Heimtextil, the international trade fair as seen by ISPA

This post is republished from the International Sleep Products Association website.

By Jane Kitchen

Untitled2While most of us were getting ready for the Las Vegas Market, many of our European supplier counterparts were taking part in Heimtextil, the international trade fair for home and contract textiles that takes place each January in Frankfurt, Germany.

The International Sleep Products Association sent me – former BedTimes Editor in Chief – Jane Kitchen, now living in London, to check out the show. Here I am cavorting with Oeko-Tex’s new mascot.

Untitled3Set over eight halls and four floors at Messe Frankfurt, this show is massive — here’s a layout poster to give you an idea.

Untitled4But it’s difficult to get a sense of scale from that. Here’s just one of those buildings.

It’s so big, in fact, that moving sidewalks a la international airports transport you the (literally) miles between halls — perhaps something High Point should think about?Untitled5

But while it’s a big show, the bedding industry segment is quite a small sliver — much of Heimtextil’s 68,000 visitors are there for things like bed linens and towels. Still, this makes for some interesting — and inspiring — displays, like this one from Baierbrunn, Germany-based Koppermann Textiles, which used a vintage Fiat to display a variety of its fun and funky fabrics.Untitled6

But the bedding sector held its own on the display side — check out this beautiful display from Tokyo-based Eider Warmth that showcases down in a whole new way.Untitled

Or what about this completely adorable bear stitched up to celebrate Irisette’s 60th anniversary.

Untitled10I found European machinery companies on-hand at Heimtextil as well, though most said this show was an opportunity to get some face-time with their customers, rather than to debut new products, which they save for Interzum or ISPA EXPO. Mammut, Merrello and Brighi all had a presence at the show.Untitled11

In 2016, Heimtextil moves to a new Tuesday – Friday format, which most exhibitors were pleased about. Still, its dates from the 12 – 15 of January mean it Untitled9will likely continue to be difficult for most people to attend both Heimtextil and Las Vegas Market without full-on exhaustion ensuing…which is maybe why they need so many of these nice, cushy bean bags around.

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