Mike Jeffree (MJ): The carrefour international du bois (cib) has grown consistently, even through the international downturn. how has it achieved this and what differentiates it from other timber exhibitions?
Cecile Touret (CT): The CIB is Europe’s only tradeshow exclusively dedicated to wood, wood construction and wood byproducts. We are very targeted and strict about companies allowed to exhibit. Sam Padden (SP): The show is also organised by the trade for the trade, organised by an association (Atlanbois) dedicated to the promotion of timber, with its managing committee drawn from a range of timber businesses. We don’t go for fancy communication campaigns either! Our aim is to bring together the right exhibitor with the right visitor.
MJ: When and why did cib introduce its ‘democratic’ policy of having all stands about the same size?
CT: It’s existed from the outset in 1990 and is a fundamental aspect of the show. It encourages companies of all sizes to exhibit; allowing SMEs to sit alongside large international and European groups without being overshadowed. To broaden this mix, we also keep prices as attractive as possible and additionally have companies represented on collective stands from French regions or particular countries.
MJ: Green issues are increasingly significant for the global timber trade. how is this reflected at the cib?
SP: Tradeshows naturally reflect their market trends and this is particularly true with CIB and environmental questions. Very few exhibitors today are not environmentally certified. And PEFC and FSC schemes particularly are omnipresent, with their own stands and via exhibitors highlighting their certification. These topics are prime topics in our conference programme too.
MJ: The techniques & solutions (t&s) area of the cib, focused on wood in construction, has also consistently grown since its introduction. will it be even bigger in 2016?
SP: As I said before, CIB reflects its marketplace, and timber-based building and wood’s wider use in construction have grown significantly in France over the last decade. Timber frame’s share in the individual housing market has risen from 4% to 13% and it has 20% of all housing extension and loft conversion business. It also has 5% of the communal/ collective housing sector and 10% of public construction, including schools. And there are major high-rise timber building developments too, with plans for projects from 8 to 15 storeys. So T&S will naturally continue to grow at CIB. Our only limiting factor is the size of the hall.
MJ: Has T&S also become more international?
CT: This area is primarily targeted at the French building sector, including contractors and architects, whereas the rest of the CIB is completely international. However, international companies have increased from 17.3% of T&S exhibitors in 2006, to 30.6% in 2014.
MJ: A major project to develop use of timber in large-scale french construction has also been launched under the nouvelles france industries government initiative (see pg37- 38). will this feature at cib?
SP: T&S will have a focus on timber high-rise, with engineered wood specialists among the exhibitors. This initiative will also feature in the conference programme and we’ll organize visits to leading timberbased construction sites around Nantes, including possibly a trip to an eight-storey building.
MJ: What are other plans for the conference?
CT: We’ll have an international theme on the Friday, with, for instance, two foreign architects giving their perspectives. There will also be shorter events and workshops on specific technical topics, grouping 10 to 15 people around a table for discussions. Other key focuses will be design and interiors, reflecting growing use of timber in hospitality and retail.
MJ: What services are provided for international visitors and why should british and irish timber traders attend?
SP: Nantes Tourisme help with services for international visitors, such as hotels, and transport. And our administration team help visitors and exhibitors on language. CT: And British and Irish traders should come to discover new suppliers and products and to get in touch with French and wider market trends. Everything is under one roof and anyone spending one or two days here will return with a mine of information and contacts. Nantes has direct flights from UK and Ireland too. It’s two hours from Paris by train, with plenty of reasonably priced hotels, a vibrant artistic and cultural scene – and it’s surrounded by many vineyards! (http://en.nantes-tourisme. com).
MJ: So how is the cib shaping up for 2016?
SP: Construction and the economic situation more broadly are improving and this will undoubtedly be mirrored in the show. We’ve already received double the stand bookings we had at this stage for 2014! Our target is 530 exhibitors and over 10,000 trade visitors.
