GERMANY – As of July 2021, sales in the German kitchen furniture industry were up 14.7 percent, well above the level of the same period in 2020 and also in the pre-Covid-19 year 2019, they support the development of the entire furniture industry – according to the assessment of Stefan Waldenmaier, CEO of the Association of German kitchen furniture industry (VdDK eV), Herford.

However, the aftermath of the pandemic-related crisis since spring 2020 has continued, and it is still present. Waldenmaier therefore continues: “The overall situation remains tense – despite good growth figures and high demand: due to disruptions in supply chains, material supply, logistical processes and – if the vaccination rate stagnates – possibly the availability of labor.”

The best indicator of confidence in the markets are the once again well-frequented in-house and joint exhibitions of the kitchen industry in East Westphalia-Lippe.

In the current Kitchen Market towards the end of September, around 150 manufacturers in the kitchen industry will be showing their innovations on a total area of ​​around 50,000 square meters at a total of twelve locations.

After a partially forced ‘Corona’ break, the switch to virtual or hybrid formats, it was urgently necessary to be able to return to personal sales communication and the exchange of innovations ‘face-to-face’ at trade fairs.