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The exhibition duo fensterbau/frontale and HOLZ-HANDWERK 2006 set a new record with 100,762 trade visitors and increased internationality. From 22nd to 25th March 2006 1,184 exhibitors from 30 countries at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre presented products and services for the windows and facades sector and also a range covering all aspects of woodworking and wood processing.

Anyone who was out and about in the exhibition halls during the four days of the fair also felt a mood of positive economic change in the first calendar week of spring. On the participating companies' stands, which in general were around 6% larger than two years ago, there was keen interest in new products and innovations. With its total of 100,762 trade visitors, the exhibition duo increased by 9% compared to the previous event in 2004. ‘We had been hoping for it, but hadn't expected it’ - that was the statement to be heard on many of the stands in response to the influx of visitors. ‘In the meantime the visitors have really accepted Wednesday as the first day of the fair’, said Claus Rättich, Manager Own Events at NürnbergMesse. The volume of visitors was more evenly distributed than previously, but with around 30,000 visitors, Friday definitely remains the most heavily frequented day for all events held at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre.

‘We were also surprised by the influx’, Claus Rättich went on to say. ‘When it became clear towards the halfway stage of the event on Thursday evening which direction we were moving in, there was only one thing to do: print extra admission tickets overnight!’

But not only the need for information, but also a specific interest in purchasing or direct deals were the main reasons motivating many visitors: 19 percent of the visitors to fensterbau/frontale and 27 percent of the HOLZ-HANDWERK visitors stated that they had concluded purchasing deals at the fair. Over 80% of the trade visitors assessed the sector trend as stable to increasing.

The trend turnaround in the key German market thus appears to have also finally started to have a positive effect on the trades and sectors closely associated with the construction industry. ‘The exhibitors have started their most important German exhibition event in 2006 with optimism’, said Dr. Bernhard Dirr, General Manager Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen within the VDMA. ‘There are indications that particularly small and medium-sized companies are once again investing more in machinery and workshop equipment after many lean years for the sector.’

Exhibitors and visitors in dialogue
With 1,184 exhibitors from 30 countries (2004: 1,202 exhibitors from 27 countries) the number of exhibitors at the exhibition duo was maintained at a predominantly stable level, at the same time net exhibition space however increased by around six percent: following years of market adjustment, the companies are thus presenting themselves on a clearly larger scale than before. In 2006 the leading exhibitor nations behind Germany were Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Poland.

The increase in visitor figures to 100,762 (2004: 92,294) also went hand-in-hand with increased internationality: at HOLZ-HANDWERK, as was the case at the previous event but with an increased total number, approx. one in 10 visitors came from outside Germany, at fensterbau/frontale it was now every fourth visitor - in 2004 the figure had still been one visitor in five.

This corresponds to the different focus of the two parallel trade fairs. The international visitors were however perceived as very active by the exhibitors: practically every exhibitor stated that they had had international visitors on their stand. The international share accounted for by the exhibition duo was mainly made up of visitors from Austria, the Czech and Slovakian Republic, Poland, Italy, the Benelux countries, France, Switzerland and Great Britain/Northern Ireland. Visitors from overseas were mainly from Asia and North America.

The exhibitors confirmed that 98 percent of the visitors had high specialist qualifications and competence. In turn well over 90% of the visitors said they were satisfied with the exhibitors' ranges and the information-gathering and contact-making possibilities - this came as no surprise, because new products, innovations and further developments were presented on almost every stand. The result: nine out of 10 exhibitors stated that they had made new business contacts at HOLZ-HANDWERK and fensterbau/frontale 2006. 40 percent of the HOLZ-HANDWERK exhibitors and even over 60% of the fensterbau/frontale exhibitors were able to book direct orders during the fair; in each case 85% are expecting post-fair business. In this connection it was already definite for almost 80% of the exhibitors on the last day of the fair that they would be back again in Nuremberg for the next exhibition duo in spring 2008.

More in demand than ever before: the supporting events
Be it the Architecture, Windows, Facades Forum (Forum Architektur-Fenster-Fassade), the vector Action Forum organised by the VDMA Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen and the ProWood-Stiftung, numerous special presentations, or the experts' discussion on the theme of glass adhesion: the support programme at fensterbau/frontale & HOLZ-HANDWERK 2006 proved to be very popular with visitors.

