DECOSIT & DECOCONTRACT

Decosi t2004

Decosit remains the trusted annual rendezvous for professionals in the furniture industry, a beacon in the business, an absolute must for those who want to keep up on the newest product development and trends. The 2004 edition once again proved itself as the trusted powerful concept from a selective and qualitative and informative point of view. A concept aimed at the world market, a driving force for exporters and receptive to all vendors who meet the set requirements, particularly who own the collections exhibited if they have or have not manufactured them themselves. With its 370 exhibitors from 30 countries spread over 4 halls of the Brussels Expo, Decosit is just as big and strong as ever.

As for European exhibitors, Belgium, Italy and Spain remained the most significant supplying countries, followed closely by France, the U.K. and Germany. The U.S., in fourth place, had two fewer participants, mainly due to continuing export problems the American industry is facing.

Newcomers were mostly from outside Europe. The selection from Asia is increasing step by step with Turkey represented by 14 exhibitors, India by 7, Indonesia by 1 and for the first time, China with 2 exhibitors. A total of about 20% of the attending companies were not from Europe.

Two other remarkable developments have occurred in the past 5 years. One is that upholstery fabrics in general have become lighter and are combined more with corresponding decorating fabrics. The other is that manufacturers are evolving as a business into a more nuanced picture that is the logical consequence of current market trends. The number of "pure" manufacturers is still 90% of Decosit exhibitors versus 10% converters, but it is expected that more and more vendors will bring a mix of their own manufacturing and converting.

Decosit exhibitors say that the fair came up to their expectations (sampling, sales or new contacts). This satisfaction overall, is a positive signal under the current economic circumstances.

At Decosit 2004, exhibitors demonstrated they are ready to deal with what is to come and that they are ready to fight for their position in the market.

Through the way in which they presented their stands, but certainly through their product development, they gave their customers, the press and the outside world a clear signal. Never before, Decosit looked better and never before there were so many new product(development)s at such a high level.

With 12,500 visitors, Decosit 2004 equaled the total of last year's edition. The almost perfect spreading of visitors over the first three days created very comfortable circumstances of work.

There were no changes in the top three visitor countries: the U.K., Germany and France. Visitors increased from Eastern Europe (Russia and Poland), Southern Europe (Spain and Turkey), the Far East (Japan, China, India), the U.S. and Australia, and Northern Africa (Morocco).

While the 2001-04 period was one of economic uncertainty (as a result of September 11, various wars, terror, high oil prices, etc.), causing a certain filter effect to occur in the industry, further, structural changes can be expected in the 2005-08 period, particularly given the stimulus of a total free world trade from January 1, 2005. In this context, Decosit stands firm by its belief in the opportunities of the industry, but then as a proponent of free but fair trade.

Decosit is preparing for these new market developments to come, is completely open to these new developments, but without compromising its basic principles.

DecoContract 2004

This specialized and unique trade show for the contract sector not only underwent a face-lift this year, but was also reconfigured in terms of depth of product selection. The new formula focuses exclusively on window treatments, floor and wallcovering and upholstery fabrics and bedding for the contracting business, and is thus more clearly defined and better attuned to Decosit and its core business. DecoContract 2004 was just as big as the 2003 edition, and the selection clearly improved in terms of quality. Thanks to the completion of various projects in the trade show, the selection was ultimately increased.

The core range of DecoContract comprises fabrics & furnishings with the emphasis on textiles - specifically targeting the hospitality industry, with its hotels, motels, resorts, etc. in the first place, as well as cruise ships, campers and caravans, service and nursing homes, theatres and cinemas.

DecoContract 2004 accommodated 80 exhibitors from 13 countries, 40% of whom were new to the trade show with a primarily supplementary contribution of specifically contract-orientated collections of floor coverings, wall-paper and bedding.

DecoContract presented a clear concept and in that way for the first time showed its true face.

The number of visitors was higher than 2003. Bringing DecoContract and Indigo together in one hall, clearly resulted in more traffic and contributed to a better atmosphere.

DecoContract featured various special projects specifically targeting the hotel industry, and gave the trade show extra dynamism and a completely original image. Projects such as "Hotel Rooms", "The Italian suite hotel" and the "US mock-up room" clearly contributed to the success because they aimed at the hotel sector.

The "hotel rooms" project comprised 8 fully equipped (and fully furnished) hotel rooms and 2 suites. Thirty-three companies collaborated with their newest products, evenly divided between Decosit and DecoContract exhibitors and outside businesses (with 11 participants each), and powerful international partners lending their actual support. Trevira, for instance, sponsored 5 complete rooms, and the U.K. and Spain each sponsored one.

