Organisers of India’s leading woodworking technology exhibition – IndiaWood 2026 – have reported more than 85,000 visitors at this year’s event.
Organiser Nürnberg Messe (NM) said the February 26 to March 2 event at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) also brought together more than 1,000 brands from over 50 countries across 85,000 square metres of exhibition space.
“Discussions during the exhibition also highlighted India’s strengthening role within the global woodworking ecosystem,” said NM.
“With a large domestic market, expanding infrastructure development and increasing demand for modular furniture and interior solutions, the country is emerging as a key destination for manufacturing and technology investments.
“India’s skilled workforce, evolving supply chains and strong digital capabilities, combined with ongoing localisation efforts by global machinery producers, are helping position India as both a significant consumer market and a potential manufacturing base for exports.
IndiaWood aims to drive the Indian furniture manufacturing and woodworking industry and establish India as one of the top manufacturing destinations in the region.
The German Pavilion included representation from many wood-based panels technology providers including Dieffenbacher, Andritz, Anthon, Electronic Wood Systems, Fagus-GreCon, Bürkle, Shanghai Wood-based Panel Machinery (SWPM), Siempelkamp, Steinemann, Sunds Fibertech, Wemhöner, and Wandres.
Leading Italian technology supplier IMAL PAL Group was also in attendance.
Dieffenbacher had a focus on wood-based panels made from alternative raw materials such as bamboo and rice straw, while the new Refiner from SWPM was one of its latest technological innovations.
Siempelkamp India Pvt Ltd used the show to announce two recent milestones in customer projects with Elixrr Industries Pvt Ltd and M5 Green Pvt Ltd (see separate news article on wbpionline).
Across the exhibition halls, visitors witnessed a significant shift in the industry’s technological focus. While machinery performance and engineering precision remain central, much of the conversation revolved around digital integration, automation and intelligent production systems.
Advanced CNC machinery, automated production lines, smart factory solutions and integrated software platforms drew considerable attention. Manufacturers demonstrated how data-driven production, connected machinery and real-time monitoring systems can enhance efficiency, improve quality and optimise resource use.
“Industry participants described this year’s edition as one of the most vibrant in recent years, reflecting growing confidence in the Indian market and rising interest from international manufacturers looking to strengthen their presence in the country,” said NM.
“Industry leaders noted that the next phase of progress in woodworking manufacturing will be shaped not only by mechanical innovation but also by the software ecosystems surrounding machines, including production management systems, data analytics and optimisation tools.”
Beyond technology displays, IndiaWood 2026 also served as a venue for deeper industry collaboration. The exhibition facilitated discussions around knowledge transfer, local manufacturing partnerships and the adoption of international standards in production.
Global manufacturers, many of whom have established or are exploring production facilities in India, reiterated the value of building stronger integration with local suppliers and transferring technical expertise to support long-term industry development.
