MILAN, ITALY - Homag Group took top honors for Innovation in a new contest judged by registered media at Xylexpo, the biennial international woodworking show held May 13-17 at the Rho Fairgrounds.

Twenty-five members of the trade press cast votes for the Innovation category,  not only recognizing a company's products and technical solutions, but more generally "for courage, determination and entrepreneurial spirit."

Homag Group with 8 votes, was closely followed by Biesse Group, 7 votes; and Cefla Group, 6 votes.

Other multiple vote-getters for Innovation were IMA and Salvador, 3 each; and Greda, Wde Maspell and Weinig, 2 each. Baumer, Buerkle, Cehisa, CMC Texpan, Essetre, Finiture, Hans Weber, Holz-Her, HSD, Instalmec, Lamello, Leitz, Siempelkamp, Superfici-Elmag, Uniteam and Vitap each received one vote.

Trade journalists also voted in the best Communication category, which recognized companies for their ability to capitalize on an array of online and offline activities, including social media, advertising campaigns and helpfulness to media representatives.

First place for Communication went to Salvador with 17 votes, followed by Homag Group, 10 votes; Biesse Group, 9 votes.

Others receiving Communication votes included Cefla Group and Weinig, 3 each; and one each for Angelo Cremona, Cursal, Felder, Finiture, IMA, Leitz, Orma Macchine and Storti.