A NEW BOOST FOR ZOW IN ITALY
ROMANO UGOLINI IS THE NEW SURVEY MANAGING DIRECTOR IN MILAN

On 1 November 2008, Romano Ugolini took up the post of Managing Director of Survey Marketing + Consulting s.r.l., Milan. Since 2001, Ugolini has been the Sales Manager at Survey Marketing + Consulting for the regions of Southern Europe, France, Great Britain and America. Under his management, the Italian Survey team is now enthusiastically launching into the task of preparing for ZOW 2009 at the new venue in Verona.

Romano Ugolini (52) has been involved in the wood processing industry for 30 years, where he held several management positions; he was General Manager for the American subsidiary of the Italian SCM Group in Atlanta and Sales Manager for Koch Maschinenfabrik (Leopoldshöhe/Germany). Since 2001, Ugolini has been the Sales Director at Survey Marketing + Consulting for the regions of Southern Europe, France, Great Britain and America, and is one of the pioneers and guarantors of the international success of the numerous Survey exhibitions.

The main drive and incentive for Romano Ugolini in his new position as Managing Director in Milan are convincing growth rates in the various countries and the positive results of ZOW. “I’ve been travelling the world for many years and am very familiar with the global markets. I'm convinced that we can still do a lot more to bring people and countries together. I can’t think of a better job than working together with my team to make this objective a reality.”

For Ugolini, the current sense of crisis in the markets is no reason to give up – quite the contrary. “As exhibition organisers, we have an extremely important role in supporting the economy in every possible way during difficult times. We take this job very seriously, so we’re now supporting the sector in a more disciplined and ambitious manner.ZOW is an effective tool with great potential to achieve this

ROMANO UGOLINI

 It’s in times like this that the ZOW philosophy shines through. The motto ‘back to the roots’, which ZOW traditionally follows, will prove to be a future-proof exhibition concept and it also provide the furniture supplier sector with an effective market platform in the long term because this motto focuses on people, products and communication.”

The future of ZOW in Italy lies in Verona

The course is set for the future. Ugolini is delighted that ZOW in Italy is moving to Verona next year: “ZOW in Verona will be the top event in 2009 for the supplier sector in Italy and the Veronafiere venue will set new standards.”

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AS DEMAND FOR AMERICAN HARDWOODS SOAR, AHEC PREPARES FOR A SUCCESSFUL DELHIWOOD EXHIBITION

Next February 14^th to 17^th, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), which represents the US hardwood industry, will take part in the inaugural Delhiwood show at Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre, New Delhi.  Following two successful Indiawood exhibitions in Bangalore, AHEC aims to take advantage of this important forum for the wood trade and to service the rapidly growing demand for American hardwoods in the Indian market.

Now, more than ever before, American hardwoods are becoming increasingly well-established in India’s rapidly developing market for imported hardwoods. According to the latest data available, US$3.3 million worth of hardwood logs, lumber and veneer were shipped from the USA to India during the first eight months of this year. This marks a staggering increase of 83.3% on the same period in 2007, when imports only reached US$1.8 million. Of the total value imported this year, hardwood logs accounted for US$1.3 million, hardwood lumber for US$0.96 million and hardwood veneer US$1.1 million.

While demand for US hardwood logs still remains higher than for lumber, the increase in imports of US hardwood lumber this year has been nothing short of exceptional. In fact, over the January to August period, shipments of hardwood lumber from the United States to India grew from just US$281,000 in 2007 to US$959,000 this year, marking a rise of 241.3%. This increase in demand for lumber signals changes within the Indian wood sector, both at the level of increased awareness of US hardwoods, as well as in terms of how the furniture and interiors manufacturing sector is becoming more modern and mechanised.

This trend, as well as the overall growth in US hardwood demand is expected to continue for the remainder of 2008 and, in fact, for the foreseeable future. While many parts of world are now entering a phase of economic uncertainty, the Indian market continues to enjoy a period of relative fiscal buoyancy and overall economic expansion. One obvious outcome of this period of economic growth has been the onset of a construction boom, which has led to an urgent and substantial need for building materials, including wood products, which cannot be supplied from within India itself. As a result, imports of wood products have surged in recent years. American hardwoods have benefited directly from this increase in demand. They perform well in interior applications and their wide variety of colours and grain patterns, as well as their sustainable credentials and availability in a range of specifications have meant that Indian architects, joiners and furniture manufacturers are beginning to turn to them for high end projects, both commercial and residential.

It is hoped that the Delhiwood show will create another specialised forum for the wood sector in India’s northern region and AHEC looks forward to an opportunity to showcase American hardwoods, to distribute technical information and to network with the industry.

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AMERICAN HARDWOOD LUMBER GRADING Q&A SERIES

By Bob Sabistina- Grading consultant to the American Hardwood Export Council

The Grading Rules for North American hardwood lumber were established 100 years ago by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), which is now headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. I have been writing a series of articles for the eighteen months, answering a variety of questions pertaining to the application of those grading rules. This month’s article answers some of the questions I have received over the past few months. These questions come from all over the world, as the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has been distributing this article from Europe to Asia.   

Question 1: Can you explain how the American suppliers get the wood from the forests to me?

Answer 1: Yes. There are three main steps, which I will outline as follows:

1.     The Forest

American hardwood forests comprise a wide area, right from the northern states to the East and then into the far South. They are made up of broadleaf or deciduous trees, which shed their leaves each year, as opposed to softwoods or conifers, such as pine. Think of building   the structure of a house out of softwoods, such as 2x4 and then furnishing the interior with hardwoods, such as oak, cherry, maple and walnut.

US hardwood forests are approximately 70% privately owned in a wide variety of acreages and for numerous end uses. One such use is for commercial hardwood lumber production, where the landowner works closely with a sawmill to manage the trees and selectively harvest the mature ones, thus promoting the growth of the younger trees, until they, in turn, are harvested and the cycle repeats itself. The process of selective harvesting can also promote the species mix in the woodlot and increase the value of the timber stand for generations to come. Once the trees have been cut, they are loaded on to a truck and taken to the sawmill for processing. 

2.     The Sawmill

Most hardwood sawmills today are second or third generation family businesses, which are scattered throughout the hardwood growing regions. Once the logs are at the mill, they are sorted by species and cut to manageable lengths for processing. Any potential veneer logs (very high grade and defect-free logs) are taken out and the rest are stacked up awaiting their turn through the mill.

Logs that are ready for the mill are first sent to a de-barking machine. The bark is then recycled to produce garden mulch and bedding. Today, most sawmills use a band saw for cutting the logs in to lumber of various thicknesses and widths, depending on species and future order files.  Every effort is made to minimize waste throughout the milling process, from edging and trimming, to collecting and chipping any by-product that is produced from converting a round log in to square boards. Even the sawdust is collected and sold as bedding or fuel.

3.     Grading & Drying

The lumber that’s comes out of the mill is sorted in to various stacks depending on grade and thickness. Some will be sold as green or fresh sawn and the remainder will be stacked on to thin drying sticks, or stickers and prepared for the dry kiln. All hardwood destined for use in interior applications, such as furniture, flooring and mouldings etc. must be kiln dried. This is a highly skilled procedure, which can take anywhere from several days to over a year, depending on the species and thickness. In the United States, lumber is dried to a moisture content of around 6 to 9%, which is about equal to the moisture or humidity level inside most American homes. This drying process helps the wood to maintain its shape when manufactured in to a product.

