Industry news

FN Neuhofer The lifetime achievement award goes to... …Franz Neuhofer senior

As part of this year’s Domotex trade fair in Hanover (10–13/1/2020), Franz Neuhofer senior., the retired head of the family-owned company FN Neuhofer, was awarded the “Parquet Star 2020 for his life’s work”. The successful family business, based in the Austrian town of Zell am Moos, celebrates its 370th anniversary this year, and Franz Neuhofer senior (9th generation) his 80th birthday. These wonderful events were topped off right at the beginning of the year with the lifetime achievement award, presented by Parkett Magazine. During a festive event at the Domotex 2020 in Hanover, Franz Neuhofer senior was presented with the “Parquet Star 2020 for his life’s work”, with Peter Hamberger, the honorary recipient of the prize from 2016, giving an emotional laudation. “This prize is a great honour for me and I am delighted to receive it. I’d like to express my thanks to Parkett Magazine for the award, and especially Peter Hamberger, with whom I’ve been doing business for many decades”, Franz Neuhofer senior said. And furthermore: “When I look back on “370 years of Neuhofer”, I’m proud and also a bit humble. Only a few family-run businesses can look back on such a long history. I’m very pleased that our children have found their way both in their personal and professional lives. Our grandchildren are also doing wonderfully well – that gives me high hopes for the future”. So a good start to a new year, in which our family company – true to our slogan “WE. KNOW. WOW!” – hits the ground running, and will again be able to earn this “Wow!” of enthusiasm from our partners and customers.

Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR NEW DATES! NEW VENUE! New show dates: 31 August – 2 September, 2020 Why these new dates: - The beginning of September marks the end of holidays for Europe and USA. - Statistically, September is one of the most productive months, as the industry awakes, the innovations go out, the business start. - Timewise in what concerns the global situation with the novel Covid19, those dates are within what is considered a “safe” period for business to resume in China. Why National Exhibition and Convention Centre: NECC is the largest exhibition complex in the city and is considered one of Shanghai’s newest landmarks with its distinct four-leaf clover design. Located in the immediate vicinity of Shanghai – Hongqiao International Airport and the Hongqiao transportation hub, with excellent connections to metro, high-speed trains, and buses, guaranteeing very good accessibility for visitors. Facilities at NECC include exhibition halls, the commercial plaza, office buildings and a high-end brand hotel. These four facilities are linked together by an 8 – meter- high elevated Exhibition Boulevard so that people can easily traverse these functional areas. Where to stay: The venue is directly connected to the 5-star Intercontinental Hotel Shanghai NECC. Other hotels in the vicinity are: Primus Residence/The QUBE Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao – 10 min walk Holiday Inn Shanghai Hongqiao West - 10 min by shuttle bus Why DACF will still be successful in 2020: The show postponement to the second half of 2020 ensures the effectiveness of the exhibition and the health and safety of exhibitors and visitors. According to national authorities’ expertise, by August the industry will recover and the environment will be ‘healthy’ once again. Business in China will go on and we want to offer a perfect platform for it. Many of our exhibitors have already stated that they are grateful to have a postponed (Virus free) opportunity to return to China for business. The show will provide the industry with better and more suitable conditions to conduct business some of which can be attributed to a new, modern fairground, which allows the show to grow both in terms of space and in terms of visitors’ reception. DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2020 Highlights: Carpet Luxury Brands Carpet Show: A Contemporary High- End Carpet Show featuring an exquisite hand-made design rug collection of renowned contemporary carpet designers. International Buyers Carpet delegation: A delegation of carpet and rug buyers and dealers from all around the world co-organized with Cover Magazine Treasures of the Orient: A dedicated area promoting oriental carpets and rugs in a space of more than 650sqm. Wood Hosted Buyers Program: The perfect opportunity for wood flooring professionals to meet top wood flooring manufacturers from China in a professional B2B setting. World Flooring Forum: Promoting for the 6th time the high-end developments, seeking new practices and innovations, the conference will gather global industry leaders and KOLs to present and discuss the transformation of the wood flooring industry. Read more on www.floor-forum.com/en/news