Woodmex is now two weeks behind us. The bunions that raged from pounding the thinly carpeted concrete of the NEC are calming down and the stomach is settling after one too many Birmingham baltis.
But for the machine companies exhibiting, the work is just beginning. Those we spoke to after the event were burning the midnight oil handling the enquiries. As one said: “If you don’t strike while the iron is hot, your customer may go to the competitor who’s followed up more quickly.” But, of course, it’s the kind of pressure that the machinery agents and manufacturers relish – and the good news is that most of those we spoke to said the level of enquiries was very strong this year. Some may not pan out, but the gut feeling was that a healthy proportion would translate into orders. A good number of companies also said they either finalised a sale on the stand, or did the whole deal then and there.
Another positive to come out of Woodmex, said exhibitors, was that potential customers were showing increasing interest in the better end, higher tech and more productive – and obviously more expensive! – technology. Naturally, you have to take into account that sales staff on stands were talking amid the morale-boosting buzz of a busy show (and the organisers say attendance was on a par with the previous Woodmex at 14,939). But enough exhibitors made comments along these lines to indicate that there is what one described as an upmarket trend going on.
“Obviously it’s good news for machine suppliers,” he said. “But it’s also a welcome development for the industry generally. It’s evidence that businesses are committed to quality and also that they’re confident – they’re investing in the future.”
TTJ and sister title Furniture Manufacturer had an upbeat Woodmex too, with several thousand magazines distributed from our stands. And before the writs arrive, we formally apologise for the fossilised sausages available (free) from our hospitality lounge. Next time we’ll do something else – balti curries perhaps.