Once dried, the lumber is graded for a second time to remove any downgrade material and to get an accurate measurement for sale. Most sales are made by truckload in the domestic market or stacked in to a 40 foot sea container for export. Depending on the species, a typical container will hold approximately 12,000 board feet or 28.3 cubic metres.

Question 2: I recently attended a grading seminar and you discussed the various hardwood growing regions of the United States. Can you go over this again, please?

Answer 2: There are four main hardwood growing regions in the US, as per below. For a pictorial reference, please see www.ahec.org, where you can either view online or order the free Species guide.

Northern: This area is made up by the Lake States, such as Minnesota and Michigan, as well as the New England States, such as Vermont and New Hampshire. The climate in these areas is characterised by long winters, heavy snow, a cool spring and autumn and a short, hot summer. The predominant species are hard maple and red oak, as well as beech, ash, white oak, birch and soft maple. The trees are generally slow growing, with smaller diameters than in the other regions, but the colour of the wood is often very uniform.

Midwest:  This area is made up by the states that run south from Wisconsin to Missouri and West, from Ohio to Iowa. The climate of this area is more moderate, with cold winters, mild springs and autumns and hot summers. The predominant species are red and white oak, hard and soft maple and walnut, as well as ash, cherry, hickory and others. The trees, which have larger diameters, tend to be scattered throughout the region, since farming corn and soybean is the main industry here. This is probably the best growing region for American black walnut.

Southern: This is a vast area of the country, which ranges from Texas to Florida. It enjoys mild winters, a short spring and autumn and long, hot summers. The predominant species are red and white oak, pecan and ash, as well as cottonwood, gum, sycamore and tulipwood. The trees are fast growing, tall and have large diameters. Because of the long growing season, a wide variety of sub-species within a particular species also grow to produce merchantable timber.

Appalachian: This is another vast region, which extends from Georgia in the South, right up to Maine in the North. The Appalachian Mountains dictate the climate, growth rate and species makeup here, due to a variety of elevations within the overall growing region. Just about every major species grows in this region and this is truly the bread basket of American hardwoods.

This explanation offers only a brief description of the growing regions and species available in these areas. I cannot include every species available, nor must you draw any definitive lines demarcating any specific region. Which is the best region of America to buy from, depends on a variety of factors? One needs to consider the finished product that you are looking for, the relationship that you make with your supplier and the species you need.

Question 3: Can you explain the sapwood requirement for No.1 Common hard maple graded as No.1 and 2 White?

Answer 3:  The key here is that the sapwood is required in the clear cutting area that establishes the No. 1 Common grade. For example, a 12 foot board needs to have a minimum of 8 feet clear to grade as No.1 Common. To meet the White maple requirements, we are only concerned about these 8 feet. Both faces and both edges of the No.1 Common clear cuttings need to be sapwood for No.1 White, while one face and both edges of the No. 1 Common clear cuttings, with at least 50% sapwood on the reverse side are needed for No.2 White. Realistically, the worst case on this 12 foot board could have 8 feet of sapwood on the best face and 4 feet of sapwood on the reverse side and it would still make a No.1 Common, No.2 White hard maple board. Once again, it is not the whole board we are considering here; it is just the clear No.1 Common cuttings.

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ITALIAN WOODWORKING TECHNOLOGIES FOLLOW THE GENERAL GLOBAL TREND-
THE THIRD QUARTER 2008 SHOWS A NEGATIVE SITUATION

The negative period that has been characterizing the industry since the beginning of the year - after three years of constant growth - has accelerated during the third quarter due to the global financial and economic crisis, the actual relevance of which has been perceived since September. According to the figures of the survey carried out by Acimall - based on a statistic sample that represents the entire industry in terms of company size and product categories - there isn’t any doubt: the Italian woodworking machinery and tools industry recorded a reduction by 18.1 percent as compared to the period July-September 2007. This figure is the result of reduced business on foreign markets (-13.2 percent) – which have always been very interested in “made in Italy” products – added to the significant slowdown of the Italian market (-32.6 percent as compared to the same period of 2007).

 According to the survey by Acimall, prices have increased by 2.6 percent on average and the months of ensured production, at the end of the third quarter, were 2.4. The quality survey reveals the general attitude of interviewed entrepreneurs: 49 percent of the sample indicates stationary production volumes, 48 decreasing and only 3 growing. Available stocks are stationary according to 52 percent, decreasing according to 23 percent and growing according to the remaining 24 percent. Employment is considered as stationary by 79 percent of the sample and falling by 21 percent. No growth signals have been recorded.

Forecasts for the next period are obviously influenced by the general industry situation and by the economic scenario, so they are not oriented towards optimistic visions. Foreign orders are expected to remain stationary according to 18 percent of the interviewees, to shrink for 70 percent and to increase for 12 percent (negative balance -58). As for the Italian domestic market, expectations for the upcoming quarter see no variation for 36 percent and a further worsening for the remaining 64 percent (negative balance –64).

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                          THE NEW “TOP FOUR” ALPIKORD VENEERS 2009           

                 AT THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION AT ZOW PORDENONE 2008

Architects, interior decorators, agents and importers from many foreign countries, buyers and journalists did not miss the chance to take a close look at the new high-pressure laminated veneers in the Alpikord Range 1 collection.

This series – a preview of which was offered for the first time at the Zow 2008 held in Pordenone, from 15-18 October, includes new high-pressure laminated veneers developed over a long period of research and prototyping carried out by the Research and development division of Alpi, a manufacturing group and international leader in the wood processing sector. The project has demonstrated, for many years now, the incredible potential of multi-laminar wood technology, both in the reproduction of natural wood and in the development of new aesthetically impressive veneers.

These veneers originate from a careful analysis of the most significant trends worldwide and are then manufactured using Alpi proprietary technology that, with certified wood as a foundation – the company recently obtained FSC certification for Alpi poplar – allows for the creation of unique surfaces, merging quality and performance with highly contemporary ambiances, colours and textures.

The four 2009 “top themes” which were on display in Pordenone have one thing in common: an intense connection with nature. Two of them draw inspiration from oak: Bog Oak derives from an oak which grows in humid environments, thus absorbing substances that produce a remarkable and unique dark colouring; Rovere Titanium, instead, is tinted in a particular shade of grey reminiscent of titanium. Both the “reproduction” of Ziricote, a wood from Central America characterised by a remarkable aesthetic impact, and bleached Walnut, with its exceptionally refined and elegant nuances, embody a supreme natural beauty.

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                                            NEW SHOW DATES FOR DELHIWOOD

                                            EVENT RESCHEDULED BY TWO DAYS

“DELHIWOOD” the largest International woodworking TRADE FAIR for NORTHERN INDIA is now rescheduled by two days, the exhibition will now be held from the 14-17 FEBRUARY 2009  at HALLS 14 & 18,PRAGATI MAIDAN, NEW DELHI, INDIA.

The organiser, PDA TRADE FAIRS, explains the change in schedule: “Delhiwood has drawn a phenomenal response in its inaugural edition from the originally planned one hall i,e., Hall 18 & has grown to a 16000 sqm event & includes Hall 14 now. In spite of this tremendous growth we were unable to provide more than the initially planned 2 days as build up period to exhibitors as the venue was not available, the event was sandwiched between two other exhibitions. The venue authorities (ITPO, Pragati Maidan) have informed us that due to some changes in the bookings, we would now be able to extend the dates.

We now wish to utilize this opportunity to offer our exhibitors one more days move in time, we also know from experience it is imperative for an event of this size to have a minimum of 3 days build up. Since, we can now, extend the booking days we are providing a 3 day build up time. Hence the exhibition opening is being moved ahead by two days. DELHIWOOD therefore will now be held from 14-17 FEBRUARY 2009. 

