Carrefour visitors up despite tough market

Attendance at the three-day event was 10,215, an increase of 2% on the last CIB two years ago. It also beat its target for overseas visitors.

"The atmosphere was upbeat and exhibitors report serious enquiries. Of the visitor total, our analysis shows that 70% were decision makers," said Sam Padden, international marketing executive at show organiser Atlanbois.

CIB had anticipated 18% of visitors would come from outside France. The final figure was 22% from 74 countries.
The number of exhibitors was also up at 530, 30% from abroad.

The show also reported a success for its special French timber display, featuring 40 new products from the industry and aiming to highlight the diversity of the sector under the slogan "Prefer French timber!".

"We're now getting the message out there that France has a huge range of different timber and products to offer the international market and we've seen a lot of overseas visitors," said Elisabeth Piveteau, export sales manager UK & Ireland of diversified softwood, biofuel and finished products producer Piveteau Bois.

French tropical hardwood producer and importer Rougier also reported a busy show, with visitors from the UK, South America, China and the rest of the Far East.

According to international timber trade magazine Euwid, French sawmills continue to report "stagnating" demand from their domestic construction sector, leading to high softwood stock levels.

But sales to packaging and pallet sectors had improved, with demand for maritime pine plywood boosting lumber prices.

For a full report, see the July issue of TTJ.