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FEP: ‘Promising forecast surpassed’ in 2007
An analysis of the provisional annual data compiled by FEP, the European Federation of the Parquet Industry, indicates that parquet is further consolidating its growth, notwithstanding the ‘fierce competition’ from a variety of other flooring alternatives. The already positive forecast which the federation traditionally issues at the start of Domotex, was in end effect even outdone. “An encouraging development confirming that the focused efforts of the European Parquet Industry on promoting amongst others the multiple inherent advantages of genuine wood floorings are bearing fruit and are progressively materializing in concrete results,” according to FEP. Total production in 2007 in the FEP area has increased by 2,47%, for the first time surpassing the hurdle of 100 million m2 and peaking at a volume of 100,334 million m2. The overall result, though far from being uniform at European level, was to a large extent influenced by surging volumes in Poland, France and also the Czech Republic.
Though multilayer still represents by far the largest slice of the production cake, mosaic and lamparquet are holding their position with respectively 3% and 2%, whereas solid is strengthening and has extended its market share from 16% to 19%. In absolute production figures, Sweden is still number one with 16,94%, but Poland is practically at the same level with 16,62%. Germany follows in third position with 12,96%. As regards the pro capita production, Sweden is still on top with 1,85 m2/inhabitant, with Austria in second place with 1,02 m2/inhabitant. Total pro capita production in 2007 amounted to 0,25 m2. The usage rate of oak is still increasing and has meanwhile attained the figure of 56,7%. Tropical wood species have also reinforced their market share and are now at 15,4%. With 7,8%, ash has replaced beech in third position.
The solid 4,89% growth of consumption exceeds the forecast at the start of this year as well. In line with the tendency of the past years, the development strongly varies from country to country, with generally a strong performance in most countries and Poland in particular. Somewhat surprising though, says FEP, are sharp declines in Hungary and the Czech Republic. Consumption reached a new high of over 112 million m2 in the FEP member area. The highest consumption per capita can be found in Austria with 0,90 m2, with Sweden (0,78 m2) and Switzerland (0,69 m2) completing the podium. The consumption per inhabitant in FEP territory now amounts to 0.28 m2. Germany remains Europe’s biggest parquet market with a share of 18.5%, followed by Spain, Italy and France. According to the data available, FEP estimates that the market share of parquet remains in the vicinity of 6% in the total European flooring market.
Euparal/EPLF, July 2008
Members’ Conference EPLF
At the EPLF’s Ordinary Members’ Conference, held last month in Austria, the Association’s leadership was unanimously elected to office: Ludger Schindler (MeisterWerke) remains in post as Chairman of the Board and EPLF President, with Martin Prager (Kronotex) re-appointed as his Deputy. Theo Smet (Unilin) was also re-elected as Coordinator of the Technology Committee. There was a change in the Market and Image Committee, which was previously led by Ralf Eisermann. The new Chairman is Volkmar Halbe (Parador), who – like Theo Smet – received a unanimous vote. Both are members of the EPLF Board. The EPLF’s new auditor is Stefan Pletzer (Egger), succeeding Johannes Schulte, who has held the post for many years.
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| The EPLF Board (l. to r.): Martin Prager, Ludger Schindler, Volkmar Halbe (not in picture: Dr. Theo Smet) |
Current sales figures from manufacturers affiliated to the EPLF indicate that it is still too soon to forecast results for 2008. Western European markets are posting a slight upturn, while Eastern European markets continue to grow. Russia and Poland head the rankings, although the new EU member states are also enjoying exceptional growth.
Euparal/EPLF, June 2008
Nybron names new Executive leadership
Nybron Flooring International (NFI), Europe’s market leader in engineered wooden flooring, recently announced the return of two Senior Executives now tasked with management of the company’s three business units Kährs, Bauwerk and Marty. Per Skårner was appointed as new Chief Executive Officer and Stefan Jacobsson as new Executive Chairman. “I am delighted to re-join Nybron - a company whose brands, products, and people I believe in,” said Skårner. “We have lots of work ahead of us but I am confident we can further improve upon a great company.” In March this year, NFI announced that CEO Gérard Legtmann had left the group - “after implementing operational improvements that had already resulted in significant improvements at its three subsidiaries, Kährs, Bauwerk, and Marty” - and that the board of directors, including Jürgen Schaubel, NFI’s CFO, would take over Legtmann’s duties on an interim basis.