Mr.Pradeep Devaiah, Chairman & CEO, PDA TRADE FAIRS adds “a look at INDIAWOOD’s growth reflects the way the Indian wood working industry has matured. In 2002 INDIAWOOD was a platform that showcased the advantages of technology & mechanization.For the first time in INDIA a complete wood processing line was showcased in INDIAWOOD 2004 & by then the event was facilitating the conversion of INDIA’s woodworking industry from manual carpentry to mechanized production. By 2006, the market dynamics positioned INDIAWOOD as the most fulfilling sourcing ground for the woodworking Industry in India, which reflects the extent to which the market had matured since 2002. Thanks to the industry’s growth & the rapid modernization of woodworkers in INDIA, INDIAWOOD 2008 set a new bench mark for woodworking industry shows outside USA & EUROPE, the event showcased besides state of the art panel processing & Solid wood processing machinery, semi finished products, fittings, accessories, Raw materials, Plywood mfrg machines, lamination machines, lumber & timber from around the world. The show was a whopping 30,000 Sq Mtrs exhibition & drew over 18,000 visitors. “INDIAWOOD” had arrived in style”. 

Mr.Pradeep opines that DELHIWOOD is a logical brand extension of INDIAWOOD. Given the GEOGRAPHICAL size of INDIA & the unprecedented growth the country is witnessing, there is a latent need for a comprehensive exhibition to address the needs of the NORTH INDIAN markets requirements. Leveraging INDIAWOOD’s experience we announced DELHIWOOD aiming to showcase the latest in wood processing technologies like sophisticated CNC machines, accessories and tools from all over the world.  It also aims to bring together a comprehensive range of materials and fittings to help give an impetus to the growth of industry in this region.  This will also go a long way towards the creation of new entrepreneurs to enter this arena.”

The Delhiwood team is also upbeat about the event & a team member says   “Indiawood’s proven track record of attracting the biggest machinery companies with live displays of production lines attracted pan Indian visitors and visitors from South Asia and South East Asia.  The industries’ trust in our ability to deliver similar audiences is amply reflected in the response to Delhiwood within a short span post the announcement”.

The press release by PDA TRADE FAIRS also states visitors can hope to see industry majors such as BIESSE, JAI INDUSTRIES, HOLZHER, HOMAG, HBR, SCM, WEINIG, WOODTECH as well as Country Pavilions from Taiwan, Italy and Germany and groups from Malaysia, Turkey and China. Special efforts or on to attract Architects & Interior decorators to provide additional value to Non-machinery exhibitors such as HAFELE, REHAU, Asian Paints and others .

In keeping with our philosophy of delivering complete value to exhibitors, the DELHIWOOD PROJECT TEAM will target visitors from the following segments: Furniture Manufacturers, Particle Board Manufacturers, Architects and Builders, Manufacturers of Wood-Based Articles, Craftsmen, Forestry Officials, Plywood Manufacturers, Interior Decorators and Saw Millers.           

PDA is committed to sparing no effort and money to ensure that exhibitors leave Delhi Wood with their order books full, like in the past with India Wood says Mr.Pradeep Devaiah.

He adds to drive home the point “In the face of uncertainty in most markets, due to the global economic meltdown, INDIA is in a unique position to offer scope for companies looking to gain from INDIA’s internal requirement. One such sector that still has enormous potential due to INDIA’s internal requirement is the woodworking industry. The tremendous response the first edition of “DELHIWOOD” India’s largest International woodworking exhibition in North India is adequate testimony to the Indian markets stability & strength of internal requirement. 

The Delhiwood team looks forward to welcoming all to another woodworking industry “MEGA EVENT.”

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EXHIBITION SPACE AT DELHI WOOD ALMOST SOLD OUT

Mr. Pradeep Devaiah, Chairman and CEO of PDA Trade Fairs say’s the response to the INAUGURAL edition of DELHIWOOD has been overwhelming & the entire exhibition space in HALL 14 & HALL 18 UPPER & LOWER LEVELS is almost sold. Going by the current trend & considering the fact that we have a phenomenal number of enquiries yet to be addressed, PDA TRADE FAIRS the organizers say, they are exploring the possibility of additional hall/s to accommodate new bookings.

It would be important to note here says Mr. Devaiah “the phenomenal response should be attributed to the value INDIAWOOD has been delivering to the exhibitors, the response to DELHIWOOD is a direct reflection of the faith the industry has placed in our ability to deliver value as promised. We understand the exhibitors had the option of choosing another event, but have chosen to repose their faith in the experience & expertise of PDA TRADE FAIRS”.

With the successful experience of Indiawood, over 85% of exhibitors from INDIAWOOD have confirmed participation at DELHIWOOD, of the envisaged 350 + exhibitors there are over a 100 new exhibitors both from INDIA & from overseas DELHIWOOD has already attracted. These companies influenced by the success & the delivery of INDIAWOOD have confirmed participation to tap into the enormous potential the Indian market offers & are making a foray into the Indian market or are consolidating their position via DELHIWOOD.

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ZOW COMES TO SHENZHEN: PREMIERE IN MARCH 2009 SURVEY ORGANISES SECOND FURNITURE SUPPLIER FAIR IN CHINA

Between 19 and 22 March 2009, the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre will play host to its first ZOW supplier fair for the furniture and interior design industry. ZOW is taking place at the same time as the Shenzhen International Furniture Exhibition (SIFE), held every March, which brings together the decision-makers in the furniture industry in this important economic hub in southern China. The organiser is the Shenzhen Trade Furniture Association (SZFA), one of China’s most influential furniture associations. The organiser of ZOW, Survey (Asia) Marketing & Consulting, is delighted at this new strategic partnership and is confident that in SZFA it has found the optimum partner in Shenzhen

Since being declared a special economic zone in the 1980s, the Shenzhen region has undergone rapid development. Boasting 12 million inhabitants and the highest income per capital in China, the city is situated in the south of Guangdong province, in the Pearl River delta, just a few kilometres from the international financial hub of Hong Kong. Guangdong is the centre of the furniture industry in southern China and with its economic growth; it offers promising sales prospects for international furniture suppliers. With its excellent connections in the Chinese and overseas markets, SZFA sees itself as a promoter of international contacts and investments – the perfect host for a second ZOW in China!

In Shenzhen, the organiser Survey is looking to apply once again the successful formula of ‘Creating Close Contacts’, which has become ZOW’s trademark around the globe. At the heart of this unique trade fair is the clear presentation of exhibits and the communication between exhibitors and visitors, which is encouraged by specially designated functional areas. Only company decision-makers are invited to attend, so exhibitors can engage in profitable discussions with customers. Ready-made complete packages for exhibitors, an open stand layout, and comprehensive visitor services such as free admission, parking and catering make ZOW an attractive proposition for everyone attending while encouraging the creative workshop aspect of the event.

As against this, MDF, which is the third generation substitute of plywood, is a panel product formed by de-fibrizing bagasse, wherein high quality bagasse fibres are bonded with resin under pressure. Bajaj MDF board has a homogenous internal structure with a super smooth surface. The high-tec manufacturing process of the board eliminates the need for seasoning while ensuring there is no warping, cracking, splitting, knots, and keeping the material termite and fungus resistant. Being moisture and fire resistant, Bajaj MDF boards provide excellent dimensional stability, making them ideal for use in both residential and commercial environments”. Moreover, due to its homogeneous nature, the Bajaj MDF Board has machinability as its premium property. It can be sawn and routed easily. Moulding can be carried out easily without exposure of core voids. In many respects Bajaj MDF Boards can be treated as high quality solid timber, but without knots and grains.

The Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre is one of the most modern trade fair venues in southern China, easily reached from either Shenzhen International Airport or Hong Kong International Airport. At ZOW, visitors can expec t to see the full range of products from the furniture supplier industry all in one place: surfaces and fittings, recess and lighting systems, panels and profiles, built-in and semi-finished parts, adhesives and glues, and much more. Innovative product ideas and the opportunity to make excellent business contacts in a relaxed atmosphere make ZOW a popular meeting place for the industry.

But Shenzhen itself also has plenty to offer ZOW visitors in terms of both business and pleasure. SZFA maintains a variety of institutions here, including the Design Institute, which offers a fascinating insight into Chinese furniture design.

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BAJAJ ECOTEC IN TUNE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT - BRINGS IN GREEN BUILDING CONCEPTS

World-over today there is an increasing demand for sustainable green building concepts and practices which can work towards considerably reducing the negative environmental impact by improving building design, construction and operational practices. With real estate and furniture industry booming across the country, the demand for wood and wood based substitutes is considerably surging. Today, the need of the hour is for products which have the strength and versatility of wood while being wood -free and eco-friendly.

Bajaj eco-tec Products Ltd, the wholly owned subsidiary of India‘s largest sugar and ethanol manufacturer, Bajaj Hindusthan Limited, with the launch of its unique eco–friendly particle and MDF boards, represents the realization of this innovative business proposition. The underlying concept is the use of an agricultural residue i.e sugarcane bagasse, which is left behind after sugarcane is crushed, to manufacture India’s finest engineered bagasse-based Medium Density Fiber (MDF) Boards, Particle Boards, High Density Fiber (HDF) Boards and Laminated Flooring. All these products are completely wood-free and totally environment-friendly.

Particle board which is the second generation substitute of plywood, is a panel product formed by arranging particles of bagasse in a graded manner such that the smallest particles form the top most layers and the largest form the middle layers. In the Bajaj boards there is a gradual variation in size of the particles from the outer surfaces to the centre of the panel.

As against this, MDF, which is the third generation substitute of plywood, is a panel product formed by de-fibrizing bagasse, wherein high quality bagasse fibres are bonded with resin under pressure. Bajaj MDF board has a homogenous internal structure with a super smooth surface. The high-tec manufacturing process of the board eliminates the need for seasoning while ensuring there is no warping, cracking, splitting, knots, and keeping the material termite and fungus resistant. Being moisture and fire resistant, Bajaj MDF boards provide excellent dimensional stability, making them ideal for use in both residential and commercial environments”. Moreover, due to its homogeneous nature, the Bajaj MDF Board has machinability as its premium property. It can be sawn and routed easily. Moulding can be carried out easily without exposure of core voids. In many respects Bajaj MDF Boards can be treated as high quality solid timber, but without knots and grains.

According to Mr Himanshu Shah, Managing Director, Bajaj ecotec products ltd, “world-over 90% of the furniture is made from Particle Board and MDF. In India it is the other way round with 90% furniture being made from Plywood. However with depleting forests, wood supplies have drastically reduced and prices of timber and plywood increased substantially. This together with the popularity of imported readymade modular furniture made from MDF and particle board, it is only a matter of time when in India too the bulk of the furniture will be made from wood substitutes. People have realized that furniture made from particle board and MDF is convenient, saves time and is a lot more economical. A pre- laminated particle board and MDF board will cost almost 50% less than pre–laminated plywood!”

Being one of the only two companies in the world manufacturing 100% wood free Particle Boards from sugar cane bagasse , Bajaj eco-tec has commissioned three state–of–the-art plants in Uttar Pradesh, two of these manufacture bagasse-based MDF Boards and the third facility produces bagasse-based Particle Boards. With a combined installed capacity of 2.10 Lac m3 (CBM) Bajaj eco-tec is now the single largest manufacturer of MDF/HDF, Particle Board and flooring in India. The total investment in setting up these plants is pegged at Rs.290 crore.

With commercial production having commenced just about three months ago, the company is now concentrating on creating a distributor and dealer network. A major grass root initiative undertaken by the company is its efforts to create awareness through education about the workability, proper usage and benefits of its products among its key customers. The company has undertaken to conduct a series of hands on workshops for architects, wood contractors, craftsman and artisans and is providing them with product literarture and technical manuals in user friendly formats.

In a yet another “first of its kind in the world” milestone, Bajaj eco-tec also plans to manufacture 100% wood-free and eco-friendly laminate flooring. This green product is expected to surface in the market before the year end. The flooring will come with a unique inter-locking system which has been specially designed for it by Valinge of Sweden, one of the two leading companies in the world in this field.

Bajaj eco-tec’s innovative wood-substitutes are thus slated to help replace scarce wood in building construction and furniture manufacture and thereby help protect India’s invaluable forest coverage which stands alarmingly low at barely 19.3% against 33% stipulated by the National Forest Policy. At full capacity production of 2.10 m3, Bajaj boards will help save over 400,000 mature trees from being cut annually.

Mr Yogesh Arora, Director , Marketing & Operations, adds that “ unlike other existing wood substitutes available in the market our products are genuinely eco –friendly, having a “zero” percent wood content. Most importantly despite being legitimately “green” building material, our boards are relatively cheaper than their traditional counterparts”.

By pioneering the manufacture of engineered wood-substitutes from Bagasse, that are 100% Wood Free, Bajaj eco-tec is committed to the preservation of threatened forest resources and invaluable wood which otherwise would be felled for timber.

Bajaj Eco-tec Products Ltd is also committed to constructively using sugarcane bagasse residue to protect and enrich the environment, generate rural employment and enable rural development. The company is a member of the Indian Green Building Council and its boards have been recognized as Green Building Material.

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ARCUS – The new middle class of edgebanders from HOLZ-HER  

HOLZ-HER REICH Spezialmaschinen GmbH, a leading manufacturer of edgebanding machines, will present its new middle class edgebanders with the designation ARCUS at the HOLZ-HER Days 2008.

The ARCUS series is distinguished by its high variability, higher performance and greater stability with reduced space requirement. The modern machine design sets accents with its large, space-saving guard hoods and minimalistic functionalism. The required attachments such as mounts for the cleaning bottles or chip catch boxes are integrated into the body of the machine leaving the operator room to concentrate on his actual work – edgebanding.

The welded base frame is laid out to achieve maximum rigidity for the attachments. The transport chain for the workpieces runs in precision guides and its chain pads provide maximum grip for securely holding the panels to be processed. The pressure bridge produced of high strength, rigid U-channels has a programme control for motor-driven direct drive adjustment on the surface-hardened steel rod guides. This ensures smooth transport of the workpiece through the machine. The large, space-saving and acoustically insulated guard hoods above the attachments, with large opening angle, facilitate adjustment and cleaning work on the equipment.

The basic machine is equipped with an extending workpiece support, which supports the workpiece up to a distance of 690 mm to the run-in stop, to prevent it from tilting as it is transported through the machine. The space for the supply bottles for the spraying device is integrated into the body of the machine to eliminate unnecessary attachments on the outside. The chip catch box was also integrated into the machine in a similar manner. This chip catch box is located at the end of the edgebander were it can be emptied easily and is also easily accessible even when a return unit is installed.

