The staggering rebooking rate follows a W12 event at Birmingham NEC which attracted about the same number of visitors as 2010 but an increase in the number of companies they represented – 6,500.
German woodworking machinery giant Homag and furniture fittings manufacturer Blum are among those to rebook.
Exhibition director Angela McGowan said the Monday and Wednesday attendance was busier than at W10. She pointed out that “Sold at W12” signs were dotted all over stands by the end of the show.
Carl O’Meara of J&C O’Meara and Kundig said they both had more enquiries abut wide-belt sanders at the show than in the previous six months.
Homag’s Paul Cooper said Homag sales staff were extremely busy at the show. Meanwhile, in the adjoining Working with Design show, which showcases components and materials, Finsa UK managing director Rafael Willisch said the event had put the company into contact with a whole new level of customers.
In the Design in Manufacturing Awards, Curvomatic won top prize for its system for curving plywood. EDP and Movac Group were runners-up and highly commended awards were given to Trade Mouldings and Finsa.
