Sept. China furniture show filling up fast
By Brian Carroll -- Furniture Today, June 21, 2004
Shanghai, China — Shanghai, China— A trade row between the United States and China doesn't appear to be hurting the Furniture China 2004 market, which will take place here in mid-September.
More than 80% of exhibition space at the Shanghai New International Expo Center has been leased, which is double the figure at this time last year, according to show organizers. To meet demand, space has been expanded to more than 1 million square feet, up 25% from 2003.
Scheduled for Sept. 15–18 and in its 10th year, the show is organized by Shanghai CMP Sinoexpo and the China National Furniture Assn.
U.S. exhibitors signed up so far include Ashley, Hickory Springs, Leggett & Platt and the American Hardwood Export Council.
Furniture China's growth has been steady during its 10 years, making it one of the premier international furniture shows. The show had a modest debut in 1993 in about 300,000 square feet. By last year, it had grown to more than 800,000 square feet and attracted 800 exhibitors and 57,000 buyers and visitors.
This year, Furniture China will be held in conjunction with three other events: Office Furniture China 2004, Furnishing, Fabrics & Lighting China 2004 and Furniture Manufacturing & Supply 2004.
The China National Furniture Assn. represents 50,000 of China's furniture manufacturers. The association predicts that this year the mainland's furniture industry will represent $30 billion in wholesale sales with exports of about $7.5 billion. In 2003, furniture exports topped $7 billion.
Protests and government intervention in the United States could slow China's export engine, however. Last fall, some 30 U.S. furniture companies petitioned the U.S. government to investigate Chinese manufacturers for dumping product below cost. Government agencies are investigation and are expected to decide by June 17 whether to impose preliminary trade duties on Chinese wood bedroom furniture.
Representing Furniture China in the United States is Rockville, Md.-based Globexpo.
The show's Web site is www.cmpsinoexpo.com/furniture.
