Content about Germany

FRANKFURT, Germany — Texcare International—the World Market for Modern Textile Care—resumed Sunday at the Messe Frankfurt Congress Center and attracted what appeared to be a steady crowd.

Some exhibitors say they are expecting larger numbers today, the first weekday of the 2012 event.

The makeup and design of the various exhibit booths vary widely, with smaller booths often filled to capacity with equipment or supplies. Some of the larger, more spacious booths house several pieces of equipment, while others resemble cafes or even discos—one exhibitor has a disco ball hanging above its space.

Away from the exhibit floor on Sunday, attendees were treated to a high-energy fashion show featuring models wearing the latest styles in occupational, protective and professional clothing by NVBO Jensen, MIP, Kentaur, Floringo and BP.

Here are some examples of products on display at this year’s Texcare International:

• A new line of washer-extractors, from IPSO.
• Dryers that are heated using hot water, from Miele Professional.
• A high-tech garment dispenser for fast delivery, from Jensen.
• A commercial, off-the-shelf, end-to-end textile management system for the textile rental industry, from TAGSYS.
• A new series of dryers, from Lavatec Laundry Technology.

Texcare International continues today and runs through Wednesday.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — Sustainability will be the dominant theme of Texcare International — World Market for Modern Textile Care when it returns here in two weeks.

Show organizer Messe Frankfurt says all international market leaders—including the Alliance International brands, Barbanti, Beirholms Vaeverier, Ecolab, Girbau, Heprotex, Jensen, Kannegiesser, Kreussler, LG Electronics, Lavatec Laundry Technology, Macpi, Miele, Multimatic, Pellerin Milnor, Renzacci and Veit—have registered to exhibit during the May 5-9 show.

Altogether, Messe Frankfurt expects to welcome around 250 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors. As in previous shows (the event is staged every four years), the proportion of manufacturers from outside Germany will exceed 60%; the most important exhibitor nations besides Germany are Italy and the United States, Messe Frankfurt says.

“Texcare International is the leading meeting place for the sector,” says Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt. “Only in Frankfurt do the top companies from all around the world launch so many new products. Only here is it possible to make so many business contacts. And only at the world’s leading trade fair for the sector can visitors gather so much detailed information.”

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS SUCCESS

One of the main objectives of industrial textile care is sustainable economic development because business success depends greatly on efficient machinery and plant coupled with effective processes and durable textiles.

As an information platform, Texcare International plays a key role by offering a comprehensive overview of the latest trends in the mechanical engineering sector, as well as in the fields of detergents and textiles, Messe Frankfurt says.

Plant and control systems that provide energy at the right time and in the right quantity are the key to the future. Thus, steam-on-demand is the starting point for highly efficient, low-loss heating processes. But other developments in the field of consumption-dependent control technologies are also expected at Texcare.

Recycling is another key issue and includes highly efficient recovery systems for the optimum use of heat energy, as well as the best possible circulation system and practical, economical process-water treatment processes. Additionally, existing technologies, such as solar energy and bioenergy, are generating new impulses in the world of industrial textile care.

IT’S IN THE WASH

Sustainability is also of great importance to manufacturers of detergents and washing additives. With the development of effective low-temperature processes, the chemical industry is making a significant contribution to the reduction of energy consumption.

New, customized concentrations of active agents improve washing results while cutting the need for post-treatment or rewashing. Other important issues at Texcare will include ecologically harmless “green” detergents, washing and impregnating agents. Discussion will be offered on a variety of topics, including nonhalogen solvents that are not marked as hazardous, as well as alternatives to hydrophobizing agents.

Moreover, increased attention is being given to the ecological balance of a product and the sector will pay increased attention to systems such as carbon footprint, cradle-to-cradle and life-cycle assessment.

MODERN COLORS, DESIGNS

Instead of the monotone royal blue and standard twill fabric of the traditional boiler suit, modern colors and designs, as well as multi-faceted materials and surfaces, now characterize the image of trade and industry. Elegance and style have conquered large sections of the workwear sector. Even protective clothing is oriented more than ever before to fashion.

Exhibitors from the textile and apparel industry, as well as the accessories and finishing sectors, will present the latest trends for a modern, functional and professional appearance. Concepts for corporate fashions will also play an important role.

Designs and colors are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Fabric manufacturers are taking up decorative elements from the 1970s, using striped patterns in herringbone and satin weaves, creating new Panama looks, reinventing the cavalry style and interpreting denim for workwear applications.

In addition to vintage-look hues, the current color spectrums are supplemented by fashionable natural and earth shades. Other highlights are classics from the world of suits and costumes, such as black, graphite, anthracite and night blue, which are now playing a leading role on the workwear stage.

Streetwear trends mainly influence the collections. The outfits are more robust in appearance, the pockets bigger, the cut more casual although practical, the material combinations and color mix less conventional, and the details more stylish.

INTEGRATING PROTECTION, COMFORT

In the past, the focus was on providing comprehensive protection against as many possible dangers at work as possible. Now, aspects such as moisture management, breathability, climate comfort and freedom of movement are growing in importance.

