The next edition of FIMMA + Maderalia is progressing well in its preparations and is already shaping up to be a successful event. Nine months before its opening, Alejandro Bermejo, president of the Maderalia Organizing Committee, the international event for suppliers in the wood, furniture, interior design and contract projects sectors and one of the 'legs' of the biennial, observes an exponential growth of the Spanish fair, in contrast to the stagnation or decline of other European events.
Bermejo is an authoritative voice within the sector, as he is the president of the regional employers' association for the furniture and wood sector in the Valencian Community. FEVAMA, as well as the carpentry sector, ASEMADHe is also Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Valencia Fair.
Why is Maderalia not showing signs of weakness, like other European competitions in the sector?
Trade fairs are the most reliable barometer of industrial strength. While some events in Central Europe show signs of stagnation, the Mediterranean region demonstrates an ability to attract attendees that challenges continental hegemony.
We are witnessing a change in leadership. Maderalia is establishing itself as the leading international trade fair for the wood and furniture industries. This is the strongest edition in the last decade, backed by a volume of entries and a level of interest unseen for a long time.
What are the pillars that support this shift of industrial weight towards the Mediterranean?
The south is gaining ground due to a combination of structural factors that the north can no longer guarantee. We are a manufacturing country with four solid pillars: renewable energy and water resources, availability of industrial land at competitive prices, world-class industrial park infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce. While other parts of Europe have stalled due to energy costs or a lack of markets, we are ready to absorb a significant amount of production and commercial activity.
What is the main driving force behind Maderalia 2026?
Undoubtedly, the exhibitors' commitment is key. Not only are the long-standing companies showing complete loyalty, but they are also doubling down on their efforts. In fact, the dominant trend is the booking of significantly larger stands, seeking a greater visual and operational impact.
Furthermore, new players are entering the scene; there is a constant flow of applications from companies debuting at the event, which demonstrates the shift of industrial interest towards Spain.
Will we see foreign professionals flocking to Feria Valencia again?
Certainly. In the new scenario I've described, Maderalia positions itself as the strategic gateway to key markets:
• Latin America: We are a natural bridge for import and export operations.
• Morocco: An economy that is growing with exceptional strength and where the customer actively seeks the supplier from southern Europe.
• Portugal and Italy: Together with Spain, they consolidate a Mediterranean industrial bloc that dominates activity in the current market.
Tripling the budget allocation for attracting foreign visitors isn't an expense; it's a strategic business move. This investment ensures local companies have direct access to high-potential buyers, internationalizing their businesses without ever having to leave home.
What is your diagnosis of the situation in the market for wood and its derivatives?
The market is healthy, but its engine has shifted. While new construction is progressing slowly, the renovation and refurbishment segment has become the mainstay of industrialized carpentry.
For companies in the sector, renovation is not just a complementary niche; it's a safety net for the next fiscal cycle. In a time of uncertainty for new construction, specializing in renovation solutions—where wood provides added value in terms of aesthetics and efficiency—is the way to ensure operating margins and protect market share.
This readjustment is precisely the fuel that is propelling Maderalia's record growth.
Will wood construction advance at Maderalia 2026?
For the wood industry in construction, Maderalia is not just a date on the calendar; it is the moment to open the door to industrialized construction, in a market that demands immediate answers to the challenges of housing, sustainability and construction efficiency.
Is wood making a comeback in carpentry and interior design?
As president of ASEMAD, the Association of Carpentry and Related Businesses of the Valencian Community, and of FEVAMA, the Valencian Federation of Wood, I assure you that industrial carpentry has ceased to be a stagnant and traditional activity, to become an engine of design and innovation.
The collaboration between the industry has fostered an exhibition space at Maderalia that is evolving into a "living ecosystem." What began as a small collaborative initiative has grown to occupy almost half of the fair's pavilion due to the number of participating companies. The value lies not only in the space itself, but also in the visibility and synergy it offers. For example, a parquet flooring manufacturer is strategically positioned next to a panel manufacturer, or a door manufacturer next to a technical joinery company. It's a model designed to make things happen.
By grouping complementary products, the ASEMAD space transforms the traditional trade fair from a passive display of products and catalogs into an interactive environment for generating cross-business. It's a shift from exhibition to networking, where physical proximity between suppliers accelerates the development of comprehensive solutions for the professional visitor.
How is wood influencing the specification for hotel and restaurant projects?
Wood has ceased to be a traditional material and has become the cutting-edge element in sustainable architecture and luxury contract projects. It is the dominant material in interior design; architects and interior designers choose it not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for the warmth, comfort, and luxury it exudes. It is a renewable material that adapts to any application, from wall panels to technical profiles and high-resistance flooring.
But there is a determining factor that guarantees its future: its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Wood is not a passing trend; it represents a regulatory and ethical imperative. In the new construction paradigm, it is the indispensable material for meeting sustainability standards and the requirements of the specifiers leading the most ambitious international projects.
Why is it vital to maintain the integration between FIMMA machinery and Maderalia materials?
An industry that fails to innovate is doomed to irrelevance. Therefore, the partnership between machinery (FIMMA) and materials (Maderalia) is the foundation of our success as a trade fair and our competitiveness as manufacturers.
Visitors to FIMMA + Maderalia are looking for a productive solution, not just a component. Those who come to see new materials at Maderalia need FIMMA's technology to transform them efficiently.
In this respect, collaboration with technological institutes like AIDIMME is our guarantee for the future. Thanks to them, we are developing new uses, applications, and materials that keep our industry at the forefront.
Similarly, state-of-the-art machinery is what allows Spain to operate as a high-level manufacturing country. Technological innovation is the tool that enables Southern Europe to absorb the production that other markets are losing due to a lack of competitiveness or market access.
What strategy is the fair following to connect with the new generations of professionals?
Industrial growth risks stalling if we are unable to attract and train the next generation. The sector must project itself as a vibrant, technologically advanced option for the future. FIMMA + Maderalia has prepared a series of seminars, technical talks, and product presentations specifically aimed at training centers, engineering schools, architecture faculties, and professional associations of decorators and interior designers. We want to bring the latest innovations within reach of new specifiers, facilitate technical knowledge about processes and new materials, and position the wood industry as a dynamic, technologically advanced sector with real career prospects.
From your business position - you are CEO of Valenciana de Molduras Alto Turia - how does the value of Maderalia translate into the corporate strategy for a company in the sector?
The case of Valenciana de Molduras Alto Turia exemplifies the leadership mindset needed to navigate this new global landscape. For us, Maderalia is an unmissable event. This year we're doubling the size of our stand compared to last year; our commitment to the fair is total and based on three pillars: strategic visibility, brand positioning, and, fundamentally, business return. Maderalia is the leading national trade fair, and this year it will definitively reaffirm its international status. We simply cannot afford not to be there.
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