Why it’s time for timber at FIT Show 2027

Since its launch in 2013, FIT Show is said to have evolved from a predominantly PVC‑U and aluminium showcase, into the UK’s most comprehensive meeting place for the fenestration, joinery and timber supply chain.

That journey has mirrored the market’s own shift: a renewed appetite for sustainable, high‑performance timber solutions, more specialist joinery content, and a growing international presence.

By 2025, FIT Show brought together 10,129 individual visitors and 5,325 companies over three days at the NEC, with 300 exhibitors spanning windows, doors, glass, hardware, roofing, smart tech – and, increasingly, timber. For joiners and carpenters, the show now reportedly offers more relevant content, more kit, and more connections than at any point in its history.

Timber demand on the rise

The 2025 Post Show Report highlights a clear uplift in visitor interest across material categories. While aluminium, PVC‑U and composite still headline, timber now accounts for over 9% of all material interests recorded, with “timber systems” representing more than 16% of systems‑related interest.

That is a significant signal, particularly against a backdrop of tightening sustainability expectations, whole‑life performance considerations and end‑user demand for natural, low‑carbon solutions.

Nickie West, Event Director for FIT Show, sees this as a tipping point rather than a blip. She said: “Timber has always had a place in fenestration, but what we’re seeing now is a real shift from ‘niche’ to ‘necessary’”, she explains. “Visitors are actively seeking out timber windows, doors and façade solutions – not just for heritage or high‑end projects, but as part of mainstream, fabric‑first strategies. Our 2025 data shows that appetite clearly, and we’re building on it for 2027.”

That appetite is reflected in the visitor breakdown. Among the 10,000+ professionals who attended in 2025 were 559 joiners, nearly 2,000 fabricators, more than 2,500 installers and a substantial cohort of building, construction and property development professionals – all key decision‑makers for timber and hybrid specifications.

From fenestration show to joinery destination

A decade ago, FIT Show was primarily seen as a windows and doors event. The 2025 edition, by contrast, featured a much broader mix of products and services: from timber and aluminium systems to machinery, materials, fixings, coatings and ancillary tools.

Live installation content in the Installer Demo Zone – with input from master carpenter, joiner and specialist builder Robin Clevett – CPD‑certified seminars and the launch of the Marketplace feature meant visitors could see joinery products in action, get hands‑on with tools, and buy equipment directly at the show.

This broader platform has created a natural home for timber‑focused initiatives such as The Joinery Network. For FIT Show 2027, that relationship is being strengthened and expanded, with more coordinated activity planned for joinery manufacturers, bespoke timber firms and mixed‑material fabricators.

Andy Ball from The Joinery Network believes the timing could not be better. He said: “The market conversation around timber has moved on. It’s no longer just about aesthetics; it’s about carbon, circularity and long‑term performance.

“For independent joinery shops and larger timber window manufacturers alike, FIT Show 2027 is the place to see what’s coming next – from systems and coatings through to machinery, software and routes to market. Our goal with FIT is to make sure joiners don’t just feel welcome; they feel that the show has been built with them in mind.”

Leading timber and joinery brands already recognise FIT Show’s value as a growth platform. In 2025, exhibitors included Empress Timber, Advance Joinery Group, Reddish Joinery, Wyre Forest Woodcraft, and Your Timber Windows – all showcasing engineered timber systems, bespoke window solutions, and sustainable manufacturing alongside hardware, glazing and coatings specialists.

Several also partnered with The Joinery Network at the show, creating dedicated zones for live demos and networking that drew installers, fabricators and specifiers.

This mix proves FIT Show works for timber window and door manufacturers, bespoke joinery firms, machinery and tooling suppliers, coatings and finishing experts, timber systems houses and hybrid material fabricators – any business serving panel production, site joinery or high‑spec carpentry projects looking to connect with over 10,000 decision‑makers who typically spend £100k–£500k annually.

International timber and new routes to market

Another notable shift between FIT Show’s early years and its 2025 edition is the growth in international exhibitors and solutions. Visitors now travel from every part of the UK, alongside a growing contingent of overseas brands using FIT Show as a launchpad into the British market.

For joiners and timber‑led manufacturers, this means direct access to overseas suppliers of engineered timber, glazing systems, hardware, coatings and specialist machinery under one roof.

This internationalisation is amplified online through FIT Show 360 – the show’s virtual tour platform – which allows exhibitors to extend the life of their stand and reach global audiences beyond the three days at the NEC.

For timber businesses operating in both domestic and export markets, that combination of live and digital exposure is increasingly valuable.

Building towards 2027: what’s in it for joiners?

Looking ahead, the FIT Show team has been explicit that feedback from 2025 is directly informing the 2027 strategy. Visitor product interest data shows strong growth not only in timber, but also in related areas such as glass, materials, roofing and machinery – all critical components in modern joinery and carpentry workflows.

Nickie outlines how this will translate on the show floor: She said: “For FIT Show 2027, we’re curating even more content around timber, joinery and offsite solutions.

“That means more dedicated exhibitors, more live demos, and more seminars that speak directly to joiners and carpenters – whether they’re handcrafting bespoke windows or running high‑volume production lines. The message is simple: FIT Show is your show too, and we want to make sure you leave with tangible ideas, partners and products to grow your business.”

The Installer Demo Zone will return, with an expanded focus on timber installations and best‑practice detailing, while the Marketplace will continue to offer practical tools, fixings and consumables relevant to workshop and site‑based joinery teams. For panel and joinery production professionals assessing where to invest their limited time, the numbers provide a compelling case: a visitor base with high average spend potential, 300 exhibitors, and multi‑million digital reach underline FIT Show’s role as a commercial engine for the sector.

As Andy put it: “If you’re serious about timber – whether that’s traditional joinery, modern methods of construction, or hybrid windows and doors – you need to be part of the conversation at FIT Show. 2027 is shaping up to be the most timber‑rich edition yet, and it’s a real opportunity for joiners to both give and gain: share their expertise, and come away with new ideas, partners and products.”

From its origins in 2013 to its record‑breaking 2025 edition, FIT Show has grown with the industry it serves. For timber, joinery and carpentry professionals, FIT Show 2027 represents the next step in that journey – a place where the sector’s renewed commitment to sustainable, high‑performance timber can be seen, heard and, crucially, turned into viable, profitable work on the ground.

Ready to take your place at FIT Show 2027? Speak to the FIT Show team to find out how we can bring your brand to life at the  NEC Birmingham, 18 – 20 May 2027. Secure your stand today and be part of the UK’s only dedicated trade event for fabricators and installers. Enquire now to maximise your impact.

For more information about FIT Show, visit: FIT Show 2027 | 18 – 20 May | NEC, Birmingham