1. What makes LIGNA so special for you?

Kurt Kalmbach: LIGNA has always been a platform for showcasing groundbreaking innovations in our industry. For us, this trade fair is not just an opportunity to present our products but also a space where we collaborate with customers on future-oriented developments. Additionally, it serves as a major marketplace, bringing together everything related to wood.

2. What have you been most pleased about at a LIGNA?

Hans Georg Bohnet: I was especially thrilled to see what we were able to create together with our customers. Our exhibition stand and the way we present ourselves not only reflect our products but also embody our values and commitment to excellence. The technical training sessions and the pre-show stand inspection were crucial in ensuring that we were optimally prepared and able to showcase our products in the best possible way.

3. What is the funniest/best/surprising thing you have experienced at LIGNA?

Karl Frey: The most amusing and surprising moment I experienced at LIGNA was when we exhibited both a state-of-the-art edge banding machine and a very old museum piece to illustrate technological progress. An international customer visited our stand, pointed at the museum machine, and said he wanted to buy exactly that one. This highlighted the vastly different requirements and perspectives across global markets. It was a truly unexpected and entertaining moment that reminded us just how diverse our customers' needs can be.

4. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome at LIGNA?

Kurt Kalmbach: The greatest challenge we faced at LIGNA was completing all developments on time. Since all machines were demonstrated live, we had to ensure that every system and process ran seamlessly to present our machines in the best possible way.

Another major challenge was selling software. Promoting digital solutions proved difficult because the market first needed to be educated on their benefits. It was crucial to convey the added value of our software solutions to potential customers and convince them to invest. This required strong persuasive efforts and the development of a clear communication strategy to effectively highlight the advantages of our software and build customer trust.

5. When is a LIGNA a successful LIGNA for you?

Dr. Daniel Schmitt: LIGNA is a success for me when we can present our latest innovations and technologies to a broad audience and receive positive feedback. It is also a success when we establish new partnerships or strengthen existing customer relationships. Ultimately, LIGNA is successful if we use it to enhance our brand, solidify our position as an industry leader, and continue evolving based on customer feedback.