16th International specialized exhibition PRIMUS: WOODPROCESSING 2008, 8th International specialized exhibition PRIMUS: FURNITURE INDUSTRY 2008, and 3rd International Congress WOODWORKING TECHNOLOGIES OF THE 21st CENTURY has taken place from 23rd to 27th of September 2008 in the International Exhibition Center (Brovarskoy Prospekt, 15) in Kyiv, Ukraine, as part of the ALL-UKRAINIAN FORUM OF WOOD-WORKERS AND FURNITURE-MAKERS 2008. The area of more than 16500 sq m featured 296 companies from Austria, Belorussia, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Denmark, India, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Sweden and Estonia. Companies have presented machines, equipment, technologies and tools for forestry and woodworking, as well as materials, accessories and parts for furniture production. Specialized exposition UkrWoodIndustry allowed visitors to find all to do with tree— and wood-cutting equipment, forestry, regeneration and protection of forests, and much more. The open grounds have featured a Contest of professional mastery BEST MANIPULATOR OPERATOR 2008.

Busy congress schedule, actuality of topics and high competence level of presenters and visitors determine effectiveness of any congress. Thus the Congress WOODWORKING TECHNOLOGIES OF THE 21st CENTURY enjoys earned popularity among Ukrainian woodworkers, representatives of ministries, and specialized press. In 2008 the Congress was attended by 96 specialists from CIS countries and Europe. Each Congress means new contacts, improvement of effectiveness of the business, introduction of new developments and movement forward on the weave of innovation. Jurgen Kostens, Director of Rettenmeier Holding AG (Germany) has shared his impressions from participation in the congress: «We provide Sponsor’s support and actively participate in the Congress because we see this event as a very important platform for exchange of experience and movement of latest materials and technologies. Also we are of the opinion that participation will allow our company to successfully enter the Ukrainian market. Delivery of the presentation will help us to contribute in the popularisation of use of wood in construction and present our company as a producer of high-quality materials. We are generally satisfied with the exhibition and the congress. We had interesting meetings and constructive talks. Of course, we also found new clients».

Mr. Jurgen was supported by Vasiliy Koroed, Director of AVIKO (Ukraine): «Talking about our participation in the exhibition, I can say that everything went perfectly. We had no problems or questions. Weather, or bad weather, of course, had an effect, but I think we were helped by bad weather, as it effectively screened out all but the target audience. We have for the first time showcased a technology line for refining of thin and short lumber, which was previously destined as firewood, but now can generate a tidy profit. Ukraine is having more and more people who want to work on really modern high quality equipment. We will participate in the next event, and if everything is well, we will be sponsors».