INDONESIA FURNITURE ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATE THE 8TH CHINA SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE EXHIBITION IN 2010

The 8th China Shanghai internationalfurniture exhibition which is from 2nd to 4th.June successful concluded. There are total of 332 exhibitors in this exhibition and among them,more than 40 foreign companies in it.They come from the 10 different countries,For example, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Korea ect. Exhibition received 38000 Professional buyers,among them,nearly 4,000 overseas buyers. In this period,the media which included more than 10 foreign media,more than 20 the domestic mainstream media and more than 40 professional media.For example U.S., South Korea, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Dubai, Wen Hei News, New People's Daily, Liberation Daily, Sina.com, SouFun and "Furniture", "Asia-Pacific Furniture News", "discovered resources", "furniture mainstream", "Dongguan Furniture" etc.came to cover. According to organizers said, the exhibitors has improved satisfaction. 62.5% companies decide to participate the next furniture fair in 9th June 2011. Another 29.8% said that has not been determined. This indicates that most enterprises are optimistic about the situation and confidence in themselves.In the exhibitor area,the 76% domestic buyers said they would visit the Furniture Fair in 2011, while the proportion of overseas buyers is 71.5%. The more exhibitors and visitors stress that they participate this fair every year. New customers and old customers indicated that much better than before about the flow of people.Survey of the situation in the three days,the results exceeded our expectations. We recognize that is more successful show,meanwhile,you can find that get less and less for the impact of the international environment. Recovery of world economy is also evident. With the success of the show ended, exhibitors wish unprecedented hopes to the next year.

THE 8TH CHINA SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE EXHIBITION

The 8th China Shanghai internationalfurniture exhibition which is from 2nd to 4th.June successful concluded. There are total of 332 exhibitors in this exhibition and among them,more than 40 foreign companies in it.They come from the 10 different countries,For example, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Korea ect. Exhibition received 38000 Professional buyers,among them,nearly 4,000 overseas buyers. In this period,the media which included more than 10 foreign media,more than 20 the domestic mainstream media and more than 40 professional media.For example U.S., South Korea, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Dubai, Wen Hei News, New People's Daily, Liberation Daily, Sina.com, SouFun and "Furniture", "Asia-Pacific Furniture News", "discovered resources", "furniture mainstream", "Dongguan Furniture" etc.came to cover. According to organizers said, the exhibitors has improved satisfaction. 62.5% companies decide to participate the next furniture fair in 9th June 2011. Another 29.8% said that has not been determined. This indicates that most enterprises are optimistic about the situation and confidence in themselves.In the exhibitor area,the 76% domestic buyers said they would visit the Furniture Fair in 2011, while the proportion of overseas buyers is 71.5%. The more exhibitors and visitors stress that they participate this fair every year. New customers and old customers indicated that much better than before about the flow of people.Survey of the situation in the three days,the results exceeded our expectations. We recognize that is more successful show,meanwhile,you can find that get less and less for the impact of the international environment. Recovery of world economy is also evident. With the success of the show ended, exhibitors wish unprecedented hopes to the next year.

THE FURNITURE AND DECORATION TRADE SHOW PERFECT HOME & INTERIOR 2010

Despite crisis prevailing in Europe, the economic forecasts in Poland for the current year are very good. Exceptionally good economic performance of Poland gets a lot of publicity in the community of foreign businessmen who search intensely for new business relations in Poland. In some industries such as furniture sector the position of Polish companies is incomparably better than their European counterparts.

Your esteemed company should not miss this huge opportunity to establish or develop contacts with businessmen from this region.

Being an organizer of the International Trade Show LIGHT, the largest event of this kind in Central Europe, we can already confirm that the interest of foreign businessmen in Poland is enormous! This year’s edition of lighting trade fairs in March will register the 100% increase in the number of foreign exhibitors. More and more interest is shown by the exhibitors from Italy, Portugal and other EU countries as well as from the Ukraine and Russia in another edition of Furnishings and Fittings Trade Fair PERFECT HOME & INTERIOR that will be held in Warsaw from 3 to 5 September 2010.

After last year’s success the PERFECT HOME & INTERIOR trade fair has become a significant event in the calendar of major trade fairs in Poland. The success was achieved thanks to an interesting format of the event combining presentations of products with the most interesting design with conference, training and exhibition activities that enable the exhibitors to pass much more information to their customers. The highest interest is aroused by the conferences for professionals – architects, designers, hoteliers, retailers and wholesalers.