Earlier that month, NFI had finalised a debt-for-equity swap with its lenders, significantly reducing Nybron’s debt position and interest costs. As part of the deal, Nybron’s senior lenders have taken a majority stake in the restructured entity, and have substantially reduced their claims. The agreement leaves Nybron’s senior lenders holding EUR 185m of debt, made up of EUR 10m in a new revolving facility, EUR 110m in two senior loan facilities, and EUR 65m in a new second lien facility. In return for accepting this reduction of their claims, the senior lenders have been given 90 percent of the preferred equity in the new entity, and 77 percent of the 3.1m new ordinary shares. Nybron, which was owned by investment firm Vestar Capital, faced a restructuring process due to unfavourable market conditions as well as Vestar’s decision not to commit further funding for the group. End of May, Marty in France filed for ‘Plan de Sauvegarde’ protection.
Euparal/NFI, May 2008
First patent victory of Unilin in China
Unilin recently announced that the SIPO (the Chinese intellectual property office) in Beijing has confirmed the validity of more than 20 patent claims of Unilin’s Chinese patent CN1087056. This patent is one of the two granted patents and 20 patent applications of Unilin in China that protect the glueless technology in flooring panels. An opposition was filed in March 2006 to invalidate this patent by certain Chinese organizations. Flooring Industries, the intellectual property company within the Unilin Group, explains that the decision by the SIPO results in a patent that claims essentially the same as its European and US counterparts in relation to similar patents in those regions. It is presented as further confirmation of the 2007 decision of the US International Trade Commission (ITC). “This is of course a crucial step in Unilin’s Chinese enforcement strategy,” according to Raymond Hegarty, managing director of Flooring Industries. “It is clear that our legal team will take the next steps in stopping the illegal sales in China which are harming the business of our Chinese partners and licensees exporting to China.” The Unilin Group is part of the American company Mohawk Industries.
Euparal/Unilin, May 2008
China’s Wood Flooring Industry 2008-2010
At present, there are about 5,400 wood flooring manufacturers in China and the output of flooring, according to the China National Forest Products Industry Association, will hit 500 million m2 in 2010, with an annual growth rate of around 13%. Zhang Senlin, president of the China National Forest Products Industry Association, predicts that China’s wood flooring industry will prosper for a long time. However, 2008 will be a year of ‘reshuffle’ for the wood flooring industry. Adding value, brand building and innovation will be greatly emphasized. Furthermore, great pressure will face the whole industry as the state intensifies macro control. Other trends he notices are that the supply of raw materials will not fluctuate dramatically and that for large brands, raw materials must be partially self supplied step by step, to maintain a sustainable development. Finally, he observes that big brands will insist on exporting.
According to ‘China Wood Monthly Market Report’ (Feb. 2008) the ‘promising’ Chinese wood flooring industry is in fact experiencing internal and external difficulties and hardships. “On one hand, domestic market is full of miscellaneous brands, homogeneous products and disordered market competition. Low-level marketing resorts - superstar spokesman, advertising on famous TV channels, price war - eventually bring companies into cut-throat competition. On the other hand, domestic wood flooring manufacturers also are facing competition from abroad, international anti-dumping and price hike of oil and timber.” The report quotes an insider who believes that “China’s wood flooring industry is a typical perfectly competitive industry with so many domestic manufacturers and foreign brands; the whole industrial environment is very hard at present for flooring companies.”
