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

BIFE-SIM 2023 ended a few days ago and I still feel the excitement and joy of the meetings we had. I have especially let some time pass before writing my impressions so as not to distort the overall picture. We, the Wood Magazine, are positive and optimistic by nature, 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, with many visitors, with carpenters coming to visit the fair for the first time, with meetings between members of profile groups who had known each other virtually for years, with promises to meet again at BIFE-SIM 2024, as exhibitors or visitors.

New presences with creative furniture

Due to the overlap with international fairs, the furniture part was less represented this year. BIFE-SIM 2023 took place just after House and Object in Paris and simultaneously with London Design Fair, where many Romanian companies took part, which 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 from Masara, Blaj, who were present for the first time at the fair. In addition to the great, creative and interesting meals, I loved their enthusiasm, positive energy, plus the promise to see them again 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, you had something to see in the furniture area.

The machinery area has been working around the clock

The machinery exhibitors had their work cut out for them during the 4 days of the fair. Even though the big names in the industry were absent, those present coped well with the large number of visitors. We know they had their work cut out for them because it was hard to talk to them during the day, and in the evening, after 5pm, they would break away from the stand in turns to come and join us for beers at Happy Hour. To catch up we had to stay overtime 🙂 Thank you Romexpo for your 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. And last but not least, that 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 a stand.

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

B2Bife - unexpectedly good and promising

B2Bife, the newest project of Wooden Magazine, has started well and promisingly. 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 stand this year we have not had in all our 7 years in the media.

One of the big highlights was the meeting of carpenters from online groups who met in our booth and in real life. 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 saw, with which more than 50 operations can be performed, which he passed from hand to hand with a certain religiousness, being looked at with admiration. After a tour of the fair, Fane began to understand how well known and appreciated he was by woodworkers. He promised that next year he would come with the cabinet with the planks and the hobelbank (workbench). Radu Vădan also added 2 miheiuri (also a workbench, but in the traditional Transylvanian style) and a few chisels. For us it's clear that by next year we have to do some rehearsals in Sibiu or Cluj, so we don't make a fool of ourselves at BIFE-SIM 2024 🙂

Also in 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 find them soon on the Revista din Lemn YouTube channel.

The beer dates (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, told carpenters how important they were to the industry. He had come to our booth for a short talk, but the pleasant atmosphere made him stay much longer than he had intended. The same happened with Adrian Echert (Wood-Mizer), who came to say hello and stayed for the chat with a glass of beer by his side.

It's very hard to list all the special moments I had in the booth. I spoke to teachers from the Ferdinand I College in Măneciu who wanted our magazine for their students. It was a great joy when the students came to take the magazines. We really want them to love the job and be proud of their choice. The same pleasure we had talking with Alin Olărescu, Dean of the Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering of the Transilvania University of Brasov. We are already making future plans together.

Come on!

These are just a few impressions, in the heat of the moment. There is much, much more to say. About the presence of companies with auxiliary materials for furniture and machinery, about the cheerfulness of the neighbours 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 of these cumulative energies tell us that we are not free optimists. We have something to build on and we can build a community. The signs are already there. Surely there will be more of us next year. Together we find solutions to problems more easily and quickly, and so we get through the hard times.

Come on! B2Bife! Come to BIFE 2024!