Another key success factor is the promotion of the event. On the occasion of PERFECT HOME & INTERIOR we cooperate with the best and major publishing houses and industry portals. We run a wide-sweeping advertising campaign in Poland and abroad. Our trade fair offer reaches major exhibitions world-wide such as INDEX in Dubai.

We invite your company to participate in the PERFECT HOME & INTERIOR trade fair and to meet with the customers from Poland and from Eastern Europe. The trade fair will be held between 3-5 September 2010 at EXPO XXI venue in Warsaw. We expect more than 15 thousand visitors. More detailed information can be found on our website www.perfecthome.pl

FURNITURE REVOLUTION GALLERY DEBUTS STUDENTS’ DESIGNS AT NEOCON® WORLD’S TRADE FAIR

CHICAGO (April 5, 2010) - This year’s NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair will debut the Furniture Revolution Gallery, a new concept which gives design students the chance to get their unique product in front of the world’s top manufacturers.

“The idea was born out of a discussion about the status of furniture design in the United States,” said Antonio Larosa, project chair of the Furniture Revolution Gallery. “The Furniture Revolution Gallery is set-up to highlight students, and young designers just out of school who have the potential to be the next great designer in America. This is unique because NeoCon is the first venue out there giving students a real chance of being seen and noticed by the major players in the design industry. ”

“The Furniture Revolution Gallery will display prototypes of students’ furniture designs on the NeoCon show floor, which draws nearly 40,000 trade and industry professional over the three day period,” said Sara O’Hare, director of student programs and events for NeoCon.

The 42nd annual NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair takes place June 14-16, at The Merchandise Mart, Chicago and is North America’s largest exhibition of contract furnishings for the design and management of the built environment. NeoCon features the latest trends, products, and concepts in office, healthcare, hospitality, residential, institutional and government environments from more than 700 exhibitors. The trade show offers the most comprehensive conference schedule in the industry with more than 150 CEU-accredited seminars, industry association forums, and keynote presentations in 16 different career tracks.

NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair is a registered trademark of MMPI.

MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building, 7 W New York, and Piers 92 & 94 in New York City; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; the Washington Design Center in Washington DC.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

CHICAGO (March 29, 2010) - NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, North America’s largest conference and exhibition of contract furnishings for the design and management of the built environment, returns June 14-16, to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, with an incredible line-up of keynote speakers.

The 42nd annual NeoCon will feature top-name keynote speakers each day of the conference, including: Majora Carter, former executive director and founder of the non-profit Sustainable South Bronx; Michael Graves, architect and founder of Michael Graves & Associates and Michael Graves design group; Margaret McCurry, one of Architectural Digest Magazine’s AD 100 Top Designers for 2010; and Yves Behar, industrial designer and founder of fuseproject.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Majora Carter, sponsored by Allsteel, presented by IIDA
8 a.m., Monday, June 14
Majora Carter was the executive director and founder of Sustainable South Bronx, a non-profit which was one of the nation's first green-collar job training and placement systems housed in one of the most environmentally and economically challenged parts of the country. Hear this pioneer’s new way of thinking green with her keynote address “Green the Ghetto and How Much it Won’t Cost Us.”

Michael Graves, sponsored by Paoli, presented by ASID
8 a.m., Tuesday, June 15
With his keynote address “A Grand Tour,” Michael Graves will give a short biographical history, which will center on key influences in his career. He will also touch on his life as a “figurative” architect and what that means to his buildings and his art.

Margaret McCurry, presented by Fine Design®
1 p.m., Tuesday, June 15
Selected by Architectural Digest Magazine as an AD100 Top Designer for 2010, Margaret McCurry believes that when it comes to designing homes, big isn’t necessarily better. During her keynote presentation “Inside Out,” McCurry will discusses her various award winning residential design projects from coast to coast and around the inland sea.

Yves Behar, sponsored by Herman Miller
Noon, Wednesday, June 16
Many consumers want products to be about personal expression and the leading edge of innovation while reflecting our 21st century values. Yves Behar’s keynote address “Design in the Age of 360°” explores how the new role of a designer is to create, and sometimes arbitrate, between the elements of contemporary culture.

In addition to the daily, top-name keynote address, this year’s NeoCon will offer the most comprehensive conference schedule to date with 150 CEU-accredited seminars, industry association forums and featured programs, giving architects, designers and facility managers the opportunity to discover the newest trends and techniques from some of the top-names in the industry. New this year, a Career Development Educational Track has been added to the NeoCon schedule to assist industry professionals who are looking for a job or trying to secure their current position. Attendees may view the entire listing of seminars by going to www.neocon.com and clicking on “Education.”

