Ambitious plans to build an exhibition around Woodmex which would service the whole supply chain for those involved in wood processing have been unveiled.
The Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association (WMSA) is leading the initiative to create a confederation with the working title “Working with Wood”.
The project is being headed up by specialist association management company Huddlestone Ltd which already acts for the WMSA and has recently been signed up by the Association of Suppliers to the Furniture Industry (ASFI).
Huddlestone managing director John Smith-Bodden sits on the board of the WMSA and is the organisation’s chief executive officer.
He said ASFI‘s involvement with Huddlestone should encourage the two associations to increase co-operation, adding: “They already share interests by siting both Woodmex and the ASFI show at the NEC, with the shows being held at the same time and sharing a partially common visitor base.”
He said the new event expects more than 20,000m2 exhibitor space in 2006, rising to 25,000-plus in 2008. Trade visitor numbers are expected to top 20,000 and the new and expanded areas will include joinery, packaging, timber framed construction, sawmilling, lumber and forestry and ancillaries.
Mr Smith-Bodden, who stressed that the confederation will exist for co-operation on exhibition matters only and does not imply any merger or formal link at association level, said the WMSA is in dialogue with a number of other relevant trade associations.
He added: “The move towards co-operation on an expanded exhibition at trade association level is significant within the wood processing industries. Woodmex provides a sound core to the creation of an industry-wide event for all those working with and around wood.”
