Industry news

BAU Innovations in a hybrid format: Due to coronavirus, the conventional in-person BAU trade fair will not take place - Compact exhibition on site - Supplemented by digital offerings - BAU 2023 back in its usual form in all exhibition halls with digital supplement

Although Messe München does have a tried-and-tested hygiene concept, BAU, the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems, will not be held from January 11 to 16, 2021 as a conventional in-person event. This was the clear decision from today’s Messe München meeting with the Advisory Board and Board of Trustees of BAU. Instead, there will be a hybrid format from January 13 to 15, 2021, offering exhibitors the opportunity to present their innovations to a wide audience. The digital part of this event will also be an important part of the conventional in-person BAU 2023 trade fair. Read more on www.floor-forum.com/en/news

DOMOTEX postponed to 18 – 20 May 2021

Although two thirds of the exhibition space had already been booked and a comprehensive hygiene concept had been developed, Deutsche Messe AG has decided to postpone DOMOTEX to 18 – 20 May 2021. The leading trade show for carpets and floor coverings was originally scheduled to take place from 15 – 18 January 2021. The decision to postpone DOMOTEX was based on the latest developments regarding the worldwide rampant COVID-19 pandemic. In view of the general uncertainty, including travelling abroad, customers, visitors and exhibitors have asked for the trade show to be held at a later date. DOMOTEX 2021 will take place from Tuesday to Thursday (18 – 20 May) as a hybrid event: a physical show complemented by virtual formats. Visitors who will be unable to travel in May, will thus have an option to participate digitally. For exhibitors, the hybrid format also increases the international reach. Digital conference on 15 January 2021 The DOMOTEX team is working on a digital conference to be held on 15 January 2021. More information will be available shortly on www.domotex.de. FN Neuhofer continues to invest in the future! As always, there's a lot going on at the successful family business from Zell am Moos/AT The vision of the now 370-year-old family business FN Neuhofer comprises an investment volume in the

From left to right: CTO Alexander Schachl, CEO Franz Neuhofer, Franz Neuhofer senior, plant director Sigurd Steinkogler tens of millions for the impressive expansion, which includes additions and new buildings for logistics, production, an office and showroom in order to cope with the sustained international growth. The next step is implementation. All information about the company and its products is available on our website www.fnprofile.com Read more on www.floor-forum.com/en/news

Vandecasteele Houtimport Vandecasteele Houtimport has obtained the “SDG Pioneer certificate” from UNITAR CIFAL. This makes Vandecasteele Houtimport the first timber company to obtain this award. Today, Tuesday 27 panies received the SDG Pioneer certificate from UNITAR, the United October, 88 belgian com-

Vandecasteele Houtimport

successfully participated in the Voka Charter Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO) during at least 3 years, implemented 10 actions per year in at least 4 of the 5 pillars of the Agenda 2030, contributed to each of the 17 SDGs, and is therefore rewarded as SDG PIONEER

Nikhil Seth

UN ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITAR

Peter Wollaert

UNITAR FELLOW MANAGING DIRECTOR, CIFAL FLANDERS

Wouter De Geest

PRESIDENT VOKA

27 October 2020, Brussels, Belgium

Nations Institute for Training and Research. The companies were guided by Voka (Chamber of Commerce) for the last three years to focus intensively on each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Since the year 2000 Vandecasteele Houtimport has committed itself through the Corporate Sustainability Charter by signing up to environmental objectives exceeding the applicable legislation. The Charter brings together companies who voluntarily further strengthen all aspects of their business to set exemplary standards for others to follow. It is a management tool and is based on the 5 “P”’s: People – Planet – Prosperity - Partnership and Peace. Voka has been guiding companies towards sustainable entrepreneurship for the last twenty years through the Environmental Charter. In 2018, they shifted up a gear by entering into a partnership with CIFAL Flanders, the local hub of UNITAR, the United Nations training & research institute. As a result, companies that participate in the Voka Charter Sustainable Business (VCDO) can from now on receive a UN recognition: a "Certificate of Completion". Companies that participate in the process for at least three years and thereby set up actions for each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), receive the UNITAR SDG Pioneer certificate after a positive evaluation. Vandecasteele Houtimport is very proud to announce the achievement of this “SDG Pioneer certificate”!