News Driving The Market
News Driving The Market World’s premier consumer-lifestyle show steers industry As the curtain rises on IFA 2011, it is clear that the global industry sees the show as a barometer of market sentiment and consumer trends. No wonder that IFA 2011 is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, says Dr Rainer Hecker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the gfu… Given the success of the 50 th IFA in 2010 and this year’s outstanding exhibitor numbers, we have the perfect prerequisites for a very successful 2011 event. We also expect lively ordering activity, confirming IFA’s magnificent reputation for being an ‘order fair’. What are the greatest challenges at the moment? Turnover in the CE industry was restrained during the by Jo Stephens first half of 2011. As a result, the market is relying on IFA to provide momentum for the second half of the year. We are confident that the forecasted global growth in consumer electronics of 6% will be met. How are Japanese companies recovering from the earthquake in March? I must express my great respect. There are no dramatic shortages or supply shortfalls, which is an excellent achievement. The fact that the Japanese are out in force at IFA underscores the fact that even the biggest economic problems can be overcome. How is China’s emergence as a global player changing the market dynamics? Chinese companies are becoming increasingly active globally with their own brands. This is putting pressure on manufacturing costs and means that the classic brand manufacturers will have to respond with innovative products and marketing. What are the highlights of IFA 2011? The convergence of television and the Internet is certainly a key development. It offers consumer a range of new applications that is almost too vast to comprehend, such as using tablets as intelligent remote controls and connecting household devices to the Internet to save both money and energy. Is IFA 2011 shaping up to be a vintage year? All the key indicators point to IFA 2011 being a great success. We have more exhibitors and are anticipating an increase in the number of international trade visitors, Growth For Home Appliances Long-term outlook is good for IFA newcomers by Jo Stephens Dr Reinhard Zinkann Chief Executive of Miele and Chairman of the Home Appliances Division of the German trade association ZVEI It has been just four years since Home Appliances were first introduced at IFA, but according to Dr Reinhard Zinkann, Chairman Household Appliances Division, ZVEI, "It feels like we have always been here." IFA has become a well-established platform for the white goods industry, fostering worldwide business. Last year was a difficult economic environment, but this year has been showing signs of improvement. Business is getting back to pre-crisis levels with growth boosted by business in Asia and Eastern Europe, Dr private individuals and media representatives. "The market is relying on IFA to provide momentum for the second half of the year." Zinkann added. "Markets such as Asia, South America and the Middle East are not saturated and therefore show potential, especially with an increase in spending power." With market risks such as the debt crisis, fluctuating exchange rates and raw material costs making even short-term projections difficult, the long-term trends in the market remain solid. "Energy and water efficiency are a permanent challenge and provide opportunity, and the customer continues to be attracted to well-being products, as well as to convenience, lifestyle and design." The introduction of the A+++ efficiency rating in Europe has been a success, with sales of A+++-graded products Dr Rainer Hecker Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the gfu achieving almost 10% of market share in Western Europe just nine months after its introduction. "The cost saving aspect of these smart appliances is the most important aspect for the consumer. The development of a smart grid infrastructure with attractive (off peak) tariffs and the longevity of efficient and smart-home appliances reinforces the trend towards energy and water efficiency, which is not a temporary fad, but is here to stay. In fact they are a must." "It feels like we have always been here." 4
News The Connected Telekom Home In a world of devices, the connected home is where it all comes together. Here at IFA, Deutsche Telekom offers an authentic glimpse of the connected family’s digital living room. The company’s network home exhibit demonstrates everything from connected entertainment to controlling household appliances, from energy and cost management to healthcare solutions. Gavio’s Birds Aren’t At All Angry Gavio has come to IFA with a range of highdesign portable speakers and headphones. Wrenz resemble little birds, and come packaged in a cage. The Singaporean company has also brought a twopiece iPad stand, which is highly-protective and easy to angle for typing. Best Things In Life Are Free European web host Strato has launched a new cloud service called HiDrive Free, which offers 5GB of free online storage. The service enables users to back up their data at a central