Event Makes Strong Comeback After Four Years
In Berlin, from September 19 to 22, 2023, the international cleaning industry converged for the leading trade fair dedicated to cleaning and hygiene. After a hiatus of four years, the trade fair made its eleventh appearance at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, attracting a higher number of visitors than ever before. Approximately 21,000 visitors attended the 2023 event, surpassing the 20,000 attendees in 2019. There were 421 exhibitors from 25 countries, showcasing the market for commercial cleaning systems. This exhibition covered both indoor and outdoor spaces, totaling 31,000 square meters (in 2019, there were 448 exhibitors from 25 countries).
Dirk Hoffmann, COO of Messe Berlin, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “This year’s CMS Berlin exceeded our expectations. The visitor numbers were higher than in 2019, which marked the previous record. Once again, the leading trade fair for cleaning and hygiene showed that Berlin is the meeting place for the international cleaning industry.”
Ruth Senitz, director of CMS Berlin, emphasized the significance of the event, saying, “CMS Berlin underlined its role as the main meeting place for the entire cleaning industry. Crowded aisles, lively stands, and well-attended auditoriums were the hallmarks of the four-day event. This year, being able to meet and exchange views again after a four-year break made us very happy.”
CMS Berlin 2023 featured a wide range of products, numerous innovations, 100 live demonstrations, as well as 61 lectures and networking opportunities. Trade visitors had the opportunity to witness more live presentations and test more products than in any previous year.
On September 19, the expert jury awarded the Purus Innovation Award (PIA) to six winners out of a total of 83 entries. Additionally, exhibitors presented 86 innovations, with 29 making their debut at the trade fair and nine appearing on the world stage for the first time.
The Mobility Cleaning Circle, an exclusive networking format for representatives from the mobility sector and the cleaning industry, took place for the third time, with 70 guests discussing sustainability concepts for cleaning public transport vehicles.
Exhibitors’ Comments
Thomas Dietrich, national guild master of the Federal Guild Association of the Building Cleaning Trade (BIV):
“Not only are we highly satisfied, together we are also quite proud that CMS Berlin continues to chase records. Sustainability and digitalisation proved to be a big topic for visitors in the halls, the Purus Innovation Award was of great interest not only to the industry itself, and the Practical Forum on our association’s stand was extremely well-attended. The cancellation of the last event due to the pandemic has not impacted the trade fair’s successful growth – which is proof of the dynamic nature, standing and robust concept of the fair.“
Frank Ulbricht, chairman of the Cleaning Systems Trade Association in the German Engineering Federation (VDMA)
“CMS 2023 exceeded the expectations of VDMA members. Machine manufacturers were highly satisfied with their business results at the fair and are looking forward to the next CMS in 2025. Until then we are happy to continue working with Messe Berlin to ensure CMS 2025 will again be a major industry event for visitors from around the world.“
Markus Häfner, chairman of the Building Cleaning Department of the German industrial Union of Hygiene and Surface Protection for Industrial and Institutional Applications (IHO)
“CMS Berlin was an outstanding success. Once again, the trade fair confirmed the importance of its role as the leading platform for the cleaning industry. The exhibitors in the IHO were highly satisfied with the many visitors, their quality and their growing international numbers.“
Jury chair Tanja Čujić-Koch, member of the board of the National Guild Association of the Building Cleaning Trade and managing partner of Čujić Gebäudedienste GmbH
“I was overwhelmed by the expertise of my colleagues on the jury of the Purus Innovation Award 2023 and their valuable contributions at the jury sessions. What particularly impressed me was the variety and many different ideas displayed by the entries, even within a single award category.“
Matteo Matarazzo, director general, EFCI
“CMS Berlin was an excellent opportunity for us to find out first-hand about the industry’s latest technology trends, to better understand where the sector is heading, and to be able to better represent its interests in Brussels. Events such as CMS Berlin give us a privileged opportunity to explain why our activities in Brussels are important for all actors in this sector.“
Hartmut Jenner, board chairman, Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG
“For us, CMS Berlin has established itself as an excellent platform for an in-depth exchange of opinions and experiences. At this year’s industry event we were again able to present innovative solutions that enable our customers to boost their long-term productivity.”
Frank Ulbricht, managing director, Sales & Marketing, Hako GmbH
CMS 2023 provided a comprehensive overview of the market for professional building cleaning service providers in search of forward-looking solutions. Autonomous systems, digital solutions and smart products – all these things were demonstrated and could be tried out daily. Hako’s new trade fair concept was an all-round success. We had lively discussions with international visitors and are grateful for a successful four-day event.
Dylan Ng Terntzer, CEO and co-founder, LIONSBOT
We are very satisfied with our participation in CMS Berlin. The fair exceeded our expectations. The quality of visitors was outstanding, with many decision-makers present. The trade fair is especially important for our region, which covers German-speaking countries. We will definitely be back as exhibitors in 2025.”
Markus Häfner, managing director, Tana-Chemie GmbH
“In terms of quality and innovative drive, CMS continued exactly where it left off in 2019. We were overwhelmed by the many positive meetings with new and long-standing customers.”
Dr. Thomas Schnell, managing director, DR.SCHNELL GmbH & Co. KGaA
“After four long years we were so happy to be exhibiting here at CMS Berlin again. Being able to meet the people we support with our products and expertise is always a highlight for us. Winning the Purus Innovation Award was a special accolade for our wide-ranging endeavours to achieve greater sustainability with a clear focus on climate action. Our Ecolution Floor Pods stand for minimising the carbon footprint caused by packaging and transport. We had a fantastic time with wonderful people in Berlin and are already looking forward to seeing everyone again in two years.”
Isabel Merkel, president, Professional Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions
“CMS 2023 was an all-round success for Vileda Professional and VERMOP. Following the long break it was a special occasion for our two brands for two reasons. On the one hand we were able to meet and talk to our customers face-to-face again, and on the other, as part of the move to integrate VERMOP in Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions, it was an excellent opportunity to unite both teams and hold customer talks directly together. In addition to the especially good team atmosphere between the two brands, which for the first time attended CMS together under one roof, we noticed a good mood among the many visitors. We also established many leads and held many sales talks. Consequently, and for those reasons, CMS was a highlight of 2023 we will enjoy looking back on.”
Oliver Obel, vice president, Sales & Marketing Region Central & IKA for Essity Professional Hygiene
“After four years, we were very pleased at Tork to finally be at CMS Berlin in person again. There is no substitute for face-to-face talks, and the huge interest that was shown in our efficient and above all sustainable hygiene products on our stand was proof of that. CMS continues to be one of the most important meeting places for the cleaning industry and this year again served as a shop window for the innovative and forward-looking drive of the facility management industry – we are excited about the prospect of CMS 2025.”
For more information about CMS Berlin, visit the official website at www.cms-berlin.de.
