Table of Contents
The combined Holz-Handwerk and Fensterbau Frontale exhibition, which served as the European trade fair for machine technology, equipment and supplies for the wood crafts, concluded July 15 and focused on meeting and networking face-to-face, finding solutions and checking out products, exploring training opportunities and discussing the latest industry issues.
The trade fair pairing announced its return with a ‘summer edition’ in Nuremberg that featured 708 exhibitors from 33 countries. Over four days, roughly 28,500 trade visitors from more than 100 countries found out all about the latest trends in woodworking and wood processing and in window, door and facade construction. The exhibition in 13 halls was complemented by an extensive supporting program with topic-specific shows, presentation forums and other program features.
The diverse thematic highlights included: the new forum “A practical guide to digitisation for craftspeople,” with short Ted-style talks and product presentations on the digitisation of business processes, the creatively inspiring special show “DesignObjekt – ObjektDesign” by the FSH (Bavarian Carpentry Association), the Holz-Handwerk Campus as a showcase for vocational training colleges and other advanced training establishments, the government-subsidised “Innovation made in Germany” pavilion, the Fensterbau Frontale Forum, the special show “Green Deal” on carbon efficiency and protection against climate extremes, co-organized by ift Rosenheim and NürnbergMesse, the 10th Architecture Window Facade Forum under the banner “ROBUST – Responsible use of resources – resilience – adaptability,” the Glaswelt guided tours, the new Expert Talks and the inaugural MetallbauTREFF.
At long last, it was also possible to hold after-hours gatherings again: Making the most of the fine weather, the window, door and facade community held an unforgettable party on the exhibition centre lawns, while Holz-Handwerk birthday guests celebrated the anniversary of their industry gathering, including a sizeable number who had visited all 20 rounds of the event.
Supporting program live and on demand
Alongside attendees on site, interested parties who were unable to travel to Nuremberg had the chance to take part in the Fensterbau Frontale Forum online as a live stream. The program, as well as the guided tours and “Practical guide to digitisation for craftspeople” forum were recorded, and the sessions and presentations are available at: www.live.frontale.de/en
Personal encounters, good conversations and live demonstrations
“There was great excitement about this face-to-face reunion in the run-up to the event, and this was also reflected by the mood in the halls,” says Stefan Dittrich, director for Holz-Handwerk. “We heard a lot of people saying how glad they were to finally be back at a trade fair again. For the 20th anniversary round of Holz-Handwerk, ‘discover, experience, do’ is once again an apt description for a fair with such a hands-on atmosphere that can only really be experienced live and on site.” Exhibitors particularly praised the quality of the conversations they had as well as the number of visitors in decision-making roles with specific purchasing intentions. Participants used their time to get detailed advice and discuss concrete ideas and projects. “We are thrilled by the huge response and the loyal support for the trade fair format,” Stefan Dittrich continues.
Elke Harreiß, director for Fensterbau Frontale, adds: “Every sector needs a gathering. At exhibitions, industry stakeholders get plenty of opportunities to meet numerous international decision-makers, acquire new customers, see what the competition is doing and close ranks with fellow professionals. Digitalisation, sustainability, the lack of skilled personnel, material shortages and rising energy prices are some of the topical issues that dominated the discussions in the halls and various forums. With Fensterbau Frontale in 2024 we will once again be offering our customers the ideal platform to discuss the pressing issues affecting their sector.”