The newly developed ARCUS series is equipped with shaping units for machining the ends as well as machining postforming profiles and is also available with an optional jointing cutter with two cutter motors.

Three different high performance packages make the ARCUS the ideal machine for tailor-made adaptation to your shop’s processes. All three versions allow processing of workpieces with thicknesses up to 60 mm and gluing and post-processing of edging with thickness of 3 mm, 8mm and 15 mm depending on the equipment. The feed rate is 10 m/min. on the simplest version and up to 10-18 m/min. on versions with infinitely adjustable drive. These speeds are achieved by a powerful drive motor with output of 2.2 kW.

In the run-in area the ARCUS models offer an optional possibility of attaching a jointing cutter with two motors in the forward and backward directions to eliminate hairline fissures in the final layer of the panel material. Here chip-optimised and noise-reducing, diamond-coated cutting tools are used. With the ProLock quick-change unit these can be changed very quickly.

The edge guide, which can be adjusted without tools, provides precision guidance for coiled or cut-length edging, and cuts off the coiled edging from the coil with a powerful guillotine blade. For glue application HOLZ-HER offers its own patented nozzle application systems with cartridge or for processing glue in granule form. This ensures that PVA or PUR glues can be used without problems. The short heat-up time of 3.5 minutes ensures users that the machine is quickly ready for operation saving unnecessary waiting time. The optional, pneumatically controlled pressure unit provides maximum edge pressure to glue the edges optimally so that the glued joint is hardly visible at all.

The post-processing units consist primarily of standard attachments with high rigidity. These are attached to a flat milled surface. The end trimming unit with its two motors ensures tear-free cutting results for high processing rates. Surface hardened guides guarantee long-term cutting precision. The unit can also be pivoted up to 10° for chamfered cuts. Heavy duty cutters are used for flush cutting. These allow processing of edge thicknesses up to 15 mm. Depending on the equipment version the ARCUS series offers various shaping units for corner copying and postforming. PVC edges are trimmed with a scraper unit, available with optional motor-drive and pneumatic control. Clean final processing is achieved with finishing units such as scrapers and buffing units. A heavy duty grooving unit is available for cutting longitudinal grooves in the surface or ends of the panel.

The high control standards incorporated into the ARCUS models makes them future-safe and simple to operate. The industrial processor makes the controls extremely high performance and allows rational set-up and conversion of the machine. The user surface is similar to Windows showing all information in graphic form or in clear text. The pivoting and swivelling control panel with its dust-proof foil keyboard can be adjusted to eliminate reflections from artificial lights or the sun. Comprehensive programme lists with programme names ensure that the machine can be set-up quickly.

The optimum and shortest workpiece interval is set by the control and a locking roller on the machine feed to ensure high productivity at maximum feed rate. The control for the ARCUS series displays service messages in clear text, so that the operator is always informed of the machine status. Naturally applications are integrated such as individual user management, USB port on board, keyboard connector on board, optional online maintenance and barcode interfaces as well as networking with the HOLZ-HER process data capture systems for reading out operating data. With their compact design and variable attachment capabilities the ARCUS models from HOLZ-HER have redefined the middle class of edgebanders.

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GULF INDUSTRY INVESTING $300 MILLION IN SOFTWARE  

                                 GCC industrial growth fuelling demand for ERP software,
                                say organisers of region's leading manufacturing exhibition  

With Arabian Gulf countries embarked on major investment in expanding the domestic manufacturing sector, demand is growing for industry-related software - a market forecast to hit $300 million by next year, according to industry observers.

The first edition of MEMEX in 2007 attracted over 100 exhibitors from 16 countries and trade visitors from the Middle East and North Africa. An exhibitor survey shows that the vast majority of exhibitors reported MEMEX had generated anything from six to 50 business leads and new contacts for future sales.  

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INTERNATIONAL WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS TRADE CONFERENCE IN CHINA WILL COMMENCE FROM 13TH NOV 2008

“The 5th China International Wood & Wood Products Trade Conference” is sponsored by mujiaohui.com and Asia Green--Culture Association. Since May, wood trade committee has already sent invitation letters to about 300 thousand lumber industries all over the world, and got substantial support of related government officer and Medias within and out of China. Foreign government and organizations include: Russian Irkutsk Government, Burma Forest Bureau, Asia Green--Culture Association、Japan Forest Research Institute, Japan Forestry Association, TIMBERHUNT.COM, Foreign Medias: Nippon Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation, ASIAWOODWEB.COM, INDIAPLYWEB.COM, TimberWeb, WOODY.LT, DEALWOOD, world panel industry and so on.

According to the Wood trade committee, this conference will host a summit forum on trade policy, home and abroad business situation report. And also Wood trade committee will organiz e trade negotiations, exhibitions, wood market and factories visiting around Guangzhou. There are 4 areas of the exhibition: A, B. C. D. They are raw material and processed materials area, board area, woodworks area, FSC products area. The conference create a special “International Certification Products Area” ( FSC CoC, PEFC certification products, FM Approvals) in order to help domestic wood production companies build up distributing channels for certification materials and facilitate foreign companies to buy. Up to now, the conference have received about 500 letters and calls all over the world The workers of conference have answered all the questions for the inquirers and helped those who needed further help in order to meet buyers and sellers’ needs. More than 10 enterprises have already reached an agreement although the conference hasn’t begun.

The meeting is drawing near, foreign enterprises have been signing up one by one. The State Forestry Administration has registered 2 international telephones in order to serve for the foreign friends at anytime. Till now the registered foreign enterprises are mainly from Germany, Canada, Singapore, Portugal, Russia, Burma, America, New Zealand, Finland, Japan and so on. In addition, this conference is also improved a lot in language. The working language on forum is Chinese and English, simultaneous interpretation will be provide on site, and we could also provide French and Japanese according customers’ need.

This conference is sponsored by mujiaohui.com and Asia Green--Culture Association, relying on numerous experience of undertaking professional wood products exhibition of Organizing Committee, this conference will be the largest conference in China, and will bring participating enterprises limitless business opportunity and heavy harvest.

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THE 5TH CHINA INTERNATIONAL WOOD TRADE CONFERENCE

China International Wood and Wood Products Trade Conference”is the high-end trade fair oriented for the
international purchasing and supplying of wood material and wood products.The conference using the new “order form” pattern: making sure the purchasers’ name and the purchasing list, arrange the purchasing agents and the suppliers have a face-to–face discussion, looking at samples. It is designed to build up a public platform for wood technology exchange and trade of wood and wood products.

The 5th China International Wood and Wood Products Trade Conference will be held on November 13-15, 2008 in Guangzhou, P.R.China. Relying on the powerful wood industry chain in Pan-Pearl River Delta led by Guangzhou, Shunde, Dongguan and the powerful wood markets, such as Yatai, Yuzhu, Jilong, The conference content mainly contains: Summit Forum, Trade Negotiation, Displaying and Exhibition, Market Visiting, Business Banquet. Leaders of domestic and overseas wood and wood products industrial associations, procurement groups and chain stores are invited to the event, and contacts between buyers and sellers, information release and cooperation opportunities will be arranged for participants to seek business opportunities.

This conference is sponsored by State Forestry Administration and Zhonglin Huida International Exhibition Co., Ltd, relying on numerous experience T of undertaking professional wood industry exhibition of organizing committee, this conference will be bound to bring participating enterprises limitless business opportunity and heavy harvest. Welcome the wood industry traders and media to attend and cooperate.

