FMC China returns this year for its 21st edition to the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) from September 9 – 12, 2015. Held concurrently with FMC Premium (also at the same venue) and Furniture China, which will be hosted at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), the event provides a comprehensive overview of the latest products and technology for the furniture industry. With a focus on woodworking machinery and raw materials for the furniture industry, the show will highlight cabinets, doors, architectural design, engineering contracting and decoration; present opportunities for furniture manufacturers and decoration manufacturers;
and attract the best, most comprehensive and professional trade buyers. Helena Gao, Director, Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co.,Ltd., is confident of breaking new ground with the 2015 edition. In an interview with Timber Design & Technology, Gao provides an overview of the show.
01. In retrospect, what were the major achievements of the last edition of FMC China?
The 20th Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China (FMC 2014) successfully concluded on September 13, 2014 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC), gathering the leading enterprises, spreading new technology and information, representing furniture manufacturing of the highest level,
and achieving a lot. Overall the show focuses on promoting upgrades and transformation of the furniture industry. The total area last year was 59,000 sqm with 786 exhibitors from over 45 countries, and 35,524 trade buyers from 108 countries who visited the show. Both the number of visitors and countries represented reached a new record last year.
Conferences and forums were also held over six different portions of the exhibition, including the
2014 China Upholstery Development Forum, China Woodworking Machinery Industry Forum, 1st China International Timber Order and Exchange Conference, 3rd Furniture Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Conference, High-class Wine Reception For Waterborne Furniture, and E-business of Furniture Manufacturers and Suppliers. These conferences and forums mainly focus on the up and down stream linkages and on promoting upgrades needed in the industry.
In addition, Furniture manufacturing online (www.fmc.jiagle.com) helped to differentiate the show by integrating the internet and online trading with FMC China. The hope is that it will expand the four-day in-person FMC China exhibition into a 365-day online trade show for continued business and networking opportunities.
02. How is this year’s edition positioned? What are the main objectives for this year’s edition?
The main objectives this year include: Integration – restructuring the sections; Change – creating high-end and multiple frames; and Coherence
– push the development covering the entire industrial chain. In 2015, FMC will feature a revised set up and will display more exhibits and industrial information for both exhibitors and buyers. As always, FMC promises to
be a good stage for industrial companies to present themselves and the latest technologies and products. Restructuring the sections and enhancing the advantages and B2B stage the show offers in conjunction with the manufacturers and Furniture China, we hope to push development covering all the elements within the industrial chain whilst also saving time for buyers.
03. Are there any new events such as awards, seminars and workshops at this year’s edition?
Based on our experience from last year’s edition, we plan to hold different events for each of the sections covered in the show. Some of the events include – the China Furniture Industry Linkage Conference; the China Upholstery Industry Development Forum; the China International Timber Order and Exchange Conference; and the China Furniture Manufacturing Conference.
04. How does FMC China aim to be different from other industry trade fairs?
FMC China aims to be the leading platform for the furniture production, decoration and engineering sectors by showcasing the latest woodworking machinery and furniture raw materials. Despite the emergence of other industry fairs globally, FMC China has maintained its position as the leading industry event of its kind in the world. With a view to consistently improve the show, the UBM Group ensures adequate allocation of resources towards the organization of the show. More importantly, it’s not just the organization of the fair, but also the focus on up and down stream linkages and the promotion of upgrades needed in the industry. All of this combined with our 20 years of success has helped ensure that FMC China is always a step ahead of its competitors.
05. What does FMC China specifically offer to the timber and related industries?
Last year, we ran the first ever China International Timber Order and Exchange Conference. We plan to host this event again this year as we want to provide our audience with as comprehensive a show as possible. The timber industry, as is the case with other industries, needs to pay attention to new technologies and developments across the entire chain. We hope to address their needs by highlighting the latest products and technologies whilst also encouraging dialogue and debate on key trends for the development of the industry.
06. How many visitors and exhibitors are likely to be there at the fair this year? What percentage of them are repeat exhibitors and how many of them are new?
As I have mentioned, we hosted 786 exhibitors from over 45 countries, and attracted 35,524 trade buyers from 108 countries at the show last year. At present, our work is still ongoing and we continue to receive numerous enquiries from all over the world. Looking at the numbers from last year, we predict a 10 percent increase in exhibitors and a 20 percent increase
in visitor numbers. As has been the case, approximately 70 percent are repeat exhibitors with the remaining 30 percent accounting for first-time participants.
07. Who are some of the new exhibitors making their debut at the show this year?
As in previous years, FMC China attracts interest from all across the globe. The Taiwan Group will be participating within the woodworking machinery area; HongJiRui and LiWeiHong are two newcomers to the woodworking saws & tools section; and Lectra in the upholstery machinery area. In addition, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) have also confirmed their participation with a 180 sqm pavilion.