ISH in Frankfurt am Main from 15 to 19 March 2005

Market leaders see the ISH as the world's leading trade fair for the sector and a visit there as a must. The flagship of the sector will remain under full steam on course for 2005 and is expected to achieve a result similar to the last event in 2003 when some 2,300 exhibitors made presentations on around 250,000 square metres of exhibition space (gross) for approximately 180,000 trade visitors.

In terms of internationality, the ISH continues to be the world's Number One: last year, 55 percent of all exhibitors and 23 percent of visitors came from abroad. The world's leading fair exercises a great power of attraction thanks to a product spectrum unrivalled in terms of breadth and depth, and its concept of an association of events bringing together sanitation, heating and air-conditioning technology at the same time and place.

As in the past, ISH 2005 will be split into four main sections with

• energy and building technology in Halls 8, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2 and part of the Forum,
• Aircontec in Halls 5.0, 5.1 and 6.2,
• the World of Installation Technology in Halls 6.0, 6.1, 6.3 and 4.0,
• and The Bathroom Experience in Halls 1, 3.0, 3.1, 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2, the Forum and the Festhalle.

Air-conditioning technology has once again found its home at the ISH. The leading companies of this sector are in favour of Aircontec as part of ISH, which they see as being the ideal platform for presenting their technical innovations and solutions to an audience of international trade buyers. At The Bathroom Experience, market leaders join forces with world-famous designers to display the latest trends in the field of bathtubs, shower dividers, ceramic bathroom furniture and accessories. As in recent years, the wellness trend continues to dominate the bathroom and its furnishings with well-being and relaxation at home having an important role to play.

For swimming pools and saunas, the ISH provides an extensive presentation platform occupying the whole of Hall 1.1. Exhibitors of building and energy technology show the complete spectrum of modern plant and equipment, from condensing boilers for gas and oil, via integrated heat-storage units, solar collectors and biomass plant, to heat pumps and intelligent control technology.

The trend continues in the direction of integrated installations that connect different systems with each other, e.g., condensing technology with solar collectors and heat pumps. Solar-thermal and, increasingly, photo-voltaic systems are likely to grow in significance at ISH 2005 whereby the element linking all three segments is the World of Installation Technology. Here, exhibitors show modern installation systems that save time and money, such as modular system elements, concealed fittings, flexible pipes and pressure connection system.

ISH and Light + Building are fairs that illustrate the indispensable interaction of aesthetics and functional technology: what use is a stylish bathtub without installation technology, what use a futuristic building without plant and equipment? Under the title 'Outlook – Building Perspectives', Messe Frankfurt aims to attract the attention of designers, architects, interior architects and planners and, on the occasion of each fair, create a specific event at the interface between architecture and technology. For the next ISH in 2005, a design competition entitled Outlook Shaping Water is planned, which will give students and young designers the chance to present their ideas and impulses for the bathroom of the future.

In the last analysis, it is the consumer who decides what is to be fitted in his or her bathroom and which plant is to be installed in the house. Thus, the winner is the company that succeeds in convincing people who are building or modernising their own homes of the advantages of their products. Accordingly, the ISH has successfully opened its doors to the general public on the last day for several years now.

Further information about ISH 2005:

Messe Frankfurt GmbH

ISH Press Team

Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1

D-60327 Frankfurt am Main

Tel.: +49 69 7575 6457

Fax: +49 69 7575 6758

E-mail: susanne.brendle@messefrankfurt.com