The 17th edition of the wood industry fair and exhibition, Expowood, took place last month in Brasov. This year’s edition focused on innovation – especially digital innovation – and its role in putting the Romanian wood industry on a straight path to success in the 21st century (what the organizers called “Industry 4.0”). More than 70 companies and almost 200 brands took part, and the venues spread over more than 3,500 sq.m, with a large number of visitors attending lectures, debates and demonstrations.
Holzindustrie Schweighofer had its own stand, featuring Timflow – the uniquely innovative traceability system we use to monitor log transports and transparently present supply chain data to the stakeholders and general public – and the Tomorrow’s Forest initiative, dedicated to reforesting areas with regeneration difficulties (We help! We plant!). The visitors inquired about our products and were eager to discuss innovation and sustainability in the wood industry. [photo 2]
It was an excellent occasion to connect with partners and stakeholders, including the APMR and ASFOR, the ProWood Cluster, numerous companies, media representatives, as well as university professors and students. The Schweighofer Scholarship recipients from the Wood Engineering and Forestry Faculties of the Transylvania University in Brasov were also present, and were glad so see us again after the March workshops.
The highlights of our visit were the Timflow presentation, included in the main program for the opening day, under the heading “Digitalisation in the wood industry – innovative solutions”. Our colleague Ionuț Batîr (HS SEB) brilliantly summarized the operations of the traceability system to the largest audience recorded throughout the 3 days of exhibitions and demonstrations. [photo 3, 4]
Also very interesting was the presentation from architect Sergiu Petrea (TECTO Arhitectura) on innovative uses of timber in constructions, among whose spectacular wood structures is counted the comfortable and sustainable (and awarded!) office building from our Reci sawmill. [photo 5]
Expowood 4iTech, Brasov, April 19-21
HS team: Adrian Radu, Alexandra Popa (HS Reci); Ionut Batir, Catalin Hosu (HS Sebes); Ionut Apostol (Tomorrow’s Forest); Stefan Ionescu (HS Baco).
