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XYLEXPO NEW OFFERS NEW FEATURES, OUTLOOK
The 2008 edition of the Xylexpo, held May 27 to 31 at the FieroMilano Rho Fairgrounds, is going to be “the greatest Xylexpo in history,” show organizers announced at the Xylexpo NEW press conference held in mid-February in Milan. The event hosted about 80 journalists from 27 countries.
By February 5, nearly 73,000 sq. m (250,000 sq. ft.) of booth space had already been assigned to 725 exhibitors — with international groups like SCM GROUP, Biesse, Homag and Weinig dominating the most floor space.
“There are many new things we are working on; however, this should not deviate attention from a clear fact that the Xylexpo NEW is an important international event because it offers the best possible offerings in wood technology and supplies,” Paolo Griggio, Acimall vice president said.
The trade show organizers have made extensive efforts to rebrand the decades-old show as Xylexpo NEW. The “NEW” reflects the expansion of product categories to include semifinished materials and furniture industry supplies. Historically Sasmil, the furniture-focused show had run parallel to the Xylexpo; however, the two shows parted ways this year.
“After 20 editions and 40 years together, we had to accept the new direction taken by Sasmil, which decided to move to February with the Made Expo,” Acimall president Ambrogio Delachi explained. “I have to say we were informed when all decisions had been made, although we had offered alternative solutions to Cosmit managers which, in our opinion, could be effective to relaunch an event like Sasmil that — while
Xylexpo kept growing and regularly — was recording a relentless decrease in visitors year after year.”
Delachi went on to say there was no need to comment on the reasons why the Sasmil organizers chose not to partner with Xylexpo, but Cepra’s relationship with Cosmit and Federlegno-Arredo remained unchanged and hinted at the possibility of future collaboration.
NEW features
“The Xylexpo NEW catalog will not be extended only to semifinished materials,” added Griggio.
The show will also place great emphasis on forest technology, starting with its collaboration with Dimaf (International Demonstration of Forest Machinery and Equipment) that is moving from October to May.
Cepra, in collaboration with the Italian Association of Forest Research, is organizing a fully operational demonstration of equipment from May 30 to June 1 in a nearby forest: San Fedele Intelvi, in the Province of Como. The event will be held in conjunction with a three-day international meeting. The first day will be held in Milan at the FieraMilano; the other two in San Fedele Intelvi. The event will heavily focus on the sustainable management of the forests and the relationship between man, wood and the environment.
Another area of the exhibition will be dedicated to wood structures and construction.
The goal of Xylexpo NEW is to represent all possible segments of the wood industry.
“This year’s event will be [the first] in this respect, as the available space is not enough to cover our real requirements,” Griggio says.
“Thanks to a layout where machinery and equipment will be exhibited in the same halls with materials, components and supplies,” Griggio says. “We want to provide visitors with an overall view of all they need:
Abrasives will be placed close to sanding machines; paints will be found in the halls dedicated to finishing operations; accessories in the areas where assembly solutions are exhibited; panels and semifinished materials will be combined with secondary processes.”
“The day after the end of Xylexpo NEW 2008, we will
start working for 2010 immediately, so Xylexpo will have everything it takes to be really
new,” Delachi said.
He went on to say that this edition will “sow the seeds” of what will be implemented
in 2010.
“With Xylexpo NEW 2008, we believe we are writing another important page in our history, and that we have celebrated our first 40 years in the best possible way,” Delachi said.
Gain easy access to the Xylexpo NEW 2008 by filling the preregistration form on the website, www.xylexpo.com.
You will receive a free entry pass to attend the show, avoiding lines at the registration.
SURVEY REVEALS BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRY
MANUFACTURERS REMAIN POSITIVE
Optimism prevailed in a recent national survey conducted of senior-level executives in the building materials industry by international executive search firm, Brooke Chase Associates, Inc. Of over a thousand companies surveyed, 54 percent of the respondents indicated that, despite a decrease in revenue in 2007, forecasts are high for 2008.
While results reflected planned decreases in human capital in the areas of operations (63 percent), administrative (64 percent)) and manufacturing (58 percent)), the majority intends to take advantage of the recent downturn by boosting sales and marketing efforts (73 percent)). “We will increase our sales and marketing — turning 2008 into a growth year,” one respondent reported.
Participants emphasized, in today’s economy, without the right people in the right positions companies will be ill-equipped to face the challenges of global competition. Businesses cannot afford to make hiring mistakes, and consequently, are more demanding in their hiring practices. One executive declared, “For 2008 [we will be] strategically replacing B and C players with A players.”
To achieve these goals, one respondent reported, “We
have found that successful hiring has come primarily from the use of an experienced executive
search firm.”
Brooke Chase Associates, Inc., premier retained Executive Search Firm, specializes in the
Building Materials and Kitchen and Bath industries.
For survey results, visit www.brookechase.com/survey2008.
