WMS 2013 wrapped up a strong show in Toronto.
Thousands of Woodworking professionals attended the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo (WMS), which just completed its successful, three-day run in Toronto.
Canada’s largest woodworking event was held Oct. 24-26, at the International Centre and brought together more than 5,200 industry professionals, including approximately 4,000 attendees. Buyer attendance was up more than 5% from WMS 2011 and about 15% from WMS 2009.
The show featured a wide array of woodworking machines, cutting tools, software, cabinet and furniture hardware, board products, etc. manufactured by more than 250 companies around the world. The number of exhibitors and exhibit space were each up about 20% from WMS 2011.
The vast majority of exhibitors expressed pleasure with both the quantity and quality of buyers that came to their booths, show organizers said.
“We are pleased with the positive customer feedback and the amount of visitors,” (who came to our booth), said Nadja Mann, recently appointed president of GRASS Canada Inc. “We would like to thank everyone who visited us.”
“The show was very upbeat reflecting an improved wood products market,” said Steve Reiss, vice president of Vance Communications Canada, owner of WMS.
“We talked to numerous machinery exhibitors who said they racked up many good leads, including some who sold machines on the show floor. I think the show reflected continuing improvements in the North American economy and fresh willingness of wood products companies to invest in their plants."
The show got off to a strong start on opening day and organizers and most exhibitors say traffic was up over the last show and steady all three days, even on Saturday right up to the end of the show.
As Canada’s biggest industrial woodworking show, WMS did not disappoint and show director Rich Christianson said he had many positive comments from exhibitors and show attendees.
Companies are starting to invest in equipment again, Reiss said, and there is a lot of technology that is becoming both more pervasive and accessible at all price points.
He also praised an excellent Wood Tech Summit the day before the show, which highlighting some of the challenges and opportunities the industry is facing. And the strong role that trade groups and the Canadian government is playing in supporting the industry.
The next edition of the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo will take place in October 2015.
