WoodEX for Africa 2024 Highlights

BB Craft School recently had the pleasure of attending WoodEX, a premier event for the woodworking industry. Held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, from June 4th to 6th, this event showcased an impressive array of exhibitors and innovative products from around the globe.

The expos was melting pot of innovation, bringing together industry leaders, craftsmen, and enthusiasts to share the latest advancements in woodworking technology. Walking through the exhibition halls, we enjoyed seeing the various products on display. The range of exhibits was truly a visual feast, showcasing everything from cutting-edge CNC machines to high-quality hardware and materials.

Watch Our Highlights Video Below

WoodEX for Africa is the foremost gateway and pivotal event for machinery, tools, forestry, and timber supplies across the southern African continent. This year, the event was held in conjunction with Big 5 Construct South Africa, providing an even greater platform for industry professionals.

View the visitor's guide here.

Key Highlights

CNC & Laser Machines

Highlights of the event included demonstrations of the latest CNC and Laser technology, which showcased these machines' precision and efficiency in woodworking.

New and Innovative Materials

Exhibitors displayed a wide array of materials, from advanced composites to high-quality veneers, highlighting the evolving landscape of woodworking supplies.

Hardware from Around the World

The event featured innovative hardware solutions from leading global manufacturers, providing attendees with insights into the latest trends and technologies.

Wood Finishes

WoodEX for Africa 2024 showcased an impressive array of wood finishes, highlighting the industry's latest advancements and trends.

Notable Stands

Jax Oleum

Jax Oleum, a premium brand known for its high-quality wood finishes, was a highlight at the event. Their oils and waxes are designed to enhance and protect wooden surfaces by penetrating deep into the wood, providing durable and long-lasting protection while highlighting the natural beauty and grain. Jax Oleum's finishes are popular among woodworkers, furniture makers, and DIY enthusiasts for their ease of application, rich color, and superior finish.

Charles, the owner, provided an in-depth look at their innovative wood oil products. Jax Oleum offers a single-coat wood oil available in over 80 colours, suitable for various types of absorbent wood, including veneers and engineered wooden flooring. The application is straightforward: sand the wood evenly, apply the oil in a circular motion, let it sit, and wipe off the excess. Different woods affect the final colour and oil absorption, with pine requiring more oil than denser woods like oak. For high-traffic areas, Jax Oleum provides a range of sealants, including a 2K matte water-based sealant that maintains a natural finish without altering the oil's colour.

Jax Oleum's products are designed for durability and ease of use, featuring built-in drying agents that eliminate the need for additives. They also offer maintenance oils and cleaners to ensure longevity. Additionally, Jax Oleum has introduced touch-up paint markers in crayon form for quick repairs of nicks and scratches. Manufactured in Johannesburg, Jax Oleum prides itself on being a proudly South African brand with a long standing market presence and a commitment to quality and innovation. Their showroom displays the full range of competitively priced products, showcasing the company's dedication to customer satisfaction and product excellence.

BPM Toolcraft

BPM Toolcraft stood out for showcasing various quality tool brands. Known as South Africa's finest woodwork specialist tool store since 1985, BPM offers a wide selection of premium hand tools, power tools, machinery, and accessories. They partnered with Vermont Sales for this expo, and showcased brands like Festool, Kreg, and PONY, highlighting their extensive range and diversity of woodworking solutions.

Thomas guided us through their stand, highlighting an impressive array of woodworking tools and accessories.

The selection included hand tools from brands like Narex, Veritas, and Kakuri, hand planes, and saws from Thomas Flinn, Veritas, and Luban. Adhesives and finishes like Titebond and Rustins, wood finishes, and sharpening tools from DMT and Suehiro were on display.

The stand featured an active demo area for Festool, showcasing projects and included demonstrations of the SawStop safety technology. Additionally, they showcased Octa grip gloves, known for their durability and range.

They also handed out WD-40 lubricant-free samples. The stand also featured Einhell tools, emphasizing their value for both DIY enthusiasts and professionals.

Grass Hardware

Grass Hardware made a significant impact at WoodEX for Africa 2024 with its innovative solutions tailored for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and office furniture industries. 

Grass showcased its advanced range as a premium supplier of high-quality movement systems. Their revolutionary Vionaro V8 system, the world's first 8mm thin drawer which allows for the design of flap doors up to 2 meters wide, exemplified Grass's leadership in innovation.

These products highlighted Grass's ability to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of furniture, distinguishing them as a leader in the industry.

Bernie took us for a tour at the Grass stand at WoodX 2024, showcasing a range of innovative and high-quality products. He began with the Vianoro V8, a unique drawer system featuring an 8mm metal side, available in various heights and colours, and currently the only one of its kind on the market. Bernie highlighted their glass systems designed for ladder units and pot drawers, which include practical dividers to keep lids and pots organized. The Vogue range of aluminium doors was also on display, offering a variety of colours and features, including the versatile MO5 bifold system suitable for coffee stations or bar units. All these products boast sleek, smooth designs with no visible joints, emphasizing top-quality craftsmanship.

Additionally, Bernie introduced the Kinvara T Slim flap units, which integrate seamlessly into side panels to maximize space or can be installed inside carcasses. He also showcased the Novapro Scala drawers, a favorite due to their adaptability, available in different heights with numerous solutions for cutlery and utensils. Like the V8, these drawers can feature customizable sides using magnetized offcuts for a unique two-toned look. Grass is dedicated to combining innovation, quality, and practical design in every product.

ProNature

ProNature, with 40 years of experience in the paint and woodcare industry, has been committed to green practices since 1997, setting them apart in the market. They offer a remarkable variety of timber, wall and stone finishes, as well as cleaning products, catering to diverse needs and preferences.

As a proudly South African company, ProNature benefits from 40 years of German paint-chemistry expertise, ensuring top-notch quality in every product. Their environmentally friendly products are free of lead, petrochemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them safe for both users and the environment. Every component in ProNature's products is listed on the label, guaranteeing full transparency and authenticity.

ProNature’s paint, sealants, and cleaning products are competitively priced, offering great value compared to major brands. They provide nationwide shipping and export to anywhere on the African continent, ensuring their products are accessible to a wide audience.

ProNature stands out with its commitment to quality, eco-friendliness, and customer satisfaction, making it a trusted choice for those seeking superior paint and woodcare solutions.

Nukor Sawmilling

Established in 1960, Nukor is a leading provider of premium sawmilling and woodworking machinery in Southern Africa. With a robust network of global suppliers, including Hildebrand and Weinig Group, Nukor offers over 500 products tailored to meet diverse industry needs.

Known for their commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer service, Nukor delivers comprehensive solutions and support, making them the preferred partner for woodworking professionals across the continent.

Networking Opportunities

The event also provided ample opportunities for networking. We had insightful conversations with representatives from various companies, gaining valuable insights and exploring potential collaborations. The connections made at WoodEX for Africa will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the quality of our training programs.

Learning and Development

The seminars and workshops at WoodEX for Africa 2024 were incredibly beneficial. These sessions were informative and sparked new ideas, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and skills in the woodworking industry.

Looking Ahead

Our visit to WoodEX for Africa 2024 provided us with a wealth of knowledge and resources that we are eager to implement at BB Craft School. The connections made, and the insights gained will undoubtedly enhance the quality of our training programs. WoodEX for Africa 2024 was a remarkable experience. The event has consistently demonstrated robust year-on-year growth and continues to be a vital platform for the timber trade industry.