material + technik möbel Special 01/2011

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FAC H M AG A Z I N F Ü R D I E K A S T E N – , K Ü C H E N – , B Ü R O – U N D S I T Z M Ö B E L – F E R T I G U N G S OW I E D E N I N N E N AU S B AU · W W W. M AT E R I A L-T EC H N I K . D E · 3 0 8 3 5

The magazine for furniture production and related fields

Quality Inside Special 01|11

17.08.11 08:48

Quality Inside

The international supply fair inter­ zum, held from 25 to 28 May 2011 in Cologne (Germany), revealed an enthusiastic mood among organis­ ers, exhibitors and visitors. In par­ ticular, the Koelnmesse as organis­ ers had every reason to be pleased: with a total of 1,434 ex­ hibitors from 61 countries, the ten exhibition halls were filled to ca­ pacity. Compared with the inter­ zum 2009, the event exceeded the previous exhibition space by 8%, and the number of exhibitors by almost 6%. As a result, an addi­ tional hall was necessary. At the same time, the exhibition area “in­ novation of interior”, with which the organisers addressed archi­ tects as an additional visitor cate­ gory, was enhanced with a whole row of renowned exhibitors.

Even more successful was this year’s interzum in terms of the number of visitors. The Koeln­ messe had done an excellent job in the run-up to the fair, and ar­ ranged for vigorous advertising campaigns worldwide for the sup­ ply fair. With 52,400 trade visitors, the visitor figures for the previous interzum in 2009 were exceeded by 13%. In view of the number of foreign visitors that was 24% higher than in 2009, the fair could rightly claim to be an international leading fair for the furniture supply industry. The proportion of foreign­ ers among the visitors amounted to roughly 66%.

Most of the exhibitors agreed with the positive final balance an­ nounced by the organisers. The in­ dustry itself had made a decisive contribution to the comeback achieved by the interzum. The event revealed itself to be an even stronger international meeting point and showcase of the supply industry than in previous years, with global players from almost all product areas having come togeth­ er in Cologne. The success of the event was not least due to the re­ turn of renowned manufacturers from the various segments, who – because of the economic and fi­ nancial crisis in 2009 – had taken time-out from the interzum or, as in the case of the Austrian wood­ based panels manufacturer Egger, had not been among the exhibi­ tors for 18 years. In contrast to the regional supply fairs in Europe, e.g. the ZOW in Bad Salzuflen

Showcase for supply products The interzum 2011 in Cologne put the industry in an enthusiastic mood. The German specialist fair for supply materials to the furniture industry scored highly among exhibitors and visitors alike. With its wide range of products, the event offered purchasers from the domestic and foreign furniture industries an extensive, up-to-date overview of furniture hardware, surface materials, woodbased materials and supply products for upholstered furniture manufacture.

(Germany) or the SICAM in Porde­ none (Italy), the international furni­ ture industry has an opportunity to study such a wide range of supply products for furniture production only once every two years: the in­ terzum takes place only every two years, whereas the ZOW and the SICAM are held each year, with both attracting only roughly one third of the number of exhibitors.

Furthermore, the international visi­ tors profit from the temporal link

between the interzum and the ma­ chinery fair Ligna in Hanover (Ger­ many). Within only a few days, ­visitors are able to obtain informa­ tion not only about new furniture components – in Cologne – but al­ so about innovations in wood­ working machinery – in Hanover.

Complete range of products At the interzum, it was not only among the woodbased panels that the return of prominent manufac­

turers made a positive appear­ ance. On this occasion, in the area of furniture hardware, the com­ plete range of products was on of­ fer, thanks to the participation of the Italian company Salice as well as further leading Italian hardware Major woodbased panel manufacturers exhibit their products once again, in some cases after a long pause.

Photos: Koelnmesse

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12.08.11 14:19

Quality Inside

The interzum is the world leading fair for suppliers to the furniture industry. specialists. In the case of decorative surfaces, also, no gaps were to be seen. With the return of the Spanish decor printer Lamigraf to the interzum, the entire constellation of decor paper suppliers was now assembled in the exhibition halls.

Comfortable hardware Admittedly, the interzum 2011 was not to be counted among the most innovative editions of its kind. The number of genuine new developments in the hardware and surface sectors kept within limits.

Rather, most companies presented sophisticated further developments of their previous products, which will provide advantages in many ways for their users.

