BIFE-SIM 2023 has passed, but has outlined many projects for the future

BIFE-SIM 2023 ended a few days ago and I am still feeling the excitement and the joy of the meetings. I especially let some time pass before writing my impressions in order not to distort the overall picture. We, the Wood Magazine, are by nature positive and optimistic, but I didn't want this article to become a pink unicorn. Coming back, BIFE-SIM 2023, although smaller than in previous years in terms of participants, was a fair with a lot of positive energy, many visitors, carpenters coming to visit the fair for the first time, meetings between members of profile groups who had known each other virtually for years, promises to meet again at BIFE-SIM 2024, as exhibitors or visitors.

New creative furnishings

Due to the overlap with international fairs, the furniture side was less represented this year. BIFE-SIM 2023 took place immediately after House and Object in Paris and simultaneously with London Design Fair, which was attended by many Romanian companies that could not be present at the fair in Bucharest. Visitors to BIFE-SIM 2023 could, however, see the collections presented by Nord Arin, Carel, Szel Mob, Modern Nest, Bradul Măneciu, Best Wood, SiPro, Simex, Sarmexim and other well-known manufacturers.

The guys at Masara, Blaj, who attended the fair for the first time. In addition to the outstanding, creative and interesting meals, I loved their enthusiasm, positive energy, plus the promise to see us at next year's fair. Also, SMO design, Câmpina, with a small stand outside, but with interesting, unique, well-made furniture.

All in all, even if some were not present, there was something to see in the furniture area.

In the machine area, work was non-stop

Exhibitors in the machinery area had their work cut out for them during the 4 days of the fair. Despite the absence of some of the big names in the industry, the exhibitors coped well with the large number of visitors. We know they had their work cut out for them because they were hard to talk to during the day, and in the evenings after 5pm, they would break away from the stand in rows to come and join us for Happy Hour beers. To catch up we had to stay overtime 🙂 Thanks Romexpo for understanding.

Many carpenters came, eager to see the machines at work. Some of them told us about their plans for the future, their desire to equip their workshops. They understood that the fair gives them the opportunity to see many companies in the same space, that they can ask to see the machines at work, that they can discuss and compare. Last but not least, they can take advantage of the discounts available during the fair.

At BIFE-SIM 2023 Wood-Mizer (with secondary processing machines), Felder Gruppe Romania, Woodmatic (KDT), Rubiq CNC (Wood IQ), LignaDumiTech (BACCI), WoodExpert, 24 Wood, Wood Process, SamVent and others had stands.

My honest opinion is that the machinery dealers who did not come to BIFE-SIM this year have reasons to regret. From what we saw, visitors from this area were many and well prepared. Many of them had plans to buy in the coming period, and being at the fair was a good opportunity to convince them of the quality of the machines and the service offered.

B2Bife - unexpectedly good and promising

B2Bife, Wood Magazine's newest project, is off to a good and promising start. I say started because it is clear, not only to us but also to those we met, that BIFE-SIM 2023 was the moment when the first pillar was laid. As much energy as we had in the booth this year, we haven't had in all our 7 years in media.

One of the great highlights was the meeting of the carpenters from the online groups who met each other in real life at our stand. Fane Pănăzan was a real star, the Florin Piersic of the carpenters' group, as one of the exhibitors called him. He brought with him a very old Stanley ruler, with which more than 50 operations can be performed, which he passed from hand to hand with a certain religiousness, and was looked at with admiration. After a tour of the fair, Fane began to realize just how well known and appreciated he was by woodworkers. He promised that next year he would bring his cabinet with the rinds and the hobelbank (workbench). Radu Vădan also added 2 miheiuri (also a workbench, but in the Transylvanian style) and a few chisels. For us it's clear that until next year we have to do some rehearsals in Sibiu or Cluj, so as not to embarrass ourselves at BIFE-SIM 2024 🙂

Also at the booth we had interesting discussions, real podcasts, with Radu Vădan (Imagine.Design.Make), Radu Călian (Tilion Studio), Csaba Matefy (Szolvegy), Dorin Văideanu (Doralnic), Flori and George Mihalache (EvoMob), Mihai Ursu (Creative Bear). You will soon find them on the Revista din Lemn YouTube channel.

The meetings at the beer (Clandestin, craft) brought us even closer. There were special moments when Paolo Bacci, one of the 3 brothers who now run the Italian machinery company BACCI, founded in 1918, was telling carpenters how important they are to the industry. He had come to our booth for a brief chat, but the pleasant atmosphere made him stay much longer than he had intended. The same thing happened with Adrian Echert (Wood-Mizer), who came to say hello and stayed for a chat with a glass of beer next to him.

It is very hard to list all the special moments we had in the stand. I talked to teachers from Ferdinand I College in Măneciu who wanted our magazine for their students. Great joy when the students came to pick up the magazines. We really want them to love the profession and be proud of their choice. It was the same pleasure to talk to Alin Olărescu, the Dean of the Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering at Transilvania University of Brasov. We are already making plans for the future together.

Come on!

Just a few warm impressions. There is much, much more to say. About the presence of companies with auxiliary materials for furniture and machinery, about the cheerfulness of our neighbors from Euro Abrazive, from Brasov, who supported us with coffee in the morning and at Happy Hour, about the multinational presence at the meetings around glasses of beer (Denmark, Malaysia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Romania) and many other topics. I will come back to them in the future.

All these cumulative energies tell us that we are not free optimists. We have something to build on and we can build community. The signs are already showing. There will certainly be more of us next year. Together we can find solutions to problems more easily and more quickly, and that's how we get through the tough times.

Let's do it! B2Bife! Come to BIFE 2024!