Photo: Woodworking
LIGNA offered something for everyone.
The 2013 edition of LIGNA once again impressed exhibitors, visitors and organizers who all had good things to say about the show that sets the standard for the industry.
“This event has resoundingly reaffirmed its status as the world’s foremost trade fair for the forestry and wood industries and extended its lead on the competition,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, member of the Managing Board at Deutsche Messe AG. Over 40 per cent of the show’s visitors came from abroad, topping the figure from the last LIGNA in 2011. And LIGNA once again lived up to its reputation as a showcase for innovations and global meeting place for industry decision-makers.
“All the pieces were in place: outstanding exhibitors, high-caliber trade visitors, an abundance of innovations and outstanding international turnout on the part of exhibitors and visitors alike,” Köckler said. More than 90,000 professionals from 100 nations attended this year’s LIGNA.
“Visitors were particularly impressed with the scope of solutions on offer. With everything from high-powered forestry machines to iPad-controlled furniture fabrication systems, the 1,637 exhibitors from 46 countries filled the 124,000 square meters of display space with a stunning array of high-tech innovations,” said Köckler.
The aisles were packed with visitors, many of whom were ready to buy, according to numerous exhibitors. Some of the large machine manufacturers reported a significant recovery in the hard-hit U.S. market with the resulting orders to replace and/or upgrade machinery as the recovery continues. The number of visitors from North America was also up significantly from the previous show. Asia, especially China as well as Russia and South America also continue to be strong.
Anja Brokjans, spokeswoman LIGNA Hannover, said this year's LIGNA has again proven to be the most important show for the woodworking industry.
“LIGNA is where game-changing new technologies are first presented to an international audience of industry professionals,” she said.
It’s no secret that many companies hold off on new product introductions in order to be able to present them at LIGNA, the world’s largest show for the sector in order to get the biggest bang for their buck. And as expected, exhibitors unveiled hundreds and hundreds of new products. And among the large machine manufacturers alone, several companies have each introduced dozens of new or significantly redesigned and improved machine this year.
“LIGNA has a long history of showing efficient, innovative and future-defining ways of using raw materials and the latest technologies. And the motto for this year’s show, ‘Making more out of wood: Innovations, solutions, efficiency,’ was chosen because it reflects the key themes that are currently shaping the forestry and timber industries, namely sustainability, resource efficiency and the latest woodworking and wood processing solutions.
Photo: Woodworking
LIGNA is a showcase for innovation.
