DUBAI — The Middle East continues to be a strong source of interest for international textiles suppliers, with increasing market demand stemming from the region for the latest in home and contract textiles.
This was underlined at a media round table organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, to familiarize regional media and industry representatives about the advantages of being present at Heimtextil, the leading international trade showcase for home and contract textiles, being held at Frankfurt next year.
Chockfull of design trends, technical innovations and high-quality home collections from international suppliers: with a globally unique product portfolio, Heimtextil will offer its visitors a superb overview of the market when it opens doors in January next year.
With the UAE textile market valued at $ 17.5 billion annually and Dubai and the region rapidly growing in stature as a key textile trading hub, being represented at the leading trading event for the industry, is vital for traders, buyers and suppliers from the region, to keep in touch with the latest trends and developments.
Prominent exhibitors from the Middle East who will be present at Heimtextil 2018 include: Al Guthmi from Saudi Arabia, leaders in furnishing fabrics, curtains and home accessories, KC Fabrics from the UAE also home to make an impact with their fabrics and furnishings, which they design and supply across the globe.
The international trade fair for home and contract textiles expects to welcome around 3000 exhibitors as well as see growth in various product areas. Heimtextil covers the entire portfolio of textile interior design as well as contract furnishing over 20 hall levels. This makes the trade fair a globally unique ordering platform and one at which international key players in the industry gather at the start of the year. At the same time, a comprehensive fringe program provides information and inspiration on the latest market developments.
A central role in the trade fair's program is played by the range of contract furnishings and fittings, which Heimtextil sums up under the title “Interior. Architecture. Hospitality”. “This is the next step towards a top innovation and knowledge platform for textile solutions in architecture and hotel furnishing," says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. “As the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, we aim to tease out these themes even more clearly from the overall portfolio and prepare them in line with the current requirements of the industry. To this end, we cooperate with international experts and have developed some exciting concepts.”
The new event format “Interior.Architecture. Hospitality Expo” offers a high density of products, expertise and networking opportunities for architects, interior designers and hoteliers. Selected suppliers, such as Chieftain Fabrics, Drapilux, Forster Rohner, Gerriets and Low & Bonar, will present their product innovations and material solutions in the exclusive surroundings of the new Expo in hall 4.2. Heimtextil also inspires with a four-day program of presentations on the current themes of “Customization”, “Health Care” and “Living Hotels”. Guided exhibitor tours supply target groups with tailored, in-depth information. The offer for those interested in the contract business is completed by the exhibitor catalogue “Contract Guide” and the “Interior.Architecture. Hospitality Salon” which functions as a networking lounge in hall 4.2.
“Upholstery” on a sustained growth course
The highlights in Hall 3.1 include presentations by international textile publishers such as Alhambra / Tormes Design and Tapicerias Gancedo, who are new on board for Heimtextil 2018. With Damaceno & Antues – Evo Interior Fabrics, a new brand from Portugal is represented. The upholstery fabrics offer in Hall 4 continues to develop strongly. Due to the large number of exhibitors, opportunities to present high-quality upholstery fabrics for the contract furnishing market will be offered in Hall 4.2 for the first time. Here, Trevira (Germany) is a promising highlight: for the first time in several years, the company will take part in a 1300 square meter joint presentation with its CS partners. The following partners are involved: Baumann Dekor, Engelbert E. Stieger, Fidivi Tessitura Vergnano, Georg und Otto Friedrich, Getzner Textil, Jenny Fabrics, Johan van den Acker Textielfabriek, Mattes & Ammann, Mersem Teksil, Pugi R.G., Spandauer Velours, SR Webatex / Getzner Textil, Swisstulle, Teksko Kadife Kumas, Tessitura Mario Ghioldi & C, Torcitura Fibre Sintetiche, Torcitura Lei Tsu, Vlnap, Wagenfelder Spinning Group and Wintex.
With “Design live”, Heimtextil is once again presenting the world's largest platform for textile design: around 250 international design studios will be presenting their new designs in Hall 4.2 - more than ever before. The “Digital print technology” segment also presents an outstanding offer. Here, in Hall 6.0, the leading international digital printer manufacturers will come together and showcase their latest innovations. Among the participants are Hewlett Packard Germany, Epson (Italy), Mimaki (Netherlands), Kornit (Germany) and Reggiani (Italy). The “Digital Textile Conference” will also once again be held in the Saal Europa, organized by the industry information service WTiN. — SG
