The 2018 edition of Xylexpo is going to be a milestone in the 50-year success story of the event: the area has been virtually sold out for a few weeks now and, with the addition of a fourth hall, the exhibition will get close to 35 thousand net square meters, a significant progress from 29,189 in the previous edition, when the area expansion amounted to two thousand square meters compared to 2014.
So, after many “highs and lows”, Xylexpo – the biennial international exhibition of woodworking and furniture industry technology to be held at FieraMilano-Rho from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 May, 2018 – seems to have found its dimension for many reasons: there will be all the big actors of a technological sector that is going through a period of deep transformation. We are referring to “Industry X.0” topics, as well as plenty of concepts and trends related to the new “IoT” space, visions and new manufacturing processes that you will find at Xylexpo more than anywhere else. In recent years, the Milan exhibition has been moving into a clear direction, offering a comprehensive and detailed review of everything that fits into the concept of “high technology” for secondary processing. Such transformation is clearly visible: Xylexpo is increasingly becoming a reference for all segments where “technology turnaround” is very fast, where user requirements are “chasing” the market and urging fast changes in production systems.
It’s a bet that 18 thousand unique visitors expected, accounting for more than 44 thousand accesses totally, will consider successful or not. For sure, it is going to be a strongly attractive exhibition, as suggested by preliminary visitor registration figures, indicating a growing trend compared to 2016, when professional visitors were 17,415, 14.2 percent more than two years before, with over five thousand visitors from abroad.
It is worth reminding that entrance is free for those who pre-register on the website xylexpo.com, while those coming without an entrance voucher will have to buy a ticket.
The number of exhibitors is basically unchanged, about 420 companies, as a result of the enduring trend of mergers and acquisitions. The exhibitors catalog (in five languages) has been online on the exhibition website for a while: just click to see who is attending Xylexpo and where their booths are located, combining such information with the upgraded MyMatching app (available on Apple Store and Google Play Store) to organize your visit in advance, giving and taking information from exhibitors, fixing dates and meetings, making the most of each minute spent at Xylexpo 2018.
This year, the organizers have increased their commitment to bring as many international buyers as possible to Milan: the collaboration with Ice-Italian Trade Agency and Fiera Milano will secure the participation of over 300 operators from twenty countries, who will be have the opportunity to “touch” many innovations in the aisles of the fair halls.
XA-XYLEXPO ARENA IS BACK
With the addition of a fourth hall, there will be space to restore the Xylexpo Arena, launched in 2010, with a calendar of events that include valuable partnerships, such as the “Giulio Natta” Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering of the Milan Polytechnic and Catas, the most important European laboratory for the wood-furniture value chain, presenting a program of meetings about the sustainability of adhesives and coatings. This interesting round of presentations will feature fifteen speakers from renowned companies and corporations including Panguaneta, Marlegno,
Agroils, Arsonsisi, Akzo Nobel, Ica, Merck Group, Gruppo Lechler, Valcucine.
“Industry X.0” topics will also be discussed in four meetings organized by Accenture, each featuring a specialist of specific aspects of the current industrial revolution, and in-depth presentations by Iq Consulting, a spin-off of the University of Brescia, dedicated to digital technology, 3D printing, project culture and supply management.
On Thursday and Friday, in the morning, two seminars for window manufacturers, and more in general, for joiners and carpenters, featuring Stefano Frignani of Kosmosoft who will talk about “Joinery 4.0”.
Another major actor at Xylexpo Arena 2018 will be Conlegno/FederlegnoArredo, dealing with the hot topic of “due diligence” in the wood and pulp industry, while Csil-Centro studi industria will present its successful “World Furniture Outlook”, 2018 edition.
PAST AND FUTURE
Xylexpo will have a few guest stars: halls 1 and 3 will feature sixteen dedicated areas presenting the fascinating masterpieces of the “Tino Sana” museum, an institution that is offering a valuable contribution to the industry with its heritage preservation and promotion activity.
“Wood at Xylexpo” will be under the spotlights with three “big names” in hall 2: Culturalegno-Ligna Mundi is exhibiting boards and pieces of logs of valuable species from all over the world, processed with traditional tools to reveal the origins of the necessity to “invent” our machines; not far, Savinelli 1876 – a brand that needs no introduction, being one of the world’s most famous pipe producers – will enrich Xylexpo with a presentation of its production, a model of style, elegance and manual skills, focusing on the poetic value of wood and the uniqueness of their production. And finally, a friend of Xylexpo, the brand Riva 1920, presenting significant pieces to show how modern technology can be leveraged to create stylish solid wood masterpieces.
A LOOK AT PRESENT TIMES
We have also identified an area to look into the future, or better, the present. In two areas next to hall 4, Xylexpo is hosting Tecnomovie (Group Comunica) and the Italian subsidiary of Cloud Plugs. The former is presenting “high-tech” communication tools, including augmented reality, holographic boxes and video animations. Cloud Plugs is a global actor in the “Industry 4.0” domain, coming to Xylexpo to show the potential of the “Internet of Things” and web-based systems.
XIA-XYLEXPO INNOVATION AWARDS
Everything is ready also for the innovation award, with four categories this year (solid wood, panels, tools and coating). A jury of six university professors will select the most “disruptive” solutions, presenting the prizes at the awarding ceremony on May 9 during “Xylexpo Night”.
P.s.: For more details, the full agenda of events and additional information, please visit xylexpo.com.
