Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 7th May 2026 Issue no. 1209
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Bigger, busier, better, Berlin's CMS exceeds all expectations
The 12th CMS Berlin, which closed its doors last week after four days of delight, exceeded all expectations. For the first time, more than 22,800 trade visitors from 80 countries used the fair as a platform for exchange, discovering new trends, and doing business (2023: 21,000).
The exhibition space was also larger than ever before: 441 exhibitors from 30 countries presented their latest products on over 34,000sq.m of space, and there was plenty of innovation on show.
"CMS 2025 was exceptional!” says Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. “Never before have exhibitors presented so many innovative products and solutions for commercial cleaning and hygiene over such a large area. Visitor numbers also exceeded the record set in 2023. This is a strong signal - for the importance of the cleaning industry and the attractiveness of CMS as a leading international trade fair. CMS significantly increased its share of trade visitors from neighbouring European countries such as Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands.”
Ruth Senitz, director of CMS, adds: "We are overwhelmed by the new visitor record; we did not expect this. The enthusiasm of the exhibitors and trade visitors underlines how important this personal exchange is. Together, we have proven that the industry can do a lot and is showing it. We are already looking forward to the next CMS." (September 21st to 24th, 2027).
The industry’s Associations were equally impressed…
• Jesús Martín López, President of AFELIN, The National Federation of Cleaning Companies representing the cleaning sector in Spain: "I think CMS in Berlin is developing into one of the most important trade fairs in Europe, and it already offers the opportunity to meet many entrepreneurs and friends from other European countries. This means that it is a very important meeting place for companies in the cleaning industry in Europe."
• Federal guild master Thomas Dietrich, Federal Guild Association of the Building Cleaning Trade (BIV): "Our CMS continues to celebrate impressive successes. We are delighted that the diverse program has so precisely met the interests of the industry and ensured full halls and specialist forums. This is a strong signal for the innovative strength, relevance, and, above all, the future viability of CMS!"
• Markus Häfner, chairman of the Building Cleaning Department of the German Industrial Association for Hygiene & Surface Protection for Industrial & Institutional Applications (IHO): "CMS has once again gained in terms of innovation and internationality and has inspired the entire cleaning industry. An incredible variety of products, coupled with professional exchange at the highest level, has confirmed and strengthened CMS as THE meeting place for the industry."
• Frank Ulbricht, chairman of the Cleaning Systems Trade Association of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA): "For the machine manufacturing industry, CMS was once again a complete success in 2025. It is always nice to come together in Berlin and exchange ideas with customers and competitors. The internationalisation of the trade fair has increased significantly in terms of exhibitors, and CMS is well on its way in terms of visitors. Visitors from more distant countries in particular make a positive contribution to the trade fair."
The focus of the event was particularly on digitalisation, artificial intelligence and sustainable cleaning solutions. CMS 2025 showcased the future of cleaning: smart robotics, IoT-supported systems and digital facility management solutions increase efficiency and transparency. Sustainable cleaning agents, resource-saving technologies and targeted hygiene management characterise the green cleaning and health trend. These topics were also part of the CMS supporting program, which for the first time included a focus day on housekeeping and hospital cleaning.
Naturally, with so many attendees from different parts of the world keen to explore all that was on show, the exhibitors had their work cut out presenting their wares to visitors to their stands. CMS 2025 will be a tough act to follow!
• Dr Thomas Schnell, managing director of Dr Schnell: "We are very satisfied with this year's CMS. Not only because we won the Purus Innovation Award 2025 in the cleaning agents category with our new product Milizid One. Of course, we are particularly grateful and proud of this! We are also very satisfied because we have received an excellent response. Participating in our industry's leading trade fair is an important strategic step for us because it provides the ideal platform for our innovations. At 370sq.m, our stand was larger than ever before, and it was worth it - for us as well as our customers and partners: the exchange was extremely lively, intensive, and profitable for both sides. A big thank you to the CMS organisers!"
• Frank Ulbricht, managing director sales & marketing Hako GmbH: "The motto of our CMS appearance this year was Robotics meets Walk-behind: there was an intensive exchange on cleaning robots, but the preview of the new Hako Walk-behind machines, which will be launched in 2026, also aroused great interest and was tested intensively by many visitors. This confirms that we are on exactly the right track with our combination of digital innovation and practical technology. We would like to thank everyone for four inspiring days at the trade fair and look forward to the next steps - together with our partners, customers, and all those who want to make cleaning fit for the future."
• Christian May, deputy chairman of the executive board and executive board member for sales, marketing & service, Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG: "CMS 2025 was not only a complete success for us, but also a clear confirmation of our course. The many intensive discussions showed us that our focus on digitalisation, autonomy and sustainability provides exactly the answers our customers are looking for to meet their challenges. The Purus Innovation Award for our KIRA B 200 is the best proof of this and a fantastic recognition of the innovative strength of the entire Kärcher team."
• Johannes Peter Kiehl, managing partner, Johannes Kiehl KG: "CMS 2025 was a complete success for us - we are delighted with the large crowds at our stand and the strong interest in our sustainable products and innovations, such as the new KIEHL app."
• Markus Häfner, managing director of Tana-Chemie GmbH: "We were once again impressed by CMS. The number and quality of the discussions - from top management to user level - were sensational. But it is especially the glimpse into the future of the industry that is always very valuable to us."
• Jürgen Jarolimeck, managing director of Topserv Service GmbH and managing owner of the Toussaint Group: "For me, this CMS was all about closeness to our customers and partners. We saw how well Topserv has grown together. And we saw how remarkably close we are to people. We had a very good mix of familiar and new faces at our stand. Contrary to the theory that trade fairs are no longer worthwhile, we can say that this trade fair was worthwhile. We are firmly convinced that we will be back again in 2027."
• Christian Nowak, general manager professional Dach Vileda Professional/Vermop: "What a great industry gathering in Berlin! We are still enthusiastic about CMS Berlin - the central meeting place for the cleaning industry in Germany. The enormous number of visitors to our FHCS Professional stand and the large number of high-calibre exhibitors impressively demonstrate how relevant and vibrant this trade fair is. One clear trend is that digital solutions, robotics, and automation are increasingly shaping the industry. With our Vermop One software and the intelligent EviSense system, we are making targeted contributions to this development and actively shaping the future of professional cleaning."
2nd October 2025