NeoCon will once again feature the latest trends, products, and concepts in office, healthcare, hospitality, residential, institutional and government environments from more than 700 exhibitors. Additionally, this premier contract show features a variety of show components: The Lighting Pavilion, GREENlifeTM, Buildings Show®, NEWHospitality, OFDA, Fine Design, LuxeHome and the debut of BUILDEX Chicago.

For more information about NeoCon, visit the www.neocon.com or call (800) 677-6278 (MART). Outside of the United States call (312) 527-7600. NeoCon is only open to trade professionals with proper credentials. Online registration is available at www.neocon.com.

NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair is a registered trademark of MMPI.

MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building, 7 W New York, and Piers 92 & 94 in New York City; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; the Washington Design Center in Washington DC.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

MEBLE POLSKA 2010 – offer of the third largest European furniture exporter!

A new name, a new timing and a new trade fair profile – the upcoming 29th MEBLE POLSKA that will combine the innovativeness and tradition of Poland’s largest furniture show is going to be extremely attractive. The best Polish furniture manufacturers will present their collection to furniture buyers from all over Europe.

In 2010, Poland’s largest furniture trade show will have a new name: MEBLE POLSKA and will be held on new dates: 16-19 February 2010.

Józef Szyszka, MEBLE POLSKA 2010 Director: So far, the show has been held in late May and early June. Following the exhibitors’ requests, MEBLE 2010 will be held at the beginning of the year as a separate business-oriented event. The show will be a B2B contracting event and will not be available to the general public. The new dates in February will bring many benefits both to exhibitors and to buyers. The promotion of new designs at the beginning of the year will give buyers much more time to test the new offers and, in turn, will facilitate making decisions about orders in the second half of the year. The shipments will reach showrooms earlier.

MEBLE POLSKA 2010 is addressed solely to the furniture sector. Offers of the largest group of furniture producers in Poland will be showcased at the trade fair. The most important market leaders have declared their participation: Black Red White, Klose, Jadik, Rameta, Bogatti, Tombeau, Jafra, Wintech, Mebin, Gawin, Forte, MSP DĄB and many more. The lead theme of the fair is: “A new zone of contracts” This year’s MEBLE POLSKA is to become a venue for concluding contracts between furniture producers and business buyers (only furniture buyers). Planning of meetings will be facilitated thanks to business cards of exhibiting companies published at www.meble.mtp.pl. It is enough to click them to plan a business meeting.

Józef Szyszka: Poland is the 3rd largest European and the 4th largest international supplier of high quality furniture. The Polish furniture brand, however, is not known among foreign clients. MEBLE POLSKA, which will include presentations of integrated offers of Polish furniture manufacturers, is to promote the Polish furniture industry among traders and buyers from all over Europe.

A special offer has been prepared for furniture buyers this year. Traders can receive a special trader package including: free-of-charge admission and car entry on all trade fair days, a parking permit for parking a car on the fairgrounds, an all-day catering facility and participation in the traditional Poznań carnival party for furniture producers and traders. To receive a unique trader package complete the registration form at www.meble.mtp.pl.

MEBLE POLSKA 2010 will be traditionally held under the auspices of the Minister of Economy and numerous mass media.

Almost 500 exhibitors from over 20 countries participated in MEBLE and the simultaneously held BIURO, HOME DECOR and BUDMA INTERIOR shows in 2009. The offers were admired by 20,000 visitors.

Survey reveals that over a third of UAE office workers rarely leave their
 desks

A survey carried out on behalf of The Office Exhibition has shown that 33% of employees in the UAE either stay at their desk all day or only leave their desk for a lunch break. This puts a third of office workers at risk of serious health problems, such as obesity and deep vein thrombosis, or stress and back problems. These problems can easily be resolved with the incorporation of Deskercise into a regular working day.

To start the New Year on a healthier note, The Office Exhibition has devised a Deskercise routine, which helps fight stress and tension and encourages flexibility and mental stimulation, allowing people to take time out of a busy working day to focus on wellbeing. The routine, which is simple and effective, can be carried out in the office, as it can be performed at the desk at any point throughout the day. Deskercise focuses on regions of the body where tension is most likely to build up throughout the day, such as the neck, shoulders and back as well as providing toning workouts for arms, legs and stomach. The routine includes sets of fool-proof exercises which colleagues will not notice you doing:

• Neck Push - this can be done sitting or standing and helps to strengthen the neck muscles:

- Keep your head up-right

- Press one palm against your forehead and press head into your palm, which resists the push

- Hold for 10 to 15 seconds then release

- Clasp your hands behind your head

- Press head backwards, resisting the pressure with your hands

- Hold for 10 to 15 seconds then release

- Hold your right hand against the side of your head

- Press your head into your palm, resisting the pressure with your hand

- Hold for 10 to 15 second then release and repeat on the left side

• Heavy Hinged Shoulders - this exercise is done standing and will stretch the shoulders and release tension:

- Push both hands straight in front of you with your palms facing down

- Hold for five seconds

- Bend the arms in at the elbows with the fingers pointing straight ahead

- Hold for five seconds

- Repeat five to 10 times

• Tummy Toners - everyone wants a toned tummy, but sitting at a desk all day does not make for a slender stomach. Deskercise offers a way to tone whilst you type:.

