ZOW 2015: Managing complexity

Industry event highlights customization of
series production furniture
[Bad Salzuflen, July 16, 2014] Whether they’re equipping a commercial proper-ty or their own home, today’s customer isn’t looking for standardized fittings – he wants affordable distinctive furniture that can be designed according to his own ideas. To meet this challenge, furniture manufacturers and property outfitters offer a wealth of customization options ranging from a variety of sizes, shapes, materials, structures, colors and patterns through add-on components and accessories. Yet what to the customer is a perfectly natural expectation places new demands on manufacturers, suppliers and shopfitters, since the diversity in product variety also increases the complexity of industri-al production, which needs to remain economically viable despite shorter lead times. “The trend toward the customization of series production furniture is both an opportunity and a challenge,” says Horst Rudolph, Managing Director of show organizer, Clarion Events Germany, “That’s why we’ve chosen this as our main theme for ZOW 2015 and will be highlighting practical solutions for application across the entire production process of a high volume furniture manufacturer.”

The economical series production of this type of furniture places the toughest demands on manufacturers and their suppliers – production runs in job lots of one, a huge variety of materials and massive pressure from deadlines. Only by running a lean production operation at high-tech standards and with an elaborate logistics service are companies able to meet the customer’s desire for top quality, value-for-money products with short lead times. “With the trend for one-offs, it’s becoming even more important for suppliers and producers to network. Ultimately, this trend will impact on the entire value-added chain – from design, production and logistics through marketing and sales,” says Horst Rudolph.

Sharing information on an equal footing
ZOW is rising to this challenge by providing a platform for the transfer of knowledge and ideas where participants can share information openly about processes and solutions. At the same time, it aims to highlight where series production of furniture can be customized in all its various facets in special exhibition areas and at forums with independent experts and exhibitors. The focus will be on specific examples of best practice and innovative solutions that compa-nies can adopt to optimize their value-added structures and processes in order to remain competitive in the long term. For example, at the daily Breakfast With Experts – which starts 30 minutes before the show officially opens for the day – topics such as efficient IT infrastructures, tailor-made logistics solutions, current shopfitting standards, innovative lighting systems and the failsafe marketing of products and services for Sales & Marketing are on the menu in the form of a brief expert presentation to highlight the issue followed by a discussion. Furthermore, special exhibition areas will focus on the topics of RFID and Machines & Process-es that will allow companies to smarten up their production for efficiency. The specialist content of the forums is supplemented at centrally organized evening events to promote the sharing of knowledge and ideas. All activities at the show are supported by a selective Matchmaking appointments service.

ZOW is turning the customization of series production furniture into a tangible option and – by clearly focusing on the sharing of knowledge and experience along the whole length of the production chain next year as well – will provide exhibitors and visitors with top quality added value covering design, production and logistics through shop displays and presentation. No other show provides the information and contacts decision-makers need to shape the trends for the coming season as early in the year as ZOW. The 21st international suppliers’ show for the furniture and interior design industry will take place at the Bad Salzuflen Exhibition Center on February 9-12, 2015.

Clarion Events can trace its roots back to 1947 and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organisers in the UK. More recently the firm has developed an international portfolio of brands and now has interests in a number of global vertical industries.

Clarion Events Deutschland GmbH
Ms. Viola Hoffmann
Meisenstraße 94 | D-33607 Bielefeld
T: +49 (0)521 9653367
E: viola.hoffmann@clarionevents.de
W: www.clarionevents.de

Press contact:
AD HOC PR | Ms. Nicole Heymann
Berliner Straße 107 | D-33330 Gütersloh
T: +49 (0)5241 903937
E: heymann@adhocpr.de
W: www.adhocpr.de

This release was published on openPR.