Timber and wood product companies may have been in short supply at this year’s Interbuild, but those that exhibited have reported good feedback.
Provisional figures show about 20,000 visitors attended the Birmingham NEC event, compared with 32,000 in 2008, though this year was run over four days instead of the five last year.
The final exhibitor number was 443, compared with 680 in 2008 – a 35% fall, which meant the show was very obviously smaller in scale with hoarding screening off empty exhibition space in both halls.
Three Irish sawmills had arguably the best stand position within the Specifier hall. They were so pleased at the response the spot has already been booked for next year.
ECC Timber Products, Murray Timber Group, Glennon Brothers and Grainger Sawmills served notice of their intentions to boost their UK sales, exhibiting their carcassing and CLS products on the Enterprise Ireland stand, supported by state forester Coillte.
“We are getting some positive feedback from the trade here,” said ECC general manager Daryl Fahy. “People are looking forward to 2010, there is very little negativity.”
Two German sawmillers – Holz Schmidt and Ante-Holz – were also pushing their KVH construction timber and carcassing.
Ante-Holz export manager Kai Oberlies reported good contacts at the show, even though he said he was “shocked” that there was no Timber Zone this year.
Interbuild event director David Pierpoint said organiser Emap was genuinely pleased with the show response. “The overall feedback from exhibitors has shown that there has been no slip in quality, with high levels of qualified leads, which will give many firms a vital boost in the months ahead.”
A full report on Interbuild will appear in the November 14 issue of TTJ.
