Two for the show.

TWO FOR THE SHOW

This year's two German woodworking industry shows will open doors to a new Europe.

With the opportunity for North American companies to view and display the latest woodworking equipment and supplies at the world's largest woodworking trade shows, this year's Ligna and Interzum shows in May should prove especially interesting against the backdrop of the upcoming 1992 European Common Market implementation and the continuing spread of democracy in Eastern Europe.

Ligna continues to grow

As the world's largest international trade fair for machinery and equipment for the wood products and forest industry, the biennial Ligna Hannover trade show at the Hannover Fairgrounds (May 8-14) occupies an exhibition area the size of almost 30 football fields devoted to indoor and outdoor space showcasing new and time-tested woodworking products, tools and equipment.

Sponsored by the German Woodworking Association (VDMA), Ligna has been entertaining the woodworking industry since 1975. This year, show officials expect more than 90,000 attendants from 85 countries and 1,163 exhibitors from 28 nations. A record 34 American woodworking machinery firms will exhibit at Ligna this year, with 42 percent of this year's exhibitors introducing at least one new product or service, according to Mette Fisker Petersen, project manager with Hannover Fairs USA Inc.

Exhibitors will be grouped according to their product lines, including: machines, equipment and tools for forestry, manufacturing and maintenance services, veneering works, EDP hardware and software, and much more.

Organized by the Hannover Fair Authority, additional Ligna Hannover '91 information can be obtained by contacting Hillary Zimmerman, project manager of Hannover Fairs USA Inc., at [phone].

Interzum precedes Ligna

Operating since the late 1950s, the Interzum International Trade Fair for Furniture Production, Interior Design and Soft Furnishings at the Cologne Exhibition Center (May 3-7) is the world's largest supply event for the forest products, furniture manufacturing and furniture industries. Featuring more than 1,200 exhibiting companies from over 40 countries presenting their products on 140,000 square meters of display space, Interzum officials expect about 65,000 visitors with 1,200 attendants coming from the U.S. and Canada.

One North American exhibitor at Interzum will be the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council. Sponsored in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Department of Commerce Hardwood Coordinator Dan Kennedy believes the trade show can be an informative experience.

"The show is a great way for a company to expand its markets and introduce products primarily to the European market," he said.

Steve Lawser, executive director of the National Dimension Mfrs. Assn., said attending Interzum can be valuable to vendors and attendants alike. The WDMA is one of several U.S. trade associations and companies that will be represented at Interzum through the American Hardwood Export Council.

"For an exhibitor, the show is valuable for three reasons. Vendors will be able to meet with actual buyers and users, it gives your company instant exposure, and can generate hundreds of sale leads," Lawser said. "For the visitor, they can gain market intelligence, see new trends and examine the competition."

Interzum will be divided into three areas: furniture production, wood and interior finishes and furnishing. The furniture production section will include plastic surfacings, paints and varnishes, adhesives and tools. The wood and interior section will cover doors, windows, floors and wall paneling. The furnishing section will include fastening materials, wallpaper and upholstery materials.

Produced by Cologne Trade Fairs Inc., additional Interzum '91 information can be obtained by contacting Hans Teetz of the German American Chamber of Commerce Inc. at [phone].

W&WP offers tour package

A number of tour packages to Ligna and Interzum are available, including one arranged by WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS in conjunction with Koch International Trade Fairs and Exhibitions.

Tours to Interzum start at $1,795 and tours to Ligna start at $1,750. Both tours offer a variety of hotel choices and trip lengths, with air transportation, accommodations, shuttle services and admission tickets included.

For additional trip information, please contact WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS Interzum/Ligna '91 tour, Koch International Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, 157-161 E. 86th St., New York, N.Y. 10028; [phone].

The German American Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Lufthansa and EuroLloyd Travel Inc., is also sponsoring a trip to the Ligna fair.

The five-day tour of Germany costs $1,583 per person. The special travel package includes roundtrip airfare, accommodations and a professional tour escort.

Registration ends March 29. For more information regarding this package, contact ProFairs Atlanta at [phone].

PHOTO : Ligna officials expect more than 90,000 attendants and 1,163 exhibitors at this year's show.

PHOTO : With more than 1,200 companies exhibiting, Interzum officials expect nearly 65,000 visitors.

PHOTO : The Interzum Trade Fair at the Cologne Exhibition Center is the world's largest supply event for the forest and furniture industries.