This month, Europe’s largest woodworking machinery show, LIGNA is taking place in Hannover, Germany. For many Brits, attending an overseas show such as this often comes down to two things: time and money. However, for Stephen Goulding, MD of BSG Design LTD, an impromptu visit to the five-day event in 2023 led him to invest in a Striebig vertical panel saw from TM Machinery, the UK’s exclusive Striebig distributor.
“Our decision to attend LIGNA was pretty last minute – we only decided to go a couple of days before,” begins Stephen. “We were in the market for a new saw but we were unsure what the best option would be for us. I’d been looking at different machines and brand online – brands I was familiar with from previous machinery purchases – but to the untrained eye, they can all look very similar. We needed to talk to the experts and see these machines in action. LIGNA gave us the opportunity to see all the big brands under one roof. It meant we didn’t have to spend our time driving between different showrooms back in the UK and Ireland and taking time out to see machinery that might not have been suitable for us.”
Stephen visited the event with an open mind and a singular goal in mind: to find a solution for cutting panels to size more accurately and safely than a panel saw. “Nothing was off the table,” admits Stephen. “We visited several stands at the show and looked at a variety of different saws – all at different price points. It was clear very early on that a vertical panel saw would be the best option for us but not all brands offered the same features. We looked at different levels of automation – some very basic, manual machines, some highly specified saws with full automated features and also saws of different sizes – but ultimately, the Striebig vertical panel saw was head and shoulders above the rest.”
Stephen got what he described as the “best demonstration” on the Striebig stand from TM Machinery’s Matt Pearce. “Matt’s knowledge of the machine was greater than any of the other stands we went to. He was honest with me, too. He told me what I needed and also what I didn’t need. This was backed up after seeing the different saws on the stand running. Stephen adds, “It was also a bonus that we could see all the different brands in one day – each demonstration was fresh in our mind making it easier to compare.”
Following on from the show, Stephen and his colleague opted for a customised demonstration at TM Machinery’s showroom in Leicester. “It firmed everything up in our minds and gave us an opportunity to discuss the software before making a final decision on what specification we needed.” Stephen adds, “We are now the proud owners of a Striebig vertical panel saw. It’s been a great investment for us and is a favourite in the workshop. We’ve found the software and safety functions to be particularly good.”
For those toying with the idea of going to LIGNA, Stephen says: “I recommend a visit. Where else can you see so many different machines and brands in one place? Even if you’re not looking to buy new machinery immediately, talking to people and seeing different machines in action can give you some great ideas for your own workshop and a greater understanding of what you could do in the future. If you have an opportunity to attend, you really should.”
You can visit Striebig’s LIGNA stand in Hall 12 Stand B40 from the 26th – 30th May 2025.
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