Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd.
How is Heimtextil 2019 shaping up?
All these years Heimtextil has been the platform where the entire value chain of the textile industry meets for this trade fair acts as an essential trend barometer for the upcoming season. For Heimtextil 2019, we have designed a new concept of grouping the themes and products segments to meet the target audience’s (buyers) convenience and sourcing needs. In tune with that, we have witnessed a sharp rise in the demand for stand space in certain product segments.
Can you list some of the key highlights that we can expect in this year’s show?
Like every year, the 2019 edition will bring forth a host of new product innovations which have been grouped into special sourcing themes of our buyer’s interest. Some of the key product themes this edition will highlight are Smart Bedding, Beautiful Living, Asian Excellence & Asian Selection, Window & Interior Decoration and Wall Decorations. We are really excited to see how Indian exhibitors blend in their rich culture and techniques through their collections to enhance these segments.
Also serving as a knowledge hub, there is something for everyone here. For the buyers and sellers we have a very interesting line-up that includes guided tours, seminars, lectures and some special events and shows specially curated to suit the interests of various segments. One will have to personally visit the show to experience and absorb the amount of knowledge and diversity the show has to offer.
Also, one cannot miss the Trend Space in Hall 3.0, which offers an overview of the latest market developments and the trends for 2019/20. In cooperation with Heimtextil, international design and trend experts have analysed the latest tendencies and prepared trend themes that will be shown in an extravagant presentation at the fair. (https://heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/programme-events/trends.html)
Other interesting highlights include Sleep! The Future Forum in hall 11.0 Foyer, the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality Expo in hall 4.2, and the Green Village in hall 12.0.
(see: https://heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/programme-events.html#events
How many exhibitors and visitors are expected this year?
Last edition, we hosted 2,975 exhibitors from 64 different countries. Heimtextil 2019 in total will host around 3.000 exhibitors from all over the world. The previous edition again hosted 70,000 trade visitors from about 135 different countries and the magnitude that the show possesses, we expect quality turnout of visitors this year as well.
How important has Indian participation been at Heimtextil Frankfurt?
Heimtextil has been a major business platform for the Indian home and household textile exporters. Since the early 70s, Indian exhibitors have been regularly participating in the fair. Last year, Heimtextil hosted 2,795 exhibitors from 65 different countries and India has always been among the top participants at the fair. In the last edition, India ranked second amongst the exhibiting countries, preceded by China and followed by Germany in third place. This year, India will host over 390 companies and we are confident to see a growth from other participating countries as well. We expect quality turnout of visitors this year as well, as this is an important sourcing platform for Indian buyers.
Indian companies have made some large investments in recent years in home textile manufacturing and also acquired a few major brands in Europe and in the US. Do you expect India to play a larger role in the global home textile industry in the years to come?
India’s textile industry has been one of the strongest revenue and employment generating sectors in the country. From the basic textile range to the highest quality textiles and made ups, the country has progressed and is keeping pace with the market needs. Keeping its culture intact India is very swiftly adapting to modernising its textile plants with backward & forward integration being the key focus of textile entrepreneurs. Today, most of the textile mills, small and medium enterprises are fully geared with certifications to meet international standards such as quality, work ethics, sustainability, management among others. Keeping pace with the advancements, India will continue to play a key role in the home textile industry in future.
Overall how do you expect the growth of home textile segment globally?
Home Textile market is anticipated to grow at an increased rate due to growth in end use sectors such as hospitality, healthcare and housing, growing fashion sensitivity of urban consumers towards home furnishings etc. One of the key factors driving the home textile market’s growth is the innovation and portfolio extension leading to premium products. There is a very high demand for superior-quality, comfortable, sustainable and innovative home textiles from consumers across the world. We also see a growth in the demand for digitally printed home textiles and rapidly mounting fashion trends in home textiles. As you can see amongst the participating countries at Heimtextil, India, has emerged as the most competitive manufacturer of textiles and fabrics. Accounting for 7 per cent of global home textiles trade, India’s rich designs and superior quality has already made it a leader in the US and the UK, contributing two-third to their exports. Overall in the home textile arena, the Indian industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.3% and reach USD 8.2 billion by 2021.