Article Number : 5317 |
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| Date | 2/23/2010 9:41:13 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=5317 |
| Abstract | By Dr. Rolf Arora FCNews foreign correspondent HANNOVER, GERMANY—Domotex Hannover 2010 was a success by every measure. Over the four-day market, approximately 40,000 visitors—mostly retailers and wholesalers—turned out to view products offered... |
| Article | By Dr. Rolf Arora FCNews foreign correspondent HANNOVER, GERMANY—Domotex Hannover 2010 was a success by every measure. Over the four-day market, approximately 40,000 visitors—mostly retailers and wholesalers—turned out to view products offered by 1,395 exhibitors from more than 70 countries. “With exhibitor numbers holding steady and a growth in attendees, we have improved upon last year’s results in spite of the tough economic climate,” said Stephan Kuhne, member of the Deutsche Messe managing board which is responsible for Domotex 2010. “Domotex has given the industry some real momentum and charted the way for the coming year.” The mood at Domotex was much more upbeat, according to Ali Ipektchi, chairman of the European Carpet Importers Association. “Over the last two or three years, many firms were preoccupied with reducing their inventory levels. But now, the customers seem ready to order again. We are very pleased with the run of the show.” Visitors once again showed a strong interest in hand- and machine-made carpets as well as in textile, resilient and hard surface flooring. The show posted a 30% rise in the parquet and laminate flooring sections, as well as installation, cleaning and application technologies. Domotex also serves as an international trendsetter. “The focus of products has been on sustainability, styling and status,” said Axel Venn, internationally renowned color and trend scout. He went on to identify some trends for other types of flooring, such as an increasing preference for parquet made of domestic wood displaying a highly visible grain. “This is indicative of a rising interest in natural authenticity,” he explained. Domotex is also a vital marketing vehicle. “At Domotex, we can get the kind of product exposure in just four days that would otherwise take four months of business trips to find out,” said Emmanuel Lioen, marketing manager for the Beaulieu International Group in Belgium. “And thanks to the instant feedback, we know after just two days whether a particular innovation is likely to be successful.” Ivo Schintz, general manager of Tarkett GmbH in Germany, said Domotex is a vital part of the company’s communication mix. “We had very high customer traffic at our stand this year. There was a huge amount of interest in our product innovations. The show has helped us get off to a good start in 2010.” There was also a stronger focus on networking amongst exhibitors and attendees. As an example, lectures and discussions took place at various points throughout the showcase as opposed to concentrated in a single place. This helped boost face-to-face dialogues at exhibitor stands. Domotex 2011 will be held from Jan 15 to 18. |