Although the furniture hardware industry had come up with one innovation after another in past years, the development departments of the hardware specialists had on this occasion dedicated themselves to optimisation of the running characteristics of pull-outs and simplification of installation processes. Or, only the product “families” were completed, so that the living-room and kitchen furniture industry will in future have better differenti-

ation possibilities both outside and within their assortments. Here, however, the manufacturers had certainly not lost sight of trend themes such as comfort and individualisation. But this time, their motto is not “Comfort at any price”. Pull-out systems based upon a platform concept, as offered by the leading German and Austrian hardware manufacturers Hettich, Häfele, Blum and Grass, enable kitchen manufacturers to offer not only individualisation and differentiation, but also an appreciable reduction of stockholding levels and component variety. Especially remarkable here was that, at the interzum 2011, not the doublewalled frames as in previous years, but in the case of most suppliers, new silent under-floor guides were in the limelight. The material variety, which is thus made possible, results in even wider possibilities of use for such drawers in the living area.

In 2011, the interzum scored highly with an unusually wide range of surfaces and haptical effects played an important role.

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Quality Inside

Feel free to touch!

The quality demands made on decorative surfaces are increasing continually, while pronounced haptic effects as well as natural, high quality decors are permanently in demand. On this basis, at this year’s interzum, the Renolit Group presented 30 new stock-decors together with numerous new developments.

With a wide range of new decors and haptic surface effects, the Renolit Group, based in Worms/ Germany, presented itself at this year’s interzum in Cologne to an international trade public. The specialist for thermoplastic furniture foils appeared with – among other items – a completely new collec-

tion based on PET foils, which are available with wood decors, solid colours and in various surface structures. With its successful appearance at the world leading fair for suppliers to the furniture industry, this German company registered a particularly positive response to two oak decors and the surface structure “Sawcut”.

Robust oak

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As a new member, “Burlington Oak” – a light-coloured, appealing oak decor with a rich interplay of colours – enhances the stock program of Renolit Design. With numerous cathedrals and knots, the decor creates a very natural effect, and can be elegantly combined with brown and white. The light farmhouse oak decor “Lancelot C”, on the other hand, has a highly rustic appearance, following the current trend to naturalness. The decor is combined with a dominant structured effect, which produces a 3D-effect with palpable grooves in the grain, and thus the uneven structure of naturally grown wood.

“Sawcut”, on the other hand, creates a haptic effect of a completely different kind. “The new structured look recalls the surface of freshly sawn timber,” says product developer Claudia Hiepel, describing the structure. The basis of this decor is a deeply embossed 1| The surface structure “Sawcut” recalls the surface of freshly sawn timber.

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2| “Burlington Oak”, with numerous cathedrals and knots, creates a highly natural effect.

Photos: Renolit

3 oak structure, which combines with the sawcut effect. Groovings of varying depth, left by the teeth of the saw blade, interchange with the surface smoothness of the oak pores, imparting to a white surface a natural degree of fineness.

Quality offensive With the demands and options of the customer always in mind, the “Central Technical Support Team” of Renolit is dedicated to the technical perfectioning of furniture components. One example of its activities is the introduction into the market of “Renolit Covaren HP”, a 3D-foil modified by the R&D department. This is processed at considerably higher temperatures, so that the PUR adhesives used are particularly effective, and the heat resistance of the adhesive joint is about 20 °C higher than previously.

The “Central Technical Support Team” also participated to a large

3| The light farmhouse oak decor “Lancelot C” follows the current trend to naturalness. degree in the foundation of the Gütegemeinschaft Dreidimensionale Möbelfronten (“Quality Association for 3D Furniture-Fronts”), which took place on 14 March 2011 in Munich (Germany). The aim of the association is to improve the quality of the entire product, and thus emphasise the attractiveness of the 3D-technology. The measures used in process quality and control affect the entire added value chain, from raw materials to the completed product. For next year is planned the award of the RAL seal of quality, which the manufacturers of 3Dfurniture fronts will probably be able to use with effect from the second half of 2012 onwards. ba

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12.08.11 14:26

Quality Inside

Product highlights In May 2011, at the interzum in Cologne (Germany), the international supply fair for the furniture industry, an entire range of futureoriented products made their debut. Furthermore, on the occasion of the specialist fair, every two years, outstanding innovations are honoured with the “interzum award”. On the following two pages, we present some of the product highlights.

Award-winning real-wood decor The innovative wood decor “Larix Grey Matt Schnitzer kurz” by the woodbased panels manufacturer Homapal (Germany) won the interzum award 2011 for “high product quality.“ The award winning product is a high pressure laminate (HPL) panel with a surface of genuine wood veneer (reconstituted veneer) that creates the impression of having been carved straight from a log with a wood-chisel. It produces alternating light-and-dark effects, depending on the viewing angle and the distance.

