The VSK trade show has always focused on the mechanical side of installation technology. But the world looks different these days; the line between w and e is blurring. Hence the decision to expand the upcoming edition of the VSK fair, from February 6 to 9 in the Jaarbeurs, to include electrical engineering. What is the importance of electrical engineering for (traditionally) w companies? Representatives of Nefit Bosch, Geberit and Remeha answer this question.
Jan Blom, marketing manager at Nefit Bosch
'At the product level, you see that traditionally typical w products are becoming more and more electrotechnical. But the energy transition transcends product-level developments. In the pursuit of a green, sustainable future, electrification is crucial. We see gas-fired heaters being supplanted by natural gasless solutions. In the pursuit of a gasless future, the heat pump in particular is a huge trend.'
'We at Nefit Bosch view the energy transition from the perspective that we are part of an international concern. Electrification is not limited to the Netherlands; this is happening throughout Europe and even globally. Within the Bosch Home Comfort Group, the business unit within Bosch that deals with heating, cooling and ventilation, we experience this as an irreversible process. The shift in our portfolio is unmistakable. Nefit Bosch was 85-90% focused on high-efficiency gas appliances. Now the emphasis is definitely on all-electric and hybrid heat pumps, air conditioning, electric water heaters and even infrared panels. In terms of sales, the ratio of electric to w products is changing dramatically. We are approaching the tipping point where e-products are overtaking w-products.
We are looking forward to the upcoming VSK trade show. With much more focus on electrical engineering so many more visitors from electrical engineering. The worlds of E and W are coming together more and more, with the VSK as a wonderful stage.'
Esther Osnabrugge, B2B communications manager at Geberit
'Electrical engineering is also becoming increasingly important to us. We have actually been advising w installers for years to make a standard connection point for electricity when installing built-in cisterns, and our training manager includes this as standard in the training courses. Furthermore, electrical engineering allows us to broaden our portfolio. Last year, for example, we presented our "power & connect box. This ensures, among other things, that in a built-in cistern the transition from 230 volts (needed for the shower toilet) to 12 volts (needed for odor treatment) is made.'
'At the VSK trade fair, we are launching Geberit Connect. This is a platform that connects sanitary facilities such as toilets, urinals and faucets but also shut-off valves for piping. It has been specially developed for large projects in utilities. You can imagine that in a large complex it is useful to know which toilets are most frequented. Based on information from that system, the facility manager can decide to deploy more cleaning capacity, for example. And if a toilet group is hardly ever used, it is important to flush the pipes there from time to time with an eye to legionella. That is pure electrical engineering; control engineering that we deploy to make our products better and thus serve the customer better.'
Rick Haukes, manager brand & customer experience at Remeha
'If you look at our industry you can see that the portfolio is broadening. The supply of hybrid and fully electric heat pumps is still increasing. The energy transition benefits from an integrated vision from the installation industry. The days of separate w-branches and e-branches are truly over. It is precisely the connection between these two worlds that creates beautiful solutions that contribute to a sustainable future. However, the complexity of the solutions is increasing, which is why knowledge is very important. A w-installer cannot do without knowledge of electrical engineering, and vice versa. We actively seek cooperation with e-installers and offer webinars and training courses. We also notice very clearly that consumers are looking for different solutions than a few years ago: hybrid, fully electric or something else after all. There are many possibilities.'
'I think it is a very good thing that electrical engineering has been added to the VSK trade fair. We can only realize the energy transition with an integral approach. I expect to see total solutions in the Jaarbeurs from February 6 to 9, get inspired, and I hope that we in turn can inspire visitors but also other exhibitors with our vision of sustainability.'
Here are these exhibitors during VSK 2024
- Nefit in hall 12, booth A003
- Geberit in hall 11, booth A100
- Remeha in hall 12, booth D010
