Sector insights

One of the primary national locations for data centers is in Moselle, region of over one million inhabitants and a major crossroad located in the East of France, bordering Germany and Luxembourg. Moselle possesses a nuclear plant and has recently invested in the renewable energy sector, thanks to support from French Public Authorities who consider it a project of national interest. Construction included 160 wind turbines, ALPHEA, a European hydrogen competence center and fuel cell. It also reduces environmental impact by recycling the heat produced by data centers to heat the nearby hospital.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show celebrates its centenary this year but the show has seen more change in the last ten years than in the first ninety combined. Today, one of the most prestigious horticultural shows in the world still has gorgeous flower displays, but exhibits are more about new business ideas and new concepts, businesses promoting green credentials, the role of nature in today’s world and the merging of indoor and outdoor living. 

The first ever Anti-Aging trade show was held in the UK May 2013 and the conclusions we draw reinforced the message from the Paris-based In-Cosmetics Show held in April: the cosmetics industry continues to defy recessions and gloomy consumers. Yesterday’s niche markets have grown into major sectors and show no signs of slowing down. A good example is the cosmetic intervention segment (Botox, IPL treatment, dermal fillers…) which the UK Department of Health estimated was worth £720m in 2005 ($1.1Bn), had increased to £2.3Bn ($3.5Bn) by 2010 and is forecast to reach £3.6Bn ($5.5Bn) by 2015.

Winter has arrived so get ready for ISPO!

According to Lucintel, the global cosmetics industry is expected to reach $630Bn (€487Bn) by 2017, with a CAGR of 3.4% over the next five years (1). Europe is traditionally the leading market in cosmetics, representing nearly half of the global market. In 2010, its value was worth €66.6bn, and it has been growing constantly since the industry’s full post-recession recovery in 2011 (2). Europe is also the world’s largest cosmetics exporter, with 62% of its cosmetic products being marketed outside of Europe.

SIAL is a global food exhibition taking place in Paris, and as such it could not be missed out by IBT Partners and our clients. This October, 84% of the exhibitors came from 100 countries outside of France, turning this exhibition into a real international food experience.

While the Construction market was particularly hard hit by the economic downturn, timber industry appears to be bucking the trend: sales of timber frame, SIPS, and volumetric timber buildings increased by some €37 million in 2011 (1).

Posted by Michael Mendolia
The building sector in France, which represents nearly 46% of total domestic energy consumption, is facing increased pressure to improve energy efficiency.  Through the Grenelle Law, passed in June 2009, France set ambitious targets for energy efficiency in buildings, including a 38% reduction in energy consumption and a 50% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the building sector by 2020. 

Cycling and biking is enjoying an unprecedented surge in popularity throughout the UK, boosted by the successes of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish at the Tour de France and the dominance of Team GB at the Olympics and Paralympics this year. However, this popularity spans across Europe and beyond, and appears to be more than just a passing vogue. In fact, in 2011 France announced a 6.5% increase in turnover in the bike market, marking the end of a 5 year decline and boosting it to 3^rd place in Europe in terms of sales with 3.2Mn bikes sold, following Germany’s 4.1Mn and the UK’s 3.5Mn (1).

Over a month has now passed since the Farnborough International Airshow ended and although our ears have recovered from the daily demonstrations of the latest aircraft, we are still busy following up the many contacts and leads that were made over the course of the week.