- Sitting up-right in your chair, hold onto the arms or underneath of the seat

- Keep your feet together and knees bent

- Lift your knees to your chest whilst tightening your abdominal muscles

- Hold for five seconds

- Relax and repeat five to 10 times

• Shapely Arms - give your wrists a break from typing and get your arms working with a simple exercise which can be done at any time of day.

- Put your left hand on top of your right in front of you, palms together. Lift upward with your right arm while using your left arm to create resistance,

- Feel the pressure in your right arm and hold this for five seconds

- Switch arms and repeat. Do twice on each side

• Perfect Posture - posture can be seriously disturbed by sitting at a desk all day, which can lead to pain in your back, shoulders and neck:

- Whilst sitting, bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle, forearms parallel to the floor

- Squeeze your shoulder blades down and together

- At the same time gently press your elbows back

- Hold for five seconds then release and repeat

• Thunder Thighs – don’t neglect your legs, work your thighs with a simple exercise that no one else need see:

- Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor

- Bring one leg straight out in front of you

- With your back straight and chin lifted, hold your leg up for five to 10 seconds

- Lower leg then repeat with the opposite one

- Repeat twice with each leg

Speaking about the survey, Sinead Bridgett, Show Director, The Office Exhibition said,

“People are now pretty aware of the importance of preventing DVT by exercising on longhaul flights, but few realise the potential health-hazards of a desk-bound job. Many people are now suffering serious health problems as a result of long working hours and the inability to take regular breaks from their desks.

“In order to optimise the brain, it is recommended that people should take regular breaks, have their lunch break away from their desk and exercise a few times a week after work. The Office Exhibition’s Deskercise routine is designed to go some way to ensure that office workers can exercise at any time of the day, providing some kind of release from everyday anxieties.”

Now in its 9th year, The Office Exhibition is a leading showcase for the high-end products, technology and services that combine to create outstanding working environments. Set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 9-11 February 2010, the show will feature over 350 companies, covering an area of approximately 15,000 m2.

DIEFFENBACHER CONCEPT FOR THE INDIAWOOD 2010 in BANGALORE

Dieffenbacher presents itself as the leading supplier for plant technologies for the production of engineered wood products. The decade long experience with many references all over the world and specifically in India enables Dieffenbacher to give an excellent value to customers. Short start-up times, technological support and the service and support from within the region - a package only Dieffenbacher can provide.

A strong financial background and the Know-How of hundreds of specialized engineers in the Dieffenbacher group make sure, that our plants work well and adapt to all kinds of raw material and product requirements. The very big R&D department ensures that Dieffenbacher is always creating the leading edge technology, which improves quality and reduces production cost. The success in developing new technologies in the fields of MDF, HDF, Woodfiber Insulationboard, Particleboard and OSB is proven by the many active patents hold by Dieffenbacher.

Wood-based panel plant

At the Indiawood the Dieffenbacher group for the first time incorporates SWPM in the stand and both companies present new technologies to our customers:

       a.  The Dieffenbacher concept uses a continuous press for the production of particleboard and
            MDF. Dieffenbacher is very proud about having the only references in India with continous
            presses.

       b.  SWPM presents its very successful and proven 4ft- MDF plant concept. It goes along with
            multidaylight and continues presses.

Dieffenbacher will be exhibiting in Hall 1, upper level during the Indiawood, held in Bangalore from 4–8  March 2010.

WMF2010 & FAM2010 - CREATING A NEW MILESTONE FOR WOODWORKING INDUSTRY IN 2010

Being an excellent trading platform in woodworking industry, the biennial world-class event, The 13th International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF2010) and The 13th International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM2010), will be held on March 10 to 13, 2010 at the China International Exhibition Centre (CIEC) in Beijing, China.

