Asia’s largest floor covering trade show, Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR (“DACF”), confirmed this week that 90% of its floor space is sold with roughly four months to go before its March 23-25, 2010 show date. Show management expects to sell out all 500,000 square feet and exceed the 37,000 visitor mark reached in 2009. This year’s exhibitor total is expected to reach 1,000. Last year 38 countries exhibited at the international show in Shanghai. U.S. manufacturers are the largest group of participants outside of China.
International interest in exploring new opportunities that lie in China’s rapidly expanding floor covering industry may partially explain the pace at which the floor space is selling. “The continuous growth of our show confirms that people recognize China represents not only an exceptional place to source product but also a potential market for western products to be sold in China”, says Thurain Aye, General Manager of Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR (“DACF”).
Traditionally visitors to the Shanghai show attend to source product and find potential supply partners but this year, according Mr. Aye, there is an added dimension since more western companies want to investigate opportunities to export to China. Estimates are that China will need up to 40 billion square meters of floor covering to meet its domestic construction demand over the next decade and according to Mr. Aye international companies with product or technology to export are using the Shanghai show as a means to “survey the landscape”.
In terms of size, the Shanghai show is one of the largest in the world - 35% larger in floor space and 50% more attendees than Surfaces. Every product segment is represented by the 1,000 or so exhibitors but two areas commanding the most expansion in showroom floor space this year are wood and vinyl. China’s domestic wood flooring consumption increased 8% in 2009. New bamboo technology and products, including rare wood looks, are among those being featured in the wood hall. Given that 80% of all bamboo for flooring is grown in China it is likely that China will dominate innovation and production of bamboo flooring even as it grows in popularity due to its green and sustainable properties. Shanghai’s showroom is “the place to view what the world will be buying next year”, said Aye.
Until December 31st visitor registration is free. General visitor registration is open until March 22nd. For more information about the show visit the Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR website (http://www.domotexasiachinafloor.com/).
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