Signs of an economic recovery in the furniture sector were noticed at this year’s ZOW in Germany, says show organiser Survey.
The Bad Salzuflen show, which saw visitor numbers grow to 14,000 from 13,250 in 2003, was described by Survey as having a “predominantly positive” atmosphere.
Almost two-thirds of visitors came from Germany, while the level of foreign exhibitors outnumbered German ones for the first time in the show’s 11-year history.
Total exhibitor numbers increased to 566 from 550 last year, with 291 coming from abroad, led by Italy, Austria, Spain and the UK.
Suppliers of semi-finished products, such as front panels and ready-to-assemble furniture, were most heavily represented, followed by functional and decorative fittings.
The top 10 innovative products chosen in ZOW’s Innovations Scouting competition came from Dekodur, Eurocomponenti, Häfele, Kaindl, Kesseböhmer, Lechner, Merkt, Ravier, Rennerich and Schwinn.
