Anniversary edition trade show lives up to expectations

Next edition will go on again in January after all

From August 31 to September 2, Flanders Expo was once again the arena for all innovative developments from the world of window, door, sun protection, façade and access technology. The Polyclose trade fair was in its 20th edition. More than 12,200 professional visitors, mainly from Belgium and the Netherlands, were present to see the latest developments by nearly 230 exhibitors. This anniversary edition therefore lived up to expectations. In the meantime, the exhibitors are in the process of following up and that is why they are already looking ahead to the next edition from January 17 to 19, 2024.

Polyclose was first organized in 1991, at that time with the emphasis on window and door technology. That was the start of a biennial event in mid-January which, in addition to the window and door sector, now also focuses on the world of blinds, façade construction and access technology. When we drove towards Flanders Expo two years ago, it was immediately one of the last times we were really allowed outside. After that, everything was locked and we stayed in our dorm "by order. Fortunately, the 20th edition of the fair could again physically take place, although it was necessary to deviate from the traditional January month to a period at the end of August/beginning of September. 

So this time we didn't go to Ghent with our thick coats and scarves, but rather in shorts and T-shirts or better dressed a little lighter. Instead of a cold wind and the occasional gust of rain or snow, the sun was out in full force and tanned faces could be seen everywhere as a reminder of the holiday. 

Still, everyone was at the appointment again. Contractors, joiners, solar professionals, architects and building owners from home and abroad - 12.222 in total - made new contacts, but above all got to know the products and innovations of nearly 230 exhibitors with a focus on window, door and façade systems in aluminum, plastic and wood, automation, biometric systems, building hardware, coatings, seals, tools, glass and accessories, machines, gates and fences, roller shutters, hinges and locks, access control, ventilation systems, fly screens, sun protection, software,..., and much more.

Satisfaction on all banks

Of course, rising commodity and energy prices are creating a lot of question marks toward the future and an economic recession seems inevitable. Still, the general feeling on the trading floor was positive with a busy morning and slightly calmer afternoon on the first day of trading and then pleasantly busy Thursday and Friday. 

As during the previous editions of the trade fair, the emphasis was once again partly determined by the trends. Sustainability and circularity are two themes that have been ubiquitous in the construction industry for some time now, and this was also evident at many of the trade fair booths. Due to climate change and rising temperatures, the emphasis is increasingly on the efficient cooling of buildings. Solar shading and intensive ventilation play an important role in this. And if the pandemic did have a benefit for our economy, it was that consumers invested more money in optimizing and expanding the home with new windows, doors and roofs, outdoor spaces, ....

Visitors were able to reacquaint themselves with new window and door systems, often with ultra-slim profiles and large panes of glass, as well as developments in shading and cladding. Among the manufacturers of patio coverings, we saw the result of many efforts to develop elements that take comfort to an even higher level, even on colder days: lighting, heating, sun protection, glass walls, shutters, mosquito nets, flooring, .... 

Anyone looking for mechanical, motor and electronic locking systems, whether or not operable via an app on a smartphone or tablet, was sure to find what they were looking for at Flanders Expo. Attention was also paid to the correct and aesthetic installation method as well as the insulation and sealing of windows, doors and other building elements, as well as the invisible or invisible integration of interior doors and the simple production of doors in general. We also note that these sectors are also moving up a gear or two when it comes to automation and digitalization of their business processes. Appropriate software is indispensable in this regard. Finally, machine manufacturers were also able to demonstrate live their machining centers and production lines for the production of profiles and frames.

Still back to January

So this rather exceptional edition also met the expectations of exhibitors and visitors, according to inquiries made to several exhibitors. For them, the follow-up now follows so that the first real results and orders can soon be recorded. The organizers of Polyclose can be satisfied with this anniversary edition, but are already thinking about the next edition. This will take place in 2024 and is planned again at the beginning of the year, especially on January 17, 18 and 19, because to conclude with their words: you can't change a good tradition.