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THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY FORUM IS BACK AGAIN

The 10th Anniversary International Forestry Forum will take place in St. Petersburg on October 4-10, 2008. The Forum is the only В2В event that covers issues of Russian Forestry Complex Development as well as Integration of Russia into Global Forest Community. Throughout its history, the Forum featured over 500 events that gathered more than 240,000 leading forestry experts.

Events of the International Forestry Forum are united into congress, exhibition, business and contest programs. This year’s key topics will include improvement of domestic forest legislation in the period of transfer of the main forest fund to commercial entities, forestry policy, international business cooperation, investment climate in the industry, development of wood processing capacities and launch of new enterprises.

The Forum will be opened on October 4 by the Forest Investment Congress which will feature the following Conferences: Role of Forest in Climate Stabilization: Research-Innovations-Investments-Staff Potential, Development Scenarios for Forestry and Wood related industries until 2030, Forest Industry Infrastructure of Russia. Development Prospects and Trends.

The main program will be opened on October 7 by the plenary sessions: Russia and the Global Forest Community: New Priorities of the Forestry Complex Development. The key topics of the speeches will touch upon urgent forestry issues, such as integration of Russia into the global forest community providing a transition from raw-material to innovation economy, perspectives of timber and paper products consumption in Russia, influence of the rate and customs policy on the scales and structure of export and creating of a favorable investment climate in the industry. The plenary session will traditionally include speeches of relevant ministries and offices, industry associations and foreign partners.

The Forum exhibition program will feature the Forest Industry in the Situation of Decentralization of Management, Wood-Boards Production, Bioenergy, Wooden Housing Construction, Regions of Russia: Forestry Complex Investment Potential, Wood Chemical Production exhibitions as well as the Working Experience of Russian Higher Educational Institutions’ Departments in Training Pulp and Paper Industry Specialists round table meeting. Each of the conferences will present marketing and general economic market assessments, define the priority development directions for the industry and give an opportunity to discuss among participants of the conferences.

Regarding global trends of forestry and wood related industries development, the profile of the International Forestry Forum 2008 matches with the profile of the European Forest-Based Sector Technology Platform.

Forum exhibition program will feature the FORESTRY IN RUSSIA and REGIONS OF RUSSIA: FORESTRY COMPLEX INNOVESTMENT POTENTIAL exhibitions and the TEKHNODREV specialised international exhibition, including the PRIMARY WOODWORKING, TRANSLES and WOODEN CONSTRUCTION specialized sections.

Forum contest program includes the Russian Forest Annual National Award, the 5th International Junior Forestry Contest, the GOLDEN CUTTER Award and the DRYAD Award.
 

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GCC INVESTS US$18 BILLION IN NEW STEEL PLANTS

Race to close the gap in supply and demand means big business opportunities, say organisers of region's leading manufacturing exhibition

More than US$18 billion is being invested in 46 steel manufacturing plants throughout the Arabian Gulf in an attempt to close the widening gap between supply and demand for steel - a major component for the construction industry as well as materials handling machinery for manufacturing, according to latest industry research.

"While there is talk of a slowdown in other parts of the world, the growth in the Middle East manufacturing base continues to expand with demand for steel far outstripping supply," said Spencer Felix, Exhibition Manager of the  Middle East Manufacturing Exhibition (MEMEX), which takes place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 23 to 25 November 2008.

"In the race to plug the supply gap a swathe of new steel plant projects as well as expansions to existing plants have been unveiled across the region with huge potential business opportunities for industry stakeholders," added Felix.

According to the database of research company Proleads, which monitors major construction projects across the region from initial study to completion, Saudi Arabia with 17 and the United Arab Emirates with 16 are leading the way in steel plant projects individually varying in value from US $2 billion to US$15 million. Oman has six steel plants on the books, Bahrain four and Qatar three.

Topping the list of projects is an integrated complex of steel factories in Saudi Arabia which will turn out 500,000 tons a year of railway track, three million tons a year of iron and steel processing and production plant and 800,000 tons a year of pipeline manufacturing plant.

Top ten GCC steel plant projects

The following are the top ten new steel production projects in Gulf Co-operation Council countries by value according to the database of research company Proleads, which monitors major construction projects across the region from initial study to completion:

1. Al Tuwairqi Group Integrated Steel Complex, Saudi Arabia

The $2 billion planned project is for an integrated complex of steel factories in Dammam industrial area. The complex will have a 500,000 ton per annum (tpa) railway bar manufacturing plant, a three million tpa integrated iron and steel processing and production plant and 800,000 tpa steel pipeline manufacturing plant.

2. Qatar Steel Company Mesaieed Integrated Steel Facility

The $1.5 billion project currently being executed is for an integrated steel facility with a hot briquette iron plant and a flat rolled steel products plant. The facility will have a production capacity of four million tpa.

3. Saudi Iron & Steel Company - Jubail Mill Expansion 3

The $1 billion planned project calls for expanding steel production by one million tons per year.

4. Sojitz Corporation Steel Plant, UAE

The $1 billion planned project in Fujairah is for a plant that will turn iron ore pellets into steel billets with capacity of 1.5 million tons a year.

5. Essar Group Steel Plant, Qatar

The $800 million project currently being carried out is for a 1.5 million ton per year steel rolling mill plant and a one million ton per year hot briquette steel.

6. Al Ruya Industries Hamriya Steel Plant, UAE

This $700 million project under study is for an integrated steel making facility in Hamriya free zone.

7. Sohar Industrial Port Company Iron Ore Pellet Plant, Oman

The $700 million project is being carried out for an iron ore pellet plant. The plant will receive 7.5 million tons of raw materials a year. Sohar will export the pellets to steel producers in the GCC.

8. Boulder Seamless Tube Project, UAE

This $600 project in the design phase for a seamless steel tube finishing facility with a capacity of 175,000 tpa in Hamriyah Free Zone. Feedstock will come from Boulder steel mill in Queensland, Australia.

9. Saudi Iron & Steel Company - Jubail Mill Expansion 2

The $600 project currently being carried out is for a direct reduction iron plant with a capacity of 1.76 million tpa. It includes increasing annual production capacity of electric steel making by 1.22 million tpa.

10. Pan Kingdom Investment Company Jizan Economic City Steel Plant Future Expansion, Saudi Arabia

This $600 project is under study for expanding the production capacity of the plant, including a rolling mill, melt shop and a direct reduction iron plant.

MEMEX provides a unique platform for suppliers to network and conduct business with organizations currently producing or manufacturing in the Middle East or with plans to do so. After its successful debut in 2007, MEMEX has established itself as the region's leading manufacturing exhibition.

New this year will be Industryscape, a complementary vertical show which runs in parallel with MEMEX. Industryscape will be the region's first dedicated trade show for industrial, manufacturing and production real estate. Industryscape, managed by the organizers of Cityscape, the world’s largest business-to-business real estate show, will bring together international investors, developers, governments and investment authorities, leading architects, designers and consultants.

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DELHI WOOD – PHENOMENAL INDUSTRY RESPONSE TO INAUGURAL EDITION OF “DELHI WOOD”

DELHI WOOD – PHENOMENAL INDUSTRY RESPONSE TO INAUGURAL EDITION OF “DELHI WOOD” slated to be held between 12-15 February 2009 at Pragati maidan, NEW DELHI.....
The organisers of Indiawood – Asia’s Largest Sourcing Ground for Woodworking Machinery, Tools, Accessories, Raw Materials and Products PDA TRADE FAIRS have announced another woodworking industry platform –“DELHIWOOD” scheduled between 12th and 15th February, 2009 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Industry sources say response from the Industry to the Inaugural event has been phenomenal, 85% of space in Upper & Lower Level of Hall 18 & Hall 14 has already been sold

Mr. Pradeep Devaiah, Chairman & CEO, PDA TRADE FAIRS says DELHIWOOD 2009 is a comprehensive exhibition envisaged to address the needs of this growing market. It aims to showcase the latest in wood processing technologies like sophisticated CNC machines, accessories and tools from all over the world. It aims to bring together a comprehensive range of materials and fittings, to help give an impetus to the growth of industry in this region. This will also go a long way in creation of new entrepreneurs’ to enter this arena.

