The 21st edition of Dubai WoodShow concludes with outstanding global participation and over 17,000 visitors
Dubai, UAE – The 21st edition of Dubai WoodShow, the leading platform in the Middle East and North Africa dedicated to the wood and woodworking machinery industry, concluded successfully at Dubai World Trade Centre. Organized by Strategic Exhibitions & Conferences, the three-day event attracted an impressive 17,830 visitors from 172 countries, reaffirming the exhibition's pivotal role in advancing the regional and global wood sector.
This year's edition witnessed strong attendance from industry professionals, investors, and key decision-makers, underscoring the show's growing significance as a strategic hub for innovation, collaboration, and business development within the wood and machinery sectors.
Exhibitors expressed high levels of satisfaction with the quality of participation and audience engagement, with many companies affirming their commitment to annual participation. Several exhibitors, who have taken part in numerous past editions, have already confirmed their involvement in the next edition, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 7 to 9, 2025. Many also indicated plans to expand their presence by reserving larger exhibition spaces.
Throughout the event, exhibitors praised the exceptional level of interaction with attendees, which facilitated the closing of numerous on-site deals. The presence of government officials and international industry experts further enriched the event, enabling valuable knowledge exchange and fostering new opportunities for cooperation and investment.
Broad International Participation and Leading Industry Exhibitors
The exhibition showcased 12 international pavilions, representing countries including Portugal, Gabon, China, USA, India, Italy, Turkey, Russia, France, Germany, Austria, and Egypt.
It also welcomed 784 local and international exhibitors from 56 countries, with leading companies such as Pfeifer Group, Ilim Timber, Florian Legno, Kastamonu, Pollmeier, ITALCO (SCM), Homag (Holzcraft), Biesse Group, Cefla Middle East, HS Timber Group, and Binderholz prominently featured.
The event was supported by a range of prestigious global associations and institutions, including French Timber, American Hardwood Export Council, American Softwood, and the Portuguese Association of Woodworking and Furniture Industries (AIMMP). Their involvement reinforced the exhibition's growing international stature as a platform for innovation and strategic partnerships.
Exhibitors presented an extensive range of wood products and production supplies, representing 1,662 brands. The display of state-of-the-art woodworking technologies and machinery offered visitors a comprehensive view of the latest industry developments, significantly contributing to strong commercial activity throughout the event.
Distinguished Participation and Industry Insights
The organizing committee honored ITALCO Middle East for its outstanding contribution to the regional market by introducing advanced Italian woodworking technologies. Abdalla Al Sayeh, CEO of Italco Middle East, highlighted the exhibition as a valuable opportunity to demonstrate cutting-edge machinery in a dynamic and interactive environment, fostering meaningful engagement with prospective clients.
The Segezha Group, based in Russia, was awarded Best Stand Design. Mikhail Buychev, Head of Marketing Communications, described the exhibition as one of their preferred international platforms, commending the high level of professional organization and the opportunity to expand their market presence with a focus on sustainable, eco-friendly technologies.
Similarly, Pardis Naseri, Foreign Commercial Expert at Neu Holz Al-Khalij, expressed pride in receiving the Best Stand Design award. She praised the event's organization and spoke about the popularity of their new exhibit - waterproof MDF panels, which she described as a valuable enhancement to their product portfolio.
Khalil Al-Absi, Sales Director at Homag (Holzcraft), described their participation as exceptional, noting that the exhibition provided an ideal platform to highlight the company's latest innovations and to connect with global partners across the woodworking industry.
Janis Kienberger, Managing Director of German Tech Machinery, emphasized the company's focus on delivering integrated solutions tailored to customer needs across all stages of wood processing — from cutting and shaping to drilling and assembly — rather than solely offering machinery sales.
Technical Sessions and Closing Awards Ceremony
Complementing the exhibition were several work shops, panel discussions, and live presentations that explored emerging trends and technologies in the woodworking sector. These sessions offered a forum for professionals to exchange insights and expertise on challenges and opportunities within the sector.