Euparal/China Wood International, March 2008
BAU 2009 before Domotex 2009
Between 12 and 17 January 2009 around 2,000 exhibitors from 40 countries will be presenting their products and solutions on 180,000 square metres of exhibition space at BAU 2009 in Munich, Europe’s largest trade fair for architecture, building materials and building systems. The range of products and solutions presented at BAU 2009 covers the whole bandwidth of planning, building and design. The 17 exhibition halls are divided up according to building materials, product and theme areas. The entire spectrum of floorings – from elastic (linoleum, PVC, rubber, cork) and textile to laminates and parquet – will be on show in a compact section in Hall B6 and parts of Hall A6, on around 12,000 square metres of exhibition space. A list of exhibitors is available on the internet at: www.bau-muenchen.com/en/home.
Next year, BAU will for the first time be organized before Domotex in Hannover. Domotex 2009 (January 17 up to 20) starts on the day BAU closes.
Euparal/Bau, March 2008
EPLF presents final 2007 sales figures
The final sales figures of 2007 across the EPLF show that global sales of ‘made in Europe’ laminate floorings are on the increase with slight growth in Western Europe and major gains in Eastern Europe. Worldwide in 2007, the 19 member companies of the EPLF European Producers of Laminate Flooring achieved sales of 507 million m2 of laminate flooring produced in Europe (previous year = 468 million m2). This represents an increase in global sales of 8%. The overall market share held by EPLF member companies in the world market is estimated by the association to be around 55%. In Western Europe, 295 million m2 of laminate flooring (previous year = 285 million m2) were sold, while in Eastern Europe the figure was 129 million m2 (previous year = 88 million m2). This represents growth of 3.5% in Western Europe and 46.6% in Eastern Europe.
The German market remains relatively stable at 96 million m2 (previous year = 98 million m2) and continues to be the largest single European market. France has grown to 42 million m2 (previous year = 36 million m2) and lies in second place in Western European market rankings. The UK recorded a slight reversal with sales of 39 million m2 (previous year = 40 million m2) and takes third place. Spain is making gains and with sales of 22 million m2 (previous year = 18 million m2) has achieved fourth place for the first time. With 22 million m2 (previous year = 21 million m2), the Netherlands are close behind and take fifth place. In North America, the EPLF continues to record a downturn in sales of ‘made in Europe’ laminate flooring. A year-on-year comparison shows a reduction in total sales from 68 million m2 (2006) to 54 million m2 (2007). This corresponds to a drop of 20.6%. “Laminate flooring manufacturers affiliated to the EPLF can therefore be satisfied with the sales trend in 2007, although the North American market continues to recede for many European producers,” the association concludes.
Euparal/EPLF, March 2008
European parquet industry in 2007
The European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP) estimates that in accordance with the preliminary information obtained from the federation’s member countries, parquet sales on the European market have seen a further growth of 4% in 2007, in line with the upward tendency witnessed in the past years.
The figures analysed so far seem to indicate that total parquet consumption in the EU and EFTA countries has meanwhile surpassed the hurdle of 120 million m2. According to FEP, a consistent growth was also witnessed on the production side, substantially influenced by a surge in production capacities in Central and Eastern Europe. As regards the specific parquet product ranges, multi-layer is performing strongly and solidifying its ‘overwhelming’ market share. Solid and mosaic are ‘struggling but alive’ and some small but positive indicators give ‘cause for hope in a better future’.
The Brussels based federation remarks that it should be stressed that the general picture as regards consumption (+4%) is somewhat troubled by the lower than expected company results mainly induced by a combination of rising raw material prices and not fully accomplished price increases for parquet products. Looking forward, FEP states: “The promising development in the past year lays a solid basis for optimism regarding the continuation of the positive trend throughout 2008 as well, but such will undoubtedly be dependent on parquet products further strengthening their market share in various domains of a fiercely competitive market, in relation with the health of the economy in general and the evolution of the construction business in particular.” The FEP continues: “The industry’s performance is additionally compromised by ever increasing energy and supplies costs. Furthermore, deep concerns about adequate wood availability and cost increases for raw material wood pose difficult challenges for all market players concerned when it comes to ensuring their future competitiveness and call for measures at all relevant levels to provide the parquet industry with a fair chance of successfully countering the ever bigger threats it is facing.”
