Held from 10-14 March, this year’s ISH exhibition at Messe Frankfurt in Germany, attracted 198,000 visitors over the four days, a record number of exhibitors and saw the level of international visitors increase significantly.

Described by its organisers as the world’s biggest trade fair for innovative bathroom design, energy efficient heating and air-conditioning technology and renewable energies, the event saw an increase of more than 5% in visitor numbers, 37% of whom travelled to the show from outside Germany.

The largest national contingents came from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and China. Significant growth in visitor numbers from the USA, Great Britain and Ireland are also evidence of a noticeable economic recovery in the sanitation, heating and air-conditioning markets. Altogether, there were 618 new exhibitors at ISH 2015: 161 of them from Germany, 89 from Italy and 23 from Spain, which indicates a gradual market recovery. In addition, 61% of exhibitors came from other countries.

The high level of internationality at the fair was also emphasised by Thomas Borst, sales and marketing director of the ebm-papst Group. He said: “ISH and, therefore, Frankfurt as the venue have proven their worth to the industry because two sectors – air-conditioning technology and heating technology – are to be found there at the same time and place. We are very pleased with the course of business at ISH 2015, as well as with the standard of the discussions. And this includes international discussions because every second visitor to our stand came from outside Germany.”

Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer of Messe Frankfurt GmbH said: “We are delighted with the exceptional success of ISH 2015 and these excellent figures underscore the positive mood in the sector. Moreover, with growth in the number of international exhibitors and visitors, the fair has confirmed its leading international role.”