News

XYLEXPO 2024: READY FOR “INDUSTRY 5.0”

2024-04-26

With just a bit more than one month left before the ribbon cutting, it’s all set and Xylexpo will be once again a reference event in the global trade fair landscape: more than 260 exhibitors, 33 percent from abroad, will cover 25 thousand square meters of exhibition area, in Halls 1 and 3 at FieraMilano Rho (East or “Metropolitana” gate). From 21 to 24 May, the event will present the state-of-the-art of the international offer of wood and furniture technology. “It will be a valuable opportunity – said Dario Corbetta, exhibition director – in view of the recent measures for “Industry 5.0”. Italian companies will benefit from fiscal incentives up to 45 percent of their investments, provided they comply with specific features in terms of digital transformatio, but most of all – that’s the news – sustainability”. An attracting opportunity for all Italian exhibitors and visitors in an Italian market that is worth more than one billion euro. Xylexpo will be a big date for exhibitors, who can show how their technology is in line with the current sustainability requirements, and for visitors, who will have the opportunity to see the new technological levels that also woodworking machinery are required to achieve.

Pietro Gheller is the new Director of SCM Wood Division

2024-04-26

Pietro Gheller, formerly Product&Markets Director of SCM Wood Division, takes over the running of the same Division and the position previously held by Luigi De Vito who continues as General Manager of Scm Group. Pietro Gheller was born in Vicenza 48 years ago and, in 1997, took part in the International Business Program at Stockholm School of Economics and in 1999 graduated from the Bocconi University in Milan in Business Economics. Since 2000, over the course of his long professional career, he has held strategic consulting positions and ones of managerial responsibility in sales, commercial marketing and the supply chain, working for important commercial organisations and multinationals in Italy and abroad in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Durable Goods and Industrial Machinery sectors. In 2019, he joined Scm Group as Sales&Markets Director in the Wood Division, taking charge of and handling the strategic management of more than twenty of the group’s branches and the entire operating sales network in Italy and abroad. Under his commercial guidance, SCM increased its direct presence on key markets with new branches opening in Turkey, India, Southeast Asia and the Balkans, as well as establishing strategic commercial partnerships like the one with the Swedish company Randek AB in the systems for timber construction sector. In 2022, he was appointed SCM’s Product&Markets Director, taking charge of the Business Units and, therefore, of the different technologies which make up the group’s vast range of products dedicated to the entire secondary wood processing industry. Since 11 April 2024, he has been Director of the Wood Division, taking charge of SCM’s Industrial and Customer Care departments together with the technology and commercial development departments. “I’d like to thank Scm Group’s Board of Directors and General Management for the trust shown in me - says Pietro Gheller - For me, this is the peak of my professional career which has allowed me to acquire important skills in the direct management of global teams and to adopt an increasingly more strategic and focused approach to results. Experiences and skills which I am proud to make use of in managing the Wood Division in every area of expertise. The international macroeconomic context is not yet fully on the industry’s side, but we can continue to focus on our team strength, the value of ongoing investments and the Group's financial solidity, to gain further market shares”. Source: SCM Group

