News

Focus Küche & Bad at new Exhibition Center: Up-to-the-Minute Product Trends and Innovations

On September 15-21, Enger/Hiddenhausen will become the center of the kitchen and bathroom universe, with famous suppliers and manufacturers presenting their latest developments and design solutions at Focus Küche & Bad. With 106 national and international exhibitors taking up 11,000 m2 of exhibition space, the new exhibition center in Enger/Hiddenhausen will be full to capacity. Organizers, Bielefeld-based Survey Marketing  + Consulting GmbH
& Co. KG, anticipate a further increase in visitor numbers at the seventh industry gathering.

Suppliers and manufacturers as well as specialist industry service provider groups will be at Focus Küche & Bad 2007 to exhibit their product and design innovations: from fitted kitchens, worktops, sinks, fittings, electrical appliances, lighting, built-in systems and accessories right through to kitchen planning software. Among the market leaders represented will be Bauknecht, Best, Blanco, Damixa, Electrolux, Format, Franke, Gorenje, Liebherr, Naber, Samsung, Sharp, Schock, Smeg and Villeroy & Boch, as well as the Leonberg-based kitchen specialists association, “Der Kreis", demonstrating that the industry forum will once again provide an impressive and representative cross-section of the bathroom and kitchen scene.

Ergonomics and Comfort in the Kitchen

Handleless front panels continue to represent the very latest in high-end sector kitchens. Drawers and drawer systems are available with automatic open and close functions: just a light touch is sufficient to open or close a drawer with these convenience fitting solutions. Electronically-driven drawer systems ensure that drawers open and close gently, even when fully laden.

The trend for glossy surfaces in the kitchen is continuing - in particular acrylic with its high gloss quality and depth effect is increasing its market share in the décor sector. The range of colors for front panels is extremely diverse: accentuated mono-colors are popular, as well as exotic and other distinctive woods. In the worktop sector, “tarnished” metal designs currently figure significantly in suppliers’ product lines, alongside solid surfaces, sheets of natural stone, woods and satin finish glass.

Top Quality Faucets and Kitchen Sinks

Making the grade are kitchen taps with refined, straight lines and sophisticated technology. Some types can be adjusted by lowering while others can be removed and re-fitted as required without needing tools of any kind. Faucets with pull-out heads or extra high spout positioning enable large pans and containers to be filled with ease. Spouts designed with a full swivel function provide the user with greater flexibility.

Kitchen sink manufacturers supply practical modules with hard-wearing and easy-care ceramic and stainless steel surfaces through to solid surfaces suitable for a wide range of kitchen layouts. Depending on requirements, sink types are available for flush installation, shallow installation or as base units. Versatile accessories such as fitted storage systems and cutting boards make kitchen work easy and turn the sink into a modern “multi-purpose wash station”.

Kitchen Appliance Comfort

Currently representing huge sales potential in the built-in appliance sector are induction hobs, built-in ovens and steamers as well as fridge-freezers, side-by-side food centers and fully integrated dishwashers. For the end user, economy and top quality design are crucial factors when making a decision. Manufacturers are well-placed to respond with their current kitchen appliance lines, as the various models provide energy-saving technology and combine convenient operating functions with modern design.

Versatility comes up trumps for cooking and baking: the high standard of appliances is demonstrated in features such automatic pan type/size recognition for the hob, automatic pre-cook/switch-off facility, memory functions, integrated residual heat indicator and multi-purpose cooking zones. Many models can be operated using “touch control” technology. Practical automatic programming assists in the correct preparation of meals. Integrated grease filters, rapidly demountable oven interiors, catalysts and pyrolysis processes all make oven-cleaning less of a chore.

Stainless steel, aluminum and glass remain en vogue for cookers and ovens. Specially-coated stainless steel surfaces are particularly scratch-resistant and resistant to fingermarks. Extra-large or smaller compact appliances are available in heights of 38cm and 45cm for use with optional features or in furniture niches, as well as the standard sizes for fitted kitchens. The special child safety features fitted by a number of manufacturers ensure that the risk of accidents in the kitchen is reduced for the youngsters of the family.

Clever Technology for Kitchen Hoods

Creative technology, striking design and minimal cleaning requirements all feature in the new lines from kitchen hood manufacturers. Features include, for example, an automatic sensor which detects odors, as well as noise reduction and energy efficiency systems. Appliance lines which feature grease extractors operated by centrifugal force dispense completely with conventional grease filters. Lighting solutions using the dimmer function provide optimum illumination of cooking zones wherever it is required or alternatively mood-lighting for the kitchen. Hood functions are convenient to operate with touch screen and remote control operation.

New Visitor Groups expected

National and international experts from manufacturers, bath and kitchen showroom proprietors, designers and architects as well as executives from wholesale organizations and furniture stores visit Focus Küche & Bad every year to pick up the latest information. Last year, 11,000 trade visitors attended the industry show, and a further increase in visitor numbers is expected again this year, as from 2007 onwards Focus Küche & Bad will be officially opened up to a selection of businesses involved in handcrafts and trades in the catchment area.

On Monday, September 17, the German Kitchen Furniture Association (VdDK) will once again use Focus Küche & Bad as a platform for its annual press conference and will be providing information on current developments in the kitchen industry.