GERMANY – LIGNA 2015, the world’s largest exhibition of machinery, equipment and tools for wood processing and transformation, closed its doors on May 15 beating all records. 

Innovative technologies and production scenarios, large-scale machinery and the rapid strides made by Industry 4.0 are in brief the main topics experience by the 96,000 visitors to Ligna 2015.

Some 1,567 exhibitors showcased their leading-edge solutions, technologies and innovative production equipment on over 120,000 square meters of display space. There was a clear focus on integrated, high-efficiency manufacturing. The new Wood Industry Summit was an instant success, and the new “Surprisingly Versatile” theme also met with keen interest. “This year’s LIGNA struck a chord among exhibitors and visitors – a chord embodying three resounding notes: outstanding international participation, impressive innovation and a further increase in top-executive attendance,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, member of the board Deutsche Messe AG.

Of the 40,000 (32,800 in 2013) visitors from abroad, the top visitor nations were Austria, France, Italy, the United States, Great Britain, Russia, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, China and Brazil. The percentage of professionals in attendance rose again, from 94 percent in 2013 to 96 percent this year. The show attracted 2,800 visitors from South and Central America, thus topping the 2013 figure (1,700) by a wide margin. “For anybody interested in doing international business, Hannover was clearly the place to be. More than 25 percent of trade visitors here were either planning to place orders at the show or had already done so,” said Köckler.

The next LIGNA will be staged from 22 to 26 May 2017, once again in Hannover, Germany.