Despite the global economic downturn, the furniture and woodworking industry in China gradually recovers and records an encouraging growth. China is undoubtedly a huge market; Domestic sales for furniture in the first half of 2009 have reached RMB 152.9 billion, with a 10.6% year-on-year growth. Furniture exports in the first half of 2009 remained high at USD 14.1 billion despite a drop of 9.45%. Among all, the decline in China’s wood products import and export trade were less than the national level, trading amount for China’s wood products reached USD 26 billion in the first half of 2009. Second quarter data even showed a more impressive increase rate at 15.05%, when compared to first quarter. Such recovery has reinforced the enterprises’ confidence for the WMF2010 & FAM2010, which in turn has resulted to an overwhelming response in both exhibitors recruitment as well as visitor promotion.

Asia’s Largest Woodworking Fair Hits Record Scale

Following the success in 2006 and 2008, WMF2010 and FAM2010 continue to be Asia’s Largest Fair for Woodworking Machinery, Furniture Accessories and Materials. WMF2010 & FAM2010 will occupy an exhibition area of 70,000sqm, accommodating 700 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions including Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, India, Italy, Malaysia, China, Taiwan Province and more. Over 2,000 machines will be presented at the exhibit.

The organizers have also expanded the venue from 10 halls to 12 halls to include theme zones on Woodworking Machinery, Panel Board Manufacturing Technology, Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (Overseas), Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (Local) and others. Meanwhile, the number of pavilions will be increased to 7 to include those from Germany and Italy, and from associations / regions like Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA), Qingdao Woodworking Machinery, Shanghai Woodworking Machinery and Lunjiao Woodworking Machinery.

Numerous renowned woodworking, accessories and materials enterprises have already confirmed / reserved spaces for the event. Lunjiao Woodworking Machinery Pavilion will house Nan Xing, New Mas, Weideli, V-hold, Guangdong Firmy, Tongan, Ente, etc. Qingdao Woodworking Machinery Pavilion will include Friend, Yazhou Gongyou (Weihai), Shanxi Qiulin, Qingdao Yongqiang, Qingdao Haomailong, Qingdao Huashunchang, Qingdao Haozhonghao, Qingdao New-Motivity, Shangdong Dongwei, Laizhou Fulin, Qingdao Qianchuan, Qingdao Huachengtian, etc. Shanghai Woodworking Machinery Pavilion currently partners with Shanghai Yuetong and other renowned exhibitors. Exhibitors from Furniture Accessories, Materials & Wood Products will include Blum and more, while exhibitors from the Woodworking Machinery & Panel Board Manufacturing Technology are namely Guanglong, Jiangsu Jangja, Nantong Guoquan, Dalian Huizhong, Anderson, Beijing Lianzhonglian, Keenman, Sufoma and more.

A One-stop Sourcing Platform for Machinery, Accessories and Materials

To enhance the brand image of the show, the organizer, Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd. specially designs a new logo for FAM. Incorporating with the original logo of WMF, the show has manifested one-stop purchasing and trading concept of “Machinery + Materials + Accessories” to all visitors.

Since its inception in 1986, WMF & FAM have gained wide support from furniture and related industries. The trade fair, recognized as the most established woodworking fair in China, is now in its thirteenth set. As in the past, WMF & FAM is expected to demonstrate the latest woodworking machinery, accessories and tools to professional buyers. Exhibits on machinery and tools will include Wood Processing Machinery, Furniture Manufacturing Machinery, Panel Board Manufacturing Machinery, Knife and Blade, Machinery Accessories, Hand Tools, Grinder, Measuring Equipment, Materials Handling Equipment, etc. Exhibits on the materials will include Logs, Panel Board, Hardware, Semi-finished Wood Products, Chemicals, Decoration Materials and more. Building Construction Products and Interior Decorative Materials and Software will also be displayed in their specific theme zones.

Supported Exclusively by EUMABOIS

WMF & FAM have gained exclusive support from European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (EUMABOIS) for three consecutive years (2008, 2010, and 2012), which further consolidates the show’s international and local support.

With diversified and extensive promotion campaigns, organizers have collaborated with various local and overseas trade media, as well as furniture-related professional markets for visitor promotion. Several buyer delegations and associations from the Hebei Province and more have been invited. Over 30,000 visitors from all over China and the world are expected to visit the show.

The honorary organizers of WMF and FAM are the State Forestry Administration of P.R. China, China International Exhibition Centre Group Corporation and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The organizers include China National Forestry Machinery Association, Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., China Forestry Group Corporation and China Building Decoration Association.