Euparal/FEP, February 2008
EPLF sales figures for 2007
The annual results for internal sales figures across the EPLF on the basis of the first three quarters of 2007 reveals that global sales of ‘made in Europe’ laminate floorings are on the increase, with slight growth in Western Europe and major gains in Eastern Europe.
“Laminate flooring manufacturers affiliated to the EPLF can therefore be satisfied with the sales trend in 2007, although the North American market continues to recede for many European producers,” comments the Association in a recent press release. Worldwide in 2007, the 19 member companies of the EPLF achieved sales of 496 million m2 of laminate flooring produced in Europe (2006: 468 million). This represents an increase in global sales of 6%. The overall market share held by EPLF member companies in the world market is estimated by the Association to be around 55%. In Western Europe, 297 million m2 of laminate flooring (2006: 285 million) were sold, while in Eastern Europe the figure was 121 million m2 (2006: 88 million). This represents growth of 4.2% in Western Europe and no less than 37.5% in Eastern Europe. Ahead of the field in Western Europe are Germany, France, UK, Spain and the Netherlands, while their counterparts in Eastern Europe – Poland, Romania and Russia – each recorded sales of between 20 and 30 million m2 of laminate flooring.
The figures indicate that the markets of Western Europe remain the most important sales areas for EPLF member companies. The German market remains stable at 98 million m2 (2006: 98 million) and continues to be the largest single European market. France has grown to 42 million m2 (2006: 36 million) and lies in second place in Western European market rankings. The UK recorded a slight reversal with sales of 38 million m2 (2006: 40 million) and takes third place. Spain is making gains and with sales of 23 million m2 (2006: 18 million) has achieved fourth place for the first time. With 22 million m2 (2006: 21 million), the Netherlands are close behind and take fifth place. Finally, the US market reports a minus figure for 2007 of 36%. This development is related to individual EPLF member companies setting up their own production facilities in the USA and also to the increase in Chinese exports to the USA.
Euparal/EPLF, February 2008
Domotex 2008 consolidates leading position
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| Picture by Deutsche Messe |
The 20th Domotex Hannover set new records, with 1,442 exhibitors (2007: 1,336) - from over 60 different nations - occupying some 97,083 square meters of display space (up from 91,757 square meters in 2007).
The organizers Deutsche Messe AG say that Domotex surpassed all expectations as well as last year’s figures, drawing attendance by more than 47,000 trade visitors (2007: 43,538) from a total of 80 different countries. Stephan Ph. Kühne, Managing Board Member at Deutsche Messe emphasized the highly international character of the event: “Over 78 percent of all exhibitors and around 56 percent of the show’s 47,000 trade visitors came from abroad.” This year’s event also met one of its most important strategic goals by ‘”significantly boosting’” attendance by skilled tradespeople. One in every five visitors was from this sector, with “particularly impressive” growth in attendance by interior furnishers, according to Kühne.
Ludger Schindler, President of the European Association of Laminated Flooring Manufacturers and Sales Director at MeisterWerke Schulte comments: “This year’s event separated parquet and laminate flooring for the first time, enabling each segment to communicate more effectively. The mood at Domotex 2008 has been good. We never had such a wide range of laminate floors on display. Many customers are now quite prepared to pay more - for environmentally friendly products, for example.” And according to Ralph Plessmann, President of the German Parquet Industry Association, “the mood has been upbeat, if not euphoric. Wooden flooring is likely to continue to gain market share.”
The next Domotex Hannover will take place from Saturday, 17 January, through Tuesday, 20 January 2009.
Euparal/Domotex, January 2008
CE marking postponed until 2009
The coexistence phase of European Norm EN 14342 (Wood flooring, including veneer flooring) is extended by the ‘Standing Committee on Construction’ up to March 1st, 2009. The implementation date of compulsory CE marking is therefore also postponed to the same date.
Euparal/FEP, December 2007
‘Real Wood’ initiative gets (new) boost
Several leading Dutch parquet manufacturers have joined FEP's recently launched “Living on Wood” campaign and have obtained the license for the use of the Real Wood logo and label.
