Frank Haubold | imm cologne

imm cologne/LivingKitchen 2013: Nolte Group banking on the dual event

Ralf Jourdan, Vorstand der Nolte Gruppe. (Foto: Nolte Gruppe)

Ralf Jourdan, CEO Nolte Group. (photo: Nolte Group)

From 14th to 20th January 2013, more than 1,100 companies from around 50 countries will be presenting over 100,000 pieces of furniture and even more related items at the imm cologne. About one third of the exhibits will be new launches. As the leading international fair, imm cologne showcases the enormous breadth and depth of products available for the furnishing sector and, thanks to concurrent LivingKitchen, everything to do with kitchens as well.

Just how perfectly the two international trade fairs complement one another is demonstrated by the registration of the Nolte Group, which will be bringing its key subsidiaries to Cologne for the first time. Nolte Möbel in the Smart segment (Hall 7.1), as well as CS Schmal and Express Möbel (Hall 8.1), will be renewing their presence. Following LivingKitchen’s successful premiere in 2011, Nolte will also be participating with its divisions Nolte Küchen (Hall 5.2) and, for the first time, Express Küchen (Hall 4.1).

Pure Editions kicks off with top-notch line-up: Vitra decides in favour of a presence at the imm cologne

The imm cologne has a new stage for exceptional interior design concepts – for products that embody a vision, for design objects that set benchmarks, but also for innovative materials and experimental studies. The new format met with a good response as soon as it was presented, especially amongst leading brand-name companies who find the concept of an open platform with a gallery-like character highly appealing.

Following the launch of the new Pure Village format three years ago, the latest project from the imm team under the direction of Frank Haubold and his Creative Director Dick Spierenburg looks set to be a success as well. With Pure Editions and the restructuring of the Pure segment, the two of them are again demonstrating their sure instinct for innovative formats and impeccable timing. Within just a few weeks, Koelnmesse had received bookings for the newly designed Hall 3.2 from several of the interior design sector’s leading design companies. The exclusiveness of the format and the installation-like character of Pure Editions seem to be thoroughly in tune with the times and are proving particularly attractive to new exhibitors such as Capo D’opera, Extremis, Serralunga, Slide and Vondom.

For Vitra, it was the launch of the new format that clinched its decision to participate in the imm cologne again after three years of abstinence. “Vitra has decided to take part in the imm 2013 and will have a presence in the new Pure Editions section. The concept is all about new, creative forms of presentation and inspiration. The format, consisting of open, inviting booth structures with complementary installations, underscores these aspirations and promises an exciting, varied atmosphere that visitors will find highly attractive. Vitra supports Koelnmesse’s approach and wants to help the format establish itself convincingly,” says Rudolf Pütz, CEO of Vitra.

German mattress industry banking on imm cologne: Sleep segment in Hall 9 already booked out

For the furniture sector but also for the German and European mattress industry, the imm cologne is the most important trade fair of all: besides being a meeting point where trade visitors from the sector can inform themselves about what’s new on the market, it also reaches interested consumers during the Public Days. As a result Hall 9, which is home to the Sleep segment, is already booked out long before the trade fair gets underway. As in previous years, the German Mattress Industry Association (Fachverband Matratzen-Industrie) will be presenting itself in the centre of the hall, where it will be providing visitors with manufacturer-neutral advice on the topic of sleep and hosting the sector’s meet@sleep event.

The average German sleeps a good seven hours per night – and thus spends more time in bed than on his sofa or cooking. Consumers therefore have good reason to invest in the purchase of mattress and bed systems that are suited to their individual requirements. This trend is very clearly reflected in the number of mattress and bed manufacturers who have registered for the imm cologne, where they can reach trade visitors and consumers at one and the same event. An increase in first-time enquiries from interested manufacturers and increased demand for more space from long-standing exhibitors – the Sleep segment is more successful than ever before.