INDEX, THE MIDDLE EAST’S MOST EXCLUSIVE INTERIOR DESIGN EVENT, IS SET TO OPEN ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC

INDEX, the leading trade interior design show in the Middle East, has announced an exclusive consumer evening on Monday 16 November, from 16.00 - 21.00. Consumers will have access to some of the most influential and cutting edge interior design brands from across the world all gathered in one place.

Showcasing everything from luxurious lighting to cutting edge textiles, unusual paints to outdoor furniture and tableware, INDEX is guaranteed to be the perfect place for design lovers to purchase sought after, individual pieces from leading interior brands from around the world including Villeroy & Boch, Alpha Crystal Lighting, Andrew Martin International, Bafco Karndean, Kartell, Flou, Zanotta and Swarovski.

In addition to being able to snap up some fabulous and unique pieces for the home, consumers will also get an in-depth insight into all the latest interior trends, providing inspiration for them to create the perfect stylish home. Leading interior designers will also be on hand with style advice and providing top tips on interior design. World expert trend forecaster, Victoria Redshaw from Scarlet Opus will provide consumers with an overview of the Spring/Summer 2010 & Autumn/Winter 2010/11 trends, detailing the coming season’s colours, materials and surface patterns, ensuring that they are informed about the latest interior design concepts.

The show is also set to include other inspirational features, such as a competition to design the majlis of the future. The first competition of its kind, four leading interior design companies have been selected to design and build their vision of the contemporary majlis using only products available at the show. A symbol of traditional Arabic culture where family and friends gather, the challenge lies in fusing the old with the new. All four designs will be built and showcased at INDEX, with the best being selected and awarded by a panel of industry leaders.

Lu Buchanan, INDEX event director said, “We are looking forward to welcoming consumers to what is otherwise a trade dominated event. INDEX will provide a rare opportunity to purchase a vast array of high end products from the best designers in the world, including Italy and Spain. With the exhibition’s focus firmly on high-quality design, visitors are guaranteed an exclusive opportunity that anyone with an interest in interior design should not miss!”

Access to the consumer day will cost just 50 AED, with tickets available on the door of the World Trade Centre, for more information or to reserve your ticket visit www.indexexhibition.com.

With European markets depressed as a result of the economic crisis, The Office Exhibition 2010 is seeing increasing interest from European office sector companies wanting to capitalise on the huge opportunities that are available in the UAE.

The office sector in the UAE continues to grow, and the region is becoming an attractive location for companies to relocate to, with many leading international companies transferring their headquarters to the region as a result of its tax-free environment and advantageous free-zones.  The recent drop in high office rent, prompted by the current global economic situation, has also added to the attractiveness of the region, resulting in an increasing number of businesses relocating or opening offices within the GCC.  The UAE is predicted to have the highest growth in office space in the region, with a further 6.7 million m² of new office space planned in 2010 alone.

Despite the current global economic downturn, the MENA region is still growing, achieving real GDP growth of 2% for 2009.  In particular, the higher education, healthcare and public sectors are set to continue to experience extraordinary growth, with the UAE government committed to spending some US$56 billion on public development projects over the next three years.

The Office Exhibition, now in its 9^th year, is a premium showcase for the high-end products, technology and services that combine to create outstanding working environments.  The exhibition, which is the only event of its kind in the MENA region, will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 9-11 February 2010 and will feature over 350 companies, covering an area of approximately 25,000 m².  The event has evolved into a one-stop-shop for the office industry, and will include everything from the latest in office furniture design to cutting edge technology solutions.

Interest in the show from companies outside of the Middle East, in particular from Europe, has increased significantly.  In addition to National Pavilions from the UAE, Germany, Portugal, UK, Austria, Sweden, USA, Korea and Turkey, there will be a debut appearance of a Greek Pavilion, and Cyprus has doubled the size of theirs.  The Danish Export Association is also, for the first time, working on bringing a grouped participation of up to 12 companies.

Given the changing shape of the office, with technology becoming increasingly important, The Office Exhibition 2010 will have an increased focus on this sector, and will provide opportunities for IT companies from across the world to showcase their latest products.  The show will also include a visionary Future Office feature, where a number of manufacturers from both furniture and the technology companies will put together a mock-up of their predictions of what the working environment will look like in years to come, addressing also the ergonomic issues.   

Sinead Bridgett, The Office Exhibition event director, said, “As the European economy continues to suffer, we are seeing strong interest from European companies who are recognising the massive potential of the Middle East.  The office sector here remains a growth area, and The Office Exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for overseas businesses to showcase their products, and network with companies here.”

POSITIVE BUSINESS NEWS FROM THE GCC REGION

Saudi Arabia's small business sector is among the most optimistic of 12 key emerging markets studied in a new HSBC survey.

