Latest housewares attract crowd of 60,000

IIESPITE the nation's present Eeconomic downturn, the "spirit of housewares" was stronger than ever in Chicago, according to Ronald A. Fippinger, managing director of the National Housewares Manufacturers Association.

The 76th NHMA National Housewares Exposition filled to overflowing the giant exhibition complex of McCormick Place plus McCormick Place West, with products and people bent on giving America's consumers 1982 reasons for spending their available dollars on home-use items of all kinds.

The show, the industry's semiannual national marketing showcase, Jan. 17-21, attracted a recordbreaking 1,930 exhibitors, 80 more than a year ago, and more than 60,0q) housewares buyers and merchandisers.

"Housewares has long been a viable industry on the U.S. economic front," Fippinger said, "and l98l proved that once again. In fact, reinforcing the industry's historical role as a relatively'recession-resistant' business, total manufacturers' sales last year probably hit a record $19 billion, nearly $1.5 billion more than the previous peak in 1980."

Pointing out that housewares put, in a single location and within a few days. Out ofthat suggestion has grown the world's largest singleindustry trade show.

The first Exposition in January, 1939, had 266 exhibitors at the Palmer House in Chicago. Now each year nearly 15 times as many manufacturers, close to 4,000, participate, utilizing more than 2,000,000 square feet of display space in the large exhibition complex McCormick Place plus McCormick Place West, Chicago, Il. Total annual attendance exceeds 100.000 manufacturers'volume went from $4 billion in 1966 to $17.5 billion at the start of last year, he added: "Any industry whose manufacturers' total sales can more than double twice in a lS-year span is certainly one whose continued well-being is on solid ground, despite ever-changing economic challenges. Housewares is weathering the country's present downside economy in good shape overall."

-Exhibitors tempered their new product introductions with refinements and innovations, to heighten the blue chip basics which appeal to today's value-minded and cost-conscious consumers.

Here's a mixed bag rundown of newsmakers from the show: o Ceiling fans, one with a temperature sensor that turns it off and on automatically, depending on the room temperature near the ceiling; another operated by a six-button remote control, which includes three speed controls, two buttons to change fan blade direction and an "on-off" light button that also is used as a dimmer. o A sandwich grill that makes a European-style "meal in a pocket" by sealing in the sandwich filling as it grills the outside top and bottom. o An all-in-one plastic kitchen gadget with stainless steel blades that can slice eggs, cut them in wedges or make them into floral designs. o The deluxe mobile food service unit with a food warmer across the top, a warming oven and a removable heated drawer with three covered dishes for oven-to-table service.

Story at a Glance

Blue chlp basics plus ln. novatlYe Yalue mlnded . .. cost conscious.. somethlng for every household.

o A multi-purpose serving fork with six tines designed to lift large roasts or fowl, or to serve spaghetti, corn on the cob or baked potatoes.

o An unconventional barbecue line of low, sleek electric barbecues in tabletop and rollabout models, with sophisticated styling that includes (Please turn to page 50) persons, including nearly 40,000 housewares buyers and merchandising executives along with more than 60,000 others concerned with the housewares industry, including salesmen, manufacturers' representatives, members of the press, suppliers and trade guests.

The National Housewares Manufacturers Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1938 for the stated purpose of providing buyers with the best possible industry exhibits, at the lowest feasible cost consistent with good management. That goal remains its prime objective today. In line with its non-profit policy, the NHMA has refunded a part of exhibit fees to exhibitors since the very first housewares show in 1939. To date, nearly $7 million has been refunded.

The NHMA also undertakes an annual marketing research study of housewares manufacturers to provide valid statistical data about the industry. It also publishes comprehensive surveys of housewares consumers' attitudes.