Article Number : 715 |
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| Date | 11/18/2005 10:10:50 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=715 |
| Abstract | Shanghai, China—How important has China become to the flooring industry? With five months still to go before the eighth edition of Domotex asia/Chinafloor (DACF), organizers said 95% of the show is booked—and that’s with 50% more exhibition space than this past March’s event... |
| Article | Shanghai, China—How important has China become to the flooring industry? With five months still to go before the eighth edition of Domotex asia/Chinafloor (DACF), organizers said 95% of the show is booked—and that’s with 50% more exhibition space than this past March’s event. “The flooring market has put a great deal of trust in the coming edition,” said Wilbert Heijmans, senior project manager for VNU Exhibitions, one of the producers of the event, along with Deutsche Messe AG, which also organizes the German version of Domotex. He noted the 2005 show occupied just under 500,000 square feet (FCNews, April 4/11), and the 2006 edition, set for March 28 to 30, will encompass almost 750,000 square feet. All the main flooring segments the show features have shown growth, Heijmans said, but wood and laminate have seen the most. In fact, “DACF in 2006 will be the largest flooring show for wood and laminate in the world. “While the exhibition field will be very strong,” he added, “the most important part of the show is the visitors’ attendance. Every year, we have broken records and we expect 2006 to be no different.” The 2005 market had over 25,000 attendees and officials expect 2006 to see at least 30,000, with more than 15% coming from overseas. There are two key reasons Heijmans points to as why the show has grown so much in such a short time. “Surveys have shown that export to overseas countries is the most important aspect of the show for domestic suppliers—China is already the number one exporter of wood and laminate flooring in the U.S. Meanwhile, the growing domestic residential market will be of highest importance to the international exhibitors.” When it comes to exhibitors, he noted many companies from the U.S. and Europe have not only returned—some with larger spaces—a number of other major manufacturers are showing their products and services for the first time in China. In the wood and laminate segment, companies such as Unilin, Berry, Robina will be on hand, and “the Krono Group will be strongly represented by Kronotex, Kronospan and Krono Beijing,” Heijmans said. Visitors to the carpet and rugs section will see at least 20% more space being used than last year to accommodate new exhibitors as Beaulieu of America, Oriental Weavers and the new Beaulieu International Group. “Resilient flooring will have special attention devoted to it at the fair,” he noted, as, for the first time, they will be grouped together in the exhibition area. “Furthermore, contract business in the Asian region shows very strong potential for manufacturers of this type of flooring as the number of new hospitals and offices will post double-digit growth in the coming years.” Newcomers in the resilient area include Armstrong, Tarkett and Mondo, in addition to show veterans, LG, Lonseal, Gerflor and M.J. New to this year’s overall event will be a Floortech Asia, a four-day market that will begin a day before DACF to give greater flexibility of exhibitor personnel to visit the concurrent show. Heijmans explained, Floortech “presents the latest in technology and supplies to the flooring industry. Chinese manufacturers require many new machines and tools to keep up with their growing demand and this show will present them all in one place—with a special focus on equipment for wood and laminate.” In addition, Floortech will showcase supply materials crucial to the industry, such as timber and veneer; paper for laminate, and coatings for all segments of the industry. Companies such as Homag, Interprint and Michael Weinig are signed up to participate. “Overall,” concluded Heijmans, “the growing importance of China and Asia in the flooring market will definitely be seen at Domotex asia/Chinafloor. Visitors can start to preregister by going to www.domo texasiachinafloor.com. In addition to registering, you can learn about the numerous special activities planned around the show, including the FloorDiscovering Business Travel package and Design Week Shanghai. For information on attending or exhibiting, contact VNU’s Heijmans at 011-86-21-624-77888 ext. 804 or by e-mail at wilbert.heijmans@vnuexhibitions.com.cn. |