Panelco –Why Collaboration Matters More Than Ever in the Decorative Panel Industry
changing customer expectations, collaboration has never been more important across every part of this fast-moving sector. The decorative panel market continues to
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evolve quickly. New finishes, sustainable materials, manufacturing processes and increasingly demanding projects mean customers want more than products. They need knowledge, confidence and trusted partnerships. Although digital platforms make information
easier to access, they can also create distance between manufacturers, distributors and those making specification decisions. Panelco believes there is no substitute for
bringing the industry together. That thinking drives PanelConnect, a two-day
event taking place on 16–17 September at Panelco’s Stoke-on-Trent headquarters. Instead of another traditional trade exhibition, its
purpose is simple: connecting customers directly with the manufacturers, products and people shaping the decorative surfaces market. For the first time, nine leading supplier
partners will come together under one roof: Alvic, Bushboard, Decorative Panels Group, Durasein, EGGER, Polyrey, Swiss Krono, Saviola and Wilsonart. Visitors can compare products side by side,
explore new collections, discuss technical applications with specialists and gain practical advice
12 BKU AUGUST 2026
n an industry driven by product innovation, technical expertise and
relevant to their businesses in a single visit. For manufacturers and fabricators, that supports
better-informed decisions. Designers and specifiers can experience colours, textures and finishes first-hand rather than relying solely on samples or digital imagery, while merchants can discover the innovations influencing customer demand. Beyond the displays, PanelConnect offers a rare
opportunity to look behind the scenes of a leading UK decorative panel distributor. Guided facility tours will showcase the
investment, stockholding, processing capabilities and logistics supporting customers nationwide, demonstrating not only what Panelco supplies but how products move efficiently from supplier to customer. As businesses seek greater supply-chain
resilience, transparency has become increasingly valuable. Understanding the people, systems and investment behind a distributor can be just as important as understanding the products themselves.
“The best ideas don’t come from catalogues,
they come from conversations.”Michael Dineen, Managing Director.
That principle reflects a wider industry shift. Customers increasingly expect technical support,
commercial understanding and long-term partnership alongside competitive pricing. PanelConnect is therefore designed around
conversation as much as demonstration, creating an environment where manufacturers, distributors and customers can exchange ideas, discuss projects and explore future opportunities. The event also reflects Panelco’s continued
investment in the decorative surfaces market. As part of The Hadleigh Timber Group, the business has expanded its portfolio, strengthened operational capability and invested in infrastructure supporting furniture manufacturers, fabricators, merchants and commercial interior specialists across the UK. PanelConnect takes place on 16–17
September at Panelco’s Stoke-on-Trent facility, with supplier showcases, guided tours, demonstrations and technical discussions across both days. For further information or to register, visit
the website.
uwww.panelco.com/panelconnect
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