In this context the third staging of the Architecture, Windows, Facades Forum started with half-an-hour's delay: despite increasing the number of counter staff, firstly the influx of over 800 architects and planners, who had just arrived shortly before the event, had to be dealt with.

With lectures delivered by the top speakers Mario Bellini, Andrea Compagno, Elmar Schossig and Helmut Köster on the theme of ‘Technology and/or Architecture’ (Technologie und/oder Baukunst), the waiting audience was however then rewarded in the following three and a half hours. The 1st Architecture, Windows, Façades Innovation Prize (1. Innovationspreis Architektur-Fenster-Fassade) and the range presented by the exhibitors in the Architects' Area were then also fully in keeping with applied architecture.

A further highly topical theme: glass adhesion in window manufacture. The room at the new Congress Center Nürnberg CCN Ost was absolutely packed to the rafters when experts from the window industry and glass-manufacturing sector, system providers, research and testing institutions as well as machine manufacturers, came together to discuss the future perspectives of this technology before and with the auditorium.

Further highlights at fensterbau/frontale were the Energy Efficiency INNOVATIONCENTRE (INNOVATIONSZENTRUM energie.effizienz) with a thermal-image camera and what is probably the world's most tightly fitting front door as well as the ‘Experiencing Quality!’ (Qualität erleben!) special presentation in which, among others, people were able to test the special break-proof qualities of a glass goal-wall along with their own football skills. At the premiere of the Metal Construction Meet (metallbauTreff), held within the framework of fensterbau/frontale as well as at the vector Action Forum at HOLZ-HANDWERK, the focus was on current products - the live trade fair experience. And apart from the correct equipment and specialist know-how, everything which is important for success was presented by the Fachverband Schreinerhandwerk Bayern with valuable marketing tips.

New halls and layout for 2008
For 2008, Willy Viethen, Project Manager fensterbau/frontale at NürnbergMesse, already has firm plans to further extend the leading international role of this exhibition: ‘Building on the successful basic structure of this year's event, we will extend the layout for 2008 by adding the new halls 7A and 4A. This will ensure an improved, clearer layout and overview, easier orientation and optimum presentation facilities.’

With their combined total net exhibition space of around 11,000 m2, great height and transparent glass facades, the two halls provide scope for exceptional exhibition stand concepts.

The integration of the new exhibition areas in fensterbau/frontale is being conducted parallel to a completely new layout for the exhibition. ‘In 2008 no exhibitor will be positioned in the same area as they were in 2006’, said Willy Viethen. ‘That may initially sound confusing, but we are using the opportunity to give the existing structure an even clearer design - and to once again provide all exhibition segments with the room to breathe and grow. Visitors too will then find it even easier to get around the event and be able to arrange their visit to the fair even more efficiently.’

Nuremberg - renowned location for building and construction fairs
‘The extremely successful exhibition duo represents an ideal start for the Building + Construction Portfolio at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre this year’, said a delighted Walter Hufnagel, Member of the NürnbergMesse Management Board. With IFH/Intherm and the 1st Deutscher Ausbaumesse in the first half of the year as well as GaLaBau and the IKK in the second, other powerful construction-specialist or construction-related exhibition highlights will follow in 2006.

‘We feel we have a responsibility towards our exhibitors and visitors and are therefore trying to actively shape the exhibition landscape’, Hufnagel said. The best example of this: the 1st Deutsche Ausbaumesse, which will open from 27th to 29th April 2006 in Nuremberg. The aim of this new project is to concentrate existing and theme-related, construction-specialist events. The following different sectors will be brought together under the umbrella of the 1st Deutsche Ausbaumesse: the Holzbau und Ausbau exhibition with focal points wood-based construction, roof and dry construction as well as the major conference events: Deutscher Holzbautag, Fachkongress Ausbau, Deutsche Fliesentage, Deutsche Estrichtage and Bayerischer Stuck-Putz-Trockenbautag.

The Ausbaumesse will start things off in Nuremberg and be held parallel to Deubau in Essen in January 2008. At the premiere the organisers are expecting around 350 exhibitors and 25,000 trade visitors.

The next exhibition duo fensterbau/frontale and HOLZ-HANDWERK will be held from 2nd to 5th April 2008 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre.

The organisers
HOLZ-HANDWERK is organized by the Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen within the VDMA and NürnbergMesse GmbH. The co-sponsors of HOLZ-HANDWERK are the Fachverband Schreinerhandwerk Bayern (FSH) and Fachverband des Maschinen- und Werkzeug-Großhandels e.V. (FDM).

