Just before Christmas, the global home textiles industry is preparing for Heimtextil. Since 1971, the world summit of the home textiles business has been taking place in Frankfurt am Main — this time from 9 to 12 January 2013. As every year, the industry's top players will be coming to Frankfurt from all over the world to find new trends and business, and to get together.
A range of textile interior design and contract furnishings products, trends and innovations will be presented on 19 hall levels, and an informative complementary program and numerous services will be available for visitors and exhibitors. Products shown will include window, upholstery, floor, wall and sun protection products as well as bathroom, bedroom and table textiles.
To get insight into the current status of Heimtextil 2013, the Rupp Report talked to Stefan Jakob, manager, media and communication, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH.
RR : Are you happy with the number of exhibitor registrations?
Jakob : Yes, we are very happy. We have registrations from all product segments from new exhibitors and exhibitors who are coming back to Heimtextil. Among them are leading manufacturers from Germany and abroad. We estimate we will have, again, more exhibitors than last year.
RR : Which countries have the largest exhibitor delegations?
Jakob : Well, so far, we have 2,012 exhibitors from 61 countries. The top 10 are China, 473; India, 382; Germany, 332; Pakistan, 220; Turkey, 172; Italy, 101; Spain, 94; France, 74; Great Britain, 72; and Portugal, 60.
RR : Which countries are currently in the lead regarding the production of home textiles?
Jakob : These are more or less the same countries that are in the top 10 on the exhibitors' list. For the 2013 show, we noticed that more applications are coming from Europe, from countries such as Portugal, Spain, Italy and Turkey; but also Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and, of course, Germany. Remarkable is the fact that also countries that are undergoing a severe crisis are coming to Heimtextil.
RR : Do you anticipate more changes in the structure of the show? Do more Asian than European exhibitors still come to Heimtextil?
Jakob : It is quite remarkable that currently, more exhibitors are coming from Europe; the Asian companies are pushing more their domestic markets.
A Must-Attend Event
RR : Why should the home textiles people come to Frankfurt?
Jakob : Heimtextil 2013 is convincing with an outstanding exhibitor and product portfolio. Leading international and national brand suppliers are present. Furthermore, we have a first-class program with special product presentations, lecturers, competitions, branch events and many more activities. I am convinced that this program underlines once again the unique global position of Heimtextil as the main platform for all kinds of interior products.
RR : What are the highlights at Heimtextil 2013?
Trend Shows
Jakob : The Trend Show will provide an impressive insight into pioneering design developments — planned and executed by Stijlinstituut Amsterdam. The Trend Show in Forum 0 will present an overall insight in future design developments and decorating examples based on the trend forecasts. As a partner of "Be Inspired," Swarovski is enriching the presentations.
For more than 20 years, the Heimtextil Trends have served as a touchstone for the international textile and interiors industry as well as a guide to the new season. Before the trade fair, a team of international designers selected pioneering themes for the 2013/2014 season from a multitude of different global trend movements.
Start-up Platform For Newcomers
Heimtextil will be also featuring new ideas and inspirations for the bath, bed and table as part of "New & Next," with young companies presenting their collections and product innovations in Halls 8, 9 and 11. "New & Next" offers start-ups the opportunity to present their products and services to an international audience at Heimtextil.
Furthermore we have a comprehensive program of lectures, called "Let's Talk About," in Galleria 1, providing information about current market developments. I may also consider our event for the newcomers to promote young designers such as the "Young Creations Award: Upcycling" and "Campus" in Hall 4.2. On top of that, under the motto "Be Inspired," design ideas for retailers are being shown in Hall 11.1. Ready-made products, high-quality designs and sustainable textiles will get an exclusive presentation area.
Important Contract Creations
As ever, the contract business is bread and butter for this segment. At Heimtextil, Contract Creations is introducing a broad range of products and a comprehensive complementary program tailor-made to the needs of architects, room planners, interior decorators and interior designers. Topics of the program include Luxury & Urban Living and Future Hotel. In addition, Heimtextil also offers workshops, tours, special showcases and competitions, such as an architectural innovation award for contract textiles. The Contract Guide, a directory of contract providers, serves as an additional source of orientation for the contract business.
Coupon Business
The Coupon Business Finder is Heimtextil's third target group-specific exhibitor directory, listing companies that offer small and very small volumes of home and household textiles. This directory is perfect for interior decorators and specialist retailers looking to be able to order volumes that match their specific requirements so that they can provide their clients with a flexible product range.
Market Situation
RR: How do you consider the current market situation?
Jakob : The estimate for 2012 in the European textile and apparel industry is a plus of 5 to 7 percent with strong differences among the EU states. We see positive market developments in China, Russia and the USA, with a market increase of more than 10 percent.
RR: Do you have any forecasts for 2013?
Jakob : We have a forecast from EURATEX that predicts a slight drop-back for the beginning of 2013, with a recovery later in the year and for 2014. The German home textiles industry is calculating a minor drop of 0.4 percent for 2012 compared to 2011. On the other hand, we have an increase for bed products and sun protection products.
Design Live
Jakob mentioned that the new concept for the "Design Live" area in Hall 4.2 has drawn a tremendous response from international studios, including some new participants from the USA. More than 180 exhibitors in all will be presenting their creative designs here, together with products and services for CAD/CAM and ink-jet applications, he said.
RR: The final question: What shouldn't be missed at Heimtextil?
Jakob : Oh, apart from the Trend Show and presentation highlights, one should go to Hall 4.2 for "Design Live," where 2,000 international designers will show their new collections. They will be breathtaking!
