In the first two quarters of 2022, we observed that many municipalities finally moved forward with playground projects that had been delayed during the pandemic. We also noticed a growing, year-round awareness of recycling-based products—a trend that had a positive impact on our business. Investments in the fitness sector, however, remained limited. COVID-19 restrictions, combined with rising gas and electricity prices, significantly reduced the financial flexibility of fitness studios and operators. One bright spot was the continued growth of the calisthenics sector, which remained a strong driver of demand across industries in 2022. In addition to this momentum, we also saw increased interest from sports facility developers: Puzzle Mat 3D® is increasingly used for permanent and mobile football and volleyball courts.
How Is Our Industry Doing?
GaLaBau 2022 was a major success for us. As a key industry gathering, the event allowed us to reconnect with familiar faces and meet many new partners at our nearly 100 m² booth. After four years without the trade fair, both we and our visitors felt renewed energy to rebuild collaborations and refine shared strategies. Key topics included feedback on our patented products, market pricing structures, and the broader sustainability discussion. Particularly memorable were new trends in sub-base preparation for safety surfacing and the challenges posed by shifting weather conditions when establishing turf within the Grass Grid Hexagon® system.
How Was GaLaBau 2022?
With our “Green Choice” initiative, we made the strategic decision in 2022 to place a much stronger emphasis on environmental responsibility and sustainable production. Alongside the full automation of our presses for Puzzle Mat 3D® and Grass Grid Hexagon®, we invested in knowledge-sharing and scientific analysis. As part of this effort, we joined the AZuR Network (“Allianz Zukunft Reifen”) in 2022. During the partner meeting on June 15, we exchanged ideas with industry peers on tire recycling, material circularity, and long-term sustainability goals.
How Was Sustainability Addressed?
With our 2023 contingency plan, we are increasing inventory levels of our patented products and improving logistical flexibility for the upcoming season. In cooperation with our partner BTG Olching, we can now offer cost-efficient bundled deliveries directly to municipal yards or construction sites. We also responded to the growing number of inquiries regarding installation services. As a result, we now coordinate a professional installation team capable of handling projects from ground preparation to complete assembly—both in playground and sports applications.
We extend our sincere thanks to all our customers and wish you a wonderful holiday season and a successful start into the new year!
What Changes Are Taking Place at Gum-tech®?