Small business sentiment across the kingdom was largely positive in their 12 month outlook regarding nvestment in their businesses, foreign trade and recruitment, the Emerging Markets Small Business Confidence Monitor added.

The survey showed that 39 percent of Saudi businesses with a turnover of less than $30m expected to increase capital expenditure while only 19 percent believed investment in their companies would slow.

The kingdom's entrepreneurs were even more optimistic about trade outlook. About 57 percent believed trade with the rest of the Middle East will expand by up to a fifth or more.

80 percent predicted increased business with mainland China, with more than half of these anticipating growth of more than 20 percent.

Two thirds of respondents forecast a rise in trade with the rest of Asia.

Regarding recruitment, owners and top management of Saudi Arabia's small businesses have the most ambitious plans of any of the 12 emerging markets surveyed with 40 percent expecting to need to increase their workforces and with one in eight seeking to grow their staff by more than 20 percent.

"Overall, the leaders of Saudi Arabia's smaller business sector - the vital fuel of every country's economy - are more positive about the short term outlook than their counterparts in almost all other emerging markets surveyed," said, Adel Al-Nasser, deputy managing director of SABB.

Strong support from our exhibitors ensure FMC 2009 was fully booked a month before its opening. FMC will host more than 600 exhibitors of woodworking machinery and furniture matereals over 36,000 sqm of exhibition space. The show is proud to attract a large numbe of famous machinery equipment brands, including HOMAG, BIESSE, WEINIG, YUETONG, NANXING, YUANTIAN, many other wel-known Chinese woodworking machinery manufacturers as well as a pavilion organized by the Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA) with more than twenty Taiwanese companies. At the same time, more than 350 domestc furniture matereal suppliers will present a full variety of high-quality products and exhibits, together with well-known international brands like AHEC, JOWAT, ITC, CHENGUANG, FRENCHTIMBER, KINGDECOR etc. Firms like HUARUN coating and BASF will be participating in the show for the first time.

Located in hall E5, FMC PREMIUM 2009 will feature 150 selected exhibitors over 6,000 sqm of exhibition space. Exhibits will cover all necessities for furniture manufacturing rom raw materials to chemicals, fittings, semi-finished products and many more.

The Organiser is arranging a series of seminars and other activities during the show to foster cooperation between domestc and overseas companies. Organised in cooperation with "China Wood", the "Legal & Sustainable Furniture Raw Mateal Forum" will be held on September 10, 2009. WWF-CFTN, FSC\PEPC, AHEC, Canada Wood and French Timber will come together to discuss timber availability, classification and application in China, and about sustainable development of furniture matereal.

FMC 2009 will be a testimony to the rapid development of the country's furniture and interior design industry. This year the show will again

NEW MEDIA CENTER TO OPEN FOR FALL 2009 HIGH POINT MARKET

State-of-the-art Environment Designed by Industry Icon Jena Hall and Furnished by aspenhome

High Point, North Carolina, August 24, 2009—The High Point Market Authority is unveiling a brand new, state-of-the-art, High Point Market Media Center this Fall in a  permanent space on the plaza level of SHOWPLACE West, at the corner of Main and High Streets.

The High Point Market Media Center—which has long been housed in a temporary location inside the High Point Theater -hosts some 350 editorial media representatives from at least 200 different publications each Market from across the world and provides press kit distribution for the Market’s exhibitors.

The new Media Center will open to the press at noon on Friday, October 16, 2009 and remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout Market week. All High Point Market exhibitors are invited to send press kits to the Media Center and there is no charge for press kit distribution. 

According to Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, industry icon Jena Hall, executive vice president of merchandising and design at AspenHome, is overseeing layout and design of the new, 3,000-square-foot permanent space, which features a full complement of comfortable seating and sleek home office furnishings from aspenhome’s award-winning Adagio collection.

“Given how hard journalists work here at Market each season, covering news and new product introductions in more than 60 categories of home furnishings with multiple choices at every price point from more than 2,000 world-class suppliers, we wanted to create a convenient and comfortable, and extremely functional space where they could retreat to work and relax,” Casey says. “Our goal is for them to come into the Media Center, sit down and say, ‘Ah,’ and we are grateful to aspenhome for so graciously helping us to realize this vision.”

For his part,Bill Colegrove, chief executive officer and general manager of aspenhome says, “We are honored to demonstrate our support of the High Point Market by furnishing the Media Center, which will be used by journalists from across the country and around the world. High Point is the heartbeat of the industry and as the Market celebrates its 100^th anniversary this year, we believe it is our responsibility to help ensure its continued success in the years to come.”

