From 15 to 19 May, LIGNA 2023, the world's leading trade fair for woodworking machinery, equipment and solutions, took place in Hanover, Germany. How I have already announced, we were there for 4 days and were confident that the 4-year break would make the event even more spectacular. And we were not wrong. Even though the space occupied seemed slightly smaller than in previous years, LIGNA continues to be a landmark in the field, both in terms of the news presented and the social and networking opportunities.
According to official release, 1300 exhibitors from 50 countries presented solutions for primary and secondary wood processing, furniture manufacturing and timber construction. There were 80,000 visitors from 160 countries, over 60% of them from outside Germany. More than 5000 products, innovations and solutions were presented, of which more than 700 absolute LIGNA 2023 novelties.
The footage filmed during this period in the fair, but also outside it, can be seen on VideoRDL.
Ligna, not only a space for news but also a space for meetings and socialising
Without downplaying the technical and informational side, what struck me about LIGNA 2023 was the social component. There were very large meeting areas set up with tables in all the booths. In fact, it's a tradition for LIGNA to be a big meeting place where all the distributors of participating companies gather. Where customers from different countries can find their regional representative on the stand and discuss machines with their own guide.
It's a unique blend of business meetings and friendly socializing like we haven't seen anywhere else. The more important the company, the more space dedicated to discussion. Meetings are very friendly over coffee, beer or even a snack. Tables are continually occupied and meetings are arranged in advance.
In addition to these daily meetings, each company organises its own party at a restaurant on the fairgrounds or in Hanover. The restaurants are often rented out at the end of a fair for the next two years. One exhibitor said that although he had booked 6 months in advance, he could not get more than 50 seats in a restaurant. The parties are large, rarely under 100 attendees, with team members, distributors and some customers present. They are relaxed, German-style parties with lots of beer and good cheer.
LIGNA 2023 came with a strong message for digitisation, automation, robotisation and sustainability
I was looking forward to LIGNA 2023 to see if the strong impression from my only participation in this fair 10 years ago was confirmed. For someone who had only attended BIFE, even in its heyday, the size of the German fair was, at that time, more than impressive. I had the feeling, and the frustration at the same time, that I would never get to visit it in its entirety, despite the bus line connecting the pavilions. The state of the art machinery, the complex solutions, and the show of force of the big companies was something totally new to me and had a strong impact.
LIGNA 2023 did not disappoint me. I saw machines that offer automation solutions to seemingly impossible problems, I appreciated the interest in making the stands as special as possible, I talked to exhibitors from different corners of the world, I saw stands that looked like big restaurants at rush hour. A well-balanced mix of digitization, automation, robotization, artificial intelligence and strength. And again, the same frustration that I won't be able to go through the whole fair.
Compared to 10 years ago, LIGNA 2023 seemed less formal. I haven't seen the same navy suits at more than 80% of the exhibitors. The protocol uniformization has been replaced by the more friendly corporate customization. The larger presence of companies from China and Taiwan was another difference from that edition. I am referring to well-represented companies with modern technologies and solid, well-built machinery, which already sell well in many European countries, including Romania.
The solutions offered at the fair followed current trends: energy saving, time saving, production efficiency, digitisation, interconnection, sustainability, circular economy. The focus was on wood as a renewable source, but also on its sustainable exploitation.
Robots replacing increasingly scarce labour and versatile CNCs for the construction industry
The robotic arms were like an emblem of the fair. It seems that the problem of a lack of skilled labour is a general one, so LIGNA participants came prepared with solutions. From robots replacing sprayers to giant robotic arms that load, unload, stack, sort and store, all solutions could be seen at the fair. One of the most spectacular robotic arms we saw was the result of a collaboration between BACCI and BIESSE for sorting and storing cut items.
The shortage of skilled workers has also led to a very high interest in solutions for automation and optimisation of production lines. Intelligent interconnected machines, systems and processes that streamline production and lower costs were also highly sought after by visitors.
The upward trend in timber construction has inevitably led to the development of equipment dedicated to this sector. The interest in this field has been very high, with the respective stands permanently full. Companies focused on finding the most suitable technical solutions, but also on making processing more efficient so as to minimise material losses. Visitors could see CNCs for processing beams, CLT walls, solutions for advanced factory prefabrication of walls and ceilings of timber-framed houses, as well as high-performance design software.
LIGNA is a benchmark in the industry. It is the event that comes with the most modern and high-performing products and solutions in woodworking, furniture making and home building, as well as great social networking opportunities. Every 2 years, Hannover is the place where the main trends in the wood and wood-based industries are set. In keeping with tradition, although LIGNA 2023 has just ended, we are looking forward to the next edition. See you in 2025!
Photo: Din Lemn Magazine
Photo: Copyright Deutsche Messe
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