News

Exciting trade fair double act in Istanbul
ZOW and Z-TEC between 1 and 4 October 2009

All roads lead to Istanbul, where the second ZOW supplier fair for the furniture industry and interior design is taking place at the same time as the premiere of Z-TEC, a new machine trade fair organised by SURVEY, between 1 and 4 October. Around 250 Turkish and foreign exhibitors have registered for ZOW.

Both well-known Turkish furniture suppliers such as Kastamonu Entegre, Yildiz Sunta MDF, Starwood, AGT, Samet, Cebi Kilit, Art Aksesuar and international companies including Chiyoda, Danzer, Elektra, Interprint, Renolit, Schattdecor, Süddekor und Surteco will be represented at ZOW. Some 30 manufacturers of woodworking and furniture production machinery will be taking part in the premiere of Z-TEC, including prominent Turkish companies such as Kadromak Makine, Netmak Ağaç Makinaları, Turanlar Makine, and Arti Bileme.

The first ZOW in Istanbul in January 2008 was an all-round success. 14 000 visitors from Turkey and the countries in the Middle East made the trip to the Bosporus to take in the ‘new’ trade fair and find out about the latest products for the furniture supplier industry. “We expect significantly more visitors to ZOW in 2009, because this trade fair concept, which is completely new to Turkey, was very well received,” says Survey boss for Istanbul Suleyman Durdu.

The products on offer include the complete range of furniture supplier parts for surfaces and fittings, built-in parts and systems, semi-finished parts and products for interior fittings, which will be showcased for the first time in the special “Furnitex” area, fabrics and leather, microfibre materials and upholstery accessories.

Turkey is one of the most interesting sales markets in the world and also acts as a springboard for many European companies targeting the markets of the Middle East. A particularly positive development is that the Turkish market, which was affected by the economic crisis like many others, has taken an upward turn. The furniture industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Turkey, helped by massive investment in residential construction, strongly growing population and the high share of young people who will found a household.

Istanbul may not be the capital of Turkey, but it’s certainly where deals are being made. Thanks to its location on the Bosporus, the city has always been a magnet for business travellers and tourists from all over the world. Unique buildings like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace are all popular visitor attractions. But Istanbul is also known for its multitude of shops, good restaurants and bars and varied nightlife.