Rainer Landwehr, CEO of the PIKO Group

“The trade fair provides space for inspiration, exchange and innovation – and is an important gateway to our fascinating hobby, especially for families, beginners and young model builders.”

1st question:
What was your personal highlight at this year’s INTERMODELLBAU?
A very special highlight for me was the award ceremony for the Golden Tracks, where PIKO received five awards. This appreciation from the model railroad community confirms our commitment to quality, innovation and customer proximity. It was also impressive to see how much interest there was in our new products and digital solutions – the direct exchange with model railroad enthusiasts at the trade fair is a great benefit for us every year.

2nd question:
What do you think makes a trade fair like INTERMODELLBAU so important for the model making world?

INTERMODELLBAU is far more than just a product show for the model making industry – it is an emotional meeting place for manufacturers, dealers, model makers and collectors. Here we experience directly what moves our customers. The trade fair provides space for inspiration, exchange and innovation – and is an important gateway to our fascinating hobby, especially for families, beginners and young model builders.

3rd question:
What topics and trends are driving the industry/your sector this year or in the coming years?

Progressive digitalization remains a key trend, particularly in the area of smart control systems, sound and lighting effects and integration into the overall model railroad system. In recent years, PIKO has developed numerous outstanding digital solutions that have met with great interest. At the same time, customer expectations are rising in terms of attention to detail, precision and closeness to the original – here too, we are setting standards.