LIGNA 2013: Rolling out the red carpet

Photo: Woodworking
Dr. Jochen Köckler, member of Deutsche Messe AG's Managing Board.

‘Making more out of wood’ is once again the motto for LIGNA.
The 2013 edition of the fair will take place in Hannover, Germany May 6-10. LIGNA is the world’s largest trade fair for the forestry and timber industry.
This year’s focus is on innovations, solutions and efficiency. Organizers expect some 1,700 exhibitors and 90,000 visitors from 90 countries to attend the weeklong event. The show has long been a popular destination for Canadian wood products manufacturers. In 2011, Canada ranked 8th as country of origin for international attendance, producing the largest international audience from a non-European country.
At a preview event for LIGNA 2013 held in Berlin, Germany earlier this month, Dr. Jochen Köckler, Member of the Management Board of Deutsche Messe, said: “We are really rolling out the red carpet for our international trade visitors this year.
“What makes the LIGNA fair truly special is the sheer number and variety of innovations shown there.”
LIGNA 2013 will put the spotlight on key global megatrends, such as sustainable, intelligent production, highly customizable manufacturing systems and flexibility-enhancing solutions for all levels of industrial operations. Key innovation drivers, such as surface technology, lightweight construction, wood-based bio-energy systems and window production technology, will be presented in stand-alone display categories… other displays will include the latest integrated control systems and multi-functional production technologies and the broad range of woodworking exhibits that comprise the ‘Handwerk, Holz & mehr’ showcase.Dr. Köckler was accompanied by representatives from partnering groups and associations.
Wolfgang Pöschl, Chairman of the VDMA Woodworking Machines Association, took to the podium to reinforce the importance of LIGNA as a world stage for advanced technology and innovation in the sector.
“The need for intelligent facility designs and flexible, automated machines will continue to grow with our customers’ own experience curve. We see rising demand around the globe for technologies that are already successfully used in established markets…” 
Pöschl’s association is particularly optimistic about the North American market; “North America and Eastern Europe will ensure further growth and hopefully more than balance out the continued weak demand in certain Western European countries…” He said the North American market is tracking at a 7% growth rate, supporting recovery trends previously reported by Woodworking.
Pöschl also talked about VDMA’s rollout of its Blue Competence campaign; a broad-based initiative to implement sustainable production methods while striving to realize ecological, economic and social goals.
“As the leading world fair for our sector, LIGNA is the perfect platform for showcasing our Blue Competence Campaign,” Pöschl said.
Already, some 340 companies are participating in the Blue Competence initiative and the number of partners is steadily rising. More than 100 successful sustainable projects have been realized to date, including some very interesting solutions exemplifying sustainability – for example, optimizing energy efficiency, reducing emissions, efficient use of scarce resources, reducing lifecycle costs, reducing waste/recycling, improving the quality of life, optimization of energy generation and developments in mobility.
Numerous German manufacturers of woodworking and processing machinery who play a leading role on the world market will be showcasing their latest developments and expertise with respect to sustainability at this year’s LIGNA in Hanover.
The event was supported by some of the show's leading exhibitors who met with attendees and discussed the new products that will be shown at the event. Look for Woodworking’s complete LIGNA 2013 preview coverage in the March/April issue to find out more.