The countdown is now well and truly on for W6 – Working with Wood, the reincarnation of the Woodmex machinery show.
The new show, which runs at the Birmingham NEC from October 8-11, has broadened its remit in order to appeal to the complete range of suppliers for all those involved in the wood processing and manufacturing industries. In fact, the show will see around 350 exhibitors showcasing timber and board supply, machinery, tooling, extraction, services, components and ancillaries, to name but a few.
“W6 continues it’s Woodmex heritage in bringing you the very best from the machinery sector,” said exhibition director John Smith-Bodden. “But growing on from Woodmex, as you look around W6, a number of additional features will catch the eye.”
One of the most eye-catching features will be the Timber Framed House, supplied by Benfield ATT.
The house will comprise a partially exposed structure to show the nature of this ever-more popular method of construction, as well as finished products in situ internally.
Innovation award
The house will also be home to the Furnicom Innovation Award, a new award which highlights innovation in furniture components (Furnicom is the rebranded and upgraded ASFI Expo exhibition). Celebrity designer Linda Barker will be in residence on Tuesday October 10 to carry out the final judging and present the award to the lucky winner.
Companies sponsoring the feature include Laminated Wood, which is supplying the roof purlins and ridges. “Glulam beams are becoming more popular as their advantages are recognised,” said managing director John Mallinckrodt. “With a wide stock of beams here in the UK, we are well placed to take advantage of this growth in the market.” The outstanding structural performance of these beams easily matches the performance of their heavier alternatives and gives considerable versatility, enabling the creation of vast interior spaces with no internal supports.
Doncaster-based JELD-WEN is supplying a high quality made-to-measure timber stair leading to the mezzanine bedroom area. “Timber stairs have a natural beauty that enhances a home and this is the perfect example of how our stairs specialists can provide a bespoke design to suit a joiner or builder’s individual needs,” said Tony Pell, product manager for JELD-WEN. “This is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our high quality timber stairs in this superb setting.”
Window supplier
On the windows front, Eco Windows is supplying a French door and window frame. The bespoke timber windows and doors provider’s extensive product portfolio includes sliding sash, casement, tilt and turn windows and front doors, French and bi-folding doors. Its affiliation to the British Woodworking Federation’s TWA Scheme demonstrates its absolute commitment to delivering the highest level of product performance, durability and manufacturing standards.
Bespoke Parquet and Foresbec UK have joined forces to supply and fit the mezzanine flooring area. The two companies, together with the UK’s leaders in the wood flooring market, have recently formed the British Wood Flooring Association (BWFA) with the aim of establishing quality and training standards for installation of real wood flooring. The BwfA can be found on stand number W69.
The internal lining for the construction is being provided by Kent’s Panel Agency Ltd. Its SasmoX range of gypsum reinforced fibreboards are manufactured from 83% recycled gypsum, 15% waste wood fibres and 2% water, making SasmoX a truly green product.
Smartply Europe Ltd is providing OSB panels for the walls and roof as well as the ground floor area. SmartPly OSB is manufactured by compressing precisely engineered strands of wood with exterior resins at high temperature to create an incredibly strong and versatile panel
Roof system
iLevel Trus Joist is supporting the feature with its “Spatial Roof” system. Its TJI joists were invented in 1969 as a superior replacement for joists made from ordinary sawn lumber and use up to two-thirds less wood then sawn lumber joists.
Externally, Eco Deck UK Ltd is laying its award-winning Eco Decking Tiles – a product designed to cover any exterior hard surface quickly and easily, transforming it into a hardwood deck.
The modular tiles are backed with a weatherproof polypropylene base that simply clicks together, enabling quick, easy installation.
JJ Smith & Co (Woodworking Machinery) Ltd is also sponsoring the structure. Its stand (T27) will feature a working display of its market-leading Anglemaster saw, specified for the timber frame industry.
Finally, furniture design students from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC) will be displaying their creations inside the house, which will be of interest to designers and architects, as well as construction and furniture manufacturing areas of W6’s audience. The BCUC can be found in the Learning Zone in Hall 20.
The emphasis at the Learning Zone is on training and development. “An ongoing challenge in our industry is finding skilled personnel,” said Mr Smith-Bodden. “The purpose of the Learning Zone is to help companies and individuals identify opportunities for training, not only for young people new to the industry but also ongoing training for improving skills and keeping up-to-date with new methods and developments.”
Showcasing talent
Traditionally, Woodmex hosted the Apprentice Competition to showcase young talent in the use of woodworking machinery. Expanding on this, the Learning Zone will include the latest furniture creations from BCUC students and Leeds College. Advice on training courses will be available, as will advice on training grants.
The education theme will also be in evidence through a series of seminars organised by TRADA and FIRA, which will run throughout W6. Topics covered will include recycling timber waste, successful lean manufacturing, proving fire resistance, and major health and safety issues affecting the wood processing industries. The full programme can be viewed at www.w6exhibition.com.
The same website address can be used for pre-registration for W6, which is on course to attract over 18,000 visitors. Everyone who pre-registers will be entered into a free prize draw to win the new Fiat Doblo Cargo Series 2, recently voted International Van of the Year 2006. And, for every visitor through the door, W6 will donate a tree to the Woodland Trust’s “Trees for all” scheme.
