Cosmoprof 1998

Cosmoprof 1998

by Leonard C. Keller, Ph.D.,

European Correspondent

The 31st Cosmoprof Trade Show, the world's largest for the beauty, cosmetic and suntanning industries, was held April 26-29 in Bologna, Italy, approximately one and one-half hours south of Milan. At this year's show there were more than 1,400 exhibitors representing 44 different countries, including Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Middle East and North America. The show was held in 12 buildings covering 530,000 square feet of exhibition space with more than 150,000 in attendance.

Exhibition categories included cosmetic products, hair care, beauty equipment, packaging, jewelry, clothing, nails and tanning beds. From an educational point of view, there were seminars conducted all four days in various languages regarding all of the product categories.

Throughout the years, the Italian suntanning market primarily has used high-pressure beds along with double and triple face machines that clients sit in front of to tan quickly and effectively. However, this year, large low-pressure beds and tanning booths are beginning to make an impact on the market.

Although 80 percent of tanning is still high-pressure, the thought process of the manufacturer is beginning to change. Even though there were a number of Italian companies exhibiting, there were a number of German and Dutch manufacturers on-site. Some of the companies exhibiting included UltraSun, UWE, Dr. Kern, UltraTan, JK, Mster, White Sun, Sportarredo, ISO Italia, Eurocom, Idol, EverSun, Venere, Dr. Sellas, Guard Estetica, Compagnia del Sol, New Look, C'eSole and Hapro.

The following are a few of the companies, their home cities and the products they displayed:

Mster Co., Milan--Mster Co. offers a variety of low- and high-pressure tanning beds with a complete product line of esthetic equipment.

Guard Estetica, Bresia--A manufacturer of low- and high-pressure tanning beds with tanning booths.

UWE, Milan--UWE's Italian distributor showcased its new Sunboard along with various low-pressure equipment, Wink Ease and DeVee tanning lotion.

Dr. Sellas, Florence--Catapano Co. is the Italian distributor of this German high-pressure manufacturer of beds and face machines. At the show, the company displayed the first two-person, high-pressure tanning bed.

EverSun, Terzo--This small manufacturer offers a complete line of high-pressure tanning equipment.

UltraTan, Sweden--A Swedish manufacturer of large low-pressure tanning beds.

JK, Germany--The largest tanning bed company in the world offered its complete line of low-pressure tanning beds.

White Sun, Genoa--An innovative manufacturer of high-pressure tanning beds with creative designs.

UltraSun, Holland--This Dutch manufacturer offered its complete line for review as it did at the recent German Beauty Show.

Dr. Kern, Germany--The Italian distributor, Eurocan, is a large distributor of beauty equipment and tanning beds.

Sportarredo, Portogurro--A leader in the Italian suntanning market. The company offers its complete line of low- and high-pressure tanning equipment along with facials and tanning booths.

Idol, Milan--A small manufacturer of high-pressure tanning equipment, including beds and facial units.

ISO Italia, Venice--The second largest manufacturer behind Sportarredo in Italy. The company offers a complete line of low- and high-pressure equipment that is very attractive.

Venere, Verona--An established manufacturer of cosmetic equipment that has been manufacturing high-pressure equipment over the past few years.

Compagnia del Sol, Ferrara--A relatively new manufacturer of high-pressure tanning beds and face machines.

New Look, Rome--A medium-size manufacturer of low- and high-pressure equipment including tanning booths that are very colorful.

Stenal, Padova--A distributor for the Dutch company Hapro. The company offers a complete line of low-pressure equipment as well as being a distributor for the United States lotion company Power Tan.

C'eSole, San Reno--A medium manufacturer of low- and high-pressure tanning equipment whose designs are very unique.

Although this show did not have the same impact as in previous years, it still was extremely enjoyable to attend. Not only did I see old friends from around the world, but I also was able to observe some of the newest technology being developed for the tanning industry.

I recommend that everyone try to attend this show at least once in their lifetime. Not only will you find it interesting professionally, but, from a personal viewpoint, it makes a wonderful vacation considering you are less than two hours by car from Venice, Milan, Rome, Florence and the Italian Riviera.

Leonard C. Keller, Ph.D., is the president of Health & Fitness Concepts, Int'l., a New Jersey-based company specializing in the importation and distribution of tanning equipment and accessories. To find out more about Cosmoprof 1998, please contact (732) 872-2700.