Large numbers of visitors were reported at the Holz-Handwerk 2003 exhibition in Nuremberg in March, despite challenging conditions in the European joinery trade and world political uncertainty.
The event, billed as the “most important trade fair” for the woodworking sector in Europe, displayed machinery, equipment and supplies for the carpentry and joinery industries. A total of 39,152 visitors and 554 exhibitors attended, the latter being 60 down on 2001 due to the weak situation in the German woodworking industry.
Trade interest was concentrated mainly on electric tools, component parts and materials, whereas the suppliers of specialist machinery noticed the investment barriers in the craft industry.
Almost 90% of exhibitors made new contacts and more than three-quarters expect follow-up business.
A growing interest in Holz-Handwerk was shown by traditionally smaller target groups including wholesalers, foreign traders, architects, interior designers and employees from the science and research sector.
