Ligna 2025: When the wood industry regained its confidence

Now, a few hours after the lights went out on the last stand in Hannover, I realize that I witnessed something special. Ligna 2025 was not just a successful trade fair with pretty figures - it was the moment when an entire industry regained confidence in its own future.

Figures that tell a story

78,000 visitors from 156 countries and 1,433 exhibitors from 49 countries - the organizers at Deutsche Messe are pleased to have matched the 2023 figures. But I saw something else in those numbers: 93% of the visitors were industry professionals, and 60% were in management positions. When top management comes in person to Ligna in these uncertain times, it means the important decisions are being made here.

Deutsche Messe's Dr. Jochen Köckler put it clearly: "Despite the benefits of digitization, nothing can replace the experience of seeing machines in operation at a trade fair." And he was right - I saw people standing for minutes watching a cutting machine or scanning system in action.

Energy that said more than the numbers

What impressed me most was not the statistics but the energy I felt every day. After the official program ended, the stands were not empty. The global sales teams and their dealers stayed long after closing time for networking and socializing. It was like a long-awaited goodbye for 2 years, with the realization that 2 more years until the next meeting.

We have seen impressive budgets invested in the presence at Ligna - not just in the areas occupied, but in the spectacular projects, the international teams specially brought in, the demonstration machines. In times of economic uncertainty, these investments spoke volumes about how much the Hannover meeting means to the industry.

There was no shortage of big names from the processing industry, their presence was consistent and strong. But in the halls dedicated to finishing and finishing equipment we noticed notable absences - a sign that not all segments of the industry are going through the same period.

Attendances and absences

Noteworthy Danibrum's presence at Ligna 2025, after many years of Romania's absence from this event. A bold step from their management in the midst of uncertain economic times.

Between optimism and reality

Markus Hüllmann from the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association captured the mood perfectly: "We had a successful Ligna which provided motivation and momentum in an otherwise uncertain environment." Some exhibitors told me about unexpected orders received directly at the booth, others preferred not to comment on the results.

More than 900 world premieres were presented at this year's edition - a sign that the industry has not stood still these past two years. The clear trends were digitalization, AI, ML (machine learning) and, surprising to many, the redefinition of the human role in manufacturing. Contrary to expectations, humans are not being replaced by machines, but are being given more room for creativity and increased efficiency.

The question remains

My personal impression? I witnessed an event with an extremely powerful image, organized in the midst of a period of maximum uncertainty - economic, political, social, military. Energy was at an all-time high, budgets were at an all-time high, as if in a desperate attempt to turn uncertainty into predictability, at least, if not prosperity.

There is optimism following European geostrategic and investment decisions, but also concerns about the trend generated by AI, the speed and efficiency of Asian technology producers.

We will see what happens in the next two years. Ligna 2027 will take place May 10-14, offering five full days of business. Organizers once again promise it will be the place where the industry will define its future.

We have made many video interviews and machine presentations which we will present in the coming days. Ligna 2025 is over, but the stories are only now starting to unfold.

See you at Ligna.27.