The next LIGNA, which runs from 22 to 26 May 2017, will feature a revamped, more visitor-centric layout of themes. The new structure reflects today's LIGNA visitors' work situations more accurately. There is no longer a clear demarcation between skilled trade and industrial-scale operations, the choice of machinery is no longer driven by size or scale and the differentiation between solid wood and wood based panels has lost relevance in many cases. The new site layout reflects the commitment of LIGNA's organizers to meeting the changing needs of trade visitors and to making the fair as efficient and productive as possible for visitors and exhibitors alike.

Hannover. "LIGNA is the world's leading trade fair and innovation marketplace for the forestry and wood industries. Its new layout reflects market developments and brings key future-defining trends into sharper focus. The changes we have made will ensure LIGNA's market leadership well into the future," said Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers' Association, at the closing press conference for LIGNA 2015.

The most notable change is the consolidation of three display categories revolving around processing technologies: Solid Wood Processing, Furniture Industry and Woodcrafts (skilled woodworking trades). These categories will now be combined into a new display category called "Tools and Machinery for Custom and Mass Production." The reason for the change is that there is now an increasing overlap between the production technologies used by SMEs in the woodworking sector and those used by industrial-scale operations. From a machinery perspective, there's no longer a meaningful distinction between these two sectors – not even in Europe, with its long-standing and strong tradition of small craftsmen businesses. And for non-European exhibitors and visitors, the distinction never carried much meaning in the first place. Another reason is that many companies do not focus exclusively on solid wood or wood based panels, which has resulted in a broader range of machinery being offered by machinery manufacturers. LIGNA's new layout will also bring all the related technologies closer together, making it easier for solution-seekers to navigate the show. The main changes are as follows:

  • The majority of exhibitors of Solid Wood Processing machines will be located in Hall 27, adjacent to the Sawmill Technology exhibits in Hall 25. The closely related Timber Construction displays will also be right next door – in Hall 13.
  • The close proximity between the Surface Technology exhibits in Hall 17 and the Wood-based Panel Production Technology exhibits in Hall 26 will exploit the natural synergies that exist between the two display categories
  • The "Energy from Wood" displays will be moved next door to the Wood-based Panel Production exhibits.
  • The Automation Technology exhibits will have their own display category and be given greater prominence in the centrally located Hall 16.

    • Dr. Jochen Köckler, Deutsche Messe's Managing Board in charge of LIGNA, had this to say about the benefits of the show's new layout for trade visitors: "LIGNA's new site layout is going to maximize synergies by bringing complementary technologies closer together. Despite the fair's substantial size, visitors will find it easier and more efficient to navigate than ever before."

    LIGNA's new layout means that nearly all regular exhibitors will be relocated. To allow plenty of time to work with exhibitors on finding the best possible locations for their stands, the fair's organizers, Deutsche Messe and the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturer's Association, have significantly extended the timeframe for the space allocation process.

    Your contacts for further information:
    Dr. Bernhard Dirr
    German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers' Association
    Tel.: +49 69 6603-1594