Unfortunately, the Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2) is currently spreading more widely in all parts of the world. Due to concerns about the Corona Virus, three trade shows in which Bohle AG had planned to participate this spring have already been cancelled or postponed: the International Hardware Fair in Cologne, ChinaGlass in Shanghai, and Fensterbau Frontale in Nuremberg. At this time of year, the intense preparation phase for the world´s largest glass trade show, Glasstec, as well as for GlassBuild in Las Vegas, would normally begin for us at Bohle – however, we have currently dropped this plan. The exhibition planning for 2020 has been frozen for the most part until further notice. Only at Glasstec is the company still planning to present itself with a modified concept. Its commitment to the “Handwerk live” Demonstrations during Glasstec will remain unchanged. On this occasion, Bohle will be available for its customers. In addition, a small trade show presence for international industrial customers is envisaged.
“We feel a particular responsibility towards the glazier trade and we will live up to this commitment as far as possible”, emphasizes Arne Klöfkorn, COO of Bohle AG, and explains the decision to postpone all further exhibition planning: “Right now, nobody is able to predict the future development of the Corona pandemic. Trade shows, however, are prepared over the long term and many costs are triggered at an early stage. It is therefore all the more disappointing for everybody involved, both employees and business partners, if a trade fair has to be cancelled at short notice, as has repeatedly occurred recently.” There have been very long discussions in Haan whether or not to start with the preparations for the industry´s most important leading trade fair. “Every two years, this trade show in Düsseldorf is the highlight of our trade fair calendar. We invest a high six-figure amount in order to present our latest innovations to our business partners and customers. Once again in 2020, we have many different new products in the pipeline, however, we have decided after careful consideration, to substantially reduce our trade fair commitments this year”, Klöfkorn continues. “This decision affects not only our usual large-scale presence at the Glasstec trade fair in Düsseldorf but also the catch-up date for Fensterbau Frontale, GlassBuild America in Las Vegas, and a potential postponed date for ChinaGlass, in case there will be any such date this year.
“This was certainly not an easy decision to make as we consider the personal exchange with our customers and the proximity to them on trade fairs an essential key to success for Bohle. On the one hand, however, a company needs planning security when making investments, which is simply not the case right now, and on the other hand, we do not want to take health risks – in the interest of our employees, business partners and customers”, Klöfkorn says and adds: “The last of which is the most important – for Bohle as a family business, people always rank first. From our point of view, unfortunately this is a necessary step.” Bohle keeps monitoring the current developments. If the situation of the Corona pandemic changes fundamentally, the company will stay abreast of the developments. In the meantime, we will focus on keeping our business partners and customers up-to-date and rouse their interest for our new products by other means, especially with the aid of digital media and presentations.
From today´s perspective, the next firmly scheduled trade show dates for Bohle AG will be our reduced participation at Glasstec 2020 and BAU 2021 in Munich.