Delhiwood will create a hub for exhibitors and woodworking entrepreneurs from Northern India, Central India, Eastern India, North Eastern India South and South East Asia in a single platform in the country’s capital city. To keep abreast of the technological advancements in the woodworking industry, Delhiwood is being organized between two Indiawood events.

“INDIAWOOD’S” proven track record of attracting the biggest machinery companies with live displays of production lines attracted pan Indian visitors & visitors from South Asia & South East Asia. The industries trust in our ability to deliver similar audiences is amply reflected in the response to “DELHIWOOD” within a short span post the announcement says Mr. Devaiah.

“Delhi wood” has received a tremendous response already from the Industry. Bookings opened with HALL 18 of Pragati Maidan, the Industry response necessitated expansion into Hall 14 & the Upper level of Hall 18. With the industry majors such as HOMAG, HBR, JAI INDUSTRIES, WOODTECH CONSULTANTS, TAIWAN PAVILION, ITALIAN PAVILION, GERMAN PAVILION, Groups from MALAYSIA, TURKEY, CHINA having confirmed participation 85% of space is already sold. Non-Machinery, Fittings & accessories giants such as HAFELE, ASIAN PAINTS also have continued to place their trust with the Organizers of INDIAWOOD & have confirmed participation in “DELHIWOOD”.Further expansion will be planned on a need based manner in temporary hangers within the vicinity of halls 14 and 18, since the other halls are too far from these existing halls.

Mr. Devaiah also stressed that the visitor promotion team at PDA TRADE FAIRS would target to acquire visitors from the following segments: Furniture Manufacturers, Particle board Manufacturers, Architects & Builders, and Manufacturers of wood based articles, Craftsmen, Forestry Officials, Plywood Manufacturers, Interior Decorators and Saw Millers


A comprehensive visitor promotion plan for “DELHIWOOD” is being put in place & would ensure attendance of quality visitors through advertisements and articles in industry specific magazines, major dailies and other media. The activity will also include mailing of invitations and visitor information brochures to a large database (close to 150 thousand) compiled from the successful 5 editions of Indiawood. All these along with strategic support from furniture, wood and related industry associations would ensure attendance of the right quality of visitors to Delhiwood.
Stating that exhibitors were thoroughly dissatisfied with the visitor turnout in past exhibitions in Delhi, Mr. Devaiah stressed that PDA is committed to sparing no effort and money to ensure that exhibitors leave Delhi Wood with their order books full, like in the past with India Wood.

It would be important to note here that Mr. Devaiah’s take on how the organizers are now in a unique position to offer participants at both Indiawood & Delhiwood added advantages. “WOOD NEWS” India’s leading Industry publication is now owned & Published by PDA TRADE MEDIA a division of PDA Pvt Ltd. WOOD NEWS will now target readers beyond the Indian boundaries & would reach Furniture manufacturers in South ASIA & South East ASIA. As the official Publication for the event “WOOD NEWS” would provide exhibitors the opportunity to leverage their participation VIA carrying profiles of participants in the edition coinciding with the event. This would ensure visibility for participants not only amongst the buyers in India but also buyers from the neighboring countries. Besides, extensive event publicity through WOOD NEWS will drive quality visitors to “DELHI WOOD”


With the experience of Indiawood, PDA Trade Fairs is ideally placed to guarantee the type of visitor profile that makes the exhibition a success for the exhibitor. Given the background of the success of consecutive INDIAWOOD shows, one can fairly assume that every effort is being made and no cost spared to make Delhiwood the most successful and premier exhibition catering to the North, East & Central India.

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WOODWORKING & MACHINERY TRIENNIAL EVENT ASEANWOOD-WOODTECH MALAYSIA 2008 IS BACK!

Industry players from the ASEAN woodworking machinery,timber processing, forestry managing and furniture manufacturing and upplies sector will be congregating at Aseanwood-Woodtech Malaysia 2008 (WTM 2008) held at Putra World Trade Centre from 24-28 September 2008.
WTM 2008 is the only official woodworking trade fair in the ASEAN region held once every three years in Malaysia since its inception in 1994. WTM 2008 is endorsed by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia, the Malaysian Woodworking Machinery Association (MWMA), the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Malaysia Furniture Industry Council (MFIC). It also receives full support from the Malaysia Furniture Entrepreneur Association (MFEA). On the international level, WTM 2008 is supported by the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (EUMABOIS), the Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA) and their Japanese counterpart, the Chubu Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (Chubu).

WTM 2008 has confirmed 4 national pavilions from Germany, Italy, Taiwan, and China. AFEMMA is expected to bring in the Spanish pavilion. As of today, China is the largest pavilion with a participation force of 18 companies occupying over 900 sq meters of exhibition space.The overall exhibition size of WTM 2008 is targeted to be over 25,000 sq meters and is expecting to attract approximately 15,000 visitors from the Asia Pacific region. This is an overall increase of 10% from the exhibition in 2005.
Albert Lai, Managing Director of Trade-Link Management Services Sdn Bhd, organizer of WTM 2008 said, “Aseanwood-Woodtech has been growing more imperative as Malaysia moves from being just an exporter of unprocessed wood to a more focused development of value-added downstream products in the wood-based industry, combining manufacturing activities and research & development as well as product design and market promotion.”
 

"Despite the slowdown in Q1 & 2 for the wood-based sector in Malaysia, industry players are still looking forward to a relevant platform to promote their businesses. With the full support from the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities and significant federation and associations around the region,
WTM will reinforce Malaysia’s position as a regional production, trading and distribution center for the wood-based industry. With the government’s aim for the wood-based industry to go global, WTM 2008 is poised to open more doors of opportunities.” Lai continues. Malaysia is the 10th largest exporter of furniture with over 60 export destinations, and is identified as an important segment of Malaysia’s dynamic manufacturing sector, the main driver of economic growth for the country.

For the year 2007, wood-based activities recorded of an encouraging growth in exports, amounting to RM 22.65 billion, a 60% increase compared to 10 years ago, as reported by the Ministry of Plantation
Industries Commodities recently.It is also indicated that about RM933.4 million in I investments were approved, representing about 23.1 percent of total investments in the commodities sector. Of the amount, RM539.1 million was domestic investments and RM394.3 million foreign.WTM 2008 incorporates Furnitech 2008, the 6th ASEAN International Exhibition of Machinery & Accessories for Furniture Production, Upholstery and Furnishings; and Forest 2008, the 6th ASEAN International Forestry Management, Timber Supply, Handlings and Storage Exhibition.

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New Milestones set in the golden anniversary edition

of a AWFS^® fair

event over the course of four demanding days. With 910 exhibiting companies, the most of any previous show, occupying 475,875 net sq ft, an increase of 14% from 2005, AWFS^® Vegas 2007 was the largest, most successful and exciting Woodworking Machinery and Supply Fair^® to date.  Angelo Gangone noted that, “With more exhibitors occupying more exhibit space, it was only due to careful planning and the incredible team effort on the part of all of our staff and vendors that exhibitors experienced the smoothest move-in ever. This set a highly positive buzz that continued over the next four days.”