The organiser of fensterbau/frontale is NürnbergMesse GmbH, the ideal and specialist sponsors are the Fachverband Glas Fenster Fassade Baden-Württemberg, the Landesinnungsverband des Glaserhandwerks Rheinland-Pfalz and the Landesinnungsverband des Bayerischen Glaserhandwerks.

Breakfast of Champions

Cheltenham-based PVC-U panel and composite door manufacturer Portal Products sent its own winning team to Germany this year to sweep the board with its European competitors.

Already champions in France, Spain and Hungary (where Portal has developed key door panel supply contracts), the team was looking to repeat Portal's success in other countries by exhibiting at Fensterbau, Europe's largest fenestration exhibition.

Fensterbau, where Portal was exhibiting for the second time, attracted over 100,000 visitors and generated interest in Portal's products from buyers in over 30 countries.

Haydon Statham, Portal's sales and marketing manager, outlined his team strategy:

'Firstly, it's very important to feel at home when exhibiting in another country. Secondly, it's crucial not to do business on an empty stomach. So, to make sure we were on top form, I insisted the team had a full Nuremburg sausage breakfast every morning before the show.'

He added:
'The only slight disappointment for me was that there were so few other UK companies exhibiting at or visiting the show. It's a real shame because it's a great opportunity not only to keep an eye on technological developments in Europe, but to generate new ideas and network with contemporaries.

'And, before I forget, the food is out of this world...'

For further information on Portal's complete range of PVC-U door panels and composite doors please contact Portal Products on Tel: 01242 267000 or visit: http://www.portal-products.co.uk

PVC-U Windows Still in Decline in Germany

Sales of plastic window frames in German fell 8.3% in 2005 compared with the previous year, according to a market study presented by industry trade associations at the recent Fensterbau Frontale window system exhibition in Nuremberg.

However, it is forecast that the rate of decline will slow to 2.1% in 2006. Sales of aluminium frames are expected to grow by 0.6% after a 4.7% decline in 2005, as the material predominates in non-residential buildings, where the window market is forecast to grow in 2006 by 1.2%. Meanwhile, the residential sector is expected to decline by 3.1% in 2006, compared with a 10% decline in 2005.

 
KBE and Veka, two of the major extruders on show at Fensterbau

Wood frames are forecast to do worse in 2006, with a 2.3% decline, following a 9.3% decline in 2005.

The overall German window market consisted of 11.6 million window units in 2005, according to the study, where one window unit corresponds to an area of 1.69 sq metres. The market shares in 2006 of the various frame materials are expected to range from 55.5% for plastics, 19.6% each for wood and aluminium and 5.2% for the aluminium-wood combination.

Ireland not Forgotten at Fensterbau

Combilift Ltd, the specialist manufacturer of 4-way forklifts, was, according to the exhibitor list, the only Irish participant at this year's Fensterbau Frontale, but if the company's experiences were anything to go by, perhaps more companies from this side of the channel should make the effort to exhibit.

The German and central European fenestration sector is an important market for Combilift, and the show exceeded expectations where quantity and calibre of visitors was concerned according to Combilift MD Martin McVicar.

‘Around 60% of our enquiries came from Germany, but Switzerland, Austria and Eastern Europe were also well represented. We also spoke to quite a few visitors who had come from the UK. The stand was always busy, and this is an ideal show for us - one of the best for this industry, and we will be there for a third time in 2008.’

Although Combilift's manufacturing facility is based in Monaghan, Ireland, the company is a truly global operation, exporting its range to over 40 countries.

This year's exhibits were a C3000 3-tonne capacity forklift, and a 3.5 tonne model, (LPG powered), both suitable for handling long loads such as stillages of UPVC extrusions in confined spaces. The 3.5 tonne machine was built for VEKA, and was delivered once the show had finished.

VEKA, along with other major names such as Schüco, is one of a number of large German parent companies to adopt the Combilift system for both its domestic operations and foreign subsidiaries. Some of the earliest Combilifts ever built found their homes in the glass and glazing sector, and Combilift continues to develop forklifts according to customer feedback. The compact 2.5 tonne model, for instance, was based around the needs of smaller fabricators needing the versatility of the 4-way forklift but not necessarily the larger capacity of the original model, and has proved to be a great success.