Photo: Homapal

Structure and colour Furniture design has rediscovered conifer wood. However, you need to take a second look to see that the new decor “Thuja” from Interprint (Germany) shows the perfect larch. A distinct stripy structure is an excellent quality feature. Halfcut flowers and soft annual rings enhance the high-quality look. Single-colour metallic in green makes the decor stand out. The effect: clear, strong and refreshing.

Photo: Interprint

Design oriented At the interzum, in order to support the many and varied design demands made on furniture with appropriate hardware solutions, and as an extension of its existing program, the hardware manufacturer Blum (Austria) presented its new drawer system “Legrabox” in a plain and simple look. The design was honoured by an international jury with the “interzum award: Best of the Best”. The award was made for such features as innovative design, intelligent details, aesthetic qualities and functionality.

Photo: Blum

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European decor industry records continuing growth In 2010 and the first half of 2011, the European surface materials industry once again experienced continuing growth. Almost all companies in the industry are signalling the end of the crisis years with new investments in machinery and foreign subsidiaries.

Admittedly, during the worldwide economic and financial crisis, the industry had had to suffer serious setbacks. In 2008 and 2009, the companies lost roughly a quarter of their sales. In the case of world market leader Schattdecor, for example, sales for 2009 fell from EUR 420 million to EUR 350 million. Meanwhile, most of the lost ground has been regained once more, with the leading companies reporting in some cases 2-digit growth figures in sales for 2010.

Hornschuch, for instance, recorded a sales increase in excess of 21% in 2010, with total sales higher than those of the pre-crisis years. Among the decor printers, sales by Interprint during the period under review rose by as much as 30%. In 2010, Impress Decor recorded an increase in sales of almost 17%, while Schattdecor was again able to increase its sales from EUR 350 million to EUR 440 million. Despite a positive start, however, for the entire year 2011

the surface materials specialists do not expect similar high growth levels as in 2010. At the same time, the production and company structure today reveals itself as quite different from that in the years before the crisis.

Foreign investments As from this year, Impress Decor is no longer engaged in decor printing activities in Germany. The printing lines from the company’s headquarters in Aschaffenburg (Germany) have been transferred to the foreign production facilities in Poland and Brazil; two older printing lines have been scrapped.

In autumn last year, Impress Decor had already extended its Russian facility in Uwa with a third impregnating line.

Other decor printers also have extended printing capacity at their foreign locations, and in the case of Schattdecor, the production network has even been extended to other countries. Since the end of

last year, for example, the company runs its brand new decor printing facility in Turkey. In January 2011, the first roll of decor paper was printed at the new factory in St Louis (USA). At almost the same time a new lacquering line was put into operation at the Glucholazy factory in Poland,. In June this year, the third paper machine started up, increasing the capacity for high quality decor papers to 80,000 tonnes p.a. at the joint-venture company Kingdecor in Quzhou (China), Already in April the company has extended its production capacity for melamine films with the purchase of two impregnating lines from a Russian manufacturer in Tjumen (Russia).

With this new facility, Schattdecor is now supplying the region of West Siberia with melamine films.

At its other location in Shatura (Russia) near Moscow, three impregnating lines have been in operation since 2008. With two additional impregnating lines, the de-

cor printing specialist intends to upgrade its Italian location Rosate in the near future. Further printing machinery investments are planned for the factories in Sao José dos Pinhais (Brazil) and in Turkey.

In recent months, Interprint also has extended its production capacity outside Germany. Only a few weeks ago, at its Egorievsk factory near Moscow (Russia), a second printing line supplied by Kochsiek went into operation. Parallel to this event, a third impregnating line is under construction at the Interprint location in Samara (Russia). Interprint acquired the Samara factory from Coveright in 2010, and now has full-range production facilities in the Russian market, providing decor printing as well as impregnating facilities.

High-tech for Germany The German decor printer Süddekor is one of the few companies that have concentrated on the

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12.08.11 14:30

Quality Inside

home market in its investment program. In late summer last year, at its headquarters in Laichingen (Germany), the company commissioned a new electron-beam lacquering line, on which finish foils with additional surface effects can be produced. The annual production capacity of the line is 55 million m².

German manufacturers of thermoplastic decor foils also have invest1| Interprint is installing a second printing line at its Egorievsk factory in Russia.

Photo: Interprint 2| At the end of 2010, Schattdecor inaugurated its new facility in Istanbul (Turkey).

