Türkiye’s leading fair organization company, RX Tüyap, with its international experience, and AİMSAD, the umbrella organization of the Turkish woodworking machinery sector, with its industry strength and unifying structure, are preparing to host the WoodTech Fair for the 37th time, held annually at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul. RX Tüyap General Manager Berkan Öner, whom we spoke with about the latest developments regarding the WoodTech Fair, a platform where innovations in the Turkish woodworking machinery sector are showcased, technological advancements are shared, and professionals come together, stated, “Many local and international companies have the opportunity to present their latest products and services at the WoodTech Fair.”
The WoodTech Fair, which has been shaping the Turkish woodworking machinery sector since its inception, will take place this year between October 12-16, 2024, across a total area of 12 halls and 120,000 square meters. At this year’s WoodTech Fair, where sustainability and smart technologies are at the forefront, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to a wide audience, gaining new customers and business partners throughout the fair, while visitors will be able to closely observe the latest innovations and technologies in the sector, allowing them to enhance their business processes and increase their competitive edge.
- WoodTech Fair is an important specialized exhibition that has been ongoing for 37 years without interruption. Could you explain how the fair has contributed to the developments in the Turkish woodworking machinery sector since its inception?
WoodTech Fair has been making significant contributions to the Turkish woodworking machinery sector for 37 years. It has been a source of pride for us that, since its inception, it has become one of the most important meeting points in the industry. WoodTech Fair plays a crucial role in the woodworking machinery sector as a platform where innovations in the industry are introduced, technological developments are shared, and professionals come together. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their businesses by establishing new connections, while visitors will gain access to the latest technologies and trends. This dynamic exchange fosters the growth of the industry and enhances its international competitiveness. Particularly, local manufacturers gain the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to enhance their competitiveness in global markets.
“Companies have the opportunity to showcase their latest products and services at the WoodTech Fair”
- Could you provide information about the participant profile of the WoodTech Fair?
The participant profile of the WoodTech Fair is quite diverse. The fair attracts companies from various sectors, including woodworking machinery, furniture production machinery, surface treatment technologies, wood and wood-based products, and chemicals. Both domestic and international firms have the chance to present their newest products and services at the WoodTech Fair. The fair includes a wide range of participants, from large-scale manufacturers to small and medium-sized enterprises. This ensures that the fair has a dynamic and rich content. While large companies reinforce their leadership in the industry by showcasing new technologies and products at the fair, SMEs also gain the opportunity to reach a broader audience and establish new business connections. Additionally, academic institutions and research institutes participate in the fair, sharing knowledge about innovative approaches and technologies within the sector.
“This year, sustainability and smart technologies are at the forefront at the WoodTech Fair”
- What is the theme or focus of this year’s WoodTech Fair? Are there any particular innovations or trends you would like to highlight?
This year’s WoodTech Fair, where sustainability and smart technologies are at the forefront, will contribute to the promotion of eco-friendly and energy-efficient technologies. Sustainable production solutions, recyclable materials, and environmentally friendly production processes in the woodworking machinery sector will be highlighted. Additionally, trends in digitalization and automation will also be significant focal points this year. Our participating companies will showcase innovative technologies in smart factories and digital production technologies, contributing to the digital transformation of the industry.
- The WoodTech Fair has achieved high satisfaction rates for both visitors and participants in past years. What are the goals you have set for this year?
We aim to maintain and increase the high satisfaction rates we have achieved in previous years. We want to introduce the latest innovations in the industry to a broader audience by expanding the number of participants. We are strengthening the global status of our fair by specifically increasing the number of international participants and visitors. Our goals for creating business connections and enhancing commercial partnerships are also very ambitious. We want participants and visitors to have the opportunity to create new business opportunities and strengthen existing business connections throughout the fair.
“Our visitor profile includes industry professionals and decision-makers”
- Could you tell us about your expectations regarding the visitor profile? Which regions do you particularly expect foreign visitors to come from?
Our visitor profile includes industry professionals and decision-makers. This year, we expect significant interest from foreign visitors, particularly from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. We believe that companies from these regions will seek to create new business opportunities by leveraging Türkiye’s strategic location. We expect visitors predominantly from Europe, including countries such as Germany, Italy, Poland, and Romania; from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar; from North Africa, including Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia; and from Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. These visitors will have the opportunity to closely observe the latest technologies and innovations, establish business connections, and engage in commercial collaborations. Additionally, the wide range of participants and rich content of the fair will meet visitors’ expectations and enhance their knowledge in the industry.
“WoodTech Fair is of great value in terms of sectoral business connections and commercial relations”
- How do you assess the fair’s role in establishing business connections?
The WoodTech Fair plays a very important role in establishing business connections. Participants and visitors have the opportunity to hold face-to-face meetings, form partnerships, and finalize commercial agreements. The B2B meetings organized at the fair allow companies in the industry to create new business connections and strengthen existing relationships. The fair, as a platform for showcasing industry innovations and technological advancements, enhances the business potential of both participants and visitors. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to a wide audience, gaining new customers and business partners throughout the fair. Visitors will be able to closely observe the latest innovations and technologies in the sector, allowing them to enhance their business processes and increase their competitive edge. In this sense, we believe that WoodTech Fair holds significant value for sector-specific business connections and commercial relationships.
“WoodTech Fair will take place across a total area of 12 halls and 120,000 square meters”
- How many halls will there be and what is the total area for the WoodTech Fair this year?
This year, the WoodTech Fair will be held across all the halls of our exhibition center; a total of 12 halls and 120,000 square meters. This expansive space will allow participants and visitors to move comfortably throughout the fair and explore the latest products and technologies. Each hall will be organized to focus on different areas and topics within the industry. This way, visitors will be able to more easily follow innovations and technologies in their areas of interest.
“WoodTech Fair is a must-attend event for all professionals operating in the woodworking machinery and furniture manufacturing sectors”
- Who should visit the WoodTech Fair?
WoodTech Fair is a must-attend event for all professionals operating in the woodworking machinery and furniture manufacturing sectors. Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, engineers, and designers interested in woodworking machines, furniture production machines, and surface processing technologies should visit the fair. These professionals will have the opportunity to discover the latest technology and innovations, helping them advance their businesses. Additionally, the fair offers significant opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors looking to enter the sector. Students and academics can also attend to learn about industry innovations and guide their future careers.
“The strong collaboration between AİMSAD and RX Tüyap is enhancing firms’ competitiveness in global markets”
- The WoodTech Fair is organized with RX Tüyap’s international experience and AİMSAD’s sector strength and unifying structure. How do you think this strong collaboration has impacted both the fair and the sector’s development?
RX Tüyap’s international experience and AİMSAD’s sector strength play a crucial role in the success of the WoodTech Fair. RX Tüyap’s years of international experience and extensive network greatly contribute to organizing the fair as a global event. This way, our fair reaches a larger audience of participants and visitors each year and becomes a recognized and preferred event on the international stage. AİMSAD’s strong and unifying structure in the sector allows the fair to be organized in a way that meets sectoral needs. AİMSAD’s expertise and experience in the sector ensure that the content and programs of the fair are shaped according to sectoral demands. This strong collaboration enhances the organizational quality of the fair and helps innovations in the sector reach a broader audience. Additionally, the fair’s role in establishing international business connections and increasing commercial partnerships is strengthened. This collaboration also allows companies in the sector to enhance their competitiveness in global markets and create new business opportunities.
