SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 4, 2025 – Germany’s flagship timber trade gathering, Branchentag Holz, returns to Koelnmesse on November 11–12, 2025, bringing wood wholesalers, manufacturers, service providers, and suppliers together for two days of deal-making, policy dialogue, and product discovery. With exhibition, conference, and awards under one roof, the event is positioned as a high-value stop for procurement teams and executives planning 2026 assortments, partnerships, and sustainable construction strategies.
Event at a glance: format, venue, hours
The 18th edition is staged in Cologne (Koelnmesse, Hall 8, North Entrance) and runs Tuesday 09:00–18:00 and Wednesday 09:00–16:00. The concept blends a compact two-day trade fair with the GD Holz Forum conference, enabling visitors to move seamlessly from technical sessions to supplier meetings and back to the show floor.
GD Holz Forum: where the industry sets the agenda
The forum underscores Branchentag Holz’s role as the sector’s working summit. It opens on Tuesday with a welcome by Thomas Goebel (Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e.V., Berlin) and features the Woody Award 2025—an innovation prize spotlighting new ideas in timber products and services—alongside the Azubi-Competition, which channels fresh talent into the trade. Sessions then pivot to “Baumarkthandel der Zukunft,” outlining retail trends and implications for the wood industry through 2026 and beyond, followed by a look at short-rotation coppice plantations and their relevance to wood production and supply resilience.
Program highlights: data, policy, and ‘Neues Bauen’
Wednesday shifts to data-driven market intelligence and construction policy. Delegates will hear from the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe on “Die Fachinformation Holz,” a briefing on information resources for renewable raw materials. WEHAM-2022 results (Holzaufkommen im Wandel) provide a grounded view of wood availability trends, a critical input for pricing, sourcing, and inventory strategy. The late-morning block—“Neues Bauen! – Innovativ, ökologisch, effizient”—brings perspectives from business (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft), science (Ruhr-Universität Bochum), and politics, followed by a panel debate and exhibitor solutions showcase focused on innovative, ecological, and efficient building in Germany.
Why it matters for procurement and category management
For buyers and category leads, Branchentag Holz offers a fast, in-market way to benchmark suppliers, assess 2026 product roadmaps, and validate sustainability claims against current policy discourse. The GD Holz Forum gives decision-makers immediate context—retail dynamics, supply outlook, and construction priorities—so meeting agendas on the show floor can translate into sharper assortments, tighter SLAs, and more resilient sourcing.
Who should exhibit—and why
Vendors serving timber trade and construction will find a concentrated audience of decision-makers. The 2023 edition hosted 160+ exhibitors from 17 countries and was sold out; for 2025, 95% of floor space is already allocated, signaling strong buyer interest and traffic potential. Exhibiting is suited to firms launching product innovations, expanding in DACH distribution, or aligning offerings with “Neues Bauen” imperatives (innovation, ecology, efficiency).
Plan your visit: quick checklist
- Meetings: Pre-book with strategic suppliers and shortlist new partners tied to 2026 initiatives.
- Sessions: Prioritize retail trends (2026+), WEHAM-2022 results, and “Neues Bauen” policy and solutions.
- Awards & talent: Track Woody Award winners for pipeline scouting; engage with Azubi-Competition to support workforce development.
- Location & hours: Koelnmesse Hall 8 (North Entrance); Tue 09:00–18:00, Wed 09:00–16:00.
- Registration: Visitor and exhibitor sign-up is available online.
Next steps
Stakeholders in timber trade, engineered wood, building materials distribution, and sustainable construction policy should align teams now—product management, procurement, and sales—to maximize the two-day format. Learn more and secure tickets via the official registration portal.