It was all change for wood at Interzum this year, re-housed at Hall 5.1 in the new complex at the Kölnmesse. Solid wood exhibitors were consolidated into one hall only and were somewhat overwhelmed by hardwood veneer, which was out in force.
Interzum may still be regarded as Europe’s leading show for suppliers to the furniture industry, but that could only be said for non-wood suppliers.
Wood substitute surface producers exhibited with huge displays and hospitality, and fittings manufacturers were there with the usual crop of innovative ideas. The textile and component sections thrived, but anyone looking for timber distributors was restricted to just a few European importers and some long-term foreign wood suppliers, notably from North America.
Many of the familiar US hardwood suppliers and Interzum regulars, such as ITL, Baillie and Rossi, were missing after an apparently disappointing show in 2005, and thus the solid timber presence was diminished at this “new look” show. A few loyal importers/distributors, such as Willy Carpentier from Belgium, were there to offer service and supply.
Regulars return
The standard of exhibits was nevertheless impressive and included the return of two former regulars, which had been notable by their absence last time.
Danzer, the world’s leading veneer producer, returned with the launch of its new design product “Vinterio” – an engineered veneer offering a high degree of predictability and standardised specification to designers.
As an answer to non-wood surfaces, Danzer states that Vinterio is “the first product on the global market to combine the qualities of real wooden surfaces and the properties of foil-type surfaces”.
AHEC exhibited an expansive display based mainly on red oak, with everything from furniture to flooring and architectural projects, under its now well-known theme of “America’s best kept secret”. As part of its display a continuous demonstration of hardwood grading was given by former NHLA chief inspector, Bob Sabistina. There was also a cluster of American hardwood suppliers on the USA Pavilion offering hardwoods from all over America.
Interzum is truly an international show for the furniture industry and appears to have abandoned its recent temporary flirtation with the flooring sector, which has deserted en masse to Domotex. Seventy per cent of the 1,361 companies exhibiting were foreign, from 61 countries – with the largest contingent from Italy followed by China, Taiwan and the US.
Nonetheless, the German veneer exhibitors dominated the single, relatively small “Wood Hall”. Given that the organisers promoted Interzum 2007 as a “trend fair and exhibition for furniture production and wood interior design”, the solid wood content was less significant than anyone can remember.
Veneer presentations
The European Veneer Association held a day-long event within the hall, aimed to appeal to visitors by tackling a wide range of wood-based issues in a series of presentations.
In terms of issues such as sustainability and certification, the show was somewhat subdued with no more than a few exhibitors displaying products carrying FSC and PEFC labels. SFI was represented on the American pavilion, providing updates on its latest development, while FSC featured separately at the FSC Arbeitsgruppe Deutschland exhibit.
Some exhibitors reported a quiet start and, although there appeared to be many Asian visitors, there seems to be little doubt that many now prefer to participate in Interzum shows in China.
Nevertheless, the contingent of 73 Chinese companies demonstrated the importance they attach to their European exports, many of which have nothing to do with wood.
Whether Interzum is the event for wood that it used to be is questionable, but in the final analysis it will be the health of European furniture manufacturing that might have more of a bearing on its future.