The exhibition concluded with a formal awards ceremony recognizing exceptional innovation and leadership within the industry. The winners were as follows:
Innovative Wood Products Award
First Place: Kastamonu
Second Place: Unilam Wood Industries
Innovative Woodworking Machinery Award
First Place: ITALCO Middle East
Second Place: IMAC Gulf
Business Woman of the Year Award
First Place: Salco Woods
Best Stand Design of the year Award
First Place: Neu Holz
Second Place: Segezha Group
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Desert Board, recognized for its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
With the successful conclusion of its 21st edition, Dubai WoodShow continues to reaffirm its role as a premier platform for business, innovation, and collaboration in the global wood industry.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
12 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Low cost airlines may launch standing only seats by 2026
In a move that's bound to spark debate among travelers, several budget airlines are reportedly considering the introduction of standing-only seating by 2026. The controversial new seating concept, designed by Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors, aims to boost capacity and cut costs—but it may come at the expense of passenger comfort. The innovative design, known as the Skyrider 2.0, features padded, bicycle-style saddle seats that allow passengers to lean at an angle rather than sit fully. Unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg back in 2018, the Skyrider 2.0 promises to increase aircraft capacity by up to 20%. According to Instagram account @entrepreneurshipquote, which has 2.8 million followers, the bicycle-style seats will allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down. The account further said it could be introduced as early as 2026. Aviointeriors claims that the new design allows for an "ultra-high-density" cabin configuration, opening air travel to a broader market by offering more affordable ticket options. The seats are said to weigh 50% less than traditional economy seats and feature fewer components, reducing maintenance costs for airlines. A screengrab shows the standing only seats designed by Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors. The concept isn't entirely new. A previous version of the Skyrider was introduced in 2010 but failed to gain traction. The upgraded Skyrider 2.0 features firmer mountings with vertical support poles attached to both the ceiling and the floor, rather than a single rail, and includes extra padding for improved comfort. While no airlines have officially confirmed plans to install the seats, Aviointeriors has hinted that implementation could begin as early as 2026—initially on short-haul flights lasting up to two hours. One of the most vocal proponents of the concept has been Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who previously expressed interest in installing standing-room berths on Boeing 737 aircraft, potentially offering ultra-low-cost tickets priced between £1 and £5. Despite the financial appeal, public reaction on social media has been largely negative. Critics have slammed the concept as inhumane and uncomfortable. 'This is pathetic. Treat humans like humans,' one user commented. Another joked, 'Soon they'll strap you to the wing with an oxygen mask.' Others urged passengers to boycott such seating altogether: 'Please never buy these tickets! Don't support this,' wrote one commenter, while another bluntly added, 'I know slave ship seating when I see it. I'll pass.' Whether the Skyrider 2.0 takes off—or remains grounded—will likely depend on how airlines balance cost savings with customer satisfaction.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Nahyan bin Mubarak attends Italian Embassy's National Day ceremony
2 June 2025 22:18 ABU DHABI (WAM)Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended a reception hosted on Sunday by the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara, on the occasion of his country's National ceremony, which was held at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, was also attended by a number of officials and heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions, in addition to a number of Italian community members in the UAE. In his speech on the occasion, the Italian Ambassador highlighted the UAE-Italy relations, which, he said, are witnessing continuous development and growth across all fields, noting that the UAE is Italy's most important trading partner in the Middle East.
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
55th Watch and Jewellery ME Show concludes with 87000 visitors
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the five-day exhibition attracted more than 87,000 visitors, marking 9 percent increase compared to the previous edition. This reinforces the exhibition's status as one of the largest and most significant gold and jewellery trade exhibitions in the UAE and the region. The 55th Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show featured the participation of over 500 local and international exhibitors, representing high-end brands in gold, diamonds, and luxury watches, in addition to 1,800 high-profile designers, manufacturers, and industry professionals. Occupying an expansive 30,000 square metres, the exhibition marked the debut participation of several international participants from Russia, Mexico, Tanzania, and Egypt. It also saw the presence of an elite group of leading jewellery and watchmakers from both local and global markets. Key exhibiting countries include the UAE, India, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, China, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Lebanon. The 55th edition presented a set of exclusive jewellery pieces and culturally inspired international designs officially recognised by Guinness World Records. Key highlights included the unveiling of the world's longest diamond necklace. The masterpiece spans 108 meters and is adorned with more than 600 lab-grown diamonds, meticulously crafted in 18-karat rose gold. The exhibition also unveiled the 'Union Frame,' which has entered the Guinness World Records as the world's largest gold frame. Another standout attraction was a fully gold-plated car introduced by Al Romaizan Gold and Jewellery. Nicknamed 'Gold-Zilla' for its looks and powerful performance, the extraordinarily rare piece is valued at nearly 3.67 million dirhams, offering a unique blend of mechanical power and dynamic artistic innovation. The 55th Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show witnessed a distinguished presence by the Italian pavilion that unveiled rare collections of handcrafted diamond and jewellery pieces. The pavilion featured around 50 brands, a 15 percent growth over the previous edition, making Italy the largest international participant in the show. Designed by some of Italy's most celebrated designers, the collections were custom-designed and produced exclusively for the exhibition, with each piece offered in highly limited editions, typically no more than two per design, drawing wide attention from global luxury jewellery connoisseurs. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, stated that the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show has successfully reinforced its status as a leading global platform bringing together top designers and renowned international brands under one roof. This was evident in the record participation of over 500 exhibitors and 1,800 designers from around the world, along with more than 87,000 visitors. He noted that this exceptional turnout reflects growing confidence in the exhibition and its vital role in supporting and advancing the gold and jewellery sector. He affirmed Expo Sharjah's commitment to further enhancing the exhibition, expanding collaboration with partners, and driving innovation in an industry that undergoes significant transformation and offers substantial global opportunities This edition of the exhibition featured outstanding participation from 20 young Emirati female designers, who presented their latest innovative collections of gold and diamond jewellery with a global flair. Their unique designs drew inspiration from the local environment and cultural heritage, incorporating traditional crafts such as Al-Talli into contemporary creations. Among the standout pieces were 'Zayed's Lantern,' the 'Palm Necklace,' the 'Well' design, and the 'Emirati Dama'a,' along with a variety of finely crafted jewellery pieces made with gemstones, natural pearls, and gold, all showcasing exceptional skill and artistry. The exhibition is set to announce today, Monday, the winners of prestigious prizes allocated for its visitors, including a Tesla Model 3 and luxury gold and diamond sets. The 55th edition presented rare and exclusive collections of high-end jewellery, exceptional diamonds, and premium timepieces, all offered at competitive prices and with special discounts. It also recorded robust sales, reflecting strong consumer demand and the exhibition's continued role as a key marketplace for luxury gold and jewellery acquisitions.
