LIGNA 2025 confirms its leading position: over 105,000 square meters reserved for the anniversary edition

Despite the current economic challenges in the timber industry, LIGNA 2025, the world's largest trade fair dedicated to the woodworking industry, is proving remarkably resilient. Six months before the opening, organizers announce that over 1,100 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation, occupying an impressive 105,000 square meters of floor space.

Strong support in a difficult economic context

"In today's extremely challenging economic environment, it was by no means guaranteed that companies would commit to participating in this landmark trade fair," remarks Stephanie Wagner, LIGNA Director at Deutsche Messe. "The investment in a fair of this scale is significant. LIGNA exhibitors need large spaces and complex stands to showcase their machines and systems in operation. The fact that our partners are willing to make this investment, despite the current economic situation, underscores the great importance LIGNA has in the industry."

An anniversary with historical significance

Coincidentally, this edition marks the 50th anniversary of the first LIGNA edition, launched in 1975 during the oil crisis. Today, in 2025, when the industry is once again facing significant economic challenges, LIGNA reaffirms its crucial role in driving innovation and investment in the sector.

Innovations and new formats for the future of the industry

For the 2025 edition, LIGNA is introducing two new formats:

LIGNA.TruckStop - An innovative concept dedicated to small tradesmen, where suppliers such as Festool, Hettich and Saw Stop will showcase their products directly from trucks and exhibition vans.
LIGNA.Circular - Under the motto "Thinking in Circles", this new format focuses on the circular economy in the wood industry, facilitating connections between users, service providers, producers and small craftsmen.

Main themes and focus areas

The fair focuses on three major strands:

CONNECTIVITY - Solutions for complete digital integration
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION - Viable economic approaches to environmental protection
ENGINEERED WOOD - Developing innovative wood products

Organization and structure

The event is strategically structured in several zones:

Halls 11-15 and 27: Tools and machinery for custom and mass production
Halls 25 and 26: Gate technology, panel production and wood energy
Forestry and timber production machinery
Halls 16 and 17: Machine components, automation and surface technologies

Outlook for industry

Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of VDMA Woodworking Machinery (the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers' Association), offers an optimistic outlook: "Although the anticipated recovery is taking some time to appear, our surveys show that most companies expect a clear recovery from the second quarter of 2025 - a timing perfectly synchronized with LIGNA."

Taking place from May 26-30 in Hannover, Germany, LIGNA 2025 promises to be not only a celebration of 50 years of industry excellence, but also a crucial catalyst for the future of woodworking.