A resilient kitchen furniture industry, stable market fundamentals and existing purchasing power create the ideal conditions for a revival in demand

The German kitchen furniture industry has a stable foundation and solid prospects for a noticeable market recovery. Despite challenging economic conditions, the Association of the German Kitchen Furniture Industry remains justifiably confident: rising building permit figures, substantial savings reserves in German and European households, and the industry’s marked resilience all point to a growing willingness to invest in new kitchen purchases and replacement needs.

This year’s kitchen autumn in East Westphalia thus offers an excellent opportunity to provide a significant boost to growth. As an internationally recognised industry platform, the established trade fair area30, taking place in Löhne from 19 to 24 September 2026, will play a central role. With around 12,000 trade visitors last year, a high concentration of market leaders and numerous conceptual updates, area30 is sending a strong signal for the future of the kitchen industry at exactly the right time.

Not just a ‘rock in the surf’, but a driving force for innovation in the kitchen industry

New product launches, successful business deals, professional networking, socialising – year after year, all of this draws decision-makers, influencers and experts specialising in kitchens to the East Westphalia region and to the established B2B platform area30 in Löhne. Thanks to the format’s concept, which has been continuously optimised over the past 15 years in close collaboration with customers, this centrally located trade fair offers the largest number of brands and exhibitors in one place, the most market leaders and the highest concentration of innovation for the upcoming order season.

The long-standing close partnership between the organiser, trendfairs GmbH (Fürth), and visitors and exhibitors, combined with the event’s alignment with their wishes and expectations, has made area30 an indispensable industry highlight. Numerous unique selling points ensure that the exhibition centre remains the most visited. These include logistical advantages such as the exhibition grounds’ proximity to the A30 motorway, supportive services, and special formats such as the innovation area.

Designed for newcomers, successful networking and established brands: the innovation area

This community platform at area30 focuses intensively on branding, communication and networking, as well as reaching out to new customers. It gives exhibiting brands the opportunity to present themselves efficiently, yet visibly and successfully. The companies Garantiemax, Meisterdesk and Witt all have one thing in common: All three began their trade fair presence in Löhne on a small scale and with manageable effort. Thanks to the positive momentum gained from participating, they now present themselves with their own, larger exhibition stands at the Löhne exhibition grounds.

Marcel Scholle, Managing Director of Garantiemax GmbH from Herford, sees area30 as the ideal platform for presenting his company’s services to a qualified specialist audience: “In 2022, we started with a small trade fair presence and quickly realised that area30 is the right platform for us to engage with industry experts and trade visitors. In the years that followed, we expanded our presence accordingly. The professional organisation now makes area30 an indispensable event in our sales calendar!”

The innovation area concept has a clear focus: greater visibility, more interaction, a richer experience. Trade visitors can experience, in a compact format, what is driving the industry – clearly presented, open to dialogue and inspiration. With its Stage and Coffee Bar areas, the innovation area invites visitors to engage in knowledge-sharing, discuss trends and innovations in the kitchen industry, and explore changes in how customers are approached. In 2026, the focus will also be on intensive discussion regarding product range decisions and supplier partnerships – because the expected upturn in the kitchen industry can only succeed with the right, compelling offers for end customers.

A first and a highlight for 2026: ‘Long Tuesday’ for even more intensive business

In response to requests from many exhibitors, trendfairs is introducing ‘Long Tuesday’ for the first time at area30 2026. In doing so, the trade fair is deliberately giving specialist retailers more time during the busy autumn kitchen season for in-depth discussions, well-informed product range decisions and additional business opportunities. On Tuesday, 22 September 2026, area30 will therefore extend its opening hours until 8 pm. The two extra hours create more space for personal encounters, high-quality contacts and successful business deals – all in a relaxed trade fair atmosphere.

With the slogan “More time. More interaction. More success.”, ‘Long Tuesday’ is aimed at all trade fair visitors who, amidst the busy autumn kitchen season, specifically need more space for discussions, networking and decision-making. This “more” is reflected not only in the extra time, but also in an enhanced experience on Tuesday evening at area30: featuring culinary offerings, subtle musical accompaniment and carefully curated opportunities for personal encounters.

A different kind of matchmaking: MöFa and trendfairs as talent scouts

A key feature of area30, which makes the trade fair so distinctive and significant, is its long-standing partnership with the Cologne School of Furniture Design. Under the banner ‘MöFa goes küchenherbst’, trendfairs is once again organising an excursion for students to the kitchen autumn event. The educational institution selects interesting companies and potential future employers for the graduates; the trade fair organiser takes on the organisation on a non-profit basis, such as the easily recognisable shuttle bus. And, of course, sufficient time is set aside for the students to visit the exhibitors at area30.

area30 will remain the central networking hub and key meeting place for decision-makers from the kitchen industry – from Germany, Europe and around the world – at kitchen autumn 2026. The list of exhibitors is growing and will be published shortly. Alongside regular exhibitors well-known throughout the industry, organiser trendfairs warmly welcomes both returning exhibitors such as Der Kreis, as well as debutants for example Rempp Küchen and Noodles. The chances are therefore good that this coming September will lay the foundations for the kitchen industry’s next successful phase of growth.

Facts & figures

Trade visitors
Around 12,000 trade visitors from 61 countries
Ranking: Germany (78%), Netherlands (9%), Belgium (2%), Austria (2%), Switzerland (1%), Italy (1%)

Exhibitors / Brands
180 exhibitors and brands

Product range
Accessories, Acoustics, Bathroom furniture, Benches, Chairs, Cooperation partners, Dining room furniture, Electrical household appliances, Extractor hoods, Fittings, Institutions / associations, Interior fittings, Kitchen furniture, Light, Media and publishers, Furniture, Niche rear walls, Outdoor furniture, Outdoor kitchens, Services, Sinks, Smart home, Software / IT, Suppliers, Tables, Trade press, Utility room, Waste systems, Worktops

Next Show
19 to 24 September 2026

Press images area30

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