Technology in wood processing is transforming a sector built on expertise, raw materials and manufacturing culture. Today, innovation means making processes more precise, continuous and efficient, while preserving the value of artisanal experience.
In the Bergamo area, the wood sector represents a significant manufacturing reality: according to Confindustria Bergamo, the Wood Group includes over 5,000 employees, around 900 companies and an aggregate turnover of more than 900 million euros. [*] These figures describe a sector rooted in local manufacturing tradition, yet increasingly oriented towards innovation, automation and technological development.
Innovation and quality in wood processing
Innovation in wood processing involves every stage of the production process: from material selection to transformation, through to coating and finishing. New technologies, such as more precise cutting systems, automated lines, advanced coating systems and solutions for constant process control, make it possible to improve precision, reduce variables and achieve more uniform results, even in complex production processes.
This is particularly important for those who manufacture picture frame mouldings, profiles and wooden components for furniture, decoration, framing and interior design. In these fields, quality does not depend only on the functionality of the product, but also on its aesthetic result, the consistency of the finishes and the coherence of the final outcome.
Technology, efficiency and sustainability
Investing in technology also means making better use of resources. According to Eurostat, in 2023 roundwood production in the European Union reached 460 million m³. [**] This figure clearly shows how important it is to process raw materials through efficient, controlled processes focused on reducing waste.
In the wood sector, this aspect becomes even more important: a natural raw material must be processed with care, expertise and responsibility. Innovation therefore becomes a tool to improve production quality, optimize materials and enhance the value of wood in a more conscious way.
Innovation and automation: an ongoing journey, also at Imex
For Imex, innovation means continuing to invest in technologies, processes and solutions capable of improving precision, production continuity and the quality of the finished product. Automation does not replace manufacturing expertise; it enhances it, making every stage of processing more controlled, efficient and reliable.
This journey also includes the introduction of i.mes, a tool dedicated to production control and workflow management, designed to better monitor processes and make production organization even more structured. It also includes the recent implementation of a new wrapping line equipped with a double unwinding system and automatic splicer: an investment that confirms the company’s commitment to keeping pace with the technological evolution of the wood sector.
In this sector more than in others, technology and craftsmanship can coexist and reinforce each other. On the one hand, automation improves precision and continuity; on the other, human experience remains essential to interpret the material, care for every detail and ensure quality, enhancing the value of the raw material and offering increasingly reliable, sustainable solutions aligned with the needs of designers, companies and customers.
Sources
[*] Confindustria Bergamo, data on the Wood Group: over 5,000 employees, around 900 companies and an aggregate turnover of more than 900 million euros.
[**] Eurostat, “Forests, forestry and logging”, data on roundwood production in the European Union in 2023.