Celebrating the 10th anniversary edition and recording a growth of 17% in area over the last show in 2007, WoodMac China 2009 confirms its place as the largest and longest running woodworking technology trade event in the country for 2009. Opening tomorrow and scheduled to run from 17-20 February 2009 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre, over 400 overseas and domestic enterprises from 11 countries and regions will showcase the latest woodworking machinery, components and supplies for wood product manufacturing over the four day fair. The world financial crisis has had a dramatic impact on the Chinese woodworking industry, particularly those companies focused on export of furniture and wood products. Now more than ever before these companies need new technology that can help reduce costs of production. Being the first woodworking show in China for 2009, a visit to WoodMac China for technology, FurniTek for furniture manufacturing hardware and WoodBuild for lumber and wood products is the ideal time and venue for wood product producers in China and overseas to find new ideas and ways to save on labour, energy, wastage and other manufacturing costs. The large range of Chinese made machinery on display this year also offers the opportunity for an unrivaled choice of appropriate technology at Chinese prices. A fact that has proved attractive to buyers attending WoodMac China from Africa, Russia, India, South East Asia, Middle East and South America. Exclusively supported by EUMABOIS, China National Forestry Machinery Association (CNFMA) and including the woodworking Guilds of Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao and Harbin, all agreed on the importance of continued support for WoodMac China 2009 in these difficult financial times. “Participation by wood technology companies is larger than ever before, particularly from the best of Chinese companies, who recognize the need to present new solutions and ideas to help reduce production costs for their customers in China and Overseas” commented Gladys Lui, Project Manager for WoodMac. Visitors will attend the exhibitions from forestry, primary wood and board processors, furniture manufacturers, window, door and flooring producers, building contractors and interior decorators. All will have the opportunity to source new products, network for the latest industrial information, and learn the market trends. While the majority of buyers will attend from China, a growing number come from overseas. As a service to the overseas buyers, the organisers offer the BMP – Business Matching Programme. Under this programme, visitors from overseas who are perhaps not familiar with Chinese brands can detail a list of products they seek. The organisers match this list of technology requirements with relevant exhibitors and arrange an appointment schedule between buyers and exhibitors during the show. “International visitors are perhaps the most important distinction between WoodMac China and other woodworking shows in the country. They are a prime target for our Chinese exhibitors and international companies are always happy to meet buyers from outside China” commented Brendan Jennings, General Manager, China International Exhibitions Ltd. As a further attraction to buyers particularly from China, a series of professional seminars presented by industry leaders and highlighting latest technology and industry trends will be held alongside the exhibitions. The full conference programme is available on www.woodmacchina.net and notice boards at the exhibition. Seminar highlights include, The Annual meetings of Shanghai Construction Materials Industry Association-Flooring Committee and Shanghai Building Materials Industry Association-Cabinet Committee, held on the first and second show days. Other seminar topics include silviculture/ forestry management, to primary wood processing technology, timber distribution; to a review of specialist technology from windows, doors, flooring and staircases to interior decoration trends for building contractors architects and interior decorators.