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TECHNOLOGY 37
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innovations, enter new markets, and establish direct customer approximately €2.5 billion—a decline of 12 percent.
contacts. Nowhere else is the wood industry so concentrated The drop was particularly pronounced in European markets
and internationally represented.” compared to the rest of the world, while North America was the
only region to show positive growth. For 2025, the association

VDMA: Investment requires reliable framework also expects overseas markets and select European countries
conditions to contribute positively to overall performance.
The wood industry has been facing challenging times for
several months. According to figures from the VDMA, the Special program with practical relevance
production of woodworking machinery in Germany declined LIGNA is once again be accompanied by a wide range of
by nine percent in 2024, falling to a total value of €3.8 billion. special formats and an attractive side program.
In contrast, the industry had achieved a record result LIGNA.Circular in Hall 12, located on the LIGNA.Stage,
of €4.2 billion in 2023. Between 2019 and 2023, German along with six additional themed islands, focuses on the broad
production grew at an average annual rate of 5.6 percent. topic of the circular economy.

For 2025, the VDMA expects a similar result to that of At the LIGNA.TruckStop in the outdoor area, joiners,
2024. However, a significant recovery will depend on reliable carpenters, and cabinetmakers will find the latest in power
policy and economic framework conditions, as well as a tools, fittings, fastening technologies, and wood-based
rebound in construction activity in key markets. Ongoing materials—everything they need to stay up to date.
global uncertainty continues to cause customers to delay or The central forum is once again the LIGNA.Stage in Hall
reconsider their investment plans. 12, featuring solution- and user-oriented presentations related
“The past year and the beginning of 2025 have been to the event’s focus topics as well as key market and trend

challenging, but there are many reasons for optimism,” says developments.
Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of the VDMA. “Customers In Hall 11, the LIGNA.Campus offers technical colleges,
are willing to invest—they’re just waiting for the right moment. universities of applied sciences, and universities a platform to
We hope that LIGNA will provide the spark the industry needs. showcase their educational programs and research projects.
The very strong visitor registration figures give us reason to At the LIGNA.FutureSquare, VDMA members from other
be optimistic.” specialist areas—some exhibiting at the show for the first
Dirr also sees the industry in a strategically advantageous time—along with start-ups, present innovative solutions across
position, as the sustainable material wood is gaining a range of products and services.
increasing attention amid discussions about climate change Anyone interested in learning more about the woodworking

and decarbonisation. industry as an employer can visit LIGNA.Recruiting, the go-to
If the construction industry—which is particularly energy- place for connecting with potential future employers.
and resource-intensive—is to become more sustainable, greater Tuesday is once again be celebrated as Carpenters’ Day,
use of wood is essential. As a result, timber construction is while Wednesday is dedicated to Joiners’/Carpenters’ Day.
gaining market share in Europe and other parts of the world, LIGNA 2025 also has a number of awards and competitions,
with considerable growth expected in the medium term. including The Forwarder Championships, Die Gute Form, The
With an export share of 68 percent, the industry depends Hans-Jürgen Narjes Prize, and The German Timber Construction

heavily on global markets. In 2024, the German woodworking Award—supported by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban
machinery sector exported machines and systems worth Development and Building.