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Anticipation builds for ISSA/INTERCLEAN
5th of April 2016 Article by Markus AschMarkus Asch, vice chairman of the management board at cleaning equipment manufacturer Kärcher and president of EUnited Cleaning, writes his latest blog for the ECJ website. He looks forward to the ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam exhibition next month.
In Germany, there is an old folksong: "Alles neu macht der Mai". In England there is the rhyme "April showers bring May flowers".
It might be a coincidence - or perhaps not - that ISSA/INTERCLEAN in Amsterdam, one of the most important events in our industry, takes place precisely at this time. The symbolism could not be more appropriate: an industry whose core task is to make things look (like) new again meets at a time when nature is preparing to renew itself and exchanges information about new products.
The record number of 110 applications for the Amsterdam Innovation Award paints the picture: there will once again be a number of premieres that await you as a visitor to the exhibition. Whether new appliances, equipment and machines, new cleaning agents, new suppliers in the market... everything that moves us.
Amid all the anticipation the question arises whether the further development of our industry can be defined primarily via new products. I am certain - this is not enough. In fact our industry finds itself in a time of sustained, sweeping change, triggered and characterised by numerous megatrends such as urbanisation, demographic shifts and globalisation as well technological leaps, in particular the increase in digitalisation.
This is the basis for numerous developments, with the Internet of Things and ideas such as Smart Cities, Smart Objects, Machine-to-Machine Communication - to name but a few - leading the way. Only those who focus on these things can develop ergonomically improved solutions, achieve higher efficiency and offer a better service, briefly spoken, practice sustainable development.
ISSA/INTERCLEAN with its many forums, conferences and exhibitors offers an ideal platform for identifying and discussing trends that are important to our industry. My recommendation: visit the exhibition and take advantage of this excellent opportunity. We the exhibitors are very excited and look forward to discussing more than just new products with you.