MEXICO CITY - Wood industry professionals from across Latin America were in attendance at Magna Expo Mueblera to view new and popular technology, tools and supplies to improve their woodworking operations. Mexico's largest woodworking industry event, the MEM Industrial show took place Jan. 16-18 at the Centro Citibanamex convention center in Mexico City.

The annual trade show included displays by hundreds of national and international companies and brands from Mexico, United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, China, Taiwan and Columbia. This year's event was a joint effort by Hannover Fairs Mexico and AMPIMM (Asociación Mexicana de Proveedores de la Industria Maderera y Mueblera A.C.) following the signing of a long-term cooperation agreement between the two groups. Hannover Fairs Mexico is a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Messe.

“Our successful partnership with AMPIMM, the Mexican Association of Wood Industry Suppliers, has given the show a new face and effectively transformed it into a one-stop shop. We have succeeded in turning MEM Industrial into Mexico’s leading industry showcase,” said Christian Pfeiffer, Deutsche Messe’s global director LIGNA & Woodworking Events. “This year’s show put the spotlight on machines and accessories and featured a high-caliber conference program.”

The conference program offered lectures and training seminars on the latest trends, developments and innovations in the wood and furniture industries. International experts explained the pathway from CNC processing to fully integrated digital factories as well as the latest trends and technologies, Also discussed was the sustainable marketing of wood products, and how Industry 4.0 technologies can give Latin American manufacturers access to new market opportunities, and boost their national and global competitiveness.

“This year’s MEM Industrial was a big success in terms of demonstrating its ability to help companies tap into the enormous potential of the Mexican and South American markets," said Alejandro Tena, AMPIMM president and managing director of Maderas y Plásticos. "The show is well-structured and perfectly aligned with the needs of the woodworking and timber processing industries. It has the full range of products – everything from machines, panel products and veneers to numerical control systems.”

Many of the exhibitors also commented on the importance of the Mexican trade show to showcase their technology to the growing wood products industry.

A long-time player in the market, Felder's booth at MEM drew crowds throughout the day, with its display of machinery for panel and solid wood processing. "It's been a good show," noted Klaus Schweizer, CEO of Felder Group-Mexico.

It was also busy at the SCM Group Mexico booth, said Marco Pedronici, general manager, with interest high on the panel processing technology, including the robotic HBD 1300 OF CNC drill, glue and dowel inserter. "It's important to  have a show like this," he added, not only to expose people to the full complement of solutions provided by SCM, but also for the opportunity to promote the company's sales and service capabilities.

“The Mexican market is very important for us," also noted Marc Proulx, export manager for Altendorf. "This year’s MEM Industrial really stepped things up. The exhibition stands were much better, and the quality of the visitors was much higher.  We were very happy with the run of the show and plan to be back again next year.”

Daniele Cisterni, product manager for Biesse, also commented on the quality of attendance and increased interest in medium and high technology, including CNC machining centers, at MEM 2019. "It's definitely a growing market for us," he said.

Machines for solid wood also continue to be in high demand, noted Michael Herrmann, regional sales manager for Weinig. "It's very important to have a show like this."

“The merger of MEM Industrial and AMPIMM means there’s now only trade show of this type in Mexico, which is much better for the local market," added Sergio Carrillo, sales and operations manager for Stiles Machinery, a Homag company. "This year’s MEM Industrial exceeded our expectations. The quality of the trade visitors was outstanding. As a provider of woodworking machinery, the show is perfect for us because it attracts all the right target customers.”

Mademaq's Alejandro Cuervo agreed. Representing Cefla finishing equipment in Mexico, Alejandro Cuervo noted increased interest in flat panel finishing, particularly in regard to developments in high gloss and matte applications, with many in attendance looking update their existing technology or increase their capacity. The display for digital printing — and the possibilities available with this technology — also drew a lot of notice. added Cefla's Fabio Caroli.

Other exhibitors with U.S. locations included Mereen-Johnson, TigerStop and Daubert, a first-time exhibitor which recently opened a sales and distribution center in Mexico. Germany’s national pavilion, aptly themed “Made in Germany,” also  included exhibits by Awuko, Kaeser, the German Forestry Council (KFW), imos AG, Schmalz, Serra, Tigra and Venjakob. Also featuring high-tech machines and applications, China’s national pavilion included companies such as Tiantai Tianmeida Machinery and Linyl Lvran Decorative Material.

“We are delighted that this year’s MEM Industrial was well received by exhibitors and visitors alike,” said Pfeiffer. “Our efforts taken over the preceding months to align the show with current market requirements have clearly paid off. By partnering with AMPIMM, the Mexican Association of Wood Industry Suppliers, we have been able to create an industry platform which not only showcases machines in action as well as the latest technologies and applications, but which now also features materials, accessories, fixtures and fittings. Our international clients have been showing increasing interest in developing Mexico’s and South America’s fast-growing markets. MEM Industrial is the perfect platform for them because it efficiently matches their offering with local buyers.”

In addition to AMPIMM, the 25th MEM Industrial trade show was supported by the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (Eumabois) and the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). The show was organized by Hannover Fairs Mexico.

The next MEM Industrial will take place Jan. 22-24, 2020, at the Centro Citibanamex convention center in Mexico City. For information visit MEMIndustrial.mx.