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Germany
Trends in the wood sector
Speaking
at the opening of "interzum cologne 2005", the leading fair for
the furniture industry's supplying sector, Mr. Dirk-Uwe Klaas, Managing
Director of VDM-National Association of German Furniture Industries,
underlined the crucial importance of innovation for all companies aiming
to survive in a ever more severe competitive market place.
There
is no other way but for manufacturing companies supplying the furniture
industry to keep a steady high innovative profile, which also means high
quality, eco-sustainability, eco-friendly use, attractive aesthetic
content and use of advanced technologies.
Despite
the poor general business and economic situation, "interzum
2005" was once more a platform where product innovations were
presented by international exhibitors (73% of total exhibitors came from
outside Germany) to international trade visitors (70% of foreign share
visitors from 132 countries).
The
high proportion of foreign visitors at the fair was in contrasted to the
decline in the number of visitors from Germany. A total of 49,000 visitors
attended the fair this year (54,000 in 2003).
The headlines from "interzum
2005" are: (i) design is of utmost importance for the furniture and
interior decoration supplying industry, with emphasis on technical
innovation and highest functionality; (ii) good fittings improve the
handling quality of furniture and the movement ease of each furniture part
so are very important; (iii) good drawer systems allow more storage space,
as well as effective and safer use; (iv) soft stopper mechanisms on
cupboard doors are a must; (v) trendy high pressure laminates and
decorative papers are now mimicing metals, translucent surfaces,
water-like reflexes, old-fashion appearance, '50s, '60s and '70s look;
(vi) the 3D real wood veneer allows unprecedented natural design, while
exotic wood veneers are still in demand; (vii) "fixing and
gluing" comes ahead of "using metal fasteners and screws";
(viii) antibacterial worktops ensure full hygiene in the kitchen; (ix)
breathable yet dirt-repellent, washable fibres are gaining ground; and
finally there is an increasing use of honeycomb panels for kitchen
cabinets and worktops.
Trends
in the wood sector
According
to the latest VDM statistics, Germany's wood and furniture industry in
2004 saw total sales amounting to Euro 37 billion, a 3% increase on 2003
(first increase for the last three years). January and February 2005 seem
to confirm the same business trend as in 2004.
Total sales are stable or show a slight decline. In 2004 the wood
industry as a whole boasted a better performance than the furniture
industry, growing 5.3%.
Manufacturers
of wooden houses, doors, windows and wood flooring recorded a fall in
sales while manufacturers of particleboard, plywood, MDF, OSB and other
wood-based panels recorded positive growth ( +13.2%) in 2004 over the
previous year and producers of wood packaging and pallets also recorded a
very good result: +14.3%.
Total sales of the German
furniture industry in 2004 amounted to Euro 20.1 billion,up 1.4% on 2003
but the number of employees in the furniture industry fell by 7% in 2004.
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