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Preparations for the next IMM Cologne, which will take place from 12 to 16 January 2025, are already in full swing. According to Koelnmesse, the aim is to offer an even more attractive and effective trade fair experience by further developing proven formats that inspire and encourage exhibitors and trade visitors alike. In 2025, new hall concepts in the Pure, Home and Sleep segments will offer surprising trade fair experiences.
The management of SN-Verlag Hamburg, the publishing house behind Carpet Home, is setting the course for the tasks of the future and is getting younger: in addition to publisher Michael Steinert and his son Tim Steinert, a third managing director, Norman Virks, has joined the company on 1 April. He is known in the flooring industry as the long-standing head of the marketing cooperation of Joka Fachberater with wholesaler Jordan - a position Virks has held since 2013. The 42-year-old was born in Kassel and has a degree in economics. In his new position as co-managing director of SN-Verlag, Virks intends to focus on issues such as digitalisation and the company's trade fair activities - SN-Verlag will be organising the Hometex trade fair in Bad Salzuflen (formerly ABK Open).
The German home textiles label Pad wants to conquer the French market in 2024 and therefore opened an exclusive showroom & flagship store on the Côte d'Azur at the beginning of the year. "The French coast and the positive attitude to life here are simply perfect for our optimistic, colourful, feel-good home textiles," says Managing Director Michael Rossmann, delighted with the new store.
On March 13, carpet manufacturer Object Carpet hosted a showroom opening in central Hamburg at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. 14. After 15 years in Neue ABC-Straße (also in central Hamburg), the showroom moved just around the corner. It is now located in the so-called Springer Quartier, named after the Springer publishing house in this area. The new showroom is around 200 square metres, more than double the size of the old one.
Annika Klar (42) will become Senior Vice President of the freshly established "New & Global Business Development" division at Deutsche Messe on 1 April 2024. Annika Klar has been with Deutsche Messe since 2013, for the past three years as Managing Director of Hannover Fairs Turkey Fuarcılık A.Ş., a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Messe in Istanbul. Annika Klar will continue to manage Hannover Fairs Turkey Fuarcılık A.Ş. until further notice in addition to her role as Senior Vice President at Deutsche Messe. The activities of the freshly established "New & Global Business Development" division are focused on the conceptualization and implementation of new trade fairs and events in Germany, as well as on strategic growth abroad.
The home textiles industry has lost a great personality. Eberhard Beeth, entrepreneur and third-generation owner of the Gebrüder Schlau group of companies, which includes the Schlau wholesale company and the Hammer specialist stores, died on 6 March 2024 at the age of 88. After joining the family business in 1950, Eberhard Beeth took over from his mother, Maria Beeth, in 1971, representing the third generation. He retired from the operational side of the business in 2003, but remained involved as Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board until the end. In 2016, Beeth was awarded the Heimtex Star by BTH Heimtex for his life's work. "His life was this company. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who accompanied him on his journey," said Carolin Neffe, managing director of the group and granddaughter of Eberhard Beeth.
James Neuling has been appointed CEO of the Belysse Group as of 1 March 2024. He has been European Managing Director of the Belgian manufacturer of textile floor coverings since October 2022 and will continue in this role. Belysse was formed following the sale of Balta to the UK's Victoria Group and includes brands such as ITC and Modulyss.