Wood Products & Technology brings the industry together – and looks ahead

From 25–27 August, the wood industry came together for three intensive days at Wood Products & Technology. This year’s event offered business opportunities, knowledge exchange, product launches and numerous meetings between stakeholders from across the entire value chain.

“The wood industry is facing challenging times, and that makes it all the more important to have an arena where the industry can meet, exchange experiences and look ahead,” says Monika Ölund, Business Manager for Wood Products & Technology.

Ahead of this year’s event, the decision was made to shorten the exhibition from four days to three. This resulted in a more concentrated meeting place, where stakeholders from across the value chain came together to do business, establish new contacts and discover new products and knowledge.

The exhibition is at the heart of the event. This year’s exhibitors included both newcomers, such as Finland-based Carlo Casagrande, and returning exhibitors such as IK Teknik.

“Our stand at Wood Products & Technology is essentially the only marketing we do, apart from our customers recommending us. This year, I was a little concerned that the exhibition was smaller, but there have been just as many decision-makers here as usual. We have had the right visitors and met the right people,” says Ola Iversen, CEO of IK Teknik.

Knowledge and networking

Knowledge and the exchange of experience had a prominent role at this year’s event. The stage programme featured talks and discussions on topics including new laws and regulations, emerging technologies and AI.

“We see a growing need for knowledge and the exchange of experience. That is why content is playing an increasingly important role at the meeting place,” says Monika Ölund.

Networking is another important part of Wood Products & Technology. Both formal and informal meetings took place on the exhibition floor, in workshops organised by organisations including RISE, the Swedish Wood Protection Association and Paper Province, as well as during social events after the exhibition closed for the day.

“Face-to-face meetings remain one of the exhibition’s greatest strengths. When different parts of the value chain are gathered in one place, conversations, connections and business opportunities arise that are difficult to create in other ways,” says Monika Ölund.

Issues shaping the future

This year’s event reflected several of the issues currently high on the wood industry’s agenda.

“We see an industry undergoing rapid change. Issues relating to raw materials, traceability and skills are important, while automation, digitalisation and AI are creating new opportunities. This is where Wood Products & Technology needs to be relevant – by bringing the industry together around both today’s business opportunities and tomorrow’s development,” says Monika Ölund.

The work to further develop Wood Products & Technology continues together with the industry.

“We will build on what creates value for both exhibitors and visitors, while remaining responsive to how the industry’s needs are changing. The dialogue during this year’s event will be important as we now take the next step,” says Monika Ölund.

The next Wood Products & Technology will take place in 2028.

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Facts about Wood Products & Technology

Number of exhibitors: 133
Number of visitors: 3,083
Speakers in the stage programme: 80
Sessions in the stage programme: 60