Article Number : 1589 |
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| Date | 12/20/2006 10:13:21 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1589 |
| Abstract | Kneeland, Calif.—China’s impact on the flooring industry stretches far beyond the U.S. as was evidenced at the 7th annual China International Floor Coverings & Carpet Fair in Bejing. A delegation of distributors, importers and retailers from the U.S... |
| Article | Kneeland, Calif.—China’s impact on the flooring industry stretches far beyond the U.S. as was evidenced at the 7th annual China International Floor Coverings & Carpet Fair in Bejing. A delegation of distributors, importers and retailers from the U.S., Canada, Japan and the UK was sponsored by the Chinese International Exhibition Corp. (CIEC), to not only attend the market, but visit local factories and participate in the 11th anniversary celebration of the China National Forest Products Industry Association. The group was led by Dave Spreen, president of Dave Spreen Enterprises, who has organized similar delegations to exhibitions in Beijing. “The group was really international and they were all buyers searching for both new sources and products.” The four-day exhibition drew more than 130 exhibitors representing a wide range of flooring products, and 12,000 domestic and oversees visitors. In addition, a laminate installation demonstration was added to the show this year to give attendees the chance to see how some of the newest products are put together. Interest was so great a local television crew came down to film it. Spreen noted while the Beijing show is small when compared to the Domotex asia exhibition held in Shanghai “it does offer visitors the opportunity to make connections with factories in the northern part of China that may not exhibit at the Shanghai show.” And connections were made, he added. “A number of the delegates indicated they made several contacts that were promising. One even said he received quotes and samples and expects to place orders soon.” One of the ways to form relationships is through personal visits to the manufacturing facilities, and six flooring companies opened their doors to the delegation. One of them was the Sunshine Wood Industry Co. in Tianjin. Spreen said he was “quite impressed. Its operations and standards were on par with [the better known factories in Shanghai]. Sunshine employs about 400 people. The operation is very efficient, plus it had an excellent inventory of logs for this time of year—including maple, which many companies have trouble sourcing now.” Overall, he said it was a successful trip in that it accomplished the goals of both the delegation participants and CIEC, specifically to show how Chinese manufacturers are progressing in quality and form business relationships between the mills and buyers. For more information on upcoming exhibitions in China, contact Spreen at 707.445.2244. |