Translucent Pultruded GRP Window Profile is Launched

Danish pultrusion specialist Fiberline has launched a translucent window profile made by pultrusion in glass reinforced plastic (GRP). It showed the profiles for the first time at the Fensterbau Frontale 2006 window system fair in Nuremberg last week.

The new profiles provide slender frames and a high degree of insulation, through elimination of thermal bridges, minimising heat lost, condensation and fungi development. Peter Kidmose Jensen, thermal insulation technical solution manager at Fiberline, said the new window system 'has long life, also under the most severe climate conditions and requires practically no maintenance'.

From the outside, the design of the system ensures that fixed and opening windows cannot be distinguished from each other; the company said that it can also be combined with Fiberline’s translucent GRP façade elements.

The GRP window profile and façade system will be installed along the entire 300 metre length of Fibreline’s new factory building, scheduled to be completed in September.

Interpane at fensterbau 2006 - Innovations in Glass

Improved thermal insulation, lower total energy transmittance, and better handling: Interpane revealed optimised glass technology at fensterbau. The improved 'iplus E' glass series for thermal insulation of down to 0.5 W/m2K (as per EN 673) was presented. Three new low-transmissive ipasol façade glasses with g-values of down to 15 percent enable energy-efficient architecture even in the hottest regions of the world. Another product designed at the Interpane E & B think tank is the new temperable low-E coating 'iplus ET'. Two project studies of this research and development centre cast some light on the future of coating technology.

The emphasis of Interpane's exhibition was clearly on the energy efficiency of glass for residential, business, and public buildings. Even the standard version with argon filling of the new base glass 'iplus E' improves the heat insulation and reaches values of Ug = 1.1 W/m2K. The passive energy gain (g-value = 60 % as per EN 410), excellent colour neutrality (Ra,D = 97) and high transparency (tL = 80 %) round off its performance and provide for a pleasant living and working environment in light rooms.

High-end glasses such as the triple insulation glazing 'iplus 3C E' improve the heat insulation to values of down to Ug = 0.5 W/m2K. At the same time, they make use of the (free) energy of the sun to heat the room to save even more energy. iplus 3C E has been designed for low-energy and passive houses, but is suitable for anyone who is building or renovating, and for those who want to escape sky rocketing energy prices.

The multifunctional glazing 'iplus city E' has been designed for noisy urban areas. It combines efficient thermal insulation (Ug-value = 1.1 W/m2K), sound-proofing (Rw up to 38 db), and increased burglary-resistance (P4A safety rating as per EN 356).

ipasol façade glazing now with g-values of down to 15 percent
Three new solar control glasses with excellent solar factor were presented for the first time. ipasol neutral 60/31 is characterised by its high light transmittance. The extremely low g-value of ipasol platin 25/14 and ipasol platin 31/17 lowers the effort for air conditioning – even for large-surface glass façades and in sunny regions. In addition, all types of glazing also provide effective thermal insulation (Ug = 1,1 W/m2K).

The ipasol façade glazing series now offers suitable solutions for all transmittance classes and for virtually any architectural concept: from high light transmittance (ipasol neutral 73/39) to extremely low g-values, from a neutral appearance to coloured glazing; from low-reflection to high-reflecting façades; including color-matched spandrel panels.

Temperable thermal insulation glass
Basic glass partners can now manufacture their own tempered safety glass or heat-strengthened glass using panes with the temperable low-E coating 'iplus ET' and any kind of conventional convection oven after they have been cut to size, or obtain them from producers within the Interpane partner network. The time-consuming dimensioning at the glass manufacturer is eliminated and the logistic effort is reduced dramatically. The glass remains colour-neutral even after tempering and can be used together with the thermal insulation glass 'iplus E' as mixed glazing. The light transmittance (tL) reaches values of 77 %, the thermal insulation value is Ug = 1.1 W/m2K. With a g-value of 60 %, the glazing achieves passive energy gains.

About the research and development
Two current project studies developed at Interpane Entwicklungs- und Beratungsgesellschaft (E & B) provided some insight into the future of the company’s coating technology at fensterbau. Interpane is currently developing a temperable solar control coating entitled 'ipasol T Color'. The highly transmissive coating 'iplus HT', also a study, significantly reduces the surface reflection of glass while simultaneously increasing the transmission. This coating would therefore be suitable for thermal solar collector covers or triple glazing for passive houses.

