INTERNATIONALE FORSTMESSE 2027

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Forstwirtschaft (Forestry)

Management of forest land for timber production, protection, biodiversity and recreation. It is the organising subject of Forstmesse, spanning silviculture, harvesting, timber logistics and wood industry.

2

Holzernte (Timber harvesting)

The felling, processing and extraction of trees from the stand to the forest road or landing. Machinery for this step fills much of the outdoor Allmend demonstration area.

3

Harvester

Self-propelled forest machine with a felling head that fells, delimbs, measures and cross-cuts stems in one pass. Common in mechanised thinning and final felling on accessible Swiss sites.

4

Forwarder

Rubber-tyred machine with a load bunk and crane that carries cut timber from the stump to the roadside landing, keeping the load clear of the ground.

5

Ruckezug / Skidder

Wheeled or crawler tractor with a winch that drags whole stems or logs to the landing. Often used on smaller or steeper operations where a forwarder is not suitable.

6

Seilkran / Seilbahn (Cable yarder, cable crane)

Winch-and-cable extraction system for steep Alpine terrain where ground-based machines cannot operate safely. A recurring technology theme for Swiss mountain forestry at the fair.

7

Motorsage (Chainsaw)

Hand-held saw for felling, bucking and limbing. Still central to motor-manual forestry, and the reference point for safety equipment and PPE ranges shown in Luzern.

8

Durchforstung (Thinning)

Removal of selected trees to reduce competition and improve stand stability. A main driver of demand for small and mid-size harvesting machines and for skilled contractor services.

9

Schutzwald (Protection forest)

Forest managed primarily to protect settlements, roads and railways from avalanches, rockfall, erosion and flooding. A long-standing pillar of Swiss forest policy and a theme in fair seminars.

10

Borkenkafer (Bark beetle)

Beetle pests whose outbreaks follow drought and storm damage, forcing salvage harvesting. Frequently discussed by forest owners and contractors at Swiss forestry events.

11

Energieholz / Hackschnitzel (Energy wood / wood chips)

Wood fuel produced from harvesting residues, small trees and landscape material using chippers and crushers, then burned in biomass heating plants.

12

Sagewerk (Sawmill)

Primary processing plant that converts round logs into sawn timber. Sawmill technology and wood-industry suppliers form part of the wider Forstmesse visitor scope.

13

Holzbau (Timber construction)

Engineering and building with sawn and engineered wood products. It is the downstream market that consumes Swiss roundwood and shapes demand for quality logs.

14

FSC / PEFC

International forest certification schemes that verify sustainable forest management and chain-of-custody for wood products. Certification status is a common sales argument on Swiss timber contracts.

15

Waldarbeitssicherheit (Forest work safety)

Safety practice, training and rules for professional forestry work. Live demonstrations and safety briefings are a standard part of the fair programme.

16

Personliche Schutzausrustung / PSA (PPE)

Helmet with visor and ear protection, cut-protective trousers, safety boots and gloves required for chainsaw and forest machine work. A stable product group for exhibitors.

17

Waldbrand (Forest fire)

Increasing risk in dry Swiss summers, especially on south-facing slopes and in pine stands. Fire prevention, monitoring and suppression equipment is a growing exhibit category.

18

Fernerkundung / Drohne (Remote sensing / drone)

Use of drones, LiDAR and satellite data for stand inventory, storm damage mapping and harvest planning. A practical digital tool now shown alongside conventional forest technology.

19

Wildtiermanagement (Wildlife and game management)

Regulation of deer, chamois and wild boar populations to limit browsing damage to young forest. Hunting and wildlife topics sit alongside forestry in the Swiss show context.

20

Holzlogistik (Timber logistics)

Sorting, transport and tracking of roundwood from forest landing to sawmill or biomass plant, including truck, rail and reloading options.

21

Waldpflege (Stand tending)

Young stand management, cleaning and early thinning that shapes future timber quality. It links nursery, planting and small-machine suppliers to the forestry audience.

22

Forstunternehmer (Forestry contractor)

Independent service provider who carries out felling, extraction, chipping and roading for forest owners. A core buyer group for the machines and attachments shown at Forstmesse.