50 Years of LIGNA History Overview: 1975 to 2025
In 2025, LIGNA celebrates its 50th anniversary. The overview of LIGNA's history summarizes the developments the world-leading trade fair for the wood processing industry has undergone and the technological innovations presented from 1975 to 2025.
LIGNA - A Success Story
In 1975, the economic conditions for LIGNA's premiere are far from optimistic. Germany is going through a recession year – the second after 1967 – with a shrinking economy. Nevertheless, LIGNA achieves very good results with around 720 exhibitors in nine exhibition halls and 47,113 visitors from 71 nations. From the beginning, it represents a resilient industry marketplace, showcasing expertise, innovation, and leadership.
In 1977, the first diamond cutting tool for wood processing revolutionizes the industry, and the pent-up demand for replacement and rationalization reflects in post-fair orders, indicating a slight economic upswing. An interesting date is April 1, 1977, when a new accident prevention regulation for “Machinery and Equipment for Processing Wood and Similar Materials” comes into effect. The wood industry committee of the wood employers' liability insurance uses LIGNA to check if exhibitors comply with the regulation. Exhibitors with safety deficiencies are notified. (1976: 72,000 accidents with a cost of 179 million). The German Association for Wood and Plastic Processing Crafts praises the quality of the domestic offerings at the fair. Exhibiting companies present machines with high flexibility, advanced electronics, and improved noise reduction.
In 1979, the introduction of the OSB board shapes LIGNA. Exhibitors experience a significant increase in orders after the fair, often reflected in spontaneous orders. LIGNA introduces the Electronic Visitor Information System (EBI) for the first time, processing nearly 60,000 inquiries from visitors about the fair's offerings.
1981 starts with a record attendance by wood professionals, coming from 99 countries to LIGNA, surpassing all expectations. The saying “Anyone involved in wood processing worldwide cannot ignore LIGNA” emerges. Additionally, LIGNA showcases an outdoor area with a vast offering, increasing its international visitor share to 40 percent.
In 1983, research and development institutes participate in LIGNA for the first time. The economic sentiment in the wood industry improves compared to previous years, with significant progress in microelectrotechnology. The first World Congress of the Wood and Furniture Industry addresses ecological issues for the first time, urging everyone present to practice environmental protection.
1985, ten years after its separation from HANNOVER MESSE, LIGNA solidifies its position in the trade fair market. It grows by an additional 315 exhibitors to a total of 1,045, nearly doubling its number of visitors (around 80,000) and gaining a net area increase of around 22,000 sqm. Exhibitors focus on the technological shift from mass production to small series, influenced by changing consumer behavior. The first continuous press for wood materials transforms the industry. Microprocessor-controlled machines and equipment become more prevalent on exhibitor stands. On the visitor side, questions about energy costs, noise emissions, and environmental protection influence investment decisions. Encouraged by the positive outcome of LIGNA 1985, exhibitors request larger booth spaces for the next event.
1987 and 1989 mark the era of the new electronic generation and the networking of entire operational processes. Individual CNC-controlled machines become interconnectable with each other and with computer systems in sales, design, and materials management. In 1989, the first curve-following sawing is introduced.
1991 hosts the first LIGNA after the reunification of Germany. A new European Union internal market opens, creating a positive sales situation throughout Europe. Fifteen East German companies exhibit at LIGNA for the first time, and 5,500 visitors from the new federal states attend the fair.
1993 initiates the European internal market on January 1, 1993. LIGNA and Interzum cooperate on the visitor side. Visitors only need to buy one ticket to attend both LIGNA and Interzum. LIGNA expands the area for woodworking crafts, featuring four halls and a craft forum with expert lectures. The partner country concept is introduced, with the Russian Federation presenting itself as a potential cooperation partner and leader in coniferous tree inventory. Due to reunification and the collapse of the Soviet Union, new markets emerge in the East. Expansive tendencies in housing construction through public subsidies provide positive impulses, especially for woodworking.
1995 sees the introduction of the first four-axis NC-programmable panel saw to the market. The interHOLZ is held simultaneously with LIGNA for the first time. It is the international trade fair for the wood trade and wood marketing. The wood and wood product theme complements the LIGNA offering, ranging from raw and wood materials to semi-finished and finished products for the construction industry, international wood marketing, wood protection, and surface treatment, with a focus on wood as a material. In total, 108 exhibitors from 16 nations showcase their products in Hall 7 on 4,090 sqm. The partner country of LIGNA 1995 is the People's Republic of China, occupying 1,000 sqm.
1997 is dominated by cost-efficient, adaptable serial production of furniture: Batch size 1. A highlight is the first Niedersächsische Forwarder Championships held at LIGNA.
1999 integrates “interHOLZ” into LIGNA, renamed LIGNA plus, with a duration of six days and Finland as the partner country, having recently joined the EU. Due to Finland's accession and other forest-rich countries, the timber industry becomes one of the largest sectors in the EU. The LIGNA portfolio is expanded to include applications for the wood and building material, defining a new focus on machines, materials, manufacturing needs, and products for and from wood. It covers wood construction, interior design, building components, and the timber trade. In preparation for EXPO 2000 in Hannover, a model of the EXPO roof, a free space covering made of wood and measuring 16,000 sqm, is presented at LIGNA.
In 2001, LIGNA is shortened from six to five days and positions itself as a premiere fair. Over 40 percent of all exhibits are novelties presented for the first time on the market at LIGNA 2001. The exhibitors present a total of 10,000 machines. The VDMA organizes the “Career with Wood” forum for the first time due to 1,000 open positions in the industry. It is a career development initiative accompanied by an internet job board and lectures. Technologically, LIGNA focuses on order-related, continuous finishing of furniture components.
