While visitors begin planning their trade show visits in the coming weeks, exhibitors and organizers of LIGNA 2025 are entering the final stretch of preparations. The strong level of registrations for the trade show is particularly encouraging: As of today, 7 March 2025, 1,337 exhibitors have registered for the anniversary edition of the world’s leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry. This means that the number of exhibitors at this year’s LIGNA has surpassed the previous event (1,288 exhibitors in 2023). Traditionally, two-thirds of the exhibiting companies come from abroad, while one-third are based in Germany. In terms of exhibition space, 112,772 square meters are currently booked (2023: 113,937 square meters) – an unexpectedly strong result given the current economic climate.

“The LIGNA exhibitors treat themselves with a very strong participation this year for the 50th trade show anniversary. In terms of exhibitor numbers, we have exceeded the level of the previous event and are close to the 2023 figure for exhibition space. Given the general economic environment and the extremely tense situation in the woodworking and wood processing industry, this was not something we had expected,” says Stephanie Wagner, Head of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe.

“The 50th anniversary of LIGNA certainly makes this edition special, but the exceptionally high level of exhibitor interest is truly overwhelming. Together with The VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association, we as organizers are thrilled for the industry, which stands united and sends a clear signal of commitment to LIGNA. We are confident that the product innovations and the strong motivation of all exhibitors will help drive the industry's turnaround at LIGNA while also positively influencing visitors’ willingness to invest,” adds Wagner.

With LIGNA.TruckStop, the new format for skilled trades in the southern outdoor area (near hall 12 and the expo roof), visitors can experience something truly unique. Five companies from the skilled trades sector will showcase their products – ranging from power tools to fittings and fastening technologies – directly from show trucks, engaging with the audience on-site. Participating exhibitors include well-known names such as Festool, Hettich, Makita, SawStop, and Swiss Krono.

“At Hettich, customer centricity is not just a marketing phrase – it is the foundation of an active partnership. ‘We are coming to you’ is the motto of the ‘Hettich on Tour’ roadshow, which kicks off in mid-March and runs through the DACH and Benelux regions until the end of the year. For the first time, the tour will make a stop at LIGNA 2025 as part of the ‘LIGNA.TruckStop’ – something we are particularly excited about,” says Kathrin Jacobi, Project Manager at Hettich Marketing and Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG.

“At SawStop, safety and precision are at the core of everything we do. LIGNA.TruckStop provides a unique opportunity to showcase our industry-leading AIM (Active Injury Mitigation) safety technology directly to skilled tradespeople, offering hands-on demonstrations in a dynamic, roadshow-style setting,” says Daan ter Haar, Head of Marketing at SawStop Europe.

“Our participation in LIGNA.TruckStop underscores our commitment to sustainable production and advanced wood-based materials. With our show module, we are presenting practical solutions that align perfectly with the focus topics of ‘Engineered Wood’ and environmental responsibility,” says Carolin Steigemann, Application Engineer at SWISS KRONO TEX.

“We planned the premiere of LIGNA.TruckStop with a total of six show trucks, plus a stage and catering area. We are now close to reaching that goal and are very pleased,” says Stephanie Wagner. “The action stage will feature expert interviews and hands-on knowledge-sharing sessions daily from midday. Additionally, our ‘Happy Hour’ from 5 to 6 p.m. offers a great opportunity for networking and socializing and serves as an attractive new program element at LIGNA, specifically tailored to joiners, carpenters, interior fitters, and employees from assembly companies.” The media partners of LIGNA.TruckStop are BM and dds, two leading trade publications from the Konradin Media Group.

“Thinking in circles” is the motto of the second new format, LIGNA.Circular. It will be integrated into the program of the LIGNA.Stage in hall 12 and realized in collaboration with CADEMI, the LIGNA.Circular-partner. A total of six themed islands, located around the stage and occupied by several partners, will highlight different aspects of circular value creation across various industries throughout the trade show week. The focus will be on sustainable innovations in processes, materials, and products. Necessary adjustments for future cooperation within the industry and the transformation of business models will be discussed under the key themes of cooperation, innovation, servitization, and transformation. The media partner of LIGNA.Circular is HK - Holz- und Kunststoffverarbeitung from DRW-Verlag.

For example, individual best-case studies on innovations in machines and processes will be presented under the roof of the VDMA on the topic of ‘Machines’ – including examples from Dieffenbacher. The Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V. (FNR) will provide insights into ‘Material flows of wood’. Dr. Andreas Schütte, Managing Director at Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V., states: “At LIGNA.Circular, Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe is adding an exciting focus with the topic ‘Material flows of wood.’ Our goal is to highlight current developments in the supply and use of wood, while also emphasizing important research activities in the field of efficient wood usage within the framework of the circular economy.”

The Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI) and the Association of the German Wood-Based Panel Industry (VHI) are focusing on ‘Circularity in wood-based materials’. The Timber Construction Research Center, supported by the Institute for Building Construction and Timber Construction at TU Braunschweig, will showcase various project presentations. The Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM) will also present current approaches.

For ‘sustainable aspects in trade,’ hagebau Holzhandel has been secured as a partner. “As hagebau Holzhandel, we are part of LIGNA.Circular at LIGNA 2025 because we are convinced that sustainability requires cooperation. Through our campaign for energy-efficient refurbishment, we bring theory and practice together and rely on the timber trade as a driver and educator in the industry – ranging from certification and subsidy advice to innovative product solutions. The future of construction is circular, and we support professionals as well as non-professionals in successfully shaping this transformation,” says Andreas Wiemers, Head of Sales Specialist Trade at hagebau Holzhandel.