Confortec show draws international attention - European appliance show

Discount Store News, April 1, 1996 by Amanda Mosle Friedman

PARIS - American presence at Confortec International, one of Europes foremost domestic appliance trade shows, which was held here in February, increased by 132% from 1994. With a total of 408 visitors and 32 exhibitors, the United States was among the top 10 nations with the most significant international presence at the fair.

The number of Americans usually indicates the likelihood that certain European trends may soon infiltrate the U.S. market. If so, American consumers can anticipate seeing steam-related technology for vacuums and irons, stainless vitroceramic stove-tops and cookware, and the influx of aesthetics in kitchen design. Marc Flandin, the show's general manager, noted that Europeans rate silent operation, energy-saving modes, reliability and safety as the most important criteria they would like to see developed in the home appliances of tomorrow.

In small domestic appliances, steam technology was dominant in vacuums and irons. Some of these introductions included:

* Polti's no-volt steam vac, called Vaporettois, is designed for safety-conscious consummers. It uses no electricity, hence no danger from water.

* VIP International expects to produce its line of steam-dry vacs under various licensed names.

* Rowenta's "steam up," a combo vacuum and iron (a concept shared by several exhibitors), was on display.

In major domestic appliances, the trend was toward vitroceramic stovetops and ovens, complemented by cookware of the same material. The principle here is that vitroceramic cookware heats up instantly just like the microwave and only the interior gets hot. Of particular interest at the show:

* Bauchnect showed combination vitroceramic/gas stove-tops, a recurring concept at the show, as were vitroceramic stovetops with, electric burners on the same unit.

* Sauter took the idea a step further and offered a timer, a manufacturer exclusive.

* Samsung displayed a vitroceramic-enamel oven that it claims provides better heat distribution, is easier to clean and preserves the nutritional value of the food being prepared.

Finally, aesthetics played an increasingly important role in the design of kitchenware. They included:

* Markling, which debuted brightly colored stovetops and predicted that in Europe the concept could explode in the very near future.

* Bompani showed stylish gas stoves in a wide variety of sizes under the slogans "New Aesthetic,, and Art, Fantastic (Imagination) and Free Interpretation."

* Arthur Martin Electrolux displayed a 13-model line of Diapasm low-water-consumption dishwashers, which includes an auto-cleaning filter.

The 1996 show was Confortec International's third annual event.

Organized by the Groupe Blenheim, Confortec is quickly becoming a world capital for the domestic appliances industry, attracting exhibitors from more than 10 nations and visitors from more than 20 countries.

The four-day show drew 620 exhibitors (an increase from 523 in 1994 and 248 in 1992) and a total of about 35,000 visitors (buyers, manufacturers and retailers). A total of 66% of the exhibitors and 44% of the visitors came from outside of France.

Although few dispute that the German trade fair Domotechnika is the No. 1 show in Europe, there is a growing number of people who feel that the excellent organization and rapidly growing internationalism of Confortec may well push it to No. 1.