LIGNA sets North American attendance record

The 20th LIGNA event drew to a close last Friday, scoring impressive results across the board, according to the show’s producer.

“This event has resoundingly reaffirmed its status as the world’s foremost trade fair for the forestry and wood industries and extended its lead on the competition,” Deutsche Messe AG managing board member Jochen Köckler said in a statement.

More than 40 percent of the show’s visitors came from abroad, topping the figure from the last LIGNA in 2011.

“All the pieces were in place: outstanding exhibitors, high-caliber trade visitors, an abundance of innovations and outstanding international turnout on the part of exhibitors and visitors alike. More than 90,000 professionals from 100 nations attended this year’s LIGNA. Any company aiming to boost its international business was sure to be here in Hannover,” Köckler said.

The show reported a 52 percent increase in attendance from North America, to more than 3,000, establishing a new record for LIGNA. Russian attendance was also found to be notably on the rise.

“With everything from high-powered forestry machines to iPad-controlled furniture fabrication systems, the 1,637 exhibitors from 46 countries filled the 124,000 square meters of display space with a stunning array of high-tech innovations,” Köckler said.

“We were especially impressed with the caliber of the international visitors,” added Wolfgang Pöschl, CEO of Michael Weinig AG and chairman of the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association. “We experienced a major turnout by professionals from Eastern Europe, particularly Russia, and huge attendance from the U.S. and other key export markets. We are seeing strong demand for advanced machines with new functions, and are pleased to note that a great deal of momentum is coming from the wood construction sector, as a result its efforts to take sustainability to new heights.”

The next LIGNA is scheduled for May 11-15, 2015. For information, visit www.ligna.de.