DREMA 2024 was a strong impulse for the development of the wood and furniture industry

Approximately companies and brands from 17 countries presented their offers during the jubilee 40th edition of the DREMA Trade Fair. The stands presented a lot of advanced technological innovations and market premieres, designed to improve the efficiency and quality of production. The exhibition area of 20,500 sq. m (23% larger than previously) attracted a wide group of over 11,000 professionals from the woodworking and furniture production sectors. The visitors included representatives of 32 countries with a large representation of specialists from Central and Eastern European countries.

- This year's anniversary edition of the DREMA Fair confirmed that the organisation of such a large trade fair event would not be possible without cooperation with exhibitors, trade fair partners, associations, chambers and the media. DREMA has long gone beyond the formula of a classic trade fair. Today DREMA includes also congresses, conferences, show areas, charity events and competitions. But above all, it is a meeting place for the wood and furniture industry and a time for discussions about the future. Together we are creating the future of the industry – says Andrzej Półrolniczak, director of the DREMA Fair.

A light breeze of optimism

Raw material shortages and a sharp increase in its price, disruptions in supply chains, misunderstandings regarding wood certification, a growing shortage of suitably qualified staff – these are just some of the recent problems that companies involved in woodworking and furniture production have had to deal with. In addition, there is a collapse in demand for furniture in key export markets. The difficulties and challenges facing the wood industry were widely discussed during the 11th KOOPDREW Timber Industry Congress, which took place on the eve of the DREMA Fair with the participation of about 150 participants, including the outstanding economist and several-time Minister of Finance, Prof. Grzegorz Kołodko.

According to Tomasz Wiktorski, an analyst from B+R Studio, who delivered his presentation on the second day of the DREMA Fair during the 9th edition of the National Furniture Congress, in the previous year the value of furniture exports expressed in euros increased slightly, but the export volume has been gradually decreasing since 2021. As he emphasised, limitations in the supply of wood, competition for raw materials with the energy sector and the unfavourable exchange rate of the Polish currency have noticeably worsened the competitiveness of the Polish furniture industry on global markets.

However, there are the first signs of recovery. The situation in the construction industry is slowly improving. The number of building permits issued is growing, which should have a positive impact on domestic demand in the long run. Research shows that, despite the difficulties in recent months, the mood in the furniture industry has improved noticeably. This better situation should also improve the results and moods in the woodworking industry in the coming period. This cautious optimism was also reflected at the DREMA Trade Fair in conversations with exhibitors and visitors, who looked to the future with moderate hope.

Automation and robotisation – a remedy for industry problems

The answer to the challenges faced by the wood and furniture industry is primarily the robotisation and automation of technological processes. Therefore, these trends dominated both at the exhibitors’ stands and at special exhibitions and in the event programme.

The latest solutions in the field of automation and robotisation were presented in two furniture factories operating at the REMA Trade Fair, prepared by the Association of Manufacturers of Woodworking Machines, Devices and Tools DROMA, the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology of the Poznań University of Life Sciences and Grupa MTP in cooperation with technological partners, Lazzoni Group and INFOTEC Engineering. Visitors could see the possibilities offered by the latest technology.

One of the furniture factories at the DREMA trade fair included a digital carpentry workshop, proving that robotisation and automation are designed not only for large furniture companies, but are also increasingly popular in small and medium-sized plant or carpentry workshops.

In addition to their educational value, the furniture factories operating at the fair also had a charitable dimension, in the form of DREMA FOR CHILDREN project. The furniture produced during the event (almost 300 items) have been donated to the Municipal Nursery in Myślenice, Youth Educational Centres in Kętrzyn and Jastrowie.

Technologists Forum

Modern furniture production requires new competencies and skills of workers. That is why this year, for the first time, the DREMA Trade Fair organised a series of events addressed to technologists from the wood and furniture industries - the Technologists Forum. A special zone in Pavilion 6 hosted lectures on the latest technologies used in the wood and furniture industries.

