NEWCHAIRPERSONOF THE FEPF Tillmann Blaschke was appointed as the new chairperson of the FEPF, European Federation of Ceramics for Tableware and Decoration, at the general assembly held on 21 November. Blaschke is the general manager of the German company Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen, a historic company that has been operating since 1708. For the purposes of time limits, his term of office begins in January 2020, when he takes over from Roberto Sala, administrator of I.P.A. Industria Porcellane S.p.A., and will last three years, in accordance with the bylaws. FRANCE’S TRADE BALANCE, INCREASINGLY INDEFICIT The French trade balance in the tableware sector is in deficit, with a coverage rate of 81% in 2018 (84% in 2017). The glassware sector is the most profitable (284%) while that of cutlery and knives, with an 88% coverage rate, is the most in deficit. POINTED KNIVES COULD DISAPPEAR FROM THE BRITISHMARKET The Church of England has taken action regarding the increase of crimes perpetrated with kitchen knives, requesting the government to take measures to fight against this scourge, through a regulation determining the design of these utensils. competition between different materials is the theme of the day, with the emergence of some surprising alternatives. SHOPPING CARTS: E N V I R O N M E N T - FRIENDLYFASHION Against all odds; against the car parks of large hypermarkets; against onl ine sales; against illegal imitations and lowpriced products... shopping carts havemanaged not only to survive but to reinvent themselves and even to capture new markets, some of them beyond our borders. ÁNGEL JIMÉNEZ, CEOOF TECNHOGAR: «WEARECREATINGNEWPRODUCTFAMILIES AND EXPLORINGNEWSALES CHANNELS» TECNhogar’s future is based on three principles: utility, respect for the environment and design. The company is in the midst of launching its online channel for the private market. JUAN VIDAL, CEO OF ADI: «ADI MOVES FORWARD TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE» Through a spin-off process, ADI separates from the Arc International group to become an independent company from its hitherto parent company. At the same time, it changes its corporate identity and embarks on a digitisation process. YOSHITSUGUFUJIE, PRESIDENTOFOKITSUMOEUROPE: «WEARETHELARGEST COATINGS SUPPLIER IN JAPAN» For the first time, a Japanese brand of non-stick coatings, developed specifically for the kitchenware industry, enters the European Union market. 65 -
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