It’s where furniture is made
ZOW Bad Salzuflen – the key to the market

East Westphalia is the beating heart of the German furniture industry and its suppliers: Its unique density of companies, universities and associations operating in the field of furniture construction, is unmatched in Europe. From 6-9 February 2012, the 18th ZOW, supplier fair for the furniture industry and interior design, will run in just this environment.

In 2012, more than 670 exhibitors from 33 countries will showcase their products in Bad Salzuflen. Approximately one third of the German exhibiting companies is based in East Westphalia, reflecting the region‘s strength at ZOW. However, many international suppliers will also be represented at ZOW Bad Salzuflen. Roughly half of the ZOW exhibitors (46%) are international companies looking for great business in the area. The odds are in their favour: This year’s ZOW will be the only trade show of its kind in Germany, and the German market boasts promising sales prospects for international suppliers. It is not without reason that almost the entire surface and fittings industries will be represented at ZOW 2012. Due to the large exhibitor demand, event organiser Events Deutschland GmbH (Bielefeld) opened two additional halls, 19 and 23.2, for the 2012 trade fair. A total of 33,000 square meters of exhibition space will be in use.

ZOW, however, does not only see itself as a product and trend show, but also as a leading forum and source of inspiration for successful business operations. One can experience at ZOW today, what will move the industry tomorrow. The ZOW exhibitors and their guests are able to create a precious information advantage at topic presentations and high-quality special events.

Launch of ZOW ESSENTIALS:
Challenges for the furniture production of tomorrow

Against this backdrop, ZOW ESSENTIALS will be launched on 8 February: A day-long furniture convention targeted towards all visitors and exhibitors. Renowned industry experts will hold lectures and discuss the topic “The future of furniture – challenges for the furniture production of tomorrow.” For the third time, the German Research Association for Surface Treatment (DFO) has chosen ZOW as the venue for its annual expert convention. On 9 February, timber coating day, everything will revolve around surface technologies and their application in furniture construction and interior design. 

Lightweight construction for furniture has been at home at ZOW for years. Winning the markets of tomorrow is also the goal here. In this context, new materials, novel approaches to designs and technical processes come into play. In 2012, the igeL forum in hall 22.1 will be turned into a platform for innovative lightweight construction pioneers. There, the members of the lightweight construction association (igeL) will showcase their stunningly innovative technologies and design solutions for the furniture industry and interior design. Hall 22.1 will also feature “fabrics by ZOW“, thus providing the suppliers of the European seating and upholstery furniture industry with their own platform to present product innovations of fabrics and leather, microfiber materials and upholstery accessories.

RFID stands for radio technology that allows the identification of furniture parts on their journey from the supplier, to the logistics company and to the consumer. This makes RFID a central topic of the furniture industry‘s future topics. At RFID factory in hall 23.2, organised by Löhne-based Abaco Informationssysteme, this method can be experienced along the supply chain. A total of 19 companies operating in the fields of software, management, furniture and logistics will contribute to this project.

Ideas and Innovations, business and best practice – in 2012, ZOW will once again live up to its reputation as the trend barometer and business event of the international furniture and interior design industries. The date for the next ZOW has already been determined: It will run from 4 – 7 February 2013.