Milan-based Xylexpo has suffered since leading producers Biesse, SCM and Cefla switched their allegiance to rival show Technodomus at Rimini [staged just before Xylexpo], with Biesse taking the step of also leaving Acimall.
But now Acimall has said it has unanimously accepted Biesse’s request to rejoin Acimall, the organiser of Xylexpo.
“Our comeback in Acimall stems from the renovation process undertaken by Acimall, a process we want to support actively,” said Biesse managing director Giancarlo Selci.
“For this reason, we are also positively considering possible participation on the next Xylexpo 2014, an event that will have to bring a real return on investment to its major actors.”
Biesse’s move is a sign of a possible end to acrimony over the two competing fairs. In 2011, Acimall said it was considering enforcement action against member companies that attended Technodomus instead of Xylexpo.
Last year Acimall said it was pursuing a solution with all parties which would see only one Italian woodworking technology exhibition held in 2014.
But earlier this year it pledged to keep Xylexpo in Milan, confirming the dates for the next show as May 13-17, 2014, while Technodomus confirmed its dates for Rimini as April 9-12, 2014.
However, Acimall said it was hopeful of attracting SCM, Biesse and Cefla back as exhibitors. There is no word yet of any decision by SCM and Cefla to return to Xylexpo.
“We are all very happy about Biesse’s decision,” said Acimall president Ambrogio Delachi.
“I am sure that this comeback will ensure a remarkable contribution to the association’s life and to the promotion of Italian machines on the global markets.”
