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Outstanding developments in the field of technical textiles will once again be honored at Techtextil 2022, from June 21 to 24. Companies and research institutes can now submit their approaches for the Innovation Award 2022, which will be presented at the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. Techtextil and Texprocess 2022 already have registrations from more than 1,000 international exhibitors and twelve national pavilions.

Innovative new products are sought in the following categories: concept, technology, material, application, product, sustainability and circular economy, sustainable technology and recycling, and technology and digitalization. New, unconventional ideas, concepts and visions are particularly welcome. The Techtextil Innovation Award supports progressive approaches and dialogue between researchers, the manufacturing industry and users. For the first time, Techtextil will also mark an outstanding development in the field of functional or performing textiles materials for fashion with the Techtextil Performance Fashion Award. Submissions are now open online. The deadline for applications is March 25, 2022.

“We are pleased to promote forward-looking progress in the field of technical textiles through the Techtextil Innovation Award 2022”, explains Michael Jänecke, Director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing. “This year, sustainability and digitalization will again be honored in a separate category.”

Entries selected by an independent international jury will be presented to international trade visitors and media representatives in a special area at Techtextil 2022. For the first time, the winners will also be presented virtually, as part of the Digital Extension of Techtextil 2022.

Entries are invited from exhibitors of Techtextil 2022, as well as companies, institutes, universities, polytechnics and individuals not represented at the fair. The rules: the developments submitted should be shortly before being launched onto the market or, if already available on the market, not have been so for more than two years. Additionally, they may not have been chosen for any other award.

Texprocess 2022, which is being held in parallel, will also present an Innovation Award in the field of new technologies and processes for processing textiles and flexible materials.

Currently, more than 1,000 international exhibitors have already registered for Techtextil and Texprocess 2022. In addition, numerous joint stand participants and twelve international country pavilions will complement the presentations. In total, registrations from 44 (Techtextil) and 27 countries (Texprocess) promise comprehensive international exchange with relevant top decision-makers and business partners. As the exhibiting companies have used the last two years intensively for research and development of new products, trade visitors from all over the world can look forward to a wide range of innovations and creative product solutions. For the first time, Techtextil and Texprocess 2022 will offer a Digital Extension: exhibitors and visitors can thus be found both on-site in Frankfurt and virtually, and can exchange ideas in complementary formats. These new touchpoints include: Matchmaking offers, round tables, chat function, 1-to-1 video conversations or digital timetables.

Techtextil will take place from 21 to 24 June 2022, parallel to Texprocess and Heimtextil Summer Special.

For more information, visit www.techtextilaward.com

Domotex

Will take place in January 2023

The next edition of Domotex, the leading trade show for carpets and floor coverings, will take place in Hannover from 12 to 15 January 2023. The decision on the date in January 2023 was taken following intensive market discussions. Domotex will be a face-to-face event with additional digital offerings. This means that all participants will once again have the platform they have been longing for, for networking and to exchange ideas on a personal level. Exhibiting companies and trade show guests from all over the world will be able to exchange information on new products and current trends in the industry – both onsite and virtually.

“With the new date of Domotex in January 2023, we want to give the players in the carpet and floor coverings industry the greatest possible long-term planning security. We want to give our customers the opportunity to finally meet in person again, to be inspired and to forge new business relationships,” says Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director Domotex, Deutsche Messe AG, Hannover. “Having already had to cancel Domotex twice due to the pandemic, we would have liked to give the industry its platform again this year. However, after intensive discussions with exhibiting companies, unfortunately a majority couldn’t be found for a late summer edition of Domotex in September 2022. The preferred option of the entire market is to keep the usual date right at the beginning of the year.”

“It is particularly pleasing to see the approval already given by market-relevant exhibitors and global brands, who are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to finally meet the industry again,” says Wedell-Castellano. “Exhibiting companies and visitors can look forward to an extensive program with innovative ideas and digital offerings. To be able to meet the world of carpets and floor coverings live in Hannover again in January 2023 is a real highlight after all this time! We are looking forward to finally getting back on track with Domotex in Hannover.”