A full half-year before the trade fair gets underway, Koelnmesse and Vice President Trade Fair Management Frank Haubold are having to tell would-be exhibitors: “Sorry, we’re booked out”. The Hilding Anders Group will be returning to the trade fair with a joint booth. It will be joined by well-known German manufacturers such as ADA Möbelfabrik, Badenia Bettcomfort, Diamona, Fey, Otten, Rummel-Matratzen and Schlaraffia. And many foreign companies, including Auping, AKVA Waterbeds and Joka, are banking on the imm cologne as well. Frank Haubold: “In order to be able to accept all the enquiries we’ve had from exhibitors, we would have needed one third more space. We would love to be able to satisfy everyone’s requests, but unfortunately we’re having to put any new enquiries on the waiting list for the time being. For us as trade fair organisers, the strong demand is a huge success, and that is due in no small part to the great support and commitment of the German Mattress Industry Association.”

imm cologne 2013: high number of registrations and a strong demand for space from abroad

The imm cologne, the major worldwide event for the interior design sector, will open its gates in fewer than 200 days. Following the two successful events in 2011 and 2012, the 2013 trade fair is also right on track. With roughly 10 percent more exhibitors and 12 percent more exhibition space occupied, augmented by an increase in foreign participation and new product segments, there’s nothing standing in the way of a successful event.

“2013 is a very important year for us. With a strong German economy to bolster us while foreign markets are faltering, the imm cologne will assume a very special function as the central global business platform. The significant interest from strong Italian brands is a good example of this. For the first time in years we’ll be occupying the entire exhibition centre again, enabling our visitors to experience everything the international interior design sector has to offer in one location. In view of the huge interest from professional circles and the media, plus the fact that the number of exhibitors who have registered to take part exceeds all our expectations, we can already say that, more than ever before, Cologne is very much a talking point in the international interior design sector,” says Frank Haubold, Vice President Trade Fair Management.

Dual trade fair imm cologne / LivingKitchen 2013 set to be a big success

Frank Haubold, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse. (photo: Koelnmesse)

In several respects, Germany can be described as the country for furniture – as is also reflected in the development of the imm cologne. The event has returned to its former strength and has been reporting a steady increase in attendance figures since 2009. This is due on the one hand to a trade fair platform that has proved its worth and on the other to the stable economic situation and high demand for furnishings within the Federal Republic.

“For many years now, this trade fair has been an absolute must, even if there are a few weaker years behind us,” explains Frank Haubold, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse. “In 2012, we were once again able to welcome a lot of first-time exhibitors to the imm cologne – young, up-and-coming companies who saw their presence at the trade fair as a way of gaining a stronger foothold in Germany and Europe. But it wasn’t only new providers who came to Cologne: a lot of firmly established manufacturers returned as well – precisely because the German furniture show enjoys such a good reputation and, in recent years, has been able to improve its standing even further.”

Translated into figures, this means an increase from 948 exhibiting companies in 2009 to no fewer than 1,159 this year. In addition, the number of visitors grew by 15% to approx. 115,000 in the same period.

imm cologne supporting programme “Architektouren 2012″ presents architectural highlights in and around Cologne

No architecture, no interiors: time and time again, it is outstanding architectural works that have a decisive influence on innovative interior concepts. For as preferences with regard to contemporary buildings change, our interior design tastes naturally change as well. A look at building styles in the private sector shows that changes in certain conditions can result in entire room concepts changing.

Whereas there used to be a very clear separation between the living room, dining room and kitchen, for instance, the desire for spacious, loft-like layouts has led to the current “live-in kitchen” megatrend. As a global trend barometer for modern living, the imm cologne 2012 will therefore be offering visitors various “Architektouren” in and around Cologne in addition to the wide range of products on show in the halls of the exhibition centre.

Koelnmesse’s idea of organising excursions to the architectural masterpieces of various epochs all the way to the modern era got off to a very successful start at the imm cologne 2011. In fact, the concept was so successful that the tour programme for 2012 is even more extensive. For when it comes to internationally renowned architecture, Cologne certainly has plenty to offer.

imm cologne 2012 with high number of registrations: strong demand for space from Italy

Following the end of the early booking period, Koelnmesse is looking ahead to imm cologne 2012 with optimism. Already, more than 200 days before the event, the rental situation is 18 percent above the figures for the same period for the last imm cologne. Overall, over 70 percent of the hall space has been hired out.

“This result marks a seamless transition from the outstanding imm cologne 2011″, remarks Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, with regard to the registration figures. “Developments in relation to international participation are particularly pleasing. As well as huge demand from Germany, we have seen increased desire for space from Italy, France and Spain”, continues the CEO.