Other milestones of the 2007 event included a 40% increase in the number of new products vying for Sequoia Awards, a 30% increase in the number of entries in the Fresh Wood Student Competition, a 45% increase in the attendance at the Gala Awards Dinner and the successful inaugural debut of the National Belt Sander National Championships. Exhibitors such as Vollmer of America, already have plans to substantially increase the size of its exhibit space in 2009.  For Vollmer this is a six-fold increase since making their initial appearance as an AWFS® Fair exhibitor in 1999.  “The ’07 show was a big success for Vollmer in many ways.  We were able to reinforce existing partnerships with customers while introducing them to our newest technologies. The Fair is a wonderful opportunity to present new applications and to listen to our customers; to learn how to better serve their needs and meet industry expectations. It is this willingness to listen and then adapt our systems to customer needs that drives VOLLMER’s success. The AWFS Fair provides our company with an unmatched opportunity to accomplish these goals and more,” said VOLLMER of AMERICA President, Ralf Kraemer.

The continued growth in attendees drawn from the cabinet industry, the Fair’s largest attendee segment, growing by 12% in 2007, offset the prolonged decline in the furniture category that has occurred over the past decade even though it had been buoyed slightly in 2005 as a result of the co-location of the Furniture Market’s grand opening event.  International attendance from our neighbours to the north, Canada, also set new record highs, growing once again by 27%.  Ana Druk, AWFS^® international liaison, notes that this year’s international program was the best ever in participation, use of the International Business Center, and seriousness of the international buyers attending the show.  Formal delegations came from a number of countries that had never had a single attendee in the past, and these individuals were prepared to buy.  One first time international attendee, not only found two new suppliers, but finalized initial purchases of $135,000 and plans on repeat orders if the products measure up.  Another individual used the IBC to finalize the purchase of two pieces of equipment costing approximately $165,000.  The DOC representatives who spent the time meeting both exhibitors and international attendees, commended AWFS^® on the association’s initial participation in the IBP program and on the quality of the fair’s International Directory, distributed to all international exhibitors who attended the event.

Dale Silverman, AWFS^® EVP, notes that “As in 2005, we had many new attendees from throughout the U.S. and around the world.  Particularly thrilling was the record number of Wood and Wood Products Top 100 companies that sent a record number of their employees to the Fair this year and signed most of them up for the Awards Dinner as well. The Awards Dinner has distinguished itself as being “THE” premier industry event celebrating the best and brightest.” One of the many first time attendees that had never experienced a “major” show before,  Rusty Henderson, Master Refinisher from Troy Ohio dropped by the AWFS^® booth to thank the association.  The Fresh Wood Competition, showcasing 58 finalist pieces drawn from a record 210 entries not only drew record crowds of attendees and exhibitors, but the national press.  “AWFS^® goal is to continue to strengthen the value proposition of the AWFS^® Fair, building it into the most important woodworking supply and machinery industry show in the world.” notes Skip Hem, AWFS^® president.  “The 2007 event is now history and both the board and staff are already working on a number of creative and innovative ideas to make the 2009 event as vital, exciting and important as was 2007.”

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THE NEW ACIMALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2007-2010

So, both the President Ambrogio Delachi (Delmac) and the Vice Presidents Grazia Finocchiaro (Gruppo Scm) and Paolo Griggio (Griggio) were confirmed. Many board members were also confirmed – Claudio Ginnasi (Simimpianti), appointed as the new treasurer, Luca Lari (Artiglio), Marco Alberti (Alberti Vittorio) and Gianni Volpato (Volpato) – plus two new entries, namely Franco Paviotti (Metal World) and Gianni Raggi (Falcioni-Cefla).

 “The will expressed by our associates – commented Ambrogio Delachi – is proving the effectiveness of our decisions and the strategies we have pursued for the past three years. But this is also a clear spur to providing our industry companies with the necessary tools to face a more and more competitive and global market, where we cannot think that the “made in Italy” mark will be enough to ensure our success forever.”

It is worth underlining that the composition of the board of directors – that will guide the association until 2010 – is highly representative. “Over the next three years – Delachi added – Acimall will rely on the contribution by board members coming from different industry segments and organizations. From small and medium businesses to large industrial groups, from primary operation to tools, from finishing to traditional equipment, up to big plants. Incomparable sources of knowledge and experience that will help our association identify, interpret and support the specific needs and features of the many different areas we represent.”

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BAJAJ HINDUSTHAN FORAYS INTO MDF BOARD & PARTICLE BOARD

Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd., from Bajaj Group - one of the largest industrial groups of India, is diversifying from sugar and allied products and has set up a 100% subsidiary - Bajaj Eco-tec Products Ltd. (BEPL), to produce Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF), High Density Fibre Board (HDF) and Particle Board (PB) from sugarcane bagasse. BEPL has already tied up with some of the reputed technology and equipment suppliers from Europe and China, for use of their state of art technology for manufacturing high quality MDF, HDF & PB from sugarcane bagasse. This will save cutting of Wood/Forest and save valuable foreign exchange.

The Company plans to set up three new plants at an estimated total cost of Rs. 240 crores . Two of these three plants will manufacture MDF / HDF, and are being established in Eastern and Central U.P. and the third unit will manufacture Particle Board, which will be set up in Western U.P. The total production capacity will be about 2.10 lakh cubic meters per annum, making Bajaj Eco-tec Products Ltd, the single largest manufacturer of MDF, HDF & PB in India. 

Orders for all the three brand new imported lines have already been placed and construction activity has also commenced. All the three plants are scheduled to commence commercial production by November 2007.

Bajaj’s USP is that the entire raw material for making MDF and PB is available in-house. This in turn will ensure continuous availability of MDF & PB, something which has been the single most hurdles for all MDF and PB manufacturers.  

This forward integration into the manufacture of MDF/PB has been envisaged to fulfill the anticipated exponential growth in demand for the Housing and Furniture sectors.  The boom in housing will inevitably boost the demand for Engineered Panels. Besides the se, the rapid growth in IT and Organized Retailing sectors will further push up the huge demand for these engineered panels.

 BEPL plans to manufacture the following range of products:

 a)  Plain & Prelaminated MDF Board with thickness ranging from 6mm to 30mm in size 8’ x 4’

 b)  Plain & Prelaminated Particle Board with thickness ranging from 8mm to 30mm in size 9’ x 6’

 c)  Plain & Prelaminated High Density Fibre Board with thickness ranging from 8mm to 12mm in size 8’ x 4’

 d)  Laminated Flooring

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LIGNA+ 2007 – AN AWE-INSPIRING SUCCESS STORY

The figures for Asia were even more impressive, with visitor numbers up 32 percent to 5,800 (2005: 4,400). The same 32-percent growth rate was achieved by the United States and Canada, which together accounted for 4,500 attendees compared with 3,400 in 2005. The list of the top ten visitor nations was headed by Italy and Austria, followed by the United States and Canada.

Wood crafts showcase “Handwerk, Holz & mehr” attracts 30,000 visitors

Upbeat mood among exhibitors

Exhibitors identified their main objectives for coming to LIGNA as staying in touch with existing customers and generating new leads. The main criterion for a successful fair was cited as being the caliber of its visitors, and LIGNA fully met all expectations in this regard. Accordingly, exhibitors rated the benefits derived from participating in the show even more highly than in 2005.

Sector trends