The logo has meanwhile been officially registered by FEP (European Federation of the Parquet Industry) on the territory of the European Union. The producers in question are: Albers Parketgroothandel, Dekora Parket, Inpa Parket Vloeren, M.J.D. Parket, Parketfabriek Lieverdink, Van Kesteren Parketfabriek en Houthandel, Grönloh Parket and Beter Hout. In the same line, FEP is also very pleased with the adherence of Tilo, Chène de l'Est, Boen Parkett Deutschland and Amorim Revestimentos SA. The new affiliates bring the actual number of companies authorised to use the Real Wood label to 43. An updated list of all Real Wood licensed affiliates can be found on the Real Wood website, under www.realwood.eu. FEP's management sees the recent adherence of the many parquet producers as “yet another token of recognition for the continuous and focussed efforts the federation is undertaking at European level to objectively communicate to the consumer the multiple advantages of genuine wood floors.”
Euparal/FEP, November 2007
EPLF:
‘Excellent growth laminate flooring market’
Sales growth among EPLF members was once again positive in 2007. Results
were ‘highly pleasing’ not just in the core markets of Western
Europe but in the growth markets of Eastern Europe as well.
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| EPLF’s joint exhibition stand in 2007 |
Ahead
of the field in terms of sales statistics are Germany, Great Britain,
France and the Netherlands. In Eastern Europe, Poland leads the ranking
followed by Russia, Rumania and the Czech Republic. Against this background,
all forecasts indicate that the European laminate flooring industry will
once again increase its global sales in 2007. The EPLF suggests that this
positive development can be largely explained by the leading position
of the European laminate flooring industry in terms of quality and innovation
– in combination with a strong commitment to the environment and
sustainability.
Trends in laminate flooring innovations include authentic reproduction wood and
stone products, alongside an increasing focus on imaginative creative
decors for dramatic visual effects on the floor – both in the commercial
property sector and the home. Furthermore, the EPLF will be appearing
at the Domotex 2008 for a second time with a joint exhibition stand for
its members at the “contractworld”.
Euparal/EPLF, November 2007
Cross-license
agreement Faus, Unilin
Unilin Flooring and The Faus Group have settled their pending patent disputes
in the field of laminate flooring.
A
new cross-license agreement will allow Faus to use Unilin glueless locking
technology and will allow Unilin to use Faus’s surface technologies
for laminate flooring. “This agreement marks a mutually beneficial
conclusion of Unilin’s and Faus’s pending legal disputes, which
include actions in both Europe and North America,” both companies
say. Both Unilin and Faus license their respective technologies to a number
of major flooring manufacturers.
Euparal/Faus/Unilin, October 2007
Välinge
invests 30 millions in R&D centre
Välinge will invest 30 million euro in a new research & development
centre. The construction works on the new 17.000 m2 R&D facility in
Viken (Sweden) started in September 25 and will be finalized in autumn
2008.
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| Välinge’s present R&D centre |
The
new facility comprises all modern equipment which is needed to produce
hard floating floorings with all kind of surface and core combinations
from raw materials to finished floor boards. Välinge: “The new
R&D centre will be the most advanced in the world. 100 technicians
will in close cooperation with Välinge’s 80 licensees develop
and commercialize the flooring technology of tomorrow.” Välinge
is also planning to establish several support centers in central and Eastern
Europe, USA and Asia. Välinge holds 600 patents in 40 countries.
The company anticipates that the pending applications will increase the
patent base to more than 1000 patents in a few years and that the total
number of patents covering various aspects of flooring technology will
increase to more than 2000 patents in 2010.
Euparal/Välinge, October 2007
Europarket
2008 looks ‘set for success’
On 13, 14 and 15 April 2008, the fifth edition of the Europarket trade
fair will be held in Kortrijk Xpo (Courtrai, Belgium).
Europarket is the largest specialist trade event for the parquet flooring
sector and offers a complete overview of parquet and wooden flooring,
wood veneer parquet, laminate and cork flooring, skirting boards, adhesives,
oils and varnishes, cleaning and maintenance products, materials and machines.
