Article Number : 3122 |
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| Date | 3/27/2008 8:45:23 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3122 |
| Abstract | The 10th Domotex asia/ChinaFloor (DACF) market in Shanghai certainly had a different feel this year. As the first U.S. trade editor to personally attend the show—up through last year, that is, when others started to realize the importance of being there—I have the unique perspective to analyze it... |
| Article | The 10th Domotex asia/ChinaFloor (DACF) market in Shanghai certainly had a different feel this year. As the first U.S. trade editor to personally attend the show—up through last year, that is, when others started to realize the importance of being there—I have the unique perspective to analyze it. Sure, the booths were as extravagant as always, and there were more exhibitors and attendees than ever before, but the overall mood was more subdued. Gone were the musicians, body painters, blaring loud speakers and others forms of activity to get visitor attention. With business conditions being what they are, the entertainment was replaced by offerings that were, as a whole more professional than ever. One of the buzzwords floating around was “relationships.” Granted, this is a key concept in business, but in China it is taken to another level—to the point relations come above business. When it comes to understanding this, no one is better than Thomas Baert. Not only is he the president and co-owner of Chinafloors, one of the more successful laminate and wood producers in China, he is a cofounder of DACF. Oh, he is also the president of Rugmax. Instead of staying in the confines of his Chinafloors booth dealing with customers, Baert was seen everywhere at this market— ometimes in two places at once—promoting the benefits of positive relationships. He started the show off as part of a powerful panel discussion, “Receiving What You Want,” to a group of North American delegates, and ended the market by playing a key role in the Sino-U.S.-Europe Wood Flooring Summit. The goal of the first was to help North American businesses understand the value of relationships to create a successful venture while the latter was designed to get groups with common interests in the same room and see how the power of working together is far more beneficial than going at it alone. Through all this, Baert still found the time to be at the Power Dekor booth for the signing of a license agreement between the Chinese company and Faus (see complete story next issue). As part owner of Faus’ Shanghai venture, did I forget to mention that before, he was instrumental in bringing the sides together, thus giving Power Dekor the ability to produce floors using Faus’ patented surfacing technology, and allowing Faus access to another market without any court proceedings. In a way, relationships were a key reason for starting DACF. Recognizing China’s growing popularity as a market to source and sell floorings, and understanding the difficulties foreigners faced, Baert knew a trade show was the best way to bring the producing and buying sides together. Ten years later, his idea has grown into the world’s second largest market. Still interested in China? Take a cue from Baert and “do your homework.” If you do, you will realize “China is a paradise.” |