LIGNA: Where the global wood industry meets

 – Global players and leading national enterprises already fully on board

– Industry strongly supports LIGNA as woodworking community’s key networking hub

Hannover, Germany. Despite a series of extraordinary challenges, material shortages, including rising energy prices and economic uncertainties in many markets, the woodworking and wood processing industry is in good spirits some six months before LIGNA. Around two-thirds of LIGNA’s longstanding exhibitors have confirmed their participation for 2023, with 75 percent of the available exhibition space already occupied. From 15 to 19 May 2023, the industry will convene at its flagship trade fair in Hannover, Germany.

“This positive trend underscores the importance of LIGNA for the woodworking community as a key networking hub and platform for development and innovation,” commented Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association, referring to the high level of registrations. “After four years, the industry needs this opportunity for face-to-face contact in Hannover. It is all the more gratifying that all market leaders have already made their decision to exhibit at LIGNA 2023 and will be unveiling innovations at the event,” he continued. This and next year, LIGNA’s appeal will be enhanced by digital elements designed to increase the event’s reach – before, during and after the show.

“Based on the current rate of bookings and our discussions over the past few months, we can confirm the high level of loyalty and commitment of our exhibitors towards LIGNA which provides them with the opportunity to perform live demonstrations – not just of machines and tools, but of total solutions covering all aspects of their products and services,” reported Stephanie Wagner, Head of LIGNA. “We are convinced that, in close cooperation with our exhibitors, the upcoming LIGNA 2023 will continue to be the leading international showcase. Along the entire value chain, innovative solutions for all stages of woodworking and wood processing – from harvesting to surface finishing – will be on display. And this, involving not only wood as a raw material – which is at the core of our LIGNA – but also other materials such as plastics, glass, stone and composites, among others,” she added.

The LIGNA Stage covers the themes that matter to the industry

In addition to the presentation of tool and machinery solutions, next year LIGNA visitors can also look forward to discussions of highly relevant industry challenges at the LIGNA.Stage. At the LIGNA.Campus, participants from research and education will present their educational offers and research projects, and at the LIGNA.Future Square powered by VDMA, startups from the industry will showcase their business ideas. At LIGNA.Recruiting, professionals and companies will have the opportunity to present themselves in a digital job forum and exchange ideas in person in a matchmaking area onsite.

“Following a four-year break, it is realistic to expect a firework of innovations at LIGNA 2023. LIGNA 2023 will be a must-have-can’t-miss event for all of us,” says Stephanie Wagner, looking forward to May 2023 with optimism.

About LIGNA

The Leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry is jointly organized by Deutsche Messe and VDMA Woodworking Machinery. It showcases the entire range of products and services for the primary and secondary industries – tools, machines and systems for custom and mass production, surface technology, wood-based panel production, sawmill technology, energy from wood, machine components and automation technology, as well as machines and systems for forestry, round wood and sawn wood production.