In 2003, the LIGNA discusses the Waste Wood Ordinance, which came into effect in 2002, regulating wood recycling in Germany. New sorting techniques are developed in the wood material industry, detecting adhering foreign bodies and wood preservatives. The organizers celebrate the premiere of the special exhibition “Energy from Wood”, focusing on innovative trends in renewable energy sources. However, LIGNA faces a challenging situation with an economic downturn, terrorism, and SARS warnings. The German Timber Construction Award is presented for the first time at LIGNA, aiming to promote the use and further development of the resource-efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable building material wood. Simultaneously, the German Timber Construction Association celebrates its 100th anniversary at LIGNA.
In 2005, the “Handwerk, Holz & mehr” (Craft, Wood & more) trade fair is born within LIGNA, strengthening craftsmanship with a total of 533 companies on 28,500 sqm. The Pro-Wooden Window initiative attracts a total of 50 manufacturers and suppliers on 600 sqm.
In 2007, LIGNA exhibitors' expectations regarding visitor quality and quantity are exceeded. This is attributed to the ongoing construction boom and the global economic upswing. The LIGNA motto is “Everything that moves wood”. Key focuses include “Handwerk, Holz & mehr”, wood construction and structures, energy and surface technology, as well as the LIGNA Forum with energy and climate protection topics. The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS SERIES make their first international season cup appearance at LIGNA, captivating visitors with their chainsaw and axe wood-cutting show acts. The VDMA, with the “Pro Original” campaign, highlights the advantages of original machines and parts, opposing product piracy. LIGNA also advocates for commercial intellectual property rights and succeeds in having affected exhibits removed from the stands in two severe plagiarism cases during the ongoing fair.
In 2009, LIGNA proves its function as an industry beacon after the global financial crisis of 2008. It introduces the theme "Making more out of wood – Technology for Resource Efficiency." Digital printing enters the wood and furniture industry. The official “Belt Sander Racing” championships, featuring running belt sanders without guides on a race track, become a visitor magnet.
2011 sees the presentation of the first laser and plasma processing machines for edge banding. Intensive discussions revolve around technologies for resource conservation. The main topics at LIGNA are lightweight construction, surface technology, and bioenergy from wood. Digital printing gains further traction thematically. The special presentation “lightweight.network” explores the connection between machines and supply components. The VMDA launches the video portal www.ligna.tv. More than 5,000 visitors follow live broadcasts and numerous reports on industry innovations.
2013 is particularly international for LIGNA. More than 40 percent of professional visitors come from abroad, with a noticeable increase from North America by a total of 52 percent. Technological advancements range from high-performance forestry machines to iPad-controlled furniture production systems. Efficiency plays a significant role. Leading providers in wood material and veneer production and solid wood processing show how innovation and high-tech lead to greater competitiveness. “Cut your costs” becomes a frequently heard motto. Efficiency is also the main driver for lightweight solutions at LIGNA, being up to 30 percent lighter than conventional particleboards and suitable for various applications in the furniture and decoration sectors. At “Handwerk, Holz & mehr”, the focus is on machines that increase productivity and improve yield, with efficiency being the driving theme here as well.
In 2015, Industry 4.0 enters the wood processing industry. LIGNA aligns its content with the technological advancements of its exhibitors, presenting innovations in integrated manufacturing in the furniture industry. Additionally, X-ray technology (CT) becomes increasingly important in the wood industry. The first Wood Industry Summit takes place at LIGNA, serving as an international industry meeting point and a combined dialogue and presentation format with international participation from industry, science, and politics. Its goal is to initiate business contacts in particularly growth-oriented markets in the project business sector. The special presentation “Surprisingly versatile” debuts, showcasing the flexibility of machines beyond wood and demonstrating comprehensive material competence in dry-processing manufacturing. The focus is on increased flexibility through woodworking machines that can process plastic and composite materials.
In 2017, LIGNA introduces a new spatial concept, now subdivided into seven main categories: tools, machines, and equipment for individual and series production, surface technology, wood material production, sawmill technology, energy from wood, machine components, and automation technology, and forestry technology. These seven areas represent the convergence of craftsmanship and industry in the application of technologies. Exhibitors introduce new software concepts around the prevailing theme of Industry 4.0, integrating all components of a system comprehensively. LIGNA becomes the starting point for platform economy in the wood and furniture industry. The LIGNA trainings for carpenters, joiners, carpenters, and mobile installers take place for the first time in collaboration with the Sprint Academy from Cologne, located in the Pavilion at Hall 11.
In 2019, the network with a standardized communication protocol for all machines approaches. At LIGNA, EUMABOIS and VDMA present the framework for the new P&W (Plug & Work) standard. Eight leading European manufacturers of woodworking machines participate. Additionally, augmented reality enters production practices, and robotic solutions and holistic solution concepts that cater to the market requirements of today and future trends are strongly featured at LIGNA.
In 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everything changes. A physical LIGNA is still prohibited, and if any trade fairs happen, they are digital. LIGNA launches the LIGNA.Innovation Network (LIGNA.IN) as a digital exhibition and conference program. Eighty speakers from industry, politics, and research participate. Three main topics take center stage: process technologies of the bioeconomy, transformation of wood processing, and prefabrication processes in timber construction. Participating companies showcase comprehensive product overviews and best-case applications through digital channels, informing through live streams and video chats about specific solutions.
2023 marks the year of relief after four years of LIGNA hiatus. The woodworking community finally meets again in person in Hannover. The relief and joy are palpable everywhere. The demand for automation and process-optimizing solutions to offset the impacts of skilled labor shortages is high. Resource-efficient and smart solutions are also trending.
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of LIGNA. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Impressions |1975 - 1983
Impressions |1985 - 1993
Impressions |1995 - 2003
Impressions | 2005 - 2013
Impressions | 2015 - 2023
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