The lecturers provided information on AI in production areas and grounds for its application, as well as profits of robotisation, its implementation period and the process steps that should be taken to carry it out without interfering with the production, indicating whether robots or cobots work better in the furniture industry. In this zone, technologists could meet and exchange their experiences and at the same time see how the latest solutions in robotics and automation are implemented in furniture production.

Sustainable development in the wood and furniture industry

The Sustainable Development Zone made its debut during this year’s timber industry meeting. During 4 days of the fair, the zone was a place for meeting with specialists and innovators related to the implementation of ecological and socially responsible solutions for the wood industry. Thematic lectures were accompanied by live presentations.

The DREMA trade fair also took care of its carbon footprint – not only by using green energy obtained from a wind systems operating at one of the pavilions. In addition, the 2nd edition of the Drema Forest project was organised, the aim of which is to afforest areas affected by natural disasters. This year’s activities were carried out in cooperation with the implementing partner Posadzimy.pl – a professional organiser of tree planting campaigns as part of CSR activities.

Sustainable development also means taking care of the balance between work and private life. Women associated with the furniture industry, who met at the DREMA Fair for the fifth time, discussed their experiences in this area. The meeting, organised by the Polish Chamber of Commerce of Furniture Manufacturers and the MTP Group, had a conference and networking character and was a time of inspiring lectures and valuable discussions between furniture business leaders, which resulted in establishing new relationships.

Prizes for the best

During DREMA, 12 products were awarded the Gold Medals of Grupa MTP. The best solutions in the field of innovation and ecological activities were additionally awarded the Eco Prize and the Grand Prix of Grupa MTP.

The Grand Prix of Grupa MTP was awarded to PCD Scoring Saw for Panel and Sliding Table Saws, produced by ITA TOOLS Sp. z o.o. The awarded product is distinguished by: up to 50x longer service life compared to HM trimmers, higher quality thanks to the innovative laser ablation method and the highest production standards guaranteed by a modern production process.

In turn, the Eco Prize of Grupa MTP for the most ecological product was awarded to the CX-SPEED Nesting cutters from N-POL cutters, submitted to the contest by N-POL Krzysztof Noga. The cutters operate with reliable quality, bringing significant savings in use, for example by reducing energy consumption. Thanks to their minimal diameter, these cutters produce fewer chips, which means they contribute significantly to environmental protection. Additionally, it is a 100% Polish product.

See the full list of Gold Medal-winning products>>> 

DREMA for DIY Enthusiasts

A large part of the exhibition is devoted to woodworking, hand tools and power tools. This was a treat not only for professionals, but also for DYI enthusiasts. Especially for them the DREMA Hobby zone was created with tools for small woodworking plants and hobbyists, as well as Knowledge Zone prepared by drewno.pl. The DREMA Tools zone presented the latest solutions in woodworking tools. There were also live demonstrations of professional circular saw servicing, including optical blade tests.

There was also an opportunity to watch the work of experienced carpenters. As part of the Renovation Action at the fair, it was possible to observe the process of renovating old furniture by professionals from the Narzędzioholicy.pl group, headed by Mariusz Płoński.

The exhibition was enriched by permanent exhibition elements such as a creative space for designing wooden products and DREMA Design consultation meetings, the Parquet Zone of the Polish Parquet Flooring Association, where parquet flooring shows and workshops were held, the Varnishing Skills Testing Ground organized by the Lakiernictwo Przemysłowe magazine, the Clean Air Zone of the Biomasa magazine and the Forklift Shows in the outdoor area organized by Toolmex Truck.

The Polish Nail Hammering Championship and the Polish Father & Son 'Next Generation' Championship thrilled all spectators. And the exhibition of works awarded in the Conjured in Wood competition showcased the craftsmanship of the youngest carpentry apprentices.

DREMA 2025

The next edition of the DREMA International Trade Fair of Machines, Tools and Components for the Wood and Furniture Industries will be held in Poznan from 9 to 12 September 2025. DREMA 2025 is on the list of fairs recommended by the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers EUMABOIS.