Impressions after the fair and...thanks

BIFE SIM 2017 is over and it's time for impressions. I was very impressed by those who came to the fair especially to meet us. Impressed and charged with the positive energy I received, I thought it would be more useful to share with you some impressions after the fair, to get back to what made you come to meet us - information that will help you. So, thank everyone once again and I invite you to see my impression after BIFE SIM 2017.

The fair took place from September 13-17 at Romexpo Bucharest. There were 5 full days, with fewer visitors in the first days, but the number of visitors increased each day, so that on Saturday and Sunday the fair was packed. Participants displayed their products in the central pavilion, the outdoor pavilion and 6 separate pavilions. The central one hosted manufacturers and distributors of machinery, equipment and accessories, while the other six were dedicated to furniture and interior decoration.

The central pavilion is traditionally reserved for machinery and is probably the most dynamic part of the exhibition. The space allows for demonstrations, making it much easier to present what's new. The traditional players in the field were all present, with offerings of machinery and equipment for both wood and derived board processing and finishing. All of the machines on display were coordinated by computer programs, making them much easier to operate, thus bringing the promise of reduced labor costs. But they are not cheap machines, and lack of funding seems to be a big problem.

From the discussions we have had, I understand that many of them are facing this situation, having projects on stand-by for months. Perhaps for this reason I sometimes had the feeling that some budgets were reduced compared to previous years. In addition, year after year, visitors are more informed and prepared, knowing very clearly what they want and coming armed with questions. Discussions are held on a different level and the lack of competent, relevant and to the point answers is immediately taxed.

Equipment manufacturers have also started to turn to small manufacturers, with offers for small factories and even workshops which seem to be well received. I spoke at one point with a couple who were very interested in purchasing a CNC with 5-axis machining. They had done the design for a start-up and were now waiting for funds to be released.

Also in the central pavilion were tools, accessories and ancillary materials, manufacturers and distributors of wood-derived panels, or laminated beams. If you remember, before the fair we said that a novelty of the fair was the presence of a diy paint signature. It was very well received by the public, with many visitors who witnessed demonstrations of color transformation of pieces of furniture, demonstrations made continuously.

As usual, the large mining and processing machinery was located on the outdoor platforms around the central pavilion. EGGER was also here and presented itself in an interesting way - with a truck-stand set up with everything necessary for a presence at such an event.

In the furniture pavilions I saw a lot of wood and I really enjoyed that. Lots of tables, with wooden "slice" tops and legs made of wood, metal or plastic, but also good combinations of wood and glass.

Very beautifully and believably finished rustic looking furniture alongside bold modern furniture. Lots of oak and sky, present in both tables and furniture. Amongst all these beautifully finished transparent and as natural as natural wood pieces you could also see a colorful piece that immediately caught the eye.

There was also color at the sofa and children's furniture stands. On sofas and armchairs, light colors were paired with classic, dark ones and precious textures with simple, natural ones.

The presence of young designers with new and fresh ideas was a triple win for the fair, the exhibitors and the visitors. And the Design Conference organized during the fair was a plus that benefited first and foremost the image of BIFE-SIM.

The major manufacturers of classic, sculpted, elaborate furniture were understandably present. The stands once again suggested luxury furnishings with large, generous spaces, inlaid furniture and armchairs with velvet and gilded decorations.

And this year there was the kitchen pavilion, with interesting designs, different materials and futuristic opening-closing and operating devices for drawers and doors.

The furnishings were diverse, from straight lines and minimalist design to old-fashioned-looking kitchens, emphasized by the decorations.

Those who came for the mattresses, furniture fabrics, mirrors, lighting or decorations found everything they wanted to see in pavilions 5 and 6. I also liked the beautifully and neatly crafted rustic-style lighting, which attracted many glances.

Exhibitors have found all sorts of ways to attract visitors' attention, to make them linger as long as possible at their stand. I liked the idea of a distributor of spraying equipment who had interesting metal and wooden objects on their stand, from a table with an antique wooden top, chains and mine cart wheels, to a wooden motorcycle helmet.

In short, everyone would have found something to see, admire, appreciate and, last but not least, want to see at the fair. Even if there were those who were dissatisfied, I continue to believe that, if possible, the fair should have been visited. If you are open-minded and willing to find out what is new, to inform yourself and to learn all the time, it is impossible not to have found something interesting at the fair, even some quite convincing offers. And like I said, there was a lot of information and all free.

At the risk of repeating myself, I say again that we were very impressed by those who took time out of their busy schedules to come and meet us. Thank you once again.