Mexican dignitaries and group leaders cut the ribbon, signaling the opening of the annual MEM Industrial, Latin America's leading platform for woodworking technology.

MEXICO CITY – A new partnership between the organizers of MEM Industrial and TecnoMueble Internacional was announced Jan. 22 during the annual MEM Industrial woodworking show in México City.

MEM Industrial is organized by Hannover Fairs México, a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe. TecnoMueble is an affiliate of AFAMJAL (Asociación de Fabricantes de Muebles de Jalisco), the major furniture association in México.

“MEM Industrial is the leading platform in Latin America for woodworking technology, including inputs and accessories for the furniture industry,” said Christian Pfeiffer, Global Director of Woodworking Events at Deutsche Messe.

“MEM Industrial’s partnership with TecnoMueble will bring huge benefits for the industry, given that it marks a coming together of the two largest expos in the country for machinery and supplies for the furniture industry,” said AFAMJAL President Abelardo Arreola Jiménez. The 2020 TecnoMueble takes place Aug. 19-22 in Guadalajara.

The partnership marks the latest addition to MEM Industrial/ Hannover Fairs Mexico's portfolio of industry-related events, including those with CONAFOR, Reforestamos, and AMPIMM (Asociación Mexicana de Proveedores de la Industria Maderera y Mueblera A.C.).

“This new partnership with AFAMJAL and MEM Industrial’s other partnerships with top international organizations in the sector, like the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (Eumabois), its German counterpart VDMA, AMPIMM, CONAFOR, the civil society organization Reforestamos and CANAINMA, have consolidated MEM Industrial as the flagship tradeshow for the supply of machinery, equipment, materials and inputs for the woodworking and furniture industry in Mexico,” said Bernd Rohde, CEO of Hannover Fairs México.

Bernd Rohde speaks at the press conference

Also at the press conference were: Carlos Cook, vice-president of AMPIMM; Palmira Arnaz, Mexico City Coordinator of the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR); Manuel Pérez Cárdenas, head of the Office of the Presidency of the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN); Congresswoman Martha Olivia García Vidaña, Secretary of the Commission for the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Natural Resources; Edgar Conzuelo Contreras, CEO of Protectora de Bosques, Estado de México; Marco Ruíz Ruíz, Vice-president of the National Woodworking Industry Chamber (CANAINMA); and Héctor Silver, CEO of Mahexa Forestal.

AMPIMM's Cook noted MEM Industrial “is the main showcase for suppliers of inputs, materials and services for the manufacture of furniture. It is without doubt," he said, "the main tradeshow in Mexico for the sector and I am convinced it will soon become one of the leading ones in North America.” During the show, AMPIMM also presented its Furniture Design Award (PREDIM).

According to CONAFOR's Arnaz, partnerships like the one with MEM Industrial 2020 “foster joint actions that put community forestry companies into direct contact with suppliers of machinery, technology and materials,” while CONCAMIN's Cárdenas, added  platforms like these are essential because Mexico needs to promote “sustainable, diversified development in order to make progress on the economic front.”

During the show, CANAINMA also held its Environmental Protection award ceremony.

Woodworking Network was among the international press on hand for the opening remarks by Christian Pfeiffer.

A specialized woodworking and furniture trade show, the 2020 MEM Industrial featured more than 200 brands on display by some130 exhibitors, spread across more than 150,000 square feet at Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City. The 2021 event will be held Jan. 20-22.

MEM Industrial is part of the "Woodworking Shows" portfolio of Deutsche Messe. This portfolio is spearheaded by LIGNA, the world's largest woodworking event. The biennial LIGNA will be held May 10-14, 2021, in Hannover, Germany.