CIFM / interzum guangzhou 2024 delivers exceptional results

2024-04-25

CIFM / interzum guangzhou 2024 came to a close in its namesake city after a four-day run starting on 28 March. Set against the backdrop of China’s ambitious drive to modernise its industrial base and accelerate the development of new production capacity, this year’s event, with the apt theme of “Surpass”, exceeded expectations in terms of scale, international impact and industry engagement, delivering substantial momentum to the furniture production and manufacturing sector. Record-breaking scale At nearly 180,000 square metres, the exhibition area was 24.2% larger than in 2019 and hosted 1,586 companies showcasing new products, technologies and applications covering furniture woodworking machinery, upholstery machinery, hardware accessories, upholstery materials, interior design, wood products and panels, adhesives and more. The event brought together 231 prominent international brands, further cementing CIFM / interzum guangzhou’s role as a trailblazer and innovation hub for the furniture industry. Taking place alongside the second phase of the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), the exhibition attracted 215,166 trade visitors from 178 countries and regions, a leap of 30.2% compared with 2019. Overseas participation also increased, skyrocketing by 63.6% to achieve a record-breaking high. Looking back on the event, Grace Chen, Chairwoman of the Board of Leitz (China), a renowned German brand of woodworking tools, expressed optimism: “Both visitor turnout and order volumes surpassed expectations by approximately 20%. We are hopeful and confident about the outlook for the Chinese market.” Yongfeng Yang, President of CITIKING-RENOLIT, a leading brand of decorative films, echoed similar sentiments: “interzum guangzhou is a highly influential international furniture production trade fair. Industry-leading companies, designers and technical teams all participate. We are very pleased with the event.” Various opportunities for engagement and innovative thinking As a guiding light for the international furniture manufacturing industry, CIFM / interzum guangzhou showcases trends that serve as crucial insights for industry players seeking business opportunities. Top international companies such as SCM, Paolino Bacci, Biesse, HOMAG, Leitz and Freud converged in Area B of the event venue (Halls 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1), establishing a hub for advanced furniture production. Their focus on precision, efficiency and first-class quality has led to the development of innovative solutions, characterised by data-driven approaches, digitalisation, visualisation and end-to-end coverage of the production cycle. Area C (Halls 14.1 and 15.1) featured an extensive array of furniture materials and accessories, highlighting innovations in sustainable materials and functional enhancements alongside sources of aesthetic inspiration for home interior design. International associations AHEC and AMSO, as well as global brands such as Aydın, Boyteks, Decospan, DewertOkin, DIC, GTA, Henkel, impress, Italiana Ferramenta, LamiGraf, limoss, LINAK, Munksjö, Rehau, Renolit, Schattdecor, SIGE SPA and SIMALFA, showcased high-quality upstream solutions, making a visit to Area C unmissable for furniture manufacturers and designers. In addition to the exhibition, diverse concurrent events provided industry insights. For example, the Vitality of Sustainable Innovation to Life (VSIL) Forum focused on global home interior design and supply chains, while the Boundless Design Forum explored international edge banding technologies. Meanwhile, the interzum guangzhou Award recognised high-quality furniture accessories and components with a focus on sustainable development, digitalisation and innovative material applications. Fostering global collaboration to achieve excellence The 2024 edition of CIFM / interzum guangzhou saw collaboration with the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (EUMABOIS), the Egyptian Furniture Export Council (EFEC) and the Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC), among others, with the aim of connecting the resources of the global furniture industry and establishing an exclusive annual international event dedicated to furniture production and design. Furthermore, the event hosted 200 on-site business matchmaking sessions as part of its efforts to provide exhibitors and buyers with top-tier communication platforms and professional services. Procurement representatives from prominent companies such as Appliance Furniture, BSL Furniture, Designcomefirst, Ellesime, Guxin, Jemaramas Jaya, MT Design, Muli, Multi M Group, SAI Solutions and Vifa engaged in productive face-to-face business meetings with their preferred upstream suppliers. Li Peng, R&D Director at Vifa, praised the event: “This year’s on-site matchmaking sessions were exceptionally well-organised, precise and highly efficient. Subsequent discussions at the designated booths yielded fruitful outcomes. We commend the organisers for their professionalism and meticulous planning, and we eagerly anticipate the continued success of the trade fair.” Sharing her insights after attending interzum guangzhou and participating in business matchmaking activities for the first time, Christy Tang, Creative Director at MT Design, said: “Attending interzum guangzhou 2024 has not only expanded our knowledge but has also strengthened our professional network, allowing us to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations in the industry.” Antonio Fincato, Area Manager for Italian hardware brand SIGE SPA, agreed, remarking that “the start of this year is very positive.” As Fincato rightly notes, CIFM / interzum guangzhou 2024 marks a hopeful beginning to the season for the global furniture industry supply chain, nurturing channels for communication and cooperation and setting a positive course for the year ahead. CIFM / interzum guangzhou will return to the Canton Fair Complex from 28 to 31 March 2025. Registration for stands is now open. To learn more about the trade fair, visit www.interzum-guangzhou.com.

Universal Design, Home Storage Design Trends for the Elderly

2024-04-15

Taiwan has entered an aging society. Reports indicate that in 2022, the number of elderly people living alone reached nearly 530,000, doubling over the past decade. As we enter an aging society, our community infrastructure and housing need to be upgraded simultaneously. Architects and interior designers should consider these details when planning new developments or public facilities to meet the future needs of residents. Kithen and Cabinet Association Union of Taiwan invited Ms. Connie Yang , the Chief Operating Officer of He Yi Life Co., Ltd., to deliver an insightful speech on "Universal Design: Home Storage for the Elderly" on April 9th. Chairman Mr.Jeff Chen is particularly grateful to Director Yang for taking the time to provide the key points in the design of home storage for the elderly. After the lecture, a test will be conducted. Those who pass the test will be awarded the "Senior Living Space Storage Specialist" certificate. He also hopes that member manufacturers will not only obtain relevant majors but also be able to It is of substantial benefit to its company’s operations

The key points are summarized as follows:

