New video format “R+T projects” / Pilot projects focusing on outdoor solutions for vineyards
The industry meets every three years for R+T, the world’s leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading systems, at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre. That will also be the case again from 21 to 25 February 2022 – this time actually in a hybrid form. Exhibitors and visitors come together at the R+T platform – for intensive technical discussions, exchanges of information and business transactions. Supply meets demand at the world’s leading trade fair, thereby making it a meeting point for the industry, a trend barometer and an innovation platform. “The strength of R+T is that it brings people together. We are focusing on precisely this attribute in our new format R+T ‘projects’,” said Sebastian Schmid, Department Director Technology, at Messe Stuttgart. “In ‘R+T projects’ we are bringing together different people and projects from the well-known R+T product categories, e.g. outdoor, doors/gates or smart homes: from a project owner with specific requirements through to a suitable manufacturer who can provide the right solution. Through cooperation agreements with thematically linked trade fairs, we also want to create awareness of this topic among other interested parties.” The selected projects will be supported from the formulation of the idea through to the commissioning of the respective products. This process will be presented for all affected target groups in detail in an easily understandable way by means of short video clips. The new social media format started in September and will be published in the communication channels of each participating trade fair.
Outdoor products meet winemaking
The first product category which “R+T projects” will focus on is outdoor. The market for these products has been booming for some years now and has been boosted further by current developments. Two vineyards in southern Germany are involved in both projects which will be supported and presented during the première of “R+T projects”. “We found strong partners for our first two pilot projects,” said Sebastian Schmid. “In future, manufacturers in each selected product category will be able to apply to us for selection as ‘R+T projects’. A renowned jury comprising different industry representatives will then make a choice in this respect and assign the projects to the respective manufacturers. During the period between the trade fairs one to two projects will be perspectively implemented and supported.”
First implementation in Eltville am Rhein
The first project was implemented at the Hirt-Gebhardt winery in Eltville am Rhein. The winery of the winemaking family has its origins in the centre of the tradition-steeped wine village Martinsthal in the Rheingau district. Christian Gebhardt Junior is now running the family business in the seventh generation. In order to keep pace with structural changes and further developments in winegrowing, the family decided to move from the cramped location in Martinsthal to Eltville-Sonnenberg. The modern vinothek with a large outdoor terrace in the middle of the vineyard has now been there for around three years. “We have been preoccupied with sun shading and weather protection solutions ever since we moved to Sonnenberg. After taking part in the Gastronomy Day during R+T digital, we finally decided to actually put this topic into practice. Following some discussions with the Messe Stuttgart team, we arrived at ‘R+T projects’ said winegrower Christian Gebhardt.
The right partner for the winery’s requirements was quickly found. The winegrower chose BAHAMA. “We have had a sunshade from BAHAMA for more than 35 years. This sunshade came with us to every wine festival. It has experienced all kinds of weather conditions and, above all, survived without suffering any damage. We therefore quickly realised that we wanted to rely again on this proven quality for our new sun shading system,” said Christian Gebhardt. Marcel Schröder, Managing Director of BAHAMA: “Founded in 1950, BAHAMA now designs and produces a wide range of high-quality sunshades and sun sails. The company therefore provides the right solution for every requirement. Our fully integrated production ‘Made in Germany’ manufactures nearly every component in-house. We are delighted to present the different stages of a project in detail through our participation in ‘R+T projects’ – from the first discussion, planning and production through to start of use of the sunshades. We also pay attention to customer service – from advice and installation through to cleaning, winter storage and maintenance. We can now also demonstrate this in an authentic way with ‘R+T projects’.” Christian Gebhardt added: “What pleased me the most was being able to support and co-design the entire process. Furthermore, we can finally offer our guests ideal shading and covering – also in winter or during poor weather conditions.”
Another project in the format already defined
The next project for ‘R+T projects’ is already lined up. A winery will again be the focal point of the new social media format. In this context the winery will receive a new canopy for the outdoor area of its restaurant. The project owner is the Kern winery in Oberderdingen, Baden-Württemberg. The already selected partner for the second pilot project is one of the leading German companies in the sunshade industry: markilux. “We are extremely happy and proud to be part of the new format ‘R+T projects’. This is a unique opportunity to explain the process of planning and implementing a complex project in more detail in an entertaining and comprehensible way. We are pleased to fulfil the express wish of winegrower Michael Kern for a markilux pergola. We will therefore also show other potential customers what steps are involved in such a project,” said Jan Kattenbeck, Head of Internal Sales and team : project Manager.
