Further progress was reported by Dr. Olaf Plümer (Director of the Daten Competence Center e.V. in Herford) and Hans-Joachim Adler (Director of AMK Arbeitsgemeinschaft Moderne Küche e.V. in Mannheim) regarding attempts to improve the exchange of measurement data between manufacturers of electrical goods and the kitchen furniture industry, so that by the end of 2006, electrical goods manufacturers will start to supply their fitting dimensions digitally throughout the industry. The new measurements index will play an important role in optimizing the work of development and construction departments, as well as in supporting marketing and retailers.
Focus Küche & Bad 2007: Enger expands!
At last, Focus Küche & Bad is spreading out: from 2007, exhibitors and visitors will be able to enjoy twice as much space, as Focus Küche & Bad moves to the opposite side of the street. The new Center, developed from Wellpac's former premises, offers a 13,000 m² modern and spacious exhibition venue, improved infrastructure with higher ceilings, a pleasantly-appointed environment inside the exhibition hall and enhanced logistics provision throughout the show. The administration complex at the front will be refurbished with meeting rooms, restaurants and a press lounge. In addition, Focus Küche & Bad exhibitors will have the option of installing their own offices and showrooms. The area includes additional car parks, bringing the total capacity to approx. 800 spaces, together with the car parking space at the "old" exhibition site which will still be available.
Survey's C.E.O., Peter H. Meyer, is delighted by the Exhibition Center upgrade: "This is a positive and important step to secure a successful future for Focus Küche & Bad as the focal point of the industry. We're improving the East Westfalia/Lippe venue for exhibitors and we'll be able to provide trade visitors with a more versatile and attractive Focus Küche & Bad."
Focus Küche & Bad 2007:
15. September 15-21, 2007
Enger /Hiddenhausen New Exhibition Center, Industriestraße 77,
32120 Enger/Hiddenhausen, Germany.
For further information, go to www.f-kb.de.