Caption 1: Energy efficiency is the number one topic in the world of construction. The low-emissivity glazing series 'iplus E' conserve energy and provide for a pleasant indoor climate. The high-end thermal insulation glazing 'iplus 3C E' improves heat insulation to values of down to 0.5 W/m2K (Ug as per EN 673).

Caption 2: The façade of the Radisson SAS hotel 'Blue Heaven' in Frankfurt, Germany provides excellent solar protection with ipasol blue 40/23. Three new low-transmissive ipasol glasses complement the Interpane series of façade glazing. Their extremely low g-values (down to 15 %) make them suitable for energy-efficient architecture, even in very sunny regions.

Promac Enjoys Fensterbau Experience

Promac Group returned from a successful Fensterbau with further orders and a number of strong enquiries from the international show.

Following on from a successful Glassex for Promac, Fensterbau proved that while the UK market is a little flat, the European market as a whole remains buoyant. Promac says that it may be able to lay the claim of being one of only a handful of UK companies that will be involved in Glassex, Fensterbau and Interbuild and the comparisons are worth noting.

Derek Bonnard, managing director explains: ‘We went to Fensterbau to liaise with our international partners and to meet a number of important customers. Judging by the number of phone calls and appointments during the show it was extremely worthwhile. Fensterbau is an impressive international event and an important part of our exhibition calendar.’

Windowmaker Chooses Fensterbau for New Product Focus

While some companies exhibited at a relatively low-key Glassex, Windowmaker Software used Fensterbau as a focal point for the launch of several new products and solutions designed for the window fabricator and installer.

Windowmaker chose Fensterbau to launch Windowmaker 5.5 and Windowmaker ERP. Existing users from many European countries including the UK showed an interest in these new solutions, resulting in a number of quality enquiries.

Goronwy Jones, managing director explains the decision to exhibit at Fensterbau: ‘As a European-based company it makes sense for us to exhibit at the major industry show and the fact that it occurs biennially makes sense. We had a great show and look forward to following this up over the coming weeks.’

Success for Roto at Fensterbau 2006

For any UK visitor who has never been to Fensterbau before, the exhibition is, to say the least, an eye-opener. The exhibition attracts visitors and exhibitors from around the world and is supported by the biggest names from all sectors of our industry; machinery, systems, hardware, etc.

UK visitors familiar with Glassex will be amazed at the strength of Fensterbau in every respect; it is (much) bigger, occupying ten halls of the Nuremberg exhibition centre, has an extremely wide variety of exhibits and encompasses all areas of the industry, whether timber, PVC-U or aluminium. In short, there is something for everyone and few will come away feeling that they have learned nothing from the experience.

From a UK perspective, if nothing else, Fensterbau highlights the gulf that exists between the price/cost conscious British market and the performance and quality conscious markets that exist in the major continental markets, where customers and fabricators recognise that security and reliability are desirable attributes and do not mind spending money on products and components that deliver these important benefits.

Roto Frank's German parent company exhibited at this year's show, with a stand that promoted new products around its perimeter and featured a central hospitality suite for visiting customers.

Key new products on the stand included two new door locks, new variations on the NT tilt and turn system, E-tec electronic controls for doors and windows and a new patio system. Many of these products will be available to the UK market over the coming months.

Roto's new door locks included Tandeo, a multi-point lock that automatically locks the door when it is closed. The lock provides a high degree of convenience and security, can be lever or cylinder operated and is suitable for timber, PVC-U and aluminium doors.

The company's latest addition to the NT tilt and turn system, which will be launched in the UK later this year, is Designo, a variation that features 100º opening, accommodates sashes up to 130kg in weight and promises enhanced security.

The company sas that the new patio system has great potential for the UK market. For familiarity's sake, the system has been termed tilt and slide, but in reality it is far more ingenious as, rather than the sash being lifted, the system actually lifts and drops the gasket at the turn of the handle. This mechanism provides effortless and smooth operation as well as allowing heavier sashes to be accommodated.

Adrian Vicker, operations director at Roto in the UK, states, ‘Fensterbau has been a huge success for Roto, reinforcing the company's worldwide reputation for innovation and engineering excellence. Many of the new products launched at the exhibition are relevant to the UK market and will create new opportunities throughout the market, particularly in the specification sector.’

Tel: 01788 558600
Email: uk-sales@roto-frank.com

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