With less than 7 months still to go before the event, the organizers have
confirmed that over 80% of the stand space has already been booked. To
date, 130 exhibitors from 13 different countries have registered.
To meet the demand from both exhibitors and visitors at the last event
for more fringe events for the sector, the organizers decided to hold
a competition for the most innovative new product. Parquet surgeries will
also be held, where visitors and exhibitors will be able to obtain specialised
information on various subjects to be determined in advance. Parquet fitting
demonstrations will be a lively extra attraction on the exhibition floor.
The new edition of Europarket once again enjoys the full support of the
Belgian Proparket association and the Dutch Alliance of Parquet Manufacturers
and Importers.
Euparal/Kortrijk Xpo, September 2007
Shaw
to buy Anderson
Shaw Industries Group, Inc. said it will purchase The Anderson Family
of Companies based in Clinton, South Carolina.
Anderson
has been in the hardwood flooring business for over 61 years and sells
under various brands including Anderson, Virginia Vintage, Appalachian,
Biltmore Estate and the Anderson Pacific brand. 
Anderson
is a fully integrated producer of hardwood flooring. Shaw will continue
the Anderson name. Don Finkell, president and CEO of Anderson, said: “Joining
Shaw Industries will allow Anderson to keep being Anderson but with even
greater resources.” The closing of the transaction is expected to
be completed soon. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The
news of this acquisition by Shaw comes one month after big rival Mohawk
Industries said it had completed the purchase of four wood flooring plants
from Columbia Forest Products. The facilities include two pre-finished
solid plants and one engineered wood plant in the USA and an engineered
wood plant in Malaysia.
Euparal/Shaw/Mohawk,
August-September 2007
The
European parquet industries in 2006
According to the recent annual survey conducted by the European Federation
of the Parquet Industry (FEP), parquet remains a ‘desired’ flooring
product in Europe. In comparison with 2005, production as well as consumption
rose further.
The total production in FEP territory grew by 2.02%, peaking at a record
volume of 98 million m2. Decisive in this result was this time the production
surge in Germany (+10.37%) and Poland (+13.54%), with also a positive
trend in the Netherlands (+14.36%) and Romania (+146.15%). FEP: “The
full impact of new capacities installed in certain countries and the out-sourcing
of the production processes in some cases is now becoming clearly visible
in the figures as well.” Though lamparquet is further loosing ground
(presently at 2%), solid and mosaic show a growing tendency with a respective
market share of 16% and 3%. In spite of a light relapse, multilayer remains
the absolute market leader with 79%. As regards absolute production figures,
Sweden is still the leader with 17,62%, now followed by Poland with 13,28%,
just edging Germany with 13,18%.
Consumption increased a sound 5.55%. Especially encouraging, according
to FEP, were the figures from the Eastern markets in general, and Belgium
(+10.61%), Switzerland (+9.65%), Spain (+7.03%) and France (+7.05%). The
growth was to a somewhat lesser extent also apparent in Austria (+1.31%),
Italy (+1.52%) and the Scandinavian bloc (+0.81%). Stagnation was recorded
on the German market (-0.11%) and a slight drop in the Netherlands (-0.85%).
Consumption has clearly taken the hurdle of 100 million m2, attaining
a new record figure of close to 108 million m2 in the FEP member area.
Taking into account also the non-FEP member states, the total parquet
flooring market in the EU and EFTA together could presently well be in
excess of 115 million m2, says FEP. In analogy to past years, Germany
remains the most important European parquet market with an overall share
of 19%. Spain and Italy occupy ranks 2 and 3, in front of France. FEP
estimates that the actual market share of parquet in the total European
flooring market is presently close to 6%.
Euparal/FEP, June 2007
Witex
exits insolvency proceedings
Following four years of restructuring the business in insolvency, on 14th
June 2007 insolvency administrator Wolfgang van Betteray sold substantially
all parts of Witex Group, Augustdorf to US investment bank Bear Stearns.
