The Ligna woodworking technology fair has ended in Hannover after 700 world premieres of machinery/technology and 80,000 visitors from across the world.

The event, the world’s largest show for the wood industries, showcased the best of solid wood and panel processing technology, from primary production to downstream manufacturing covering the whole supply chain from forest down to artisan furniture manufacturer.

Organiser Deutsche Messe said the event’s five-day run from May 15-19 had around 10,000 less visitors than the previous edition in 2019 (an 11% reduction), though Russian and Chinese visitors were largely missing due to the Ukraine conflict and reported visa issues respectively. Nevertheless, some 80,000 people attended and companies lauded the value of seeing customers face-to-face again.

The long enforced four-year absence for Ligna had been due to the Covid pandemic.

Specific highlights included wood-based panels technology producer Dieffenbacher’s 150th anniversary party; new investor backing for Sunds Fibertech’s expansion plans; progress on autonomous manufacturing from Siempelkamp, Longoni’s LamiDry process for melamine and phenolic resin impregnation in the HPL industry; and new vehicles from leading materials handing experts Combilift and Hubtex.

Over 1,300 exhibitors from 50 different countries were thrilled to celebrate physical presence of 80,000 visitors for five long days in Hannover at Germany. Four years is a long time and during the period, the entire world was flooded with appalling experiences that led to the complete alteration of habits, lifestyle, needs and expectations. Harrowing experience of loss and struggle for survival paved way to a perennial search for solution and triumph over the agony. Thus, survival in a new way is evident where digitalization, automation and solutions oriented process became the new mantra of business. Adoption of responsible ways in business influenced the global business and the focus of LIGNA.23 was on the two megatrends of sustainability and digitization.

The entire range of the value chain was on display, from woodworking machinery and equipment to tools and work processes, industrial robots and even exoskeletons to support experts from the skilled trades and forestry. The machines on display are often no longer exclusively limited to processing wood, but are also usable for glass, plastics and composite materials.

According to Köckler: “Furniture or even construction elements, for example, are made from a wide variety of materials. So it’s only logical that LIGNA exhibitors are expanding their product portfolios and offering their customers a wide range of options.”

As Köckler sees it: “LIGNA 2023 has once again demonstrated that it is an indispensable platform for the woodworking industry. The show not only promoted the exchange of knowledge and experience, but also set the course for future-proof and sustainable woodworking and wood processing.”

“It was surprising how many people came because after four years, nobody knows, what’s really going to happen. But we are very satisfied with the result and I think that most of the customers are really excited to meet our staff in person, to be able to talk to our experts and experience our running plants and new machines.” Achim Homeier, Senior Director Global Marketing & Product Management, HOMAG GmbH

“We are all happy to be back here after such a long time. LIGNA 2023 was a great opportunity to celebrate our 150th birthday together with our customers. We were also able to present our new artificial intelligence-based digitalization platform. It helps our customers to run their plants better, save material, reduce emissions and thus reduce their carbon footprint.” Dirk Eisenmann, Marketing Manager Dieffenbacher.