Ligna says woodworking companies from small to major league are increasingly using the same machinery, and that this trend has direct implications for its show. To address these concerns, Ligna has announced new themes for the event in 2017.

Ligna 2017 features a brand-new site layout jointly conceptualized by Deutsche Messe, the woodworking branch of the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (VDMA) and Ligna exhibitors.

“We had two aims in mind: to more closely reflect changing trends and market developments, and to make it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for,” said Dr. Bernhard Dirr, head of the VDMA’s woodworking branch.

Attendees will able to navigate from topic to topic more logically than before. The topics will be arranged in seven display categories:

·        Tools, Machinery and Plant for Custom and Mass Production (“Secondary Processing”)

·        Surface Finishing Technology

·        WoodBased Panel Production

·        Sawmill Technology

·        Energy from Wood

·        Machine Components and Automation Technology

·        Forestry Technology

The display categories have also been rearranged for more logical transitions between related topics on site.

“We have already started allocating stand space to exhibitors, and we’re getting very positive feedback. The industry’s market leaders have been placed, and we are now allocating the remaining space. The new layout has proved a great success,” said Dr. Bernhard Dirr.

 “The key benefit for customers is that they’ll be able to find what they are looking for more quickly,” said Christian Pfeiffer.

The market leaders will be spread across several halls. The displays that make up the category “Tools, Machinery and Plant for Custom and Mass Production” (in short: “Secondary Processing”) will be sited in halls 11 to 15, as well as in Hall 27. Biesse, for example, will have a stand in Hall 11, IMA in Hall 12, SCM and Felder – along with suppliers of electric power tools – in Hall 13, HOMAG in hall 14/15, and Weinig in Hall 27.