Domotex Turkey, leading trade show for carpets and floor coverings in Turkey and the Middle East, will take place in Gaziantep from May 14 – 17, 2022. Domotex asia/Chinafloor, the international trade show for carpets and floor coverings in the Asia-Pacific region, will take place from May 25 – 27, 2022 in Shanghai, at the NECC site.

To deliver two MDF plants to Vietnam

Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese Kim Tin Group has commissioned Dieffenbacher to supply two MDF plants, with a combined production capacity of one million cubic meters per year, for its sites in Chon Thanh, Binh Phuoc province and Dau Giay, Dong Nai province. Kim Tin Group and Dieffenbacher signed the contracts on December 5, 2021.

Founded in 2000, Kim Tin Group has grown rapidly to become one of Vietnam’s leading welding material manufacturers and is also active in the non-ferrous metals, mining and transportation industries. “We are now expanding our MDF production, with a total investment of 350 million US dollars,” explained Kim Tin Group Chairman of the Board, Nguyen Tien Hai. “We think big and therefore decided to build two production lines at the same time. Having Dieffenbacher at our side, we feel more than well equipped for this challenge.”

An essential part of the Dieffenbacher scope of supply will be the company’s new digital platform Evoris. “Using Evoris will make Kim Tin Group one of the pioneers of digitalization in the wood-based panels industry,” said Stefan Zipf, head of the Wood Business Unit at Dieffenbacher. “Evoris is a browser-based system that gives manufacturers more insight into their production and processes. With its modular app structure, Evoris is easy to extend and update. All apps use a modern, intuitive interface and can be securely operated from any mobile or desktop device within a plant’s network.”

Nguyen Tien Hai explains, “Evoris was a key factor in why we chose Dieffenbacher as our partner to expand our MDF business. We trust the Dieffenbacher people, its machines and technology. We always strive for the most modern solutions for our production sites and with Evoris, we have found them at Dieffenbacher.”

Kim Tin Group plans to produce the first board on its new MDF line in Chon Thanh in May 2023. Start-up of the plant in Dau Giay will follow in February 2024. Although the ink is only just dry on the contracts, the company is already planning further expansion. By 2025, Kim Tin Group intends to build additional plants in central and northern Vietnam.

Record orders and significant improvement in earnings

The Homag Group achieved by far the highest order intake in its history in the fiscal year 2021. Sales and earnings also increased significantly compared to the previous year. In addition to high demand in the furniture industry, growing business in production equipment for the construction of sustainable timber houses also contributed to this success.

According to preliminary figures, the Homag Group’s order intake in the fiscal year 2021 increased by almost 60 percent to EUR 1,742 million over the previous year (EUR 1,093 million), which had been heavily influenced by the coronavirus pandemic. “The fact that we exceeded the previous record order intake achieved in 2017 by around 28 percent reflects last year’s exceptionally strong demand,” emphasizes CEO Dr. Daniel Schmitt. “This success is all the more impressive given that the underlying conditions were not easy due to the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This demonstrates the great commitment of our employees worldwide.”

Sales improved by 25 percent to EUR 1,389 million (previous year: EUR 1,112 million), also reaching a record level despite supply chain constraints. The strong demand also led to a significant increase in the order backlog, which stood at EUR 1,002 million as of December 31, 2021 (December 31, 2020: EUR 581 million). The Homag Group increased its operating EBIT more than three-fold to EUR 92.1 million (previous year: EUR 27.0 million). As of December 31, 2021, the company had 7,477 employees (December 31, 2020: 6,942). Roughly 110 employees joined the company for acquisition-related reasons.

“In 2021, we performed very well in all regions worldwide, benefiting from the high level of investment in the furniture industry,” explains Dr. Daniel Schmitt. “This particularly applies to the European market with its particularly high growth rates.” The very strong service business with a significant increase in sales also had a positive effect.

