SYMOP and Deutsche Messe AG join forces

–          Makeover for EXPOBOIS

SYMOP (Syndicat des Machines et Technologies de Production – the French machinery and manufacturing technology association) and Deutsche Messe are joining forces to operate EXPOBOIS, France’s leading wood industry trade fair. The first joint production of the long-standing and respected showcase will be held from 27 to 30 September 2016 at the Villepinte exhibition center in Paris.

SYMOP is the primary stakeholder in EXPOBOIS and has been organizing and operating the show since 1961. Its new partner, Deutsche Messe, is one of the world’s top ten trade fair companies and the owner/operator of the world’s biggest trade fair and exhibition complex, which is located in Hannover, Germany. Deutsche Messe’s extensive portfolio of trade fairs includes LIGNA, the world’s leading trade fair for wood industry plant, machinery and tools. This year’s LIGNA featured 1,552 exhibitors – 56 percent of whom were from outside Germany – whose displays filled some 122,000 square meters (over 1.3 million sq. ft.) of space. The event attracted more than 93,000 visitors, approximately 40 percent of whom were from outside Germany.

“Having developed and refined the EXPOBOIS format over the course of many years, we have decided it is time to bring on board a strong partner of high international standing to take it to the next level. Our exhibitors and visitors will benefit from Deutsche Messe’s high international standards of quality and service,” said SYMOP General Manager Jean Tournoux.

EXPOBOIS is held biennially in the even-numbered years, meaning that the first EXPOBOIS to be jointly produced by SYMOP and Deutsche Messe will be staged in 2016.

EUMABOIS, the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers, has long recommended EXPOBOIS to its members as an important international trade show. Looking ahead, EXPOBOIS will benefit considerably from Deutsche Messe’s network of subsidiaries and representatives, which spans around 100 countries. Thanks to its collaboration with Deutsche Messe, EXPOBOIS is now a member of the WoodWorld portfolio of trade shows that Deutsche Messe operates around the world with various partners from the forestry and wood industies. Other WoodWorld shows include Lesprom Ural Professional, held in Yekaterinburg (Ural Federal District), Russia; ExpoDrev, held in Krasnoyarsk (Siberia), Russia; WoodMac China, held in Shanghai; and Magna Expomueblera, held in Mexico City.

The partnership with Deutsche Messe brings even greater international diversity to the EXPOBOIS show’s exhibitor base and visitor audience. In terms of exhibitors, the show features all of the world’s leading manufacturers in each target product segment. In terms of visitors, the event is particularly aimed at France and its neighbors, plus the Maghreb region and French-speaking Africa.

Spotlight on France

France will have a showcase of its own at the upcoming EXPOBOIS. The country’s main forestry and wood industry centers will feature as partner regions featuring their regional highlights. Participating exhibitors will also benefit from new platforms for sustainable business development as part of the French government’s program “Industrie du futur”. This will further position EXPOBOIS as France’s leading wood industry trade fair.

EXPOBOIS spans all areas of the wood industry

From 2016 on, the EXPOBOIS exhibition lineup will be enlarged to include new displays dedicated to forestry, bioenergy from wood, wood panels and construction so as to more effectively highlight synergies between the various technologies involved. The show will comprise the following four modules:

– Forestry & BioEnergy

– Sawmill Technology, Panel Products & Construction

– Wood Processing Machines

– Furniture Industry

The program will also include a forum area featuring a range of conferences and panel discussions to keep trade visitors up to date with the latest innovations and trends. The keynote themes will include Industry 4.0, sustainability and energy efficiency.

The partnership between Deutsche Messe and SYMOP is a major step forward for EXPOBOIS. It will help the show consolidate and extend its position as France’s leading trade fair for the wood industry.