Beyond Covid

29 March 2021


WBPI is holding a half-day virtual conference to look at furniture & design trend movements, the performance of global wood-based panel markets and an update on technologies. Stephen Powney reports

Wood Based Panels International (WBPI) will be holding a half-day virtual event on May 11, 2021 to look at how the international wood-based panels industry has adapted to the current pandemic, with a special focus on furniture trends.

Beyond Covid-19: The global wood-based panels industry adapting for the future is designed to be a gathering point for industry leaders in the global panels industry and to ask the question - how is the international wood-based panels industry adjusting in these pandemic times?

Aimed at primary panel manufacturers, secondary processors, technology/ equipment suppliers, the furniture design community and other stakeholders, the online event is being launched as part of WBPI’s new VirtualViews digital platform.

The half-day online conference will have a special focus on the furniture sector, share how various panels markets are performing, as well as how manufacturers are adjusting to the situation. It will also look at the products, technology, equipment and trends that could prove to be important as we move into new phases of the pandemic and beyond.

“With so many physical events having been cancelled due to the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to find new ways to connect,” said WBPI editor Stephen Powney.

Featuring presentations, an online networking lounge, discussion groups and Q&As, this first WBPI VirtualViews event will be a safe gathering point for the global panels trade to network together, receive updates and learn about the future direction of the industry.

The furniture sector is the single biggest market driver for the wood-based panels industries, but what changes might we see in furniture trends and design due to Covid-19?

Will there be a shake-up in the office furniture market with more home working?

Speakers will include:

  • Giulio Masotti, CEO, Wood Skin
    Disruptive digital fabrication to build the next generation of surfaces
  • Franck Goecke, director, Afry Management Consulting Ltd
    Global wood-based panels market update
  • Paolo Fantoni, vice president of Fantoni Spa; Ulrich Bühler, head of sales and marketing, Egger Group; Stephen Powney, WBPI group editor
    Panel Discussion: Furniture focus - how the pandemic may change future furniture requirements
  • Andrew O’Hare, president of the Composite Panel Federation; Clive Pinnington, managing director, European Panel Federation
    Panel discussion on global panels markets
  • Christian Pfeifer, director, Ligna
    Fireside chat on woodworking technology and this year’s Ligna

To register visit https://wbpibeyondcovid.vfairs.com

For more information contact Stephen Powney at Stephen.powney@wbpionline.com / +44 (0) 20 8269 7810.

To enquire about event sponsorship contact Chidi Adilih at Chidi.adilih@wbpionline.com / +44 (0) 20 7406 6739

Franck Goecke
Ulrich Buehler
Clive Pinnington
Giulio Masotti
Paolo Fantoni