With the acquisition of the Danish companies System TM in 2020 and Kallesoe last year, the Homag Group has significantly expanded its activities in timber construction. Together with its subsidiary Weinmann, which is active in timber house construction, the Homag Group can offer several technologies from a single source as a system supplier. “This segment made an important contribution to our success in 2021,” says the CEO. “Climate-friendly timber construction is currently experiencing a boom and we are very well positioned in this growth market.”

Dr. Daniel Schmitt is optimistic with respect to the current year. “With our high order backlog, we are confident about 2022, although we expect order intake to return to normal after the exceptional performance in 2021.”

The Homag Group achieved by far the highest order intake in its history in the fiscal year 2021. Sales and earnings also increased significantly compared to the previous year. In addition to high demand in the furniture industry, growing business in production equipment for the construction of sustainable timber houses also contributed to this success.

According to preliminary figures, the Homag Group’s order intake in the fiscal year 2021 increased by almost 60 percent to EUR 1,742 million over the previous year (EUR 1,093 million), which had been heavily influenced by the coronavirus pandemic. “The fact that we exceeded the previous record order intake achieved in 2017 by around 28 percent reflects last year’s exceptionally strong demand,” emphasizes CEO Dr. Daniel Schmitt. “This success is all the more impressive given that the underlying conditions were not easy due to the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This demonstrates the great commitment of our employees worldwide.”

Sales improved by 25 percent to EUR 1,389 million (previous year: EUR 1,112 million), also reaching a record level despite supply chain constraints. The strong demand also led to a significant increase in the order backlog, which stood at EUR 1,002 million as of December 31, 2021 (December 31, 2020: EUR 581 million). The Homag Group increased its operating EBIT more than three-fold to EUR 92.1 million (previous year: EUR 27.0 million). As of December 31, 2021, the company had 7,477 employees (December 31, 2020: 6,942). Roughly 110 employees joined the company for acquisition-related reasons.

“In 2021, we performed very well in all regions worldwide, benefiting from the high level of investment in the furniture industry,” explains Dr. Daniel Schmitt. “This particularly applies to the European market with its particularly high growth rates.” The very strong service business with a significant increase in sales also had a positive effect.

With the acquisition of the Danish companies System TM in 2020 and Kallesoe last year, the Homag Group has significantly expanded its activities in timber construction. Together with its subsidiary Weinmann, which is active in timber house construction, the Homag Group can offer several technologies from a single source as a system supplier. “This segment made an important contribution to our success in 2021,” says the CEO. “Climate-friendly timber construction is currently experiencing a boom and we are very well positioned in this growth market.”

Dr. Daniel Schmitt is optimistic with respect to the current year. “With our high order backlog, we are confident about 2022, although we expect order intake to return to normal after the exceptional performance in 2021.”

Fully booked up

Around six weeks before “Orgatec Tokyo” opens its doors, the trade fair has already chalked up its first success: the entire Tokyo Big Sight, South Halls 1+2 exhibition space set aside for “Orgatec Tokyo” is now fully booked. Leading brands such as Kokuyo, Okamura, Itoki, Uchida, Plus, Karimoku, Knoll, Wilkhahn, USM, UniFor, Kvadrat, Arper, Cassina and Häfele have confirmed they will be present.

As the first trade fair of its kind in Japan, “Orgatec Tokyo”, which takes place in April, will be focusing on issues surrounding professional and hybrid working environments. The event will showcase forward-looking perspectives on modern and flexible workplaces, which are becoming more and more significant due to extensive digitalisation, automation and the huge increase in co-working spaces in Asia. And in an extensive programme of events that includes high-calibre keynote speakers and special exhibitions, trade visitors to the halls can discover innovative solutions for tomorrow’s workplace design.

One of the main speakers at “Orgatec Tokyo” is architect Sou Fujimoto, renowned worldwide for his building design based on human behaviour. He is one of the many prominent figures and experts in the industry who will be discussing key topics and giving insights to help businesses remain competitive in today’s global economy. Visitors can also experience the future of work first-hand in the Xperience Area (XA): from a broadcasting studio for hybrid workers to biophilic spaces that are sustainable and enhance employees’ well-being and creativity.