Photo: Schattdecor 3| At its headquarters in Germany, Süddekor invested in a new electron-beam system for the manufacture of finish foils.

Photo: Süddekor 4| In 2010 Hornschuch acquired the American company O’Sullivan Films.

Photo: Hornschuch 5| At the beginning of 2011, the first roll of decor paper was printed at the new factory of Schattdecor in St Louis (USA).

Photo: Schattdecor

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ed heavily at their company headquarters. During the last few months, Klöckner-Pentaplast has commissioned several new production lines at its factories in Germany and Portugal. At the Burgkirchen (Germany) location, for ­example, a state-of-the-art PET extruder line for furniture surfaces was started up in early summer 2011. German suppliers in this area are going further afield in other markets too. In 2010, for example, Hornschuch acquired the North American foil manufacturer O’Sullivan Film Inc. in Westminster/Virginia (USA). While the US factory is at present being equipped with new machinery, Hornschuch is planning to install new production lines at its main location in Weissbach (Germany) by the end of 2011.

Growth market Turkey The German thermofoils manufacturer Renolit SE recently established its own sales subsidiary in Istanbul (Turkey). Supported by its own warehouse there, the company intends to strengthen its position in this region, which for Renolit represents one of the most important growth markets, both for furniture foils and for foils used in exterior applications. In autumn last year, Renolit had already strengthened its position in the Italian market by acquiring the

business of the foil manufacturer Eurogloss, based in Perschiera Borromeo (Italy). With Eurogloss, Renolit now has a further production facility for high gloss foils as well as 2D foils for flat-coating and foil wrapping.

In contrast to the decor printing industry, many members of which are based in Germany, the supplier network of thermoplastic foils in Europe is more widely spread. In addition to the German suppliers mentioned above, further manufacturers of thermoplastic foils are established in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, Austria and Sweden. Admittedly, the Swedish foil manufacturer Gislaved Folie AB meanwhile forms part of the Surteco Group, based in Germany.

By means of acquisitions and mergers, the European manufacturers are reacting to the increased competition from furniture foil suppliers from the Asian regions who have been encroaching upon the European market with their products during recent years. In fact, in 2008, the Japanese manufacturer C.I. Kasei even established a European facility under the name of Bonlex Europa in Motta di Livenza (Italy).

Investments in digital printing technology In addition to investments in the core business of printing technolo-

gy, the age of digital printing technology has meanwhile also begun for the surface materials industry.

During the last six months, a number of surface materials specialists have started up new production lines using inkjet technologies, with which the industry hopes to improve customer service and gain economic advantages. Already in July, Schattdecor started up a new digital printing line (160 cm working width) at its headquarters facility. Since the beginning of the year, Interprint has been supplying digitally printed decors realised in cooperation with a partner company. In the next few months, it is planned to start up a self-developed digital printing line employing innovative laser technology. The thermoplastic foils specialist Klöckner-Pentaplast also is investing in digital printing technology, and during the summer installed a digital printing line, from which the company plans to supply its customers with printed 3D-foils, also in small order quantities.

However, the decor printers’ customers themselves are also seriously looking into the new technology. The woodbased panels manufacturers Westag & Getalit (Germany) and Egger (Austria), for example, have been using such digital printing lines for a considerable time already. Richard Barth

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Quality Inside

Ligna set new accents for machinery construction The Ligna is the worldwide largest fair for manufacturers of machinery for the woodworking industry. The 2011 edition of this event was a complete success for exhibitors and visitors alike.

Many visitors and satisfied exhibitors – this, in brief, summarises the Ligna 2011, which was held at the beginning of June at Germany’s No. 1 fair location, Hanover.

The German special fair for woodworking machinery always takes place in odd years, alternating with the two smaller Italian fairs Xylexpo (Milan/Italy) and Technodomus (Rimini/Italy). The next Ligna will be held 6 – 10 May 2013.

Throughout the world, the wood industry seems to be sailing on an upwind. Machine manufacturers from the forestry industry are represented at the Ligna, but also plant construction firms such as Siempelkamp (Krefeld/Germany) who supply press systems for the manufacturers of woodbased pan1| The Ligna 2011 was attended by far more visitors than in the crisis year 2009.

2| At its stand at the Ligna, IMA Klessmann presented complete Lot Size 1 production lines in operation.

Photos: Ligna

els. A further focal point are the German companies such as IMA Klessmann (Lübbecke/Germany), Homag (Schopfloch/Germany) and the Italian firms SCM and Biesse, which develop and produce for the furniture industry individual machines as well as complete production lines. From the first day of the fair onward, the fair was beginning to throb with excitement; even early in the morning; the stands of many exhibitors were filled with customers and interested parties, at such levels as had not been seen for a very long time.

