IMM Cologne: Pure Talents Contest with more than 1,000 submissions

The 20th edition of the IMM Cologne Pure Talents Contest for the next generation of designers attracted an exceptionally high number of applicants: with 1165 entries, 893 designers from 76 countries competed for the coveted exhibition spaces. In accordance with the competition’s new concept, the jury of five international designers evaluated the “Objects” (products) and “Spaces” (interior design concepts) submitted in the three categories: “lifestyle and home living in cities with limited space”, “lifestyle and home living in a circular society” and “lifestyle and home living as a statement/message/concept”.

MB Barfuss to cease operations - Theo Keller to take over and continue the business

Austrian carpet wholesaler MB Barfuss will cease operations at the end of 2023. Founded in 2008 by Hannelore and Manfred Barfuss, the company is well-known for its Natur Pur collection. At the end of 2023, the Natur Pur and Pro Natura brands will be transferred to Theo Keller, and long-standing suppliers will be retained. This means that all current orders will continue to be processed seamlessly and with the same high quality. All articles of the brand can still be ordered.

Peach Fuzz is Pantone colour of the year 2024

Peach Fuzz was chosen for the 25th anniversary of the Pantone Color of the Year programme. The present but unobtrusive peach colour between pink and orange is intended to give the viewer pause and create a pleasant atmosphere.

Mc Three closes, almost 300 employees affected

The management of carpet manufacturer Mc Three has decided to close the company. Mc Three is a fully integrated manufacturer of machine-woven carpets with its own yarn production. Almost 300 people were employed in Waregem. The company had 20 looms and was able to produce 9,000 tonnes of polypropylene yarn per year. The Belgian business press reports a 31% drop in turnover to EUR 37.8 million for the 2022 financial year.

Domotex Asia / Chinafloor to be held in Shanghai in May

The 26th edition of Domotex Asia / Chinafloor will return to its usual spring date and location in Shanghai, after the pandemic has shaken up the show calendar in recent years. Over 1,600 exhibitors and brands from across the flooring industry are expected at the National Exhibitions and Convention Centre (NECC) over the three days from 28-30 May 2024. A total of 230,000 square metres of exhibition space is expected to be covered in eight halls.

Carpet Week Hamburg: the date for 2024 is set

Carpet Week Hamburg is the in-house trade fair format launched last year on the initiative of numerous Hamburg carpet importers and suppliers. Following events in May and September 2022 and Carpet Week Hamburg 2023 in September this year, the date for 2024 has now been set. During the week of 7-13 October 2024, participants will invite visitors to their warehouses and showrooms.

Domotex Middle East returns to Dubai

Domotex Middle East is returning to Dubai. After 13 years, the trade fair will return to the United Arab Emirates from 23-25 April 2024. The venue will be the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). With the return of the show to Dubai, organiser Deutsche Messe is responding to the long-standing demand from the Middle East market for an annual, centrally located trade fair platform in this important target market.

ABK Open Home: positive result and new name

ABK Open Home - the autumn edition of the ABK Open trade fair - took place for the third time on 22 and 23 November in Bad Salzuflen. While suppliers of mattresses and sleep systems are particularly well represented at the summer edition of ABK open, there were significantly more home textile suppliers on site - as well as several rug suppliers. These included ABC Italia, Obsession, Oritop, PAD Design, Paulig, Peyer Syntex, Rug Studios, Theko and Tisca.

10.2% increase: Ikea Switzerland reports record sales

After Germany and Austria, Ikea has also reported record sales in Switzerland for the 2022/23 financial year (31 August). The Swedish furniture retailer generated sales of just under 1.3 billion Swiss francs (1.3 billion euros) in the Swiss Confederation, beating the previous year's record by 10.2 per cent.

Zollanvari / So Far So Near wins Archiproducts Design Award

Carpet manufacturer Zollanvari and design studio So Far So Near are proud to announce that the Aureole 4 design from the Glitch Gabbeh collection has been awarded an Archiproducts Design Award. The winners of the eighth Archiproducts Design Award were presented at the Superstudio in Via Tortona, Milan.