Where: NEC Birmingham, England
When: 23rd-25th June 2026
www.professionalwoodworkingexpo.com
The Professional Woodworking Expo (PWE) returns this June, positioning itself as a focused event for the UK’s woodworking and joinery sector. Co-located with InstallerSHOW and the Painting & Decorating Show, it gives visitors access to a broader cross-section of the construction and interiors supply chain under one ticket.
The event itself has not been without its challenges in recent years, reflecting the changing dynamics of the exhibitions market, including shifting visitor expectations and increased pressure on exhibitors to justify return on investment. Under the ownership of Nineteen Group, however, there is a clear intention to reset and rebuild momentum.
The organiser has a strong track record of delivering well-attended, content-led trade events across related sectors, and has begun to apply that experience to Professional Woodworking Expo. Leading the event is Nathan Garnett, whose hands-on approach and industry background are helping shape a more focused proposition, with an emphasis on delivering tangible value for exhibitors, visitors and partners alike.
Aimed at both independent workshops and larger manufacturers across the furniture and joinery product sectors, PWE brings together machinery suppliers, tooling specialists, materials providers and service companies, with the emphasis firmly on practical application rather than static product display.
A practical focus
Live demonstration sits at the core of the event. Rather than relying on stand-alone exhibits, the show is structured to allow visitors to see machinery and tooling operating in real-world conditions, helping to assess performance, output and suitability more effectively.
Four dedicated machinery and demonstration zones will form the backbone of the exhibition, alongside a wider exhibitor base expected to exceed 200 companies. Visitor numbers are projected at around 6000 across the three days, suggesting a targeted audience of engaged trade professionals rather than a high-volume footfall event.
The show floor will cover the full breadth of the sector, from CNC and conventional machinery through to tooling, timber and board materials, joinery systems, finishing products and workshop software. Training providers and business support services will also be present, reflecting ongoing pressures around skills, efficiency and business performance.
Machinery and process in focus
A number of live features aim to move beyond product promotion and into process demonstration. A Window Manufacturing Zone, developed with The Joinery Network and supported by machinery and tooling suppliers, will present a live production workflow for timber windows, illustrating how current equipment and process integration can support consistent, repeatable output.
Elsewhere, larger-scale machinery will be shown in operation, including planing and handling systems. For many small and mid-sized manufacturers, this type of demonstration remains one of the most useful aspects of a regional show, offering a clearer sense of capability than specification alone.
An Innovation Station will highlight developments in surface materials, adhesives, fittings and lighting, alongside health and safety products. While such areas can vary in depth, they reflect the broader move towards incremental gains in efficiency and quality across the production process.
Skills and workforce development
Alongside machinery, the show also gives space to skills development. A Carpentry Skills Hub, led by Robin Clevett, will feature live build activity involving students working alongside experienced tradespeople.
Beyond the demonstration element, this reflects a wider issue facing the sector. Investment in technology continues, but the availability of skilled labour remains a constraint for many businesses, making training and recruitment an ongoing priority.
Content and peer learning
The seminar programme will cover a mix of technical and commercial topics, including workflow efficiency, business strategy and production techniques, with contributors drawn from across the supply chain.
In parallel, a more informal “Trades Talk” theatre – shared with the co-located events – will focus on peer-led discussion around business growth, apprenticeships and marketing approaches such as social media.
For joinery businesses, the value will lie in practical takeaways rather than broad commentary, but the programme does provide an opportunity to compare approaches and identify potential improvements.
Co-location adds context
Co-location with InstallerSHOW and the Painting & Decorating Show is a defining feature of this year’s event. While not directly aligned with joinery manufacturing, the additional shows broaden the context, bringing together multiple stages of the construction and fit-out process.
For visitors, this offers the chance to follow a project journey more widely, from structural timber solutions through to final finishes, and to identify where joinery products and services fit within that chain.
InstallerSHOW, in particular, operates at a significantly larger scale, which is likely to influence overall footfall. For exhibitors, this presents both opportunity and competition; for visitors, it adds range, provided the day is planned effectively.
Networking and industry support
As with most trade events, much of the value lies in conversation. A scheduled networking session on the second day provides a more formal opportunity to meet peers and suppliers, although informal discussions on the show floor will remain central to the experience.
The event is backed by a range of industry bodies and organisations, helping to align it with current sector priorities and maintain a clear professional focus.
Furniture & Joinery Production, alongside sister title, Irish Contract Interiors, will be exhibiting on stand H2-C40. The team will be on hand throughout the show to catch up with readers, contributors and industry partners alike. Visitors are encouraged to drop in, take a break from the exhibition floor and join us for refreshments, whether to discuss current projects, share ideas or explore opportunities to work together across our successful print and digital platforms.
