UK trade show for the furniture manufacturing and joinery industries, formerly the W Exhibition, has relaunched as Materials & Finishes Show.

Materials & Finishes Show, which will run at the NEC in Birmingham from 19 – 22 May, 2024, is the reimagined concept developed by organiser Montgomery Group.

The event will provide a platform for manufacturers, processors and installers of timber, components and supporting services, alongside complementary materials such as stone.

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Speaking about the relaunch, event director David Todd commented: “It gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of Materials & Finishes Show, which aims to build on the success of the W Exhibition. 

“Since the show’s conception in 1974 it has passed from being a woodworking machinery exhibition to covering the full range of technology and materials for industrial woodworking.

“We aim to take this further providing a more valuable, time and resource effective solution for both our exhibitors and visitors from a more diverse community. 

“We’ve conducted an extensive market research exercise and worked closely with our stakeholders which has concluded that there is still a huge appetite, and indeed need, for a platform for the industry, specifically across the UK and Ireland. 

“A lot has changed since the last edition of W Exhibition in 2018 and we have adapted the show’s proposition to reflect the evolving needs of the market both now, and in line with our anticipations for the future. 

“Wood and stone are two of the most widely used natural materials in construction in design, often used together in various ways.

“Whilst wood and timber will remain a core focus for Materials & Finishes Show, it was a natural progression for us to incorporate stone and broaden the delivery for our community.

“This more holistic view of the industry paves the way for other products such as stone kitchen countertops and natural stone flooring. The show will deliver a true end-to-end proposition for our visitors.”

All areas of the material journey, from the initial stages of raw processing through to finishing and component supply for completed products, will be represented at Materials & Finishes Show.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see machinery in operation together with components, materials, technology and services for manufacturing and processing, alongside the latest products and developments for finishes.                                                                                              

Materials & Finishes Show will be designed to attract buyers from furniture and joinery manufacturers, designers and retailers through to professionals in the KBB market and stone masons.    

With a heritage of more than 50 years, David Todd concluded: “As an organisation, Montgomery Group is fully committed to protecting and building on the legacy of W Exhibition and the communities we serve.

“It’s our responsibility to preserve the long-term success of our platform for the sector, which is why we have been through this extensive period of consultation to reimagine and develop the show to meet the changing needs of the market, culminating in the relaunch with Materials & Finishes Show.”