More than 600 companies to appear at IMB
Approximately than 600 companies from around 40 countries are expected to attend IMB — World of Textile Processing. The event, which takes place April 21-24 in Cologne is expected to attract many overseas visitors, with 70% of exhibitors travelling from outside Germany to the event.
The focus this year will be on solutions for the production of upholstered furniture and for leather processing as well as clothing and home textiles.
Elgar Straub, managing director of the VDMA German Garment and Leather Technology Association, says the sector is undergoing radical changes, irrespective of the current financial crisis. “Across the world, production locations are being newly organised,” he says. “Energy costs have risen and labour costs in some of the low-wage countries have also increased noticeably. At the same time the sector is counting on more flexibility and productivity within the whole production chain, from suppliers to distribution. The trend toward individualisation is accompanied by an increased awareness of quality. Environmental protection, resource conservation and social responsibility are further important topics for the whole sector.”
He adds: “The sector is closely examining the steadily increasing transport and logistics costs in relation to cheap products, particularly in regard to environmental protection.” Production centres close to sales locations are becoming more important, especially for high quality produce or for small batches that have to be made available quickly.
