FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — Texcare International celebrated its comeback with an exceptionally high level of international participation and top marks from the participants, shares organizer Messe Frankfurt.
From Nov. 6–9, 305 companies from 32 countries presented their innovations in automation and energy efficiency with about 15,500 visitors from 122 countries.
The international textile care trade fair presented innovations for laundries, dry cleaners and textile service companies with great success: 98 percent of visitors were satisfied to extremely satisfied with how they achieved their goals for the trade fair, shares Messe Frankfurt. And 52 percent expect an improved industry economy.
“As an organizer, after eight years, you never know,” says Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, director of Texcare International. “You get signals, but you don’t know. I’m happy, exhibitors are happy and the industry will find innovations to take them through the next few years.”
‘IT FEELS RIGHT’
After eight years without Texcare due to the pandemic, the desire among exhibitors to exchange ideas and present innovations to attendees was palpable, according to Messe Frankfurt.
“It’s good to be back after eight years; it feels right,” says Brock Pellerin, vice president of Kenner, Louisiana-based manufacturer Pellerin Milnor Corp. “It’s more social now. You get face-to-face interaction here, and then we do business.”
Mark Thrasher, president of Lavatec Laundry Technology Inc. in Beacon Falls, Connecticut, shares, “We’re always looking for new clients, and we like to reconnect with past clients who have drifted away to come back.”
“After the long break, we are delighted with this successful comeback of Texcare,” says Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt. “The leading international trade fair demonstrated the great strides in innovation that the industry has made in recent years.
“I was really thrilled to see so many exhibitors, especially new exhibitors and start-ups, as well as visitors from all over the world at Texcare. Above all, it was great to see so many young professionals at the stands and in the aisles.”
CELEBRATING FUTURE POTENTIAL
Messe Frankfurt says Texcare provided the right impulse for companies in the textile care industry at the right time, enabling them to secure their successful market position by investing.
The industry is meeting the challenges of labor shortages and rising energy prices with a significant surge in innovation. The solutions are available, as demonstrated by the exhibitors with machines, technologies and expertise. Movement toward robotization was visible at the booths.
The circular economy was also in focus: many innovations showed how equipment and textile manufacturers work together to advance sustainability.
The partner industry associations of Texcare also drew positive conclusions about the trade fair.
“Expectations for Texcare International were very high after eight years without a trade fair, but they were even exceeded,” shares Elgar Straub, CEO of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies. “I have rarely experienced such a good atmosphere at trade fairs in recent years.
“Furthermore, Texcare International was extremely well prepared by Messe Frankfurt, but the exhibitors also presented themselves to their global customers with exceptionally beautiful and informative stands. As expected, the topics that are driving the industry were hygiene, automation, digitalization, logistics and AI.
“But my highlight of this fair was the truly excellent mood among visitors and exhibitors and the positive outlook for the future of textile care. Texcare International this year was simply a pleasure.”
Andreas Schumacher, general manager of the German Textile Care Association, adds, “There was a sense of a fresh start. You could feel that after eight long years, the exhibitors were eager to show their products and developments, and the visitors were excited about innovations. In particular, the topics of automation and digital solutions, as well as robotics, were the subject of much discussion, as many companies are facing a shortage of skilled workers.
“After the pandemic and the energy crisis, the discussions were once again characterized by a willingness to invest and a sense of optimism. Energy costs and corresponding opportunities for saving energy and other resources were also a key topic.
“Last but not least, companies in the industry are working to further improve their circular business models and to adapt to the upcoming regulations for the recycling of textiles.”
EDUCATION, GUIDED TOURS
Key industry topics were covered during the trade fair at the Texcare Forum, which was held in the hall Galleria this year, and on guided tours.
The panels, for example, focused on sustainability through innovation, business models in the circular economy and automation in small businesses. Experts from the United States, Scandinavia, France and China provided insights into the textile care markets in their respective countries.
Daily guided tours, curated and conducted by industry experts, were very well received, organizers say.
For the first time, Texcare International offered young professionals from six vocational schools in Berlin, Hanover, Frankfurt, Cologne and Zurich the opportunity to visit booths and network with companies as part of the Young Competence Program.
NEXT UP: CLEAN ’25
After a successful Texcare International, Messe Frankfurt is looking forward to the upcoming Clean Show.
“We’re also part of the organizing group of The Clean Show, so we try to create a network of shows (Clean, Texcare International and Texcare Asia) that provide inspiration to each of the other shows,” says Schmid-Wiedersheim. “We’re looking forward to The Clean Show.”
Clean 2025 will take place Aug. 23-26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
