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In Hanover, preparations for the 34th Domotex are in full swing. The organisers want to continuously develop the trade fair as a source of inspiration and global marketplace for the floor coverings industry - with a presentation area for wholesalers, Mood Spaces for Residential (living) and Contracting (contracting) and new formats for contractors and architects. A new feature at Domotex 2024 is the presentation of a country focus. "In 2024, Italy will be the focus of the event, marking its kick-off," explains Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director Domotex, Deutsche Messe AG.
The topic of sustainability is very important to SN-Verlag, which also publishes Carpet Home. The second, expanded edition of the guide "Nachhaltigkeit - Siegel und Zertifikate" (Sustainability - Seals and Certificates), which is only available in German, tells what 63 industry-relevant seals, certificates and standards actually stand for, including information on the costs associated with the award. The guide also provides information on particular advantages, limitations and criticisms.
The exhibition "Der ewige Teppich - Import, Innovation, Industrie (The Everlasting Carpet - Import, Innovation, Industry)" in the Museum Textilwerk in Bocholt (Germany) shows the design, use and production of oriental machine-tufted carpets. This type of carpet was developed in the 19th century and made carpets with oriental patterns an affordable mass product. The exhibition runs from 2 April to 29 October 2023.
The torch is passed at Möbel Rieger (Göppingen, Germany): Carpet Purchasing Manager Andreas Lübbe is retiring on 31 March 2023 after 25 years with furniture store Möbel Rieger, to be succeeded by Simon Hörmannskirchner, who has been the company's lighting manager since 2011. From April, Hörmannskirchner will be in charge of purchasing for both areas.
Heimtextil has announced optimised hall planning and a new Carpets & Rugs product segment for the fair in January 2024. Accordingly, the popular Hall 3 and the new Hall 5 will be reopened. For the coming fair, the Frankfurt-based company will be expanding its portfolio to include a dedicated product segment for carpets. The Carpets & Rugs section will be located exclusively in the new Hall 5.1. Hand-made and custom-made rugs, machine-made rugs, as well as mats and clean-running systems will be presented. 
Mömax is expanding its store network in Switzerland: on 8 March 2023, the Austrian furniture store chain opened its eighth shop in total in Switzerland and the second in the French-speaking part of the country with a furniture shop in Meyrin.
The European Carpet-Importers Association EUCA is the industry representation of companies active in the import trade with oriental carpets in Europe. Carpet Home spoke to Dr Ali Ipektchi (President EUCA) and Jens-Peter Höge (2nd Chairman) about Domotex 2023 from the association's point of view.
Hermes Fulfilment is the central logistics and returns service provider of the Otto Group. As an extension of the location network, a large rug warehouse has been put into operation near Erfurt. Half of the 50,000m2 hall is dedicated to rugs. They are stored in twelve-metre-high shelves, up to 320,000 pieces at full capacity. In the other part of the hall there is space for small pieces of furniture. The company's own logistics can handle up to 10,000 orders a day.
Domotex was held in Hannover again in January 2023, coming back after a lengthy pause. Following up the trade fair, Carpet Home spoke to Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director Domotex, about how the fair was received by the industry and what the plans are for Domotex going forward.