Chances in  tomorrow’s markets

As keynote themes at the centre of the papers to be presented at the congress organised by the BHB, the Federal Association of German DIY, Building and Garden Stores, are the industry’s strategies for expansion and cooperation. For the process of globalisation and the newly created euro area demand of the DIY retail sector a closer orientation towards the key players in the foreign markets in addition to greater cooperation between commerce and industry.
Among the top speakers this year is Anders Moberg, former division president of the American global market leader Home Depot and former ceo of Ikea. He will describe the two groups’ strategies for success and provide the German DIY industry with food for thought.
The British DIY chain B&Q is also setting benchmarks with its “Creating better homes” concept, which managing director George Adams will be introducing. Jim Lowe, group director corporate development of the Focus group, will supplement the British market perspective from the point of view of a direct competitor. Urs Jordi, head of Bau + Hobby, is representing the Swiss Coop in Berlin. But not only the international retail trade will be present in Berlin. Dr Alan Barton, vice president of Rohm and Haas, a US chemical concern and supplier to paint manufacturers, will demonstrate cooperation models for commerce and industry in his capacity as an industrial representative.
Proof will be given of the success of DIY in Germany and of German DIY stores abroad by the president of OBI, Harald Lux, and Hagebau group director building materials, Hans-Joachim Hoewner, in addition to Hornbach’s chief executive Albrecht Hornbach, whose family concern has caused a sensation as a result of its strategic partnership with Kingfisher. Special note will be taken of the growth market in the East. John W. Herbert, who has since January 2002 been joint director of the BHB with Frank Michel, will be conducting discussions about the opportunities for the DIY industry in the sales markets of Eastern Europe and the Far East. Among his interlocutors will be Martin Essl, chief executive of the Austrian Baumax AG, and Manfred Maus as non-executive chairman of OBI AG.
Further rounds of discussion between the presentations will give congress participants the opportunity to take an active part in the exchange of views.