AIMSAD News

Half-century-old LIGNA Fair sees strong Turkish presence

• March 3, 2025

LIGNA, the leading trade fair for the global wood and woodworking industry, will welcome visitors for the 50th time in Hannover, Germany, from May 26 to 30. This year, more than 60 Turkish companies will participate in the LIGNA Fair, which holds great significance for the global woodworking machinery sector.

In addition to presenting innovative solutions on an international platform, LIGNA, which covers the entire spectrum of the woodworking industry in detail, is preparing to welcome visitors for the 50th time. At the press conference held before the fair, important details about LIGNA 2025 were shared.

More than 1,200 companies will participate in the fair, which will take place on an exhibition area of approximately 112 thousand square meters. While LIGNA, one of the world’s largest woodworking machinery fairs, welcomes its visitors for the 50th time this year, Turkish companies are taking their place in the fair with a strong participation. More than 60 companies from Türkiye are going to participate in the organization, with a total area of 8 thousand square meters, Türkiye has become the 3rd largest participating country. While 75 percent of this area is made up of AIMSAD member companies, Türkiye also stands out as the 4th country with the highest number of exhibitors. This strong representation once again reveals Türkiye’s rising position in the woodworking machinery sector.

Key focus areas of LIGNA 2025

LIGNA 2025 will address critical trends shaping the industry, from small craft businesses to large industrial groups. The event’s focus on full digital networking, the adoption of a circular economy, and smart product development will resonate across all sectors. LIGNA.CONNECTIVITY explores seamless vertical and horizontal integration solutions that enable interoperability between different systems. LIGNA.SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION highlights eco-friendly, resource-efficient, and economically viable approaches that improve working conditions while protecting future generations. LIGNA.ENGINEERED WOOD investigates innovative composite wood products created by bonding or fixing wood strands, particles, fibers, veneers, or panels for various applications. LIGNA 2025 promises to be a significant event for the global woodworking industry and its players, offering unique insights and opportunities for growth in a constantly evolving sector.

LIGNA product groups

In halls 11, 15 and 27, exhibitors will showcase tools, machines and systems for both individual and mass production, highlighting how trade and industry can successfully combine with advanced technologies. Halls 25 and 26 will focus on sawmill technology, wood-based panel production and “Energy from Wood”. The outdoor area and pavilions will also focus on machinery and systems for the forestry industry. Hall 16 will bring together those looking for the latest machine components and automation technology, including efficient motion solutions, CNC machine control systems, energy-saving efficient transportation and handling solutions and high-performance robotics. Hall 17 will showcase surface technologies.

“Türkiye is a key participant in LIGNA 2025”

Hendrik Rawe, Global Director of LIGNA Deutsche Messe AG – Hannover, stated: “As reflected in the registration numbers, the strong commitment of companies to LIGNA, the leading global trade fair, demonstrates the industry’s determination to actively and confidently transform the economic recovery. All our key customers will be in Hannover in 2025. We were also delighted by the large number of registrations from Türkiye, which clearly demonstrates the international importance of LIGNA 2025 and its role as a driver of innovation. The strong demand from Türkiye highlights that LIGNA is seen as the ideal gateway for accessing global markets in the woodworking and wood craftsmanship industry. Türkiye’s strong representation reflects its export-oriented woodworking and wood craftsmanship industry. Turkish companies are among the key players in Europe and beyond, with an estimated added value approaching 1 billion euros and production projected to reach 4.4 billion euros in 2024. This potential positions Türkiye as one of the key participants of LIGNA 2025.”

“We will contribute to the promotion of our industry at LIGNA Fair with Turkish Machinery brand”

MAIB Board Member Burç Angan stated: “As the Machinery Exporters’ Association, we have been working for the growth of our country’s machinery exports since 2002. We have undertaken the important task of promoting Turkish machinery manufacturers in the global arena. With 24 sub-sectors, we are working diligently to promote each sub-sector of the machinery industry. Since 2002, we have carried out promotional activities in many parts of the world. During this period, I can proudly say that our country’s machinery exports have increased 17 times and exceeded 28 billion dollars. Our woodworking machinery export, which was 10.8 million dollars in 2002, completes 2024 at the level of 160 million dollars despite the uncertainties in the main market and the slowdown in the economies of EU countries, our important trade partner. Our association, which cares about the specialization of machinery sector associations and attaches particular importance to the establishment of the Machinery Federation for this purpose, continues to work in coordination with AIMSAD in the woodworking machinery sector. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our association, which has left its 10th year behind, and wish it continued success. Germany is the most important partner of our country in the machinery sector and ranks first among our target markets. In 2024, our machinery foreign trade volume with Germany amounted to 11 million dollars. LIGNA Fair, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, is one of the most important fairs in the sector. Our association will contribute to the promotion of our country and our sector with advertising activities at the LIGNA Fair as in other important sector fairs with the Turkish Machinery brand.”