High increase in number of visitors Altogether, some 90,000 visitors attended the Ligna on the five days of the fair – 13% more than the previous edition in 2009. What was particularly important for the fair – and also for the visitors – was this: the Ligna continues to gain in internationality; roughly 40% of the visitors were from abroad, from 90 different countries all over the world. It is not surprising that,

once again, many visitors from Russia were present; the BRIC states Brasil, Russia, India and China are at present a powerful motor for the export-oriented investment goods industry. At the same time, large increases in the number of visitors from Finland, UK, Austria and Sweden were registered. And again, considerably more visitors than before came from the USA, which at least allows us to hope that the investment reluctance prevailing in the USA, which is extremely strong because of the present economic crisis, will gradually disappear, and that the US industry will gradually recover. “That was a splendid fair, all divisions of our branch of industry are satisfied to highly satisfied. Especially the number of foreign visitors was excellent. Whereas many other overregional fairs in the industry are suffering from dwindling numbers of exhibitors and visitors, the Ligna is glittering with increased figures,” says Dr Bernhard Dirr, president of the German VDMA, special association of manufacturers of

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woodworking machinery, who is very satisfied with this year’s results.

1,765 exhibitors from 52 countries Apart from the quantity of visitors, the quality of visitors also was very high this year. More than 50% of the visitors were decision makers from the upper echelons of management. “Numerous projects have been initiated, concrete business deals concluded, and valuable business contacts established.

The number of orders placed increased by 30% as compared to 2009 – a considerable increase,” reports Stephan Kühne, board member of the Deutsche Messe AG. Most of the 1,765 exhibitors were satisfied also. Homag’s head of communications Alexander Prokisch confirmed this: “Even on the first day of the fair, it was unusually full in “Homag City”. The mood worldwide is excellent, as is evident from the highly international character of visitors. Especially the BRIC countries are flourishing

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Advertisement

3| Laser edgebanding techno­ logy was a focal point of interest at the Homag stand.

For many visitors, this was the first opportunity to see such a production line in operation.

4| Modern digital printing lines, as seen here at the Hymmen stand, represent high quality and individualisation in production. money, but also, in the long-term, benefit the environment.

Lasers and proven technology

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at present.” Homag was the biggest exhibitor at the Ligna, with approx. 6,000 sqm of stand space. On the area known as “Homag City”, 60 machines for woodworking and furniture production were in operation and could be viewed under realistic production conditions.

Ligna – going green Among the absolute trend themes of the Ligna 2011 was the efficient use of the resources Wood and Energy. The increasing costs of energy and raw materials, as well as the in part extremely problematic availability of raw materials, are making customers worldwide enormously sensitive to this theme. This has now spread to

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the machinery manufacturers, so that there was scarcely one major supplier who had not made it his business to optimise the energy consumption and the raw material use of the machines and production lines. “We want to support our customers with regard to the theme ‘Cut the Cost’, explained Ralf Griesche, from the plant construction firm Siempelkamp. “Resin, wood and energy are becoming increasingly expensive; this especially affects the woodbased panel manufacturers.” For this reason, many companies have optimised their existing machines and production lines, so that materials and energy are used far more efficiently.

These innovations not only save

Two opposing developments could be seen in plant construction on the one hand, and in the machines rather designed for the craft trades, on the other. Whereas efforts are being directed more and more intensely to HiTec processes – laser edgebanding, Lot Size 1 lines with automatic control – as seen at IMA Klessmann, Homag and Biesse – in the field of craft trades, a trend towards “Back to the Basics” was to be observed.

This trend is represented, symbolically, by the new “Cube” planer from Weinig (Tauberbischofsheim/Germany), specialist for machinery for the processing of solid wood. By determinedly dispensing with complex extras and additional functions, Weinig has developed a planer, which produces perfect, right-angled and straight workpieces in one work operation, at a very competitive price, which makes the investment meaningful for smaller firms too. At the same time, by the use of intelligent technology, the output of the dust extraction unit is reduced by up to 60%, which again saves energy. In the field of surfaces, digital printing was once again a focal point. Digital printing technology is becoming better, more economical and more versatile, so that it can meanwhile be employed for the most varied areas of application. The experts from the industry all agree that this will result in more and more individualisation of the surfaces.

Whether Lot Size 1 or small series production, exclusive surfaces tailored to single projects from the edging to the floor will be used more and more simply and economically. Arnd Schwarze

15.08.11 13:07