Universal design, founded by American designer Dr. Ronald L. Mace in 1980, is a doctrine that emphasizes inclusivity in design, originating from Dr. Mace's personal experience as a person with disabilities. He outlined seven design principles: Equitable use
Flexibility in use
Simple and intuitive use
Perceptible information
Tolerance for error
Low physical effort
Size and space for approach and use
These principles are applicable to the general public and have become crucial design principles for designers. Home storage is closely related to home design. When designing a project, consideration must be given to the age, gender, and living arrangements of the users. Details such as brightness, voltage settings for electrical appliances such as electric beds, and bathroom space planning should be incorporated from the outset. Cleaning, organizing, and storage: Cleaning refers to keeping the environment clean.
Organizing means arranging items neatly.
Storage involves systematic and logical organization of items.
Most vulnerable areas in the home: Kitchen
Bedroom
Living room
Bathroom
Common accidents in the kitchen include burns, cuts, and falls. Therefore, safety in cooking and design of the sink area, countertop, and cooking area are crucial. Additionally, ergonomic cabinet door handles and easy-to-reach storage solutions are important. For the bedroom, safety considerations include planned movement pathways, fall prevention, adequate lighting, power outlets, caregiver space, visible storage, and ease of use. In the living room, safety measures, lighting, remote-controlled lighting, caregiver space, visible storage, and clear labeling of storage spaces are essential. Bathroom design should focus on wet and dry separation, use of partitions or curtains, and safety equipment like bathtub aids and slip-resistant flooring. In conclusion, when organizing storage in elderly homes, attention should be paid to cleaning, organization, accessibility, safety, simplicity in design, use of assistive tools, and regular inspections. With these basic design concepts and storage techniques, elderly home organization can be made easier and more efficient. Aging should not be feared, and with proper planning and preparation, aging in place is achievable, making nursing facilities not the only option for every elderly person. With thoughtful home design and preparations made in advance, aging in place can become a reality.

Rejuvenation of an Old House

2024-04-12

Congratulations to designer Hiseh has won the Bronze Arch Design Award in the Interior Design Catagory in Finland. The following is the designer’s experience sharing this design： In this renovation project of a detached old house, we witness the transformation of an outdated residence into a home that is not only safe but also brimming with modern appeal through careful design and renovation. Initially, structural fortifications were made to ensure the safety of the inhabitants. Subsequently, the interior flow was redesigned by the architect to align with contemporary living requirements. By remodeling the first floor into an open-plan kitchen and integrating the living and dining areas, the home was made to appear more spacious, thus significantly enhancing its practicality and comfort. To further emphasize comfort and energy efficiency, the design cleverly utilizes louvers and Roman shades to regulate the introduction of natural light and to enhance ventilation. This not only improves the comfort of the living space but also helps reduce reliance on and unnecessary waste of energy. The choice of materials, combining natural wood tones with modern metal elements, creates a living space that is both sleek and cozy. In addition, the modernization of kitchen and bathroom facilities, along with the installation of an energy-saving lighting system, not only enhances the functionality of the home but also makes daily life more convenient. Storage and sound insulation have also been greatly improved in the design. Such adjustments ensure a tidy and tranquil living space, allowing the homeowner to enjoy moments of peace amidst a busy life. The transformation of the outdoor terrace is a highlight of the renovation plan, cleverly turned into an enchanting small garden, providing residents with a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. This renovation plan for the detached old house has resolved existing issues and, through a series of meticulous designs, has enhanced the value and living quality of the home, showcasing the endless possibilities of old house transformation. Source : Huset Design

HOMAG enters into strategic partnership with Luli

2024-04-11

Schopfloch, April 10,2024 – In the fourth quarter of 2023,HOMAG already received a major order from China.The contact with the Chinese customer Luli Wood Industry has a term of three years and covers the delivery of a comprehensive package of machines and systems for furniture production.The total value of the order is approximately EUR 90 million. The renewed strategic cooperation between HOMAG and Luli Wood Industry was formally sealed with a traditional signing ceremony, which was attended by Zhong Duzhang, Deputy General Manager of the Luli Group, and Dr. Daniel Schmitt, CEO of the HOMAG Group, as well as other representatives of both companies. “We decided to work with HOMAG again because the company offers advantages in the field of Industry 4.0, has extensive industry experience and has been active in China for more than 40 years,” Zhong Duzhang explained during the ceremony. The value added for the major order will be created in both Germany and China. HOMAG is relying on a mixture of Chinese and German teams for installation, commissioning, and service at Luli Wood Industry. “We are very pleased to have received this order. It also shows that the Chinese market is extremely dynamic and important for us,” Dr. Daniel Schmitt emphasized. Source: HOMAG Group