Exhibition director John Smith-Bodden reported good show feedback on Wednesday and said W12 planned to grow the new Working with Design element (materials and components).
He said he was open to future partnerships, including possibly with Timber Expo, which finished two weeks ago (for full Timber Expo coverage see pp15-21).
"We are very open for discussions because our visitor base is interested [in purchasing materials]," said Mr Smith-Bodden. "The two events are not in competition and are complementary."
He reported a solid attendance at W12, with good feedback from exhibitors and a "tremendous feel" to the show.
"I have spoken to Homag and SCM and their staff have been very busy. Considering the economic times we are in it’s pretty encouraging."
Mr Smith-Bodden said Working with Wood was about the same size as two years ago and admitted the days of large machinery exhibitions seen when W12 was known as Woodmex were unlikely to return.
"The industry is consolidating and the size of machines has decreased, but the range is still represented there."
Mr Smith-Bodden revealed that fittings manufacturer Blum had signed up for Working with Design in 2014.
Meanwhile, the British Woodworking Federation’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme was launched at the show, with nine joinery companies and two organisations signing up at the launch ceremony.
Supporting companies are Howarth Windows & Doors, Westgate Joinery, Oakwrights, Parker & Highland Joinery, Arnold Laver Timberworld, Elmwood Joinery, the Performance Window Group, Tompkins Wood and Vicaima.
Full coverage of W12 will follow in a later issue of TTJ.