Under
the terms of the agreement, Bear Stearns will acquire all material assets,
including the shares in 100% subsidiary Witex International Flooring GmbH,
and all real estate and machinery from the insolvent holding company Witex
AG on a going concern basis. Bear Stearns will also take over Witex’
employees. Bear Stearns is the 5th largest investment bank in North America
and a leading player in the financial restructuring sector. Over the past
few years, the bank has become increasingly involved in restructuring
German medium-sized companies. Together with Witex’ management, Bear
Stearns intends to develop the full potential of the company and the Augustdorf
production site. Witex: “With its new owner, the company’s successful
development over the past four years can now continue on an accelerated
basis.”
Euparal/Witex, June 2007
DOMOTEX
asia/CHINAFLOOR closing report
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DOMOTEX
asia/CHINAFLOOR (DACF) 2007 once again broke several new records at the
end of its Shanghai run from 28 to 30 March, with organizers reporting
double-digit growth rates for Asia’s biggest floor coverings show.
A total of 35,695 professionals came to Shanghai to see and source the
latest products and trends. The interest from overseas increased significantly.
The number of foreign visitors was 5,944 (compared with 4,315 in 2006,
a 37% growth) from 91 countries from all 5 continents. The top 5 visitors’
origin countries and regions were Korea, USA, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The number of exhibitors grew by 11% to reach a new total of 928 (2006:
833), among which 239 exhibitors were from outside China.
DACF 2007 saw a big increase in its four major segments. Wood & Laminate
Flooring covered 3 standard halls and 2 temporary halls this year, with
over 40,000 square meters space, further establishing its importance for
the market and the show. DOMOTEX asia / CHINAFLOOR 2008 will be held in
Shanghai New International Expo Centre during March 11-13, 2008.
Euparal/DACF, May 2007
'Pfleiderer market leader North America'
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| Michael Ernst (photo: Pfleiderer) |
Against this backdrop, the Executive Board aims for total revenues including Pergo of at least Euro 1.9 billion and Group EBITDA of at least Euro 270 million in full-year 2007. Pfleiderer board member Michael Ernst is the new CEO of Pergo AB, replacing Tony Sturrus. Frida Rosenholm is deputy CEO of Pergo’s European operations.
Pfleiderer: “Taking over the Pergo Group makes Pfleiderer the market leader in North America as an integrated manufacturer of laminate flooring with a share of around 15%. The acquisition will also accelerate the Group’s entry into the European laminate flooring market. As a result of the merger, Pfleiderer expects to benefit from significant synergies and economies of scale in procurement, logistics and production, as well as the better exploitation of existing patents and licenses.”
Euparal/Pfleiderer, May 2007
Unilin
Group and Beaulieu International Group settle all patent disputesThe Unilin Group, Beaulieu International Group and Välinge Innovation AB have reached an agreement to settle their global patent dispute. This puts an end to many years of litigation relating to the infringement and validity of the respective patents.
Both
the Unilin Group and Beaulieu International Group have marketed laminate
flooring with glueless systems since the late nineties. These systems are
protected worldwide by various patents. The Unilin Group has introduced
its Uniclic system in 1997 and markets its products under the ‘Quick-Step’
brand. Beaulieu International Group has produced laminate flooring products
since the year 2000 under the license of the Swedish company Välinge
Innovation AB and markets these products under the trademarks ‘Berry
Floor’ and ‘Alloc’. Beaulieu International Group was, as
a licensee of Välinge, involved in dozens of legal proceedings with
Unilin regarding alleged infringements on the respective patents. 
Both companies have now reached an agreement to settle all their legal cases
worldwide. This agreement settles approximately 25 current legal cases in
the USA, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom.
Beaulieu International Group will have access to Unilin patents on the glueless
technology as well as on the bevelled edge technology by means of a license
agreement. At the same time, Unilin will have access to patents of the Swedish
company Välinge Innovation through an agreement with this company.
This agreement protects the value of the respective patents and it offers
to each party the chance to maximize its innovations, according to a press
release by Unilin and BIG.Euparal/Unilin/BIG, April 2007
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