Balta: Enormous growth in rugs in Q1

Balta has started 2021 with significantly improved adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation): At EUR 21.2 million, it is now 23.9% higher than last year; the margin has risen from 10.7% to 13.9%. The Belgian machine weavers are thus increasingly recovering from the pandemic-related downturn. Balta's consolidated revenue for Q1 2021 amount to 152.6 million EUR (-4.5 % compared to the previous year).

Exhibition in Graz: Chessboard Motif in Moroccan Carpets

Until 6 June, the exhibition "Raster 2" is still on at the Gebhart Blazek Gallery (Graz). Its focus is on the chessboard motif in Moroccan carpets of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Customer survey of furniture stores: Höffner, Kraft and Martin at the top

From January to March, the German Institute for Service Quality (DISQ) surveyed consumers online about their opinions of furniture stores. Höffner made it to the top of the list, followed by Möbel Kraft and Möbel Martin.

Graham Head joins the Turquoise Mountain team

Turquoise Mountain has received support from a prominent player in the carpet and rug industry.

Editor-in-chief of trade magazine "Möbelmarkt" passes away

On Thursday, 15 April, the editor-in-chief of the trade magazine "Möbelmarkt" died at the age of 67 after a short, serious illness. Helmut "Max" Merkel joined the magazine in 1988, then ran his own advertising agency for a few years and returned to "Möbelmarkt" in 1999, where he became editor-in-chief.

Ebay starts project for local online-marketplaces

Together with ten German cities, Ebay Germany is launching a project to strengthen local trade. "Ebay – Deine Stadt" ("Ebay – Your City") is designed to enable cities and municipalities to set up local online marketplaces.

Amini / ABC Italia now Step partner

Amini and its parent company ABC Italia are now partners of Label Step. The non-profit organisation with headquarters in Switzerland has the goal of improving the living and working conditions of carpet weavers.

Domotex Digital Days in May cancelled

From 19 to 21 May, the floor coverings industry was to meet online for the "Domotex Digital Days"; the event has now been cancelled. Initially, the response from exhibitors had been very positive. However, after various online events, "digital fatigue" had set in – with the result that there were not enough registrations for the Digital Days. Rather than forcing the online event to take place, the Domotex team are now putting their energy into the on-site event in Hanover in January 2022.

High Point Market with over 60 new showrooms

The US furniture trade fair High Point Market, originally planned for mid-April 2021, had already been rescheduled to 5 – 9 June at the end of last year. A good decision, because the Covid vaccinations are progressing and the showrooms in High Point, North Carolina, are being booked accordingly, with more than 60 new, relocated, expanded and recommitted showrooms. Loloi Rugs, for example, has increased its showroom space by around 10% to over 27,000 ft2 (over 2500 m2). Jaipur Rugs will also be there.

Deutsche Messe: Alexander Wurst is leaving

Alexander Wurst (52) is leaving Deutsche Messe on 30 September 2021, after working for the company for a total of 19 years. Since 2008 he has been responsible for the International Trade Fairs Division with Domotex, Ligna, Interschutz, Labvolution and Didacta.