“Türkiye is the third country with the highest participation in the LIGNA Fair”

AIMSAD Board Member and General Secretary Arif Onur Kaçak stated: “The LIGNA Fair, where global giants gather every two years in Germany, is a key platform that will once again showcase the success of the Turkish woodworking machinery sector in production and its strength in international markets. Today, with technological innovations, high-quality standards, and customer-oriented solutions, the importance of Turkish brands in global markets is increasingly rising. One of the major forces behind this success is, of course, the LIGNA Fair. Over the last 8 years, the Turkish woodworking machinery sector has consistently recorded a current surplus, and by the end of 2024, the number of countries it exports to with exports exceeding 1 million dollars has surpassed 40. In total, this number has reached 140. Additionally, in the past 10 years, the sector’s exports have increased nearly threefold, reaching 150 million dollars, and the export-to-import ratio has risen to 160%. Since our association first participated in the LIGNA Fair in 2015, the Turkish participation has grown from 1,500-2,000 square meters to 8,000 square meters with nearly 60 companies this year. Considering all these figures, we once again realize the significant contribution that the LIGNA Fair makes to the export rates of our sector. LIGNA 2025 is one of the most concrete examples of the efforts made by the AIMSAD Family for the development of the industry. We believe that in the coming years, we will take much bigger steps together with the LIGNA team to contribute to the global success of our members and shape the future of our sector.”

“Over 60 companies from Türkiye will participate with more than 8,000 square meters of space”

Zafer Erkanar, Deputy General Manager of Hannover Fairs Turkey, said: “I am thrilled to be part of the preparation process for this exciting event in the 50th year of LIGNA, the showcase of the global woodworking industry. Since 1996, Hannover Fairs Türkiye has been planning, organizing, and executing trade fairs in Türkiye. We also contribute to the international events of Deutsche Messe AG, one of the largest trade fair organizing companies in the world, based in Germany. Deutsche Messe, one of the top 10 trade fair companies globally, has facilitated billions of euros in trade at over 10,000 international fairs. The leading trade fairs of Deutsche Messe, which organizes sector-specific trade fairs in various parts of the world, including Türkiye, China, Montenegro, Mexico, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Germany, bring together thousands of professionals each year. Since its inception, Hannover Fairs Türkiye has supported companies in establishing new business connections and reaching new markets. We continue to add value to the Turkish economy through successful events that bring Turkish exporters together with manufacturers and international investors. LIGNA Fair, in its 50th year, will once again showcase itself as the heart of the woodworking industry. While guiding the global woodworking industry, this prestigious event will host innovative solutions that will shape the world of tomorrow. We are proud to carry Türkiye’s industrial strength to the global stage as part of this event. I am pleased to express that Türkiye holds an important place in the event. In the fair, where Türkiye ranks third in international country participation, over 60 companies from Türkiye will form a significant representation with more than 8,000 square meters of space.”

“Türkiye is showing a central influence for the entire region”

Ger Gerdes, speaking on behalf of the VDMA Association, said: “Despite the challenging current economic conditions, the world’s leading trade fair, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, will once again bring together the most important figures in the industry in May. All major technology developers from Europe and other countries will take center stage at the fair. With significant participation, Turkish companies, which will occupy a substantial space, have proven themselves as key players in the wood and furniture industry. Türkiye, the largest MDF producer in Europe and the third-largest particle board producer, is also now among the world’s leading furniture exporters. The country has made significant investments in woodworking machinery in recent years. The Turkish wood and furniture industry is facing many challenges, including inflation, rising costs, and competition from China. Automation and productivity improvements in production are regaining momentum in all areas of woodworking machinery production due to increasing costs. Additionally, opportunities are emerging in the increasingly important industrial wood construction sector. This market shows a central influence for the entire region. There are significant export opportunities for the Turkish wood and furniture industry, as well as investment opportunities for a modern machinery park in the country.