location and access it from anywhere. “With HiDrive Free, a new online storage opportunity enters the cloud where users benefit from plenty of storage to save important documents,” said Damian Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer at Strato. “And the best thing is, it’s free.” 2012 Olympics get the 3D treatment Laurent Abadie drives on to open the Panasonic press conference Panasonic will enable live 3D broadcasting of the 2012 Olympic Games by providing full-HD 3D AG-3DPI cameras, 3D-TV monitors and a technical team, Panasonic Managing Executive Officer of Corporate Opening the Samsung Electronics press conference yesterday, Boo Keun-Yoon, It was standing room only at yesterday’s Philips press conference, as the Dutch power brand unveiled breakthroughs in every area of consumer electronics, from smart TV to shaving; from headphones to home cinema. “Our strength lies in our innovative power and our brand,” Philips Consumer Products CEO Peter Nota told the international press. “Those are the twin engines of our company. In difficult times, trusted brands are the most By Julian Newby Communications Takumi Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Kajisha announced yesterday. The partnership with the IOC Europe, driving on stage in an electric sports car. He was and Olympic Broadcasting demonstrating the battery Services will harness multiple broadcasters to show at least 12 sports in 3D for 10 hours a day. technology that provides the most kilometres per charge of any electric car available, which “The Olympic Games will is helping the Japanese firm provide the best-ever 3D towards its goal of being the content for the 3D market,” Kajisha said. “We believe our partnership will provide a true end-to-end solution for the first 3D live Olympic Games and create another era of Olympic greenest electronics company in the world by 2018. Among the company’s products the Smart Viera TV took pride of place. Designed to sit at the hub of a smart home, the broadcasting.” cloud-based system powers Panasonic’s IFA press conference opened with Laurent Abadie, 3D online multiplayer games, and enables social networking Innovation For A Smarter Life Boo Keun-Yoon President, Visual Display Business President, Visual Display Business, said that the company was hugely influenced by its customers. “Part of the Smarter Life concept is that consumers and their needs are at the centre of our efforts to innovate, and ‘innovation’ is the word that sums up Samsung,” he said. “And in the new design era, the other word that is central to everything we do is ‘purpose’. Samsung invests .1bn in R&D per year and is a leading patent From Headphones To Home Cinema Philips’ Peter Nota: “Trusted brands are the most resilient” By Julian Newby resilient. And Philips is such a brand.” That “innovative power” is certainly in evidence at IFA 2011. In sound - described by Nota as a Philips “obsession” - there are new Fidelio docking speakers for Android smartphones and tablets; the award-winning Fidelio L1 headphones, billed as “the most advanced headphones ever”; and three new Streamium Multiroom network music players. Robert Smits, CEO of Philips Television, then took to the stage to share the “giant steps” that Philips has taken in the four key areas of TV manufacture: picture quality, design, cinematic experience and smart TV. “In the past 20 years, Philips has won 25 EISAs,” Smits said, citing the 46-inch 9000 series Smart LED TV, which was voted the 2011-12 European 3D TV Of The Year, and the Philips By Julian Newby holder.” As well as listening to its customers, the company also seeks to influence them: “Part of Smarter Life involves changing the way consumers think about products by establishing Samsung as a software and services provider, making our devices smarter and ever more connected to enhance people’s lives.” Michael Zœller, European Marketing Director, TV/AV, introduced the latest model in the D-8000 range. “Our latest Econova ECO Smart LED TV, which uses 60% less energy than conventional LCD TVs. In smart TV - “a fundamental shift in the relationship between viewers, content and TV manufacturers” - Smit through the TV, controlled by peripherals including the iPad. The Viera Connect Market on the IPG will provide a new space to sell apps and hardware, said Mamoru Yoshida, Senior Vice President at AVC Networks Company, Panasonic. An HD 3D pro-sumer camcorder was presented, as well as additions to the Lumix camera range. These include a compact with built-in WiFi, and Leicaderived lenses to support the G Micro System range. Hall 5.2 Stand 101 Smart TV has a 60-inch screen and a super-thin 1.5 centimetre bezel which makes it nearly borderless. It’s a design that we are very proud of,” he said. “And for our rapidly growing 3D audience, we have just made an exclusive deal with YouTube that will see the site’s 3D content exclusively available through the Samsung Smart TV service.” Hall 20 Stand 101 reported that Philips is joining forces with LG with the aim of “redesigning the smart-TV experience”. Hall 22 Stand 101 www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Friday 2 nd September 2011 5
