Interzum 2013, a complete success

On 16 May 2013 interzum came to an end with very good results. The world’s leading trade fair for furniture production and interior finishing recorded a slight increase in visitor numbers compared to 2011 with around 53,000 visitors – including estimates from the last day of the trade fair – from 148 countries.

The share of visitors from abroad was about 70 per cent. A clear rise in visitors from Asia, North America and Eastern Europe in particular was seen at interzum.

“With the current growth in exhibitors and especially in international visitors, interzum again proved that it is the location worldwide that gives the market and thus the sector’s business its impetus”, was the summary from Katharina C. Hamma, Managing Director of Koelnmesse. The 1,512 companies from 62 countries  ensured a strong appeal this year. 391 of them came from Germany, while 1,121 arrived from abroad. With 266 companies Italy was mostly strongly represented, followed by Turkey with 101 companies. In total this results in an increase of 7 per cent compared to the previous event (2011: 1,412).

The total exhibition space grew by around 6 per cent. As at previous versions of interzum, decision-makers were the main visitors at the trade fair, which exhibitors have always found praiseworthy. A total of around 53,000 trade visitors – including estimates from the last day of the trade fair – (52,400 visitors in 2011) came to the metropolis on the Rhine.

Around 18,000 visitors were from Germany. More than 35,000 came from 148 countries around the world. Above all there were increases in visitor numbers from abroad. In particular, this included from China, the US, Great Britain, Russia, Poland and Turkey.

An overview of the interzum trends The interest of trade visitors in technical and design innovations was particularly great. Against the backdrop of a global increase in demand, the trend in all areas here is a reduced use of materials with consistent quality and a growing use of sustainable manufacturing components.

This approach is observed in all segments: in cutting leather, when manufacturing upholstery and mattresses and in the wood materials area. When it comes to design, for instance for fittings, this goes hand in hand with a clear trend for reduced aesthetics.

Superfluous additions are being dropped, reducing the product to its essential function. Colors continue to arrive on the scene in the supplier products of the international furniture and furnishings industry. Decorations are offered in color or with a graphic print – whether it’s for furniture, walls or floors.

The demand side demands customized options. Just as colorful are the offers from fittings manufacturers when it comes to the inner life of kitchen, bathroom and living room furniture: colorful inserts, drawer structures and hinges point to a growing “love of detail”. The classic natural material of wood also fits the sustainability trend. You could also meet up with satisfied veneer manufacturers and traders in Cologne.