1. What makes LIGNA so special for you?

What makes LIGNA special is the direct customer interaction and the personal exchange of experiences. In the wood industry, personal relationships are essential, as most companies worldwide are family-owned businesses. It’s always a pleasure to meet colleagues and customers in person every two years, strengthening connections and fostering meaningful conversations. This event provides a great opportunity to exchange valuable information, resolve discrepancies, reconnect with old acquaintances, and establish new contacts.

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

What I enjoy most is definitely the interaction with customers, but also the positive feedback we receive about the reliability of our systems. The many personal encounters with our worldwide customers every two years are something I truly value. There is a strong sense of mutual respect, and often, nearly "family-like" relationships develop. This becomes especially clear when traveling abroad – being invited to customers’ homes, joining them at their tennis or golf clubs, or even going on sightseeing tours with local guides over the weekends

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

One story that particularly stands out: A major customer from India, who operates around 56 computer-controlled drying chambers, once asked for my help in exchanging a pair of trousers. He had bought them in Hannover a year earlier but no longer liked them, saying, "They’re out of fashion in India now!" So, one evening after LIGNA, we went back to the store, and to our surprise, we managed to exchange them. Afterward, I drove him back to his hotel – of course, that was a given! Convincing the salesperson to allow a free exchange after a year was certainly not easy!

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

I think the biggest challenge has always been ensuring that the setup is completed on time. It requires an immense effort from our team over several weeks. The most demanding task was positioning our massive, round vacuum dryer – 14 meters long and 4 meters in diameter – precisely on our stand on the first day of setup. The dryer arrived on a low-loader truck with a heavy-duty crane, and I had to be the first person in the entire hall to ensure enough space for its placement.

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

For us, every LIGNA is a success, even if no immediate business deals are made. It’s an invaluable opportunity to maintain existing relationships, establish new ones, and discuss and resolve challenges face-to-face. Even in the evenings after LIGNA, we meet privately, explore Hannover together, or assist with general inquiries and concerns. The entire atmosphere is welcoming and familiar, and each time, it’s a joy to be part of it.