Frank Haubold, director of imm cologne, had the following to say: “The current developments confirm imm cologne as an important international business event. Anyone wanting to earn money through furniture turns to Germany and thus to imm cologne as the biggest event in this market.” LivingInteriors, the new trade fair format for halls 4 and 5, is also awaited with great excitement. Here, everything will revolve around the topics of bathrooms, floors, walls and light.

interzum 2011: More exhibitors and more visitors document a great success

“Sensational. It was our best interzum ever,” was the general consensus amongst exhibitors at the end of this year’s interzum. With 52,400 trade visitors from 147 countries, the leading international trade fair for the furniture supplier industry was able to announce growth of 13 percent as compared to the previous event in 2009. The internationality of the visitor structure, traditionally always high anyway, increased significantly this year with a plus of 24 percent.

“I’m absolutely thrilled. What’s been happening here over the last few days is incredible. For four days, the exhibitors have been showing what I can only describe as a firework display. The industry has been celebrating itself – with good reason,” concludes Frank Haubold, product manager of interzum and director of the imm cologne. “With this interzum, Koelnmesse has definitely underlined its position as a beacon for the furniture industry. I don’t believe there is any other trade fair venue in the world where three absolute leading events for the respective sectors take place so successfully, in such concentrated form and in such a brief space of time. We are creating precedents for an extremely promising future,” says a visibly satisfied Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse.

This year’s interzum was the international meeting point for the supplier industry. The mood was extremely good, exhibitors were able to make new contacts and boost business. And visitors had the opportunity to get a comprehensive overview of what the sector has to offer. There were sophisticated newly developed products on show in all segments.

LivingKitchen 2011 – Statements

Dr. Lucas Heumann, Trade Associations of the Wood and Furniture Industry, Herford
I am extremely pleased to be in a position today to announce to the international public that “living kitchen” will be held in Cologne as an international kitchen trade fair concurrent with the International Furniture Fair in 2011. A major strategic aim of the German kitchen furniture sector is to present the full scope of its capabilities to an international public. The partnership that we had been seeking for a number of years is now in place, and for that I would also like to congratulate Koelnmesse and in particular the team headed by Mr. Haubold, which I feel did some tremendous work. If we work as well together next year on the marketing of the trade fair, I am confident that LivingKitchen 2011 will be a success from start to finish for the entire international public and the German kitchen furniture sector, in particular.

Dr. Günter Scheipermeier, nobilia-Werke, Verl
My hope for January 2011 in Cologne is that the theme of kitchens can be re-established at the trade fair and reinvigorated with new life through the collaboration between Koelnmesse and the leading companies in the industry. Various things must happen if this is to succeed: Firstly, a number of the leading kitchen furniture makers must become enthusiastic about this trade fair; secondly, the electric appliances industry must be brought on board; and thirdly, foreign visitors, specifically a large number of foreign trade visitors and also foreign exhibitors must be attracted. Those are the aims. They can be achieved if Koelnmesse, on the one hand, and the major players in the industry, on the other hand, can get in step on this.

Remarks by Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH, about the planned international kitchen trade fair in 2011

Gerald Böse, Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung der Koelnmesse GmbH

Gerald Böse, Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH

Ladies and gentlemen,
thank you for coming to this press conference in order to find out at first hand about the current status of our initiative to create a new international kitchen trade fair.
I would also like to thank Mr. Hans Strothoff for giving us the opportunity to present our results to date here at the MHK Forum in Enger. We purposely chose this location in order to save you a long trip.

After extensive and intense talks with companies in the sector, we’ve received numerous expressions of interest from renowned German manufacturers of kitchen furniture who support the concept of holding an international kitchen trade fair in 2011. That’s why it’s my pleasure to announce to you today that the first part of our mission is accomplished. There will be a kitchen trade fair in Cologne in January 2011!

imm cologne

Create. Furnish. Live.

imm cologne/LivingKitchen 2013: Nolte Group banking on the dual event

Pure Editions kicks off with top-notch line-up: Vitra decides in favour of a presence at the imm cologne

German mattress industry banking on imm cologne: Sleep segment in Hall 9 already booked out

imm cologne 2013: high number of registrations and a strong demand for space from abroad

Dual trade fair imm cologne / LivingKitchen 2013 set to be a big success

imm cologne supporting programme “Architektouren 2012″ presents architectural highlights in and around Cologne

imm cologne 2012 with high number of registrations: strong demand for space from Italy

interzum 2011: More exhibitors and more visitors document a great success

LivingKitchen 2011 – Statements

Remarks by Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH, about the planned international kitchen trade fair in 2011

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