interzum '97 draws 60,000 visitors.

In the midst of a nearly two-year european recession, interzum '97 took center stage May 2-6 to the applause of some 60,000 attendees from 112 countries. This year's event, held in Cologne, Germany, represented the 20th edition of interzum. It overlapped two days with Ligna '97, the world's largest machinery show, held May 5-10 at Hannover.

The biennial interzum is the world's largest exhibition of hardware, laminates, upholstery products and other supplies used by manufacturers of furniture, cabinets, store fixtures and other wood products. In all, some 1,610 exhibitors (including 84 U.S. companies) occupied 160,000 gross square meters of space.

Among the highlights of interzum '97 were continued efforts by hardware manufacturers to simplify the installation and adjustability of their products, an emphasis on light woods and laminates and sustained growth of the European laminate flooring market.

Major European manufacturers of hinges, slides and mechanical fasteners are engineering many of their products to be installed faster without tools. Once snapped or clipped into place, these fittings can be easily adjusted with a screwdriver. The major beneficiaries of this trend are not only furniture and cabinet manufacturers, but consumers as well, particularly those who purchase ready-to-assemble products.

Other notable hardware trends at interzum included:

* Full-extension drawer slides that allow a full view and access to a drawer's contents.

* A wider selection of compact folding sliding doors for cabinets and case goods.

In decorative hardware, stainless steel in a matte or textured finish was a predominant style. Handles and pulls in slim widths and long lengths were popular. The use of gray metal in contemporary style decorative hardware was echoed in rustic, hand-forged gray or black iron knobs and pulls, which were a popular look in reproduction hardware.

"Hot" knob styles included simple round circles or delicate abstract shapes in matte stainless steel. Frosted and transparent glass knobs in soft pastel colored flower and "light bulb" shapes were other popular looks on the show floor.

Light woods continued to be strong for veneers and wood grain laminates, with heavy demand for beech, maple, alder, birch and ash. Tinted woods were a new look, mostly in soft shades of blue, green and coral, transparent enough to enhance the grain.

Corals, greens and blues were also a predominate theme in new laminate colors in shades that were strong, but not bright. Many new laminates were shown with subtle patterns, and granite/terrazzo designs continued to be strong.

While laminate flooring is still on the ground floor of its development in North America, the product has boomed in Europe since its introduction in the last decade. The European Products of Laminate Flooring, an association made up of 13 international producing companies, reported that sales were 23 percent greater in the second half of 1996 than in the first half. In total, about $600 million worth of retail business was rung up last year, according to the EPLF.

The growth of laminate flooring sales is welcomed news to producers of particleboard and medium-density fiberboard, who have seen shipments decline as a result of slowdowns in construction and furniture manufacturing in recent years.

Wilsonart International became the newest kid on Europe's laminate flooring market. The Temple, TX-based manufacturer made its first European showing at interzum '97, displaying its laminate flooring, high-pressure laminate and related products. The company recently established Wilsonart Germany GmbH as a distribution subsidiary.