The ZOW exhibition takes place every year in Bad Salzuflen, Germany in Febrary and typically provides an insightful look forward for the furntiure industry. ZOW has almost become a byword for innovation – not only in the products, techniques and services on offer from the exhibitors at this popular event, but also in the way the the organiser tries to deliver something challenging for the marketplace to discuss. This year, the focus is on individualisation of series-produced furniture alongside its much-anticipated trend_works programme, curated and organised by Lidewij Edelkoort.
Industrial manufacturing in the furniture industry is about to undergo a radical change: the demand for tailor-made products is growing, leading to a significant increase in the number of variants in the furniture industry.
Yet the sector is still taking a critical stance towards the shift from traditional serial production, especially on account of aspects in connection with production engineering: in the case of medium-sized enterprises, in particular, this leads to new challenges since increased product complexity also requires additional time and effort in order to meet these challenges in an economically feasible fashion.
Hence, mass customisation implies both opportunities and challenges for manufacturers and suppliers. That is why this topic has been chosen to be this year’s main theme for the forthcoming ZOW, held in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, from 9-12th February 2015.
The fair’s focus will be on the individualisation of mass-produced furniture and its effects on the value chain: in seven forums and on special exhibition areas, independent experts will be presenting viable solutions for the various process steps in lectures as well as by means of displays and videos.
With the trend for one-offs, it’s becoming even more important for suppliers and producers to network. The forums and special exhibition areas will be providing a platform for the transfer of knowledge and ideas where participants can share information openly about processes and solutions.
Ultimately, this trend will impact on the entire value-added chain – from design, production and logistics through marketing and sale.
Such closely meshed co-operation is characteristic of the familiar ZOW workshop concept which has been brought into line with current developments and technical innovations. For instance, the new, specially-designed exhibition format, trend_works, is devoted exclusively to pioneering future developments.
trend_works will create a central point at ZOW where trade visitors and exhibitors can gather all the required information on major trends and developments for forthcoming collections on the basis of colours, materials and moods. The major feature of this part of the exhibition is an interactive multimedia area running through the show, giving the participants as well as other exhibitors and designers an opportunity to discuss their visions and innovations.
Here the ZOW can also profit from the wealth of experience of Lidewij Edelkoort, a pioneer of trend forecasting in the world of fashion and lifestyle. Acting as ZOW trend scout, the Dutch expert visited the world’s most important design and furnishing fairs filtering out the developments set to influence the furniture market in the coming seasons. The collected information and impressions will be used as a basis to derive projections for the future, which will be presented on the trend_works exhibition space.
In this way, exhibitors and trade visitors will benefit from a major and timely guide allowing them to set decisive impulses in the consumer segment. No other show provides the information and contacts decision-makers need to shape the trends for the coming season as early in the year as ZOW. Seize the opportunity to stand apart from the competition and become part of this powerful network.
ZOW takes place in Bad Salzuflen, Germany from 9-12th February.
