Ligna 2025: Many exhibitor registrations despite industry slump
Around six months before the start of the trade fair, Ligna 2025 can already report 1,100 exhibitors on more than 105,000 square meters - and is thus defying the current low in the industry.
In its 50th anniversary year, it almost seems as if Ligna is remembering its beginnings: in 1975, it was spun off from Hannover Messe as an independent trade fair brand at the height of the oil crisis. Today, 50 years later, the woodworking and wood processing industry is once again experiencing an economic downturn, and it is once again Ligna that is providing encouragement and looking to the future. Around six months before the start of the trade fair, 1,100 exhibitors have already registered for the world's leading trade fair covering more than 105,000 square meters. The key figures for Ligna 2023 were 1,300 exhibitors on 114,000 square meters and 80,000 visitors.
Very good registration status for Ligna 2025
"The very good level of registrations for Ligna 2025 is an enormously important sign for the entire woodworking community. It is by no means a matter of course that companies are so clearly committed to their leading trade fair in view of the current, mostly extremely tense, economic situation," says Stephanie Wagner, Project Manager Ligna at Deutsche Messe. "Trade fair appearances are in themselves a very high investment. Ligna exhibitors need a lot of space and a sophisticated stand design for their large and complex machines and systems, which they demonstrate in live operation at the trade fair. The fact that our customers are nevertheless making this investment in the current economic situation cannot be rated nearly highly enough. It proves once again the high standing that Ligna enjoys with our exhibitors. As organizers - VDMA and Deutsche Messe - we are grateful and equally proud to be able to host and organize Ligna in its 50th anniversary year for the entire industry," adds Wagner.
Ligna as a catalyst for investment
Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of VDMA Woodworking Machinery, emphasizes the importance of Ligna as a catalyst for investment and innovation: "The hoped-for recovery is still delayed, but our surveys show that most companies are expecting a clear upturn from the second quarter of 2025 - just in time for Ligna. Confidence and trust are crucial right now in order to clear the investment backlog. It is equally important that politicians create clear framework conditions after the elections that promote innovation and investment. The timing of Ligna could hardly be better - I am convinced that we as an industry will really take off again."