A world class biennial event of advanced textile machinery and technology
The biennial prime event and one of the the largest textile machinery exhibitions in 2009, The 14th International Exhibition on Textile Industry (ShanghaiTex 2009), closed successfully on June 15, 2009 at Shanghai New International Expo Center, Pudong, Shanghai, PR China. Over 1,000 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions have participated to exhibit the latest textile machinery and technology. The 4-day show has attracted about 50,000 local and overseas visitors and buyers. The most cutting edge machineries and technologies were showcased by France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey, Austria, Denmark, US, Japan, Korea etc. In addition, concurrent events and the textile summit was also held alongside the exhibition.

Given the financial tsunami, global economic downturn, threat from H1N1 swine flu, and the difficulties encountered by overall textile industry, Chinese textile enterprises are facing great challenges.  However, with the strong confidence in China economy and the branding effect of ShanghaiTex built up in the past 25 years, ShanghaiTex 2009 attracted 50,000 visitors and buyers from 40 countries and regions, while the quality and professionalism of visitors are highly appreciated by exhibitors.

It was also encouraging that the on-spot reserved sales reached RMB100 million on the first two days of the exhibition, which was even better than ShanghaiTex 2007.  Transactions of printing & knitting machinery are more active, especially for circular knitting machines, laser-printing machines, warp machines, etc.  Some exhibitors received more orders than their expectations.

Great support from local  and overseas associations

Apart from the generous support from 16 provinces in China, including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Anhui, Hunan, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, Henan, Guangdong, Shandong, Guizhou, Shanxi, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Hubei, etc, ShanghaiTex 2009 has also gained support from nearly 20 local and overseas textile associations by organizing buyer delegations to visit.  Overseas associations including Indian Textile Confederation, Indonesia Textile Association, Japan Fiber Association, Korea Textile and Apparel Association, etc.  Chinese textile end-user associations including Shenzhen Textile Trade Association, Foshan Zhangcha Knitting Chamber of Commerce, Lishui Textile Association Nanhai Foshan, Shantou Textile and Garment Profession Chamber of Commerce, etc.  Besides, Chinese enterprises including Luthai Textile, Sunshine Group, Nantong Douelegreat Textile Co., Ltd, Mhlace Co., Ltd., Changshu Huamao Textile Co., Ltd., Toray Sakai Weaving & Dyeing (Nantong) Co., Ltd (TSD), Jiangsu White Rabbit Textile Group Co., Ltd, Septwolves Industry, Shandong Ruyi, Mesbon Chemical Fibre, Frousans Knitting, Shanghai Threegun Group, Xiamen Hualuv Printing & Dyeing Co., Ltd, etc and renowned overseas buyers including fashion house H&M, sport chain store Columbia, Esquel, etc, have visited ShanghaiTex 2009.  They all stressed that ShanghaiTex is an international prime textile event and a premier trading and informative platform.

Despite the challenges of global economic downturn, ShanghaiTex 2009 has gained great support from exhibitors and textile industry.  Exhibition area of ShanghaiTex 2009 reached 100,000 sqm, and the show attracted over 1,000 local and overseas enterprises to participate, including Fongs, Brazzoli (Italy), Santoni SPA (Italy), Karl Mayer (Germany), Stoll (Germany), Oerlikon (Swiss), Santex (Swiss), Siemens, Sinoca (Hong Kong), Gofront (Hong Kong), Chemtax (Hong Kong), Wellknit (Taiwan), Falmc (Singapore), Shima Seiki (Japan), Donglin (Taiwan), Ningbo Yuren (China), etc, to showcase their latest and hi-tech machineries, technologies and solutions.

Mr. Sam C.S. Hwa, president of En-Hwa Industrial Co., Ltd. from Taiwan province, has been visiting ShanghaiTex on every edition since its debut in 1984 and witnessing the growth and progress of the exhibition during these 25 years.    “I am glad to see that the exhibition has been held continuously with quality of exhibitors becoming better and better, the products displayed are the latest ones, and exhibition service has been improving too.  I visit the show every edition.  I always regard ShanghaiTex as one of the important events to visit and plan the visit one year ahead of the show!”  Mr. Siyaram from India appreciates ShanghaiTex to group the exhibits by product categories, and thinks this is very convenient for the buyers.  According to onsite visitor survey, over 90% of the overseas buyers were satisfied with the exhibition.

Concurrent activities to create more business opportunities

With the theme of “Crisis & Opportunities”, China Textile Summit 2009, which was held on June 11 to inaugurate ShanghaiTex 2009, invited Mr. Long Yongtu, famous scholar and Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), to analyze and speak on international and China economic situation, to build up confidence for textile industry and to encourage enterprises to grasp the opportunities of industry transformation and upgrade.

Mr. Gao Yong, Vice President of China Textile Industry Association and President of China Textile Machinery Association, also presented an in-depth analysis on the report of adjusting and promoting initiatives and measures, to give a clear development direction to the Chinese textile enterprises.  Nearly 700 representatives from 500 enterprises nationwide attended.

To welcome the industry players, exhibitors and visitors from all over the world, organizers hosted an opening dinner cum 25th anniversary celebration on June 11.  Over 1,000 delegates from the textile industry joined to celebrate the grand opening of ShanghaiTex 2009 and the 25th anniversary of ShanghaiTex.  It also provided a valuable opportunity for industry players to exchange and communicate.

Organizers have invited leading exhibitors including Santoni, Stoll, Steiger, Pai Lung and Shima Seiki to participate in the fashion parades to showcase the latest technology of knitting machinery through models’ performance in a lively manner.  Besides, more than 20 technical seminars have been held concurrently, including “Modern Spinning Technology and Advanced Equipment”, “New Equipment and Technology for Weaving Industry”, etc.