The latest developments in the fiber, yarn and textile industry diminish the symptoms of physical stress by minimizing the effects caused by perspiration and an increased core-body temperature. Special mixtures make it possible to produce fabrics for modern protective clothing that combines quality protection with a comfortable wearing climate. Additionally, the industry is working on further improvements to the elasticity of protective and professional clothing.

TEXCARE FORUM

Apart from the activities surrounding what is sure to be a busy exhibition floor, the international Texcare Forum will give the sector an opportunity to find out about the latest developments in the fields of science and research, as well as to exchange ideas and opinions with colleagues from home and abroad.

The Association of the Textile Service Industry (Industrieverband Textil Service – intex) and the German Dry Cleaning Association (Deutscher Textilreinigungsverband – DTV), in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt, will treat attendees to a free educational program for two hours each afternoon.

For the first time, each day of the Forum is individually themed. The conference will be of particular interest to dry cleaners and laundries on May 5-6 and to textile service companies and laundries on May 7-8. Here are some of the topics (tentative):

• May 5, Future Day — Professional textile care in 2012; E-DryClean: online instruction for European dry cleaners; experiential marketing of dry cleaning; how textile service providers can face the challenges of the future.
• May 6, Innovation Day — Teamwork between research and practice; recycling of personal protective equipment from the standards and certification perspective; innovative control options for laundry and finishing processes using test fabrics; antimicrobial textiles from laboratory to practical usage.
• May 7, Sustainable Day — Holistic view of sustainability; ISO 26000 standard; energy efficiency; efficiency management in commercial laundries; water and energy savings for laundries.
• May 8, Market Day — Regulatory and market trends for European textile services; the U.S. textile services market; HORECA (hotel/restaurant/café) market and the potential for textile services; professional textile services and the market demand in 2030; workwear developments.

WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION

Texcare will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 5-8 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9. Admission tickets can be purchased quickly and easily online at Texcare.com. Cost in advance is 15 euros (roughly $20) for a one-day ticket, 35 euros (roughly $46) for the entire show. If purchasing at the box office, cost will be 22 euros (roughly $30) for a one-day ticket, 48 euros (roughly $63) for the entire show.

For additional show information and updates, visit Texcare.com.

American Laundry News will be attending the show — Watch for updates beginning May 7!

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gerald “Jerry” Lieberman, founder of B&G Lieberman, died Thursday at his home while surrounded by his family. He was 86.

Lieberman was born Dec. 2, 1924, in Munich, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1939, was drafted in 1942, and was given his citizenship. He volunteered to the MISB(A), the Soldiers of the 7th Military Information Battalion, and was trained as an interrogator of German soldiers captured during World War II.

In 1949, he started his B&G Lieberman Co., which today is a distributor of sewing equipment and supplies to dry cleaners and tailors. He was a community and environmental activist, serving in various capacities for many organizations during his lifetime.

A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church in Charlotte, with military honors to follow.

Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204.

HEILBRONN, Germany — Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH has named Texchine Inc. and Coinamatic Commercial Laundry Inc. exclusive distributors of Lavatec products.

Texchine will be an exclusive distributor in the United States and the Caribbean. Coinamatic is the exclusive Canadian and Alaskan distributor for Lavatec products, according to Lavatec Laundry Technology.

BEIJING, China — While many see the United States as a mature market for laundry and drycleaning services, China’s professional textile care industry is just starting to learn what’s possible in process automation, energy-saving equipment and enviro-friendly products.

China’s continued economic growth, improving living standards, and thriving tourism are generating a huge demand for sophisticated laundry and drycleaning systems, says Messe Frankfurt, organizer of the Texcare exhibitions.

BEIJING, China — China’s continued economic growth, improving living standards, and thriving tourism are generating a huge demand for sophisticated laundry and drycleaning systems here, says Messe Frankfurt, the trade fair organizer preparing for this month’s Texcare Asia.

The International Trade Fair for Modern Textile Care, slated for Oct. 28-30 at Beijing’s China International Exhibition Centre, will try to build on the success of Texcare Asia 2007. That event attracted more than 5,700 visitors to Shanghai to see more than 135 exhibitors.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — The exhibit floor stayed busy Tuesday as Texcare International 2008 beat its 2004 attendance figures on the fourth day of its five-day run. Crowds are slowly dwindling today as the show — widely considered a success — heads for the finish line.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — If early indications are correct, the 2008 edition of Texcare International will be the show’s most successful in years. It opened Saturday to crowds of industry professionals from throughout the world.

“The concept of Texcare as an independent forum for textile care is right on target,” says Detlef Braun, a board member of Messe Frankfurt, the management firm behind Texcare International and Texcare Asia. “We expect to welcome over 13,000 visitors from all over the world.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Textile service operators already planning to attend this spring’s Texcare International in Frankfurt, Germany, may want to extend their stay to take advantage of a unique opportunity presented by the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA).

For those not yet sold on making the trip for the European trade show, TRSA has added incentive by organizing a six-day tour of what it describes as some of the top laundries in Western Europe.