“In many Asian countries, simple furniture manufactured in local factories is still used in workplaces, but the shifting market has seen demand for furniture that is premium in both design and functionality skyrocket. Amounts per employee that businesses are willing to invest have increased over the last two decades. Since more and more companies have introduced activity-based working (ABW) in recent years, there is more call for modern office equipment and technology,” says Eiichi Nukina, Executive Director of JOIFA (Japan Office Institutional Furniture Association).

“With Japan accounting for more than 50 per cent of both total production of office furniture in the Asia-Pacific region (not including China and India) and total sales achieved in this segment in the region, and with Japan’s office furniture market forecast to grow on average 3.7% annually from 2020 to 2025, Japan is definitely an attractive location for businesses looking to break new ground at Asia’s first trade fair for modern workplace design,” says Makoto Takagi, CEO of Koelnmesse Japan. “That’s why we anticipate a trade fair packed with productive meetings, diverse innovations and high-calibre events”, says Takagi. Hybrid solutions with opportunities for online networking will be available to both exhibiting companies and trade visitors, not only during the trade fair itself but afterwards as well.

Needless to say, the event organisers have put comprehensive safety measures in place in response to the current COVID-19 situation. The entire team is committed to making “Orgatec Tokyo” a safe and successful business platform for all participants.

Top 5 Robot Trends 2022

The operational stock of industrial robots hit a new record of about 3 million units worldwide – increasing by 13% on average each year (2015-2020). The International Federation of Robotics analyzes the top 5 trends shaping robotics and automation around the globe.

“Transformation for robotic automation is picking up speed across traditional and new industries,” says Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “More and more companies are realizing the numerous advantages robotics provides for their businesses.”

  1. Robots adopted by new industries. Segments that are relatively new to automation are rapidly adopting robots. Consumer behavior is driving companies to address demand for personalization of both products and delivery. The e-commerce revolution was driven by the pandemic and will continue to accelerate in 2022. There are thousands of robots installed worldwide today that did not exist in this segment just five years ago.
    In an effort to address labor shortages, companies that have not previously considered automation will reconsider. Businesses that rely on service workers, such as retail and restaurants, are unable to fill job openings, and as a result, we can expect to see them invest in automation to meet patrons’ needs. Relatively new robotics customer industries like delivery and logistics, construction, agriculture and many more benefit from technologies advancing by the day.
  2. Robots easier to use. Implementing robots can be a complex task, but new generations of robots are easier to use. There is a clear trend towards user interfaces that allow simple icon-driven programming and the manual guidance of robots. Robot companies and some 3rd party suppliers are bundling hardware packages together with software to ease implementation. This trend may seem simple, but offerings that focus on complete ecosystems are adding tremendous value by reducing the effort and the time to operation.
    The trend for low-cost robotics also comes with easy setup and installation, with specific applications pre-configured in some instances. Suppliers offer standard programs combined with grippers, sensors, and controllers. App stores provide program routines for various applications and support lower-cost robot deployment.
  3. Robots and Humans up-skilling. More and more governments, industry associations, and companies are seeing the need for basic robot and automation education at an early stage for the next generation. The journey of data-driven production lines will focus on education and training. In addition to the training of workers in-house, external education routes can enhance staff learning programs. Robot manufacturers like ABB, Fanuc, Kuka, and Yaskawa all register between 10,000 and 30,000 participants in their robot classes across more than 30 countries every year.
    Robotics is changing job profiles of factory workers for the better. As the recent “Great Resignation” shows, people want to work in a modern environment where they can build a career. New training opportunities with robotics are a win-win strategy for companies and employees alike: Dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks get automated while people learn key skills for the industrial workplace of the future and increase their earning potential throughout their careers.
  4. Robots secure production. Trade tensions and COVID-19 are driving manufacturing back closer to the customer. Supply-chain issues lead companies to consider nearshoring with automation as a solution. One particularly revealing statistic from the US shows how automation is helping businesses get back to business: According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), robot orders in the United States in the third quarter of 2021 were up 35% over the same period in 2020. More than half of the orders are from non-automotive sectors.
    And this record growth isn’t just robotics either—machine vision, motion control, and motors are also seeing big increases. “The pandemic and the resulting disruptions to supply chains and labor availability appear to have been the push that many needed to justify the investment,” says Dr. Susanne Bieller, General Secretary of the IFR. “The companies most likely to invest in automation are those that have been considering it for a while but just hadn’t taken the final step.”
  5. Robots support digital automation. In 2022 and beyond, we see an emphasis on data as key enablers of future manufacturing. Data collected from intelligently automated processes will be analyzed by producers to make more informed decisions. With a robot’s ability to share tasks and learn through AI, companies can also adopt intelligent automation more easily in new environments, from construction to food and beverage packaging facilities to healthcare labs.
    AI for robotics is maturing and learning robots are becoming mainstream. The industry is past the pilot phase, and we can expect to see a larger deployment of these technologies in 2022.

