Safe and healthy working remains one of the most important issues for companies – and a growth area for suppliers and distributors of the products required for this. As a result, neither exhibitors nor visitors to the leading trade fair A+A were put off by the economic downturn in Germany.
The balance sheet of the Düsseldorf trade fair company reads impressively: 2200 exhibitors from all over the world showcased their products in twelve halls, 62,000 trade visitors bustled through the aisles over four days. Although this was slightly fewer visitors than in October 2019, it is still clear evidence of the great importance of A+A. The trade fair is also a must-attend event in the 2023 annual calendar for E/D/E – not only, but also because of the FAVORIT Group’s representative stand (see the extra report on the right).
Sebastian Mensing, Team Leader for personal protective equipment at E/D/E: “All relevant manufacturers are here. The product managers and sales colleagues held more than 100 meetings over the four days of the trade fair to find out about the latest developments first-hand and to further strengthen the business relationship with our partners.” Marco Spannagel, head of the personal protective equipment/technical trade division at E/D/E, adds that the mood is positive: “There are many new products and demand is currently stable. Suppliers are satisfied with the business development in the production connection trade.”
Sustainability sets trends
In terms of trends, the topic of sustainability dominated the innovations in the E/D/E relevant product ranges. New materials, gentle manufacturing methods or approaches to the circular economy – almost every supplier positioned themselves more or less clearly here. E/D/E contract supplier DuPont, for example, has launched a recycling program for its Tyvek brand disposable protective suits. Key Account Manager Kai-Uwe von Rhein believes that sustainability can be a decisive factor in competition. “The demand is there. There are now some customers who are increasingly focusing on sustainability and recycling, especially when it comes to disposable PPE, and are adjusting their purchasing behavior accordingly,” says von Rhein. PVH Magazine has compiled further trends and innovations from the A+A trade fair on two extra pages (from page 74). [daf]
