Shanghai, China—While China’s impact on the world has steadily grown over the last 25 years, its emergence on the flooring scene began to take shape about a decade ago. Coincidentally, that’s when Thomas Baert, president of wood and laminate maker ChinaFloors, helped found what has become known as Domotex asia/ Chinafloors (DACF)—the largest floor covering trade show in Asia and one of the industry’s three biggest.

Compared to last year, every main statistical category was up double-digits, with the greatest percentage increase coming from overseas visitors. Show organizers reported visitors came from 88 countries, and total visitation for the three-day market at the Shanghai New International Expo Center was 35,695, a 10% increase over last year. Of that, 5,910 came from overseas, a 37% jump from 2006. Exhibitors numbered 928, 11% more than the previous market, and exhibited their wares in six pavilions and four pavilion-sized tents covering a total of 918,000 square feet, up 13.3% over last year.

Currently, the majority of flooring is being shipped from China to the U.S. However, this year’s DACF included a small contingent of U.S. suppliers, and it was noted three of the industry’s biggest commercial manufacturers have expressed interest—some may be exhibitors next year, March 11 to 13.