Record order intake in 2021

The Siempelkamp Group can be pleased about an extremely successful business year 2021: With a record order intake of EUR 855.0 million, the company clearly exceeds its previous year’s order intake of EUR 552.7 million significantly. “Our realignment in the area of sales, process organization, and global manufacturing excellence, which was initiated in 2020, has proven its worth in all areas and bore fruit in 2021,” said Dr. Martin Stark, CEO of the Siempelkamp Group.

Siempelkamp positioned itself successfully in particular in its core market, the wood-based materials industry. The Group also achieved numerous sales successes in the competence fields of metal forming presses and composite presses. In total, 24 major plants were ordered across all areas. Within the wood-based materials industry Siempelkamp continues to push ahead with the reorientation of the board production. Climate change and the scarcity of resources require solutions for the use of alternative raw materials. Depending on their local raw material supplies and their market situation wood-based panel producers can resort to new processes that conserve resources.

The company’s innovation concept focuses on the topics of environmental technology and recycling. Siempelkamp solutions in the area of digitalization are also in great demand. The company provides a comprehensive digital product portfolio which increases the cost efficiency of customers and optimizes product quality.

In 2022, the Siempelkamp Group will continue its successful path of implementing new processes and investing in its realignment. “Our worldwide production network with locations in Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and China is characterized by the idea of efficiency as well as by our commitment to customer proximity and top quality,” elaborates Samiron Mondal, Managing Director of Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH. “Here, our concept of global production control, which we launched in 2020, has a positive effect. On the one hand, in a diversified market we provide exactly the support that is tailored to the raw material deposits and the needs of our customers. Secondly, plant operators benefit from a holistic concept that ensures quality and efficiency in all areas from resource utilization to logistics.” 

A clear commitment to responsibility and sustainable shaping of society and its industries will continue to be a focus of Siempelkamp’s corporate strategy in the business year 2022.

The trade show date in March remains unchanged

Following the recent relaxation of covid and travel restrictions in many European countries, trade show organizer Mack-Brooks Exhibitions has confirmed that the three jointly scheduled spring trade shows for the converting, paper and printing industries will go ahead as planned. “ICE Europe,” “CCE International” and “Inprint Munich” will open their doors to trade show visitors at the Munich exhibition center from March 15 to 17, 2022 – simultaneously and face-to-face. This will end a long dry spell for the converting, paper and printing industries.

“We can’t wait to finally welcome our exhibitors and visitors back to the trade shows,” says Patrick Herman, trade show director for Converting, Paper and Printing, on behalf of organizer Mack-Brooks Exhibitions. Of course, we can’t rule out all eventualities, but a lot would have to happen before there would be a postponement. So for the first time since the pandemic began, converting, printing and finishing professionals will have the opportunity to reconnect directly with their technology providers and peers.”

New this year, “ICE Europe”, “CCE International” and “Inprint Munich” will be held in parallel as part of the exhibition collective, with an enormous array of printing, paper and converting solutions for a wide range of manufacturing sectors. Trade visitors enjoy full access to all exhibition booths on the total net exhibition area of more than 13,500 square meters. This allows them to benefit from a unique range of solutions and increased synergies among suppliers. In total, more than 460 international companies will present their latest machines, components and services that can be used to optimize production processes or product properties.

