27 January 2006 – Frankfurt (GER): Frankfurt once again became a Mecca for the international paper, office supplies and stationery world this week as 2,596 companies from around the world arrived to showcase their products, network with the industry´s cream and strike new deals. The number of exhibitors was slighly lower than last year, when the show welcomed 2,708 companies. The absence of some of the big vendors such as Smead Europe, Fellowes, Avery Dennison Europe, Acco and Esselte was also obvious to exhibitors and delegates. Nevertheless, the show buzzed with multinational activity, with as many as 67 countries represented, against 69 in 2005. Ruth Lorenz, divisional manager for Messe Frankfurt´s Paperworld, Christmasworld and Beautyworld trade fairs, told OPI. "[The absence of some of the major brands] has absolutely made a difference this year and I´m not happy about that, but there are some signs that some of these brands may be returning next year. Paperworld remains the most attractive meeting place for the industry in the world." The most represented country at this year´s show was Germany with 589 exhibitors (down from 615 last year), followed by China (with 337 exhibitors up from 282 last year), Taiwan (with 217), Italy (with 183), Hong Kong (with 140) and Great Britain (with 107). For the full interview with Ruth Lorenz and a review of Paperworld 2006, don´t miss next week´s OPI+.
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