In May 2025, Ligna, the world's leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry, will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The organizers of Ligna 2025, Deutsche Messe AG and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association (VDMA-Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen e.V.), have recorded a high level of bookings. Already one year in advance, 80 percent of the stand space has been rented. "80 percent of the net stand space - based on the total area of Ligna 2023 - has already been booked for Ligna 2025 with the end of the early booking discount," says Stephanie Wagner, Project Director Ligna at Deutsche Messe. "We also have almost two thirds of the exhibiting companies on board compared to 2023. These figures prove that exhibitors' commitment to Ligna remains high, even though the industry is currently navigating through difficult times.
A way out of the crisis
In addition to companies from Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey and Spain, numerous registrations from Asia - above all from China and Japan - have also been received for the anniversary edition of Ligna. The VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association sees the current rental status of Ligna as a sign of the industry's determination to find a way out of the crisis. "We are currently at the bottom of a pronounced economic slump," says Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of the Association. However, Dirr expects an upturn from 2025 at the latest.