 Hospitality Trends - November 2009  |
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Checking In With Hospitality Leading hospitality manufacturers weigh in on the future of the sector
As 2010 approaches, manufacturers of hospitality linens are hoping for a better year. With stalled projects and lack of funding in 2009, those in the hospitality sector are eager to get back to work. Michelle Harrison, wholesale and hospitality manager, Cuddledown, says, “We expect business to be flat at the start of 2010, but we are optimistic that there will be a lift in the third and fourth quarters. Many experts are saying the same thing and they are also expecting occupancy rates to rise toward the end of the year.” Manlio Alberto Zucchi, group director in charge of contract business for Zucchi, which represents Mascioni’s hospitality sector, agrees, “We are confident that during 2010 there will be a need, especially from the properties that drastically reduced and delayed the placing of orders to increase the flow of goods. This may end, in some cases, in over-demand in the short term or very short delivery lead time.” Even with positive forecasts indicating the economy will start to bounce back, questions still loom. Craig Benepe, executive vice-president of hospitality, Home Source International, says, “The biggest factor for the future of the hospitality sector is the state of the 2010 economy. In particular, will lending open up for hotels to be able to borrow for new construction and remodeling? Will the state of the economy and job creation improve significantly in 2010 and ease the U.S. consumers’ concerns enough to allow them to start to travel? What will happen to the U.S. dollar; will its continuing weakening lead to hyperinflation?” Touches Of Color
At the retail level, color is king for 2010. Even though bright, bold hues and exciting patterns are popping up all over the market, many hotels are still wary of adding colorful bedspreads to their guest rooms. Zucchi says, “In our opinion most properties decide to stay with plain high-quality white products because of the easier washing and handling process. We are not seeing any particular new color directions.” The Mascioni Color System, which was introduced in 2006, is guaranteed to keep its color intensity and brilliance under the same severe industrial maintenance that is used for whites. Mascioni has found that except for a few properties in New York and Los Angeles, its customers are still not ready to incorporate color, even if the upkeep is the same as white linens. Although hotels for the most part may be sticking to white for the bed, they are still interested in adding some color to the room in other ways. “We are seeing a bigger focus on accent pieces with bolder looks. Laundering is still a huge concern for hotels. Whites and creams are easier to wash, so they are adding splashes of color elsewhere, with throws, pillows and bed scarves,” says Harrison. Marty Dollenmaier, president, Anichini, disagrees. She is seeing color as the emerging trend with all of the new hospitality projects they are taking on. “We see a beginning of a move towards more color and texture with brighter viewpoints than the all-white bed. In dreary economic times, people need some brighter outlooks. I personally feel that black and white sterile rooms will be old news soon,” she says. Ken Koneck, public affairs manager, Valley Forge, states, “Although the all-white bed is still popular, many brands have added color and texture to the bed with accent pillows and scarves. Large-scale prints and embroideries that have dominated designs in the residential market have also found their way into the hotel world. Since bedding is replaced every 18 to 24 months, hotels have the chance to freshen up their rooms by changing the bedding.” The “Green” Dilemma
The ongoing struggle between environmentally friendly goods and price is present in the hospitality sector. While hotels have shown interest in green products, the price needs to be similar to products that aren’t. Manufacturers have been working hard to produce products that have environmental benefits, while trying to keep prices at industry standards. While Cuddledown is continuing to see an interest in green products from higher-end boutique hotels, they have not seen that interest growing any bigger in any other sectors of the hospitality market. Dohler is expecting more green business in the upcoming years and for that reason they have been Oeko-Tex certified. A global standard for safe textiles, Oeko-Tex certified products are tested and guaranteed to be free from more than a hundred dangerous substances. Although Dohler believes business will still be difficult in 2010, they are working to stay ahead of the curve. “More and more hotels are going for LEED certification as well as other hospitality certifications from the Green Lodging Association. Greening the supply chain has been a hot topic for hotels as they look to their vendors to introduce them to environmentally friendly options,” says Koneck. “Our hotel customers have told us loud and clear that green products cannot cost more than non-green products.” Valley Forge’s LIVING FRESH bedding collection offers hotels a green story as well as a health and well-being story with pricing that is in line with less sustainable cotton sheeting programs in the marketplace. It is made from Lenzing’s Tencel +Plus Lyocell fiber from the eucalyptus tree, a rapidly renewable resource that only requires sunlight and rain in order to grow. The collection also promotes a better night’s sleep as the fibers keep heat and moisture away from the body. Too Many Players Many residential bedding companies are expanding into hospitality, but the already populated field is hurting due to lack of projects. Those already established in the field believe the down economy will allow key players to stand out. “The luxury field is saturated and we do not expect any other companies to expand since that already happened a few years ago. Mascioni takes pride in being the direct manufacturer in its hospitality collection. Being able to have complete control over the development of its products is a significant factor in delivering exceptional design, quality and performance,” says Zucchi. “The normal trend of consumer-oriented manufacturers is to expand into the hospitality business when their retail store business suffers and to move away from hospitality when retail business is booming,” states Dollenmaier. “The field is crowded already and the hospitality business is scarce. We suspect that the scarcity of hospitality business will keep down the number of retailer-oriented vendors from going into the hospitality supply business.” Koneck agrees, “There have always been a lot of players in the hospitality textile space. Hotels need to know that the companies they decide to do business with are built on a solid financial foundation. The lead-time from hotel design to installation can be many months or even years in some cases and the hotel must have confidence that a company can ride out the current economic storm and meet delivery forecasts. The residential markets have been pounded so severely that those companies playing in that space are hurting and the hotel companies know it.” While the future is cloudy due to the stormy economy, hospitality manufacturers are still upbeat and exciting times filled with color and eco-friendly goods lay ahead for those who are able to ride out the tough market. Resources
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