The 17th edition of SALONBOIS opens its doors at Espace Gruyère in Bulle from February 6 to 8, 2025. With nearly 90 exhibitors, the event serves as a true showcase for the wood industry, highlighting major trends in the sector. A rich program featuring information, advice, conferences, discoveries, and events is offered to professionals, property owners, and individuals alike.The 2025 edition will honor forestry environments with the participation of the Lyss Forestry Training Center as the guest of the exhibition. On Saturday, February 8, the focus on forests continues with a series of conferences titled “A Place for Hospitality, Biodiversity, and Functions: Spotlight on the Forest.”
Notably, on Friday, February 7, the exhibition will host an evening event, remaining open to visitors until 9 PM. For over 20 years, SALONBOIS has established itself as the leading platform for the wood industry in French-speaking Switzerland.
SALONBOIS opens its doors at Espace Gruyère in Bulle/FR, hosting nearly 90 exhibitors showcasing current solutions for players in the wood industry. The exhibition’s audience includes wood construction professionals as well as property owners and individuals looking to build, transform, or renovate their homes. Carpenters and joiners are present to offer advice on wooden houses. Meanwhile, sawmills and wood traders display their range of products over the three days. Energy sector players are also well represented, presenting new wood boilers and fuel options (pellets, wood chips). Finally, manufacturers and sellers of woodworking machines, tools, hardware, and management software (CAD, ERP) introduce their latest innovations and services to all professionals in the Swiss wood industry. Coming from all over the country and abroad, the exhibitors look forward to this biennial event in Bulle, where the welcoming atmosphere and unique spirit of the venue create ideal conditions for business opportunities.
Conferences — four conferences will be held as part of the exhibition.
Thursday, February 6: Carpenters and cabinetmakers, how can we respond to the new challenges faced in our professions?
The Association Romande des Cadres Ébénistes-Menuisiers (CEM), with the operational support of Espace Gruyère, is co-organizing a seminar on the changes affecting the professions of carpenters and cabinetmakers. Working with wood in today’s society involves a constant balance between tradition and innovation. Carpenters and cabinetmakers rely daily on ancestral know-how and modern technical means. While remaining rooted in its traditional values, this profession is transforming and evolving rapidly, much like society as a whole. By giving the floor to specialists, entrepreneurs, legal experts, and representatives from various backgrounds, the 12th seminar will provide practical solutions for companies in the wood sector.
Friday, February 7: Wooden bridges and walkways, Swiss examples.
The organizing committee is hosting a conference dedicated to wooden bridges and walkways, with examples built in Swiss cities and municipalities. The aim of the forum is to raise public awareness about the use of wood, particularly local wood. The selected examples all reflect this approach. Wood has always been the preferred material for constructing bridges and walkways, with many structures, some centuries old, serving as valuable witnesses to this tradition.
The seminars on Thursday and Friday require registration, and the link to the program and registration is available at www.salonbois.ch.
Saturday, February 8: Renovation and forestry in the spotlight.
On Saturday, February 8, the presentations are aimed at a broader audience, with the first series of conferences focused on home renovation. Valuable advice will be provided to property owners and anyone undertaking renovation work who wishes to choose wood. The second series, open to adults and young people, links the public with forest management. The local population is deeply attached to the forest, and the increasing visitation confirms this. At the heart of managers’ concerns is finding the right balance between the forest’s public reception functions and the preservation of our natural heritage. Forestry specialists will lead this conference, which is open to all.
With an adult or reduced-price entry ticket, visitors can attend all the conferences on Saturday.
Guest of honor
The Lyss Forestry Training Center is the guest of honor at SALONBOIS 2025. Its main task is the training of forestry wardens at the higher education level. It is also involved in continuing education for the forestry sector and the training of rangers.
On an area of 26m², the institution will present its activities to visitors.
Activities for families
Since its inception, SALONBOIS has welcomed young audiences in a space dedicated to the wood industry. On Saturday, February 8, children from 7 years old will have the opportunity to make wooden mini-solar ovens. Three sessions are available throughout the day, with facilitators able to welcome 8 children per workshop. Registration on-site, free for children.
On an area of 26m², the institution will present its activities to visitors.
Label “Carbon Fri”
In its 2019 edition, the exhibition obtained the “Carbon Fri” label by measuring and reducing its carbon footprint. For the 2025 edition, SALONBOIS continues its efforts and aims once again to achieve this label. The goal is to support interesting local projects, even if their CO2 reductions are difficult to quantify. Exhibitors also contribute to this initiative and receive a certificate as partners of the label. This year, 19 of them participated in the survey. A big thank you to them for their commitment to the climate.
Organizers and exhibitors are looking forward to welcoming the many visitors expected at the 17th edition of SALONBOIS.
Information about the exhibition
Location
Espace Gruyère, Rue de Vevey 136, 1630 Bulle
Dates
Thursday, February 6 to Saturday, February 8, 2025
Opening hours
Thursday 10am-6pm | Friday 10am-9pm (Friday night) | Saturday 10am-5pm
Prices
Adults : CHF 11.- | OASI/DI/Students aged 18 and over: CHF 9.- | Under 18s: free of charge