Trends & Decotec

As part of Decosit and DecoContract, the Trend Forum in Hall 9 and the new Decotec project in Hall 12 were two overarching projects that both targeted the residential and contracting businesses.

The Trends

The Trend Forum has a fixed value that receives especially high marks of appreciation from visitors as well as exhibitors. Visitor could find two sample banks: one for trend qualities as such and one for distinctive contract qualities.

Decosit exhibitors submitted no less than 550 fabrics for the trend bank, 224 of which were selected and 23 of which were chosen as the most trendy. Three samples were given extra recognition as part of the "New values - new tradition" theme in LUX 2005-06 and received a place in the "slow down" trend caf.

The contract sample bank had 270 submissions, 150 of which were selected for display: 55 from the DecoContract collections and 95 from the Decosit range.

The result was a highly varied world overview of what is being created in the residential and contracting area on the basis of trend prognosis and indications: an extra confirmation of the trendsetting role that Decosit plays worldwide.

Decotec

Decotec, a new project around new materials and new techniques, got an extraordinary reception, and gives textiles new perspectives for the future.

Decotec is an inspiration for innovation. It adds a new future-orientated dimension to the whole event, and also aims to be a source of inspiration to the exhibitors to add extra dynamism to their product development.

The project that was achieved according to an idea of Axel Enthoven's and worked out with the collaboration of Veerle Wenes, and has taken the form of an exhibition of materials that always provides necessary technical information. In this project, 80 fabrics and related materials were selected: 34 from the Decosit collections, 23 from DecoContract collections and 23 from non-exhibitors.

Decotec is a well-conceived initiative with a view on future developments in the industry. The trade shows aim not only to inspire and encourage color and design, but also to play a role in the area of new technical developments, because technical creativity will be stronger in providing the requisite added value, and thus will enable exhibitors to better set themselves apart from mass products.

"Ingeo" Brings New Natural Vitality to Interiors

The Ingeo Fiber workshop at Decosit showed the latest innovations of "Ingeo" fibers in the home and contract industry.

Recognizing the significance of this market, Cargill Dow has put in place a new structure, headed by Joe Raffo, Business Development Manager U.S., and Eamonn Tighe Business Development Manager Europe for Home Textiles to nurture and promote these new developments for Home and Contract.

Entering the furnishing textile arena for the first time, new fabric developments in "Ingeo" fiber made their debut through partners Casalegno Tendaggi, Griva, Lodetex, Mario Cavelli, Ratti and Tessitura Leutenda. Presenting their new "Ingeo" fiber fabric collections for draperies at Decosit and Deco Contract, these market innovators showcased its performance attributes and highlighted its versatility and ability to take on many colorful and functional guises.

In contract furnishings. Herman Miller, Allsteel, Rowe Furniture and Faribault Mills also showcased their "Ingeo" fiber developments at Deco Contract.

In Decosit itself, Casalegno Tendaggi offered plain and striped fabrics using Leitsu twisted filament yarns in 100% "Ingeo". Mario Cavelli used Filatura Alta Biella yarns to create a sophisticated collection of drapery for the modern home. A subtle palette of neutral white, cream and ecru tones emphasized the natural origins of the collection using blends of "Ingeo" with silk and linen. Ratti presented a new range of double-faced fabrics including satin and jacquard for draperies using "Ingeo" blended with natural fibers such as linen, viscose, silk and cotton. Tessitura Leutenda showed a new fabric collection based on plain and striped fabrics using yarns in 100% "Ingeo" fiber from Filatura Alta Biella.

In the Deco Contract Pavilion, Griva presented their new natural collection "Puratex", for home and contract, which included a range of yarn-dyed fabrics blending FilManMade "Ingeo" fiber yarns, with cotton, silk and bamboo. Lodetex created a new colorful range of gauzy transparent jacquard curtain fabrics with the printing floral and geometric designs using structured filament and spun yarns from Leitsu and FilManMade. Together with this innovative collection, Lodetex also showed classic jacquard soft nuance fabrics.

On the contract side, two leading office equipment manufacturers presented new panel fabrics that were first premiered at NeoCon 2004. The fabrics, made with "Ingeo" fiber, were launched through a partnership with Interface Fabrics Group as part of its "Terratex" brand. Allsteel presented two fabric patterns made with "Ingeo" - Bungee and Propeller - in six colors. Herman Miller launched the "Kira" line of panel system fabrics available in eight colors made with natural-based "Ingeo" fiber. The "Kira" line won the gold award for "Best of Show" at NeoCon 2004. In addition, Rowe Furniture showcased its "Ingeo" fiber filled "Earth & Elements" collection, and Faribault Mills presented "Caribbean", their second generation of blankets made in 100% "Ingeo" fiber.