A large proportion of the “ICE Europe”, “CCE International” and “Inprint Munich” visitors work in similar industrial sectors, for example packaging, plastics and paper, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, food and beverages, transport and logistics, mechanical engineering, textiles and furniture. The challenge is the same everywhere: to always be ready and able to respond to the latest market trends and market demands within the shortest possible time, caused by the permanent acceleration of retail and online trade.

“There is an ongoing need for creative and customized products with specific performance features for specific end-uses, often including digital elements. To keep up, manufacturers need to invest in new solutions, such as new surface treatments or mechanical processes to improve the functionality or certain properties of products. High efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, both in terms of the manufacturing process and the end product,” explains Patrick Herman.

“So a typical ‘ICE Europe’ or ‘CCE International’ visitor may first be looking for a clever converting solution to produce a fully recyclable packaging blank. At the same time, however, he will also have technical challenges further down his production line in mind and will be looking to keep the entire production process as lean and environmentally friendly as possible, for example by adding an integrated printing solution for labeling or decorating his finished film, paper or board product – and that’s exactly the kind of solution he will find right next door at ,Inprint Munich’!”

To help ease the time-consuming search for suitable technology providers, a new AI-powered matchmaking service: this suggests relevant people to contact and helps buyers network more intelligently. This makes it easier for attendees to prepare for their visit to the show and make efficient use of their time onsite. The new matchmaking service covers all three trade shows and ensures that visitors can make direct contact with all suppliers of interest – regardless of whether they are exhibiting at “ICE Europe”, “CCE International” or “Inprint Munich”.

All three events follow a robust set of measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved. Over the past few months, Mack-Brooks Exhibitions and event partner Messe München have impressively demonstrated on several occasions that they are capable of managing major trade events in a Covid-safe manner, including the November edition of “Inter Airport Europe,” an international trade show with more than 10,000 attendees. “Our experience in event management enables our trade show teams to proactively take care of the Covid security of our trade events according to the currently valid protection guidelines. At the same time, we are able to change our security and admission procedures on short notice if necessary,” explains Patrick Herman. “We will ensure safe and responsible execution to make this event a successful milestone for all show attendees and show teams.”

New project management for ‘Ligna’

Deutsche Messe AG is responding to the ongoing challenges facing the trade fair industry and has used the past few months to reorganize itself.

As part of this reorganization, the organizational structure will be divided into four business units, including Trade Fair & Product Management and Sales. The overall management and strategic direction of the trade fair portfolio “Ligna”, “Interschutz”, “Parts2clean” and “Surface Technology Germany” is now the responsibility of the Trade Fair & Product Management division, which will in future be headed by Hendrik Engelking. Christian Pfeiffer, previously Head of “Ligna” and “Woodworking Events” worldwide, will in future be responsible for Sales as Business Unit Manager. This area will have central responsibility for customer acquisition for Deutsche Messe AG’s entire trade fair portfolio.

Stephanie Wagner will assume responsibility for the project and thus also for the content and operational management of the world’s leading trade fair for the wood industry as the new Project Manager for “Ligna”. She has already been with Deutsche Messe AG for more than ten years and most recently worked as the “Ligna” project officer. Wagner fills the position of project manager retroactively from December 1, 2021.

“We are delighted that Ms. Wagner, an extremely experienced colleague, is filling this strategically important position,” explains Hendrik Engelking. “She is a familiar face in the woodworking industry and will continue the successful cooperation with our exhibitors, partners and customers.”

“After a long period of an empty trade show calendar and online-only formats, we are looking forward more than ever to finally being able to offer presence platforms again with ,Ligna’ 2023 and with the ,Ligna.Conference’ this summer. We all really missed the personal exchange and networking on site,” says Stephanie Wagner. The next “Ligna” will be held from May 15 to 19, 2023.