"We have never seen so much automation and so many advanced systems in any other exhibition around the world!" This was a recurring statement in the aisles of Xylexpo 2018 – the biennial international exhibition of woodworking technology and furniture industry supplies – that was held at Fiera Milano-Rho in Milan, Italy, last May 8th to 12th.
As always, the show did not disappoint attendant expectations: plenty of technology for secondary wood processing, from panels to solid wood; the best offer of furniture manufacturing systems; and the most advanced "Industry 4.0" solutions. 
Xylexpo 2018 saw a steady flow of visitors, with 17,781 industry professionals – 2.1 percent more than the previous edition. Among them, 5,032 came from abroad, 28.3 percent of total attendance, basically in line with the 2016 edition of the show.
A great turnout for Italy, with 12,749 attendees, up 3.3 percent from the previous edition. Italian visitors accounted for 71.7 percent of the total attendance.
Overall, the Fiera Milano-Rho exhibition centre recorded 37 thousand accesses throughout the whole duration of the event.
In terms of floor space, Xylexpo 2018 was also a success. The show stretches over 34,785 net square meters and 4 halls with 425 exhibitors, (116 from 27 countries).
"In light of these very positive results, we can now say that Xylexpo has finally found its place in the more and more crowded and sometimes messy landscape of global industry exhibitions," commented Dario Corbetta, Xylexpo's Director. "We have made a clear choice to become a stage for high technology solutions, and this approach has increased the participation of a very selected and qualified audience, with decision-making power, knowledge, and expertise." The "re-positioning" strategy paid off, and the show attracted the attention of numerous wood industry operators in Italy and abroad, who now look to Xylexpo for advanced manufacturing machinery and equipment.
The Italian Trade Commission (ITA) – Machines Italia and ACIMALL - Italian Woodworking Machinery and Tools Manufacturers Association – invited over 250 foreign delegates to attend Xylexpo 2018.
12 selected woodworking companies from Canada were part of this global contingent:  Leadwood Ltd, Sunrise Kitchens, Groupe Cabico, Machinery Continental, CNC Automation, Normand Machinery, Springfield Woodworking Kitchen and Bath Wood and Wallwork, Mosaic Millwork, Colonial Manufacturing Ltd, Triangle Kitchen, D & D Contracting Calgary, Muskoka Cabinet Company, and Cambian Cabinets.

According to Ryan Spencer, Senior Estimator at Leadwood Ltd " [I ]...was thrilled to be able to attend Xylexpo. In addition to being able to view the latest in woodworking technology and forge new relationships with B2B companies, we were able to strike a deal to acquire two new machines that will greatly expand our production capacity. We hope to be able to attend again next year."
Mike Edwards from Wood Industry Magazine – media sponsor of the Win a Trip to Xylexpo contest – was embedded in the Canadian delegation to report from the show. Read the show coverage in the May-June 2018 issue of the publication: Grazie Xylexpo.
The dates of the next Xylexpo have been set in order to maintain the traditional week-long schedule: From Monday 25th to Friday 29th of May 2020.
For further information on this initiative and to be considered for Xylexpo 2020, contact machinesitalia [at] ice.it (subject: Machines%20Italia%20E-newsletter)