the stunned eyes of thousands of viewers how well children can manage in the kitchen. Foodies nowadays are also young, and as a response to this kitchen brands are now paying special attention to this new, influential consumer segment. On the market we can find baking utensils, kitchen accessories, cutlery, crockery and aprons designed so that children can get to work and start making their favourite dishes. KITCHENWARE SETS ARE GAINING APPEAL 2015 models are searching for new solutions to consumers’ needs, becoming multifunctional and saving space in kitchens. Robust and with a flexible and timeless design they are so elegant that they enable food to be served directly at the table. Cast aluminium is making a strong appearance as can be seen on these pages and we shouldn’t overlook cast iron, which is clearly progressing. CUTLERY: DESIGNS ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED Having suffered intensely from the effects of the crisis, the cutlery sector is beginning to recover and this has been noticed in the large quantity of new products launched at the beginning of 2015. At the same time new brands are appearing, of general interest, which are competing in this increasingly fragmented and competitive sector. CROCKERY IS EXPANDING DUE TO TOURISM After a long period of crisis the Spanish and European crockery and dinnerware manufacturing industry has begun to recover. The recent staging of theAmbiente Trade Fair in Frankfurt was an example of this, with many launches and major innovations in a sector that has suffered from slight stagnation. STEP LADDERS: A PRODUCT THAT IS MOVING UP RUNGS A slowdown in the creation of new homes has affected the step ladder market, which now for the first time in many years has begun to notice an increase in sales. This sector, made up to a large degree of well-known Spanish brands, is enjoying relatively good health, which is the result of a decrease in imports and, at the same time an increase in exports. The Spanish product is well-known and appreciated abroad because of its high quality. AMBIENTE BUSTLES WITH ACTIVITY Spain was strongly represented at the recently concluded 2015 staging of Am-bien-te, both in the number of exhibitors and visitors. Spain supplied the sixth largest number of professionals to the fair and this is yet another example that something is moving in the domestic market. IHHS: OPTIMISM AT THE CHICAGO FAIR At its March 2015 staging, the International Home + Housewares Show brought together more than 2,100 exhibitors from almost 50 countries, covering practically all corners of the world and including 400 new companies, which either exhibited at the fair for the first time or were suppliers that were returning to Chicago after an absence. HOMI ANTICIPATES TRENDS From objects in daily use in the kitchen, at the table or for home maintenance to everything required for personal hygiene, encompassing decorations, textiles for decorating the home and a whole world of gifts. The third occasion of Homi (which celebrated a year of progress at this event, heir to the recognised MACEF fair, between 17th and 20th January) has expanded to accommodate all aspects of different (and changing) lifestyles, of ways of creating a home and of both Italian and international buyers. 65 -
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