The combination of Holz-Handwerk (woodworking technologies and solutions with a focus on handicrafts and carpentry) and Fensterbau-Frontale (entirely focused on windows, made of any material, and facades) scored high. If we had to identify a “turning point”, i.e. the turn marker after which the industry could really reverse its trend, we would surely bet on the winning duo held in Nuremberg from 24–27 March 2010. To be earnest, around the world few signs had already been detected in recent months, during some exhibitions we breathed definitely lighter air as compared to the recent past and the Italian scenario, but let us tell you that being in Nuremberg made us go back to the good old times, when shows were crowded and exhibitors’ and visitors’ faces were visibly satisfied. In other words, it was a pleasure to see that something is starting to move…
At this point, we would like to present you some figures: the 2010 edition of Holz-Handwerk/Fensterbau-Frontale has gathered 1,270 exhibitors (in 2008 they were 1,276) and over 103,000 professional visitors, practically the same as 2008, i.e. 102,947.The show maintained excellent levels, no doubt.
In detail: Holz-Handwerk has recorded 515 exhibitors from 17 countries (Italy ranked third among the largest countries, after Germany and Austria), against 761 from 33 countries for Fensterbau-Frontale (Italy always ranking third, this time after Germany and Poland, followed by Austria and Turkey).
A “PECULIAR” EXHIBITION
Nuremberg has always hosted an exhibition we could define as “peculiar”, with its own connotation and whose most remarkable feature is with no doubt the combination of the two similar, yet not so close shows, except for the area of Fensterbau-Frontale dedicated to timber doors and windows. Then plastic, glass, aluminum… everything you need to “close” a construction, both public and private, to insulate it from the outdoor environment. In this context, woodworking machinery has found a solid ground, within a frame – Holz-Handwerk – thought by Vdma (German woodworking machinery manufacturers’ association) and the fair organization of the German city. A winning partnership for an event taking place in even years alternating with Ligna with well-defined roles: on one hand the great Ligna focusing on the entire world, on the other hand Holz-Handwerk, which ever since appeals more to the German market and for a large quantity of solutions closer to the carpentry and handicrafts world.
But it is not enough, because another factor is maybe too often forgotten, yet in our opinion it plays a key role. And it plays it in the upper exhibition floors, i.e. those areas on the first floor gathering software houses and manufacturers of “auxiliary” equipment, the world of school-research-training and – last but not least – a well equipped hall for the subcontracting industry: in hall 10.1 some seventy companies (including a large number of renowned brands, leading industry players…) brought everything you may need in terms of covering, decoration, panels, hardware, glues and adhesives, paints…
If we must find a reason to explain why Nuremberg is and continues to be most appealing, maybe we should look for it right in this role of huge showcase, a display where you can find everything. We have not seen any impressive stand, we could not find all the leading companies of every single segment, yet we could appreciate a well organized, linear, complete, exhaustive exhibition.
In other words, a showcase where you go to look for. And you do find. In addition, like several parties confirmed us, the air in Germany is changing and, having been affected by the crisis slightly before others, they are recovering before. And this goes most of all for doors, windows and facades, we have been told, but the rest of the universe gathered at Holz-Handwerk is not that far away.
ITALY
And what about Italy? How do Italian exhibitors look at this event? “This year we reached the targets we had set”, explains Chiara Cappelli of the Italian branch office of the Nuremberg fair, who we met during the exhibition. “As to Fensterbau-Frontale, during these days in Nuremberg 35 Italian companies are present on a 3,200 sqm net surface. There are ‘historical’ exhibitors, companies that have been coming here for decades, but also others who came to see the latest editions and starting from this year have decided to become exhibitors”.
The number of window technology manufacturers is high, because – maybe not everyone knows it – the appeal of this industry show is such to convince many of them to exhibit in hall 1 to 9 and not those reserved to Holz-Handwerk.
Cappelli is direct: “From our contacts at the exhibition the satisfaction is evident for how things are going and for the air we breathe during these days. A situation we wished for and that comes after a 2008 edition that was certainly not the happiest, also because two years ago Germany had already entered a tough situation that had convinced many not to join in”.
High scores also for Holz-Handwerk, even though on definitely different levels than Fensterbau/Frontale: in technology halls we saw some fifteen exhibitors, yet a satisfactory result when compared to the almost ten on 300 sqm in 2008.
“In Italy it is clear that they tend to wait, to see more precise signs on what the future holds for us”, explains Chiara Cappelli. “Entrepreneurs, marketing and sales managers have waited until the end before taking the decision to join in or not at Nuremberg. And I am not talking about only the timber or window industry, but all exhibitors we have contacts with for the several exhibitions we represent. We received several confirmations last minute, just as we received sudden cancellations”.
A direct, practical evidence on this season of the made in Italy and the hard times probably still ahead. Yet, markets are now globalized, the world has become smaller, currents pass from a sea to another. If something is moving in one part of the world, if the “European engine” starts over to work again, we can look at the upcoming months with a bit of optimism. And let us say that: those who have been holding on to this day are waiting exactly for this! (l.r.)