“The press room has historically always been the place where both the national and international press obtains information about the latest trends and news from the home furnishings Market,” Hall says. “In creating the new space, we talked with the Market Authority about the evolving needs of journalists today. The result is a wired space that is warm and inviting and as stylistically up-to-date as it is functional.”

“As a former journalist used to long hours covering Market myself, I’m very excited about the comfort and functionality of the new Media Center,” says Kimberley Wray, vice president of marketing/communications for the Market Authority. “From the floor-to-ceiling windows which flood the space with light to the modern, ergonomically correct furnishings, everything has been done with an eye toward making the press feel welcome and at home in the world’s home for home furnishings.”

Adds Patricia Bowling, vice president of communications, American Home Furnishings Alliance, (AHFA), who assists the Market Authority with Media Center operations, “The furnishings will allow journalists to work the way they like to work, whether that means curled in a comfortable chair with a notebook computer, or seated at a work station surrounded by all the accoutrements of an office, or even collaborating with a colleague across a desk. We think this will be an ideal environment for press from all over the world to gather and we applaud the Market Authority’s efforts to improve services for the media here at Market.”

“The entire team at the Market Authority and the AHFA, which has operated the Media Center on behalf of the Market for the past ten years, is looking forward to the grand opening of this new permanent home for the press,” says Casey.

 # # #

The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style and price point and attracting thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries twice each year, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry.

INDEX 2009 SET TO PARTNER WITH APID – FIRST STEPS TOWARDS DUBAI FESTIVAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN

INDEX 2009, the leading trade interior design show in the Middle East, has signed an agreement with APID, the Association of Professional Interior Designers, making them the official partner for this year’s show.  It marks the first steps towards a combined goal of introducing the Dubai Festival of Interior Design, which would place the Emirate at the forefront of the international interior design calendar.

APID is hosting the 24th General Assembly of the IFI (International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers) and the World Interior Design Congress 2009.  These biennial events are being held in Dubai for the first time in their 46 year history, and take place from 6-11 November.

INDEX takes place the following week, from 14-17 November, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, and is introducing a number of features to help the interior design industry maximise opportunities in what is a difficult business environment.  The exhibition will showcase some of the industry’s leading products and designs from high profile companies including Longhi, Rexite, Porada, Andreu World and Colleccion Alexandra.  Pre visitor registration for INDEX is already at record levels, up by over 90% from this time last year.

In order to bridge the gap between the events, INDEX will be hosting cultural tours for IFI delegates on 12 and 13 November, as well as a reception at the show.  In addition, IFI delegates will be invited to join the INDEX VIP Business Match-Making programme, which will match top interior designers, specifiers and buyers with relevant exhibitors.

Hosting the Dubai Festival of Interior Design will be a fusion of the best of creative talents and business minds that will undoubtedly place Dubai on a level with other major international design show capitals.

The Emirate of Dubai will embrace interior design for the week, promoting interior design as a vital part of Dubai’s economy where significant projects are confirmed for the year 2009.  The Dubai Festival of Interior Design will elevate the profile and global understanding of professional interior design and consultancy to a new level, thereby providing significant benefits to both clients and the design profession world wide. 

APID and INDEX are collaborating closely to ensure that this event will be a landmark in the design calendar and an event at the forefront of “Design Worldwide”, for the future.

Lu Buchanan, INDEX event director said, “We have been working closely with the industry to ensure that INDEX 2009 is very design-focused, as we want to produce a show that rivals the other leading international interior design events.  Our longer term goal is to expand INDEX so that it becomes part of a brand new Dubai Festival of Interior Design.  Working with APID, and other interested parties, will ensure that this happens, and our formal relationship for INDEX 2009 is a great start to this process.

“We are looking forward to IFI Conference delegates joining us – I am confident that the special activities we have planned for them, in addition to the fact that they will be part of our VIP Business Match-Making programme, will make their time in Dubai worthwhile.”

Kenneth Laidler, APID President, added, “”APID was given the opportunity to host the IFI National Assembly and grasped the opportunity with both hands, similarly APID welcomes the opportunity to partner with INDEX and is confident the collaboration will produce a truly individual inspiring and memorable event.”

LE 2010 ANTICIPATES TO GATHER LARGER SUPPLIERS OF
FURNITURE & WOOD INDUSTRY

The 4th International Supplier Fair of Wood and Furniture Industry gathered, from July 27 to 30, 2009, nearly 750 companies exhibiting machines, raw material, hardware, accessories and services for the wood and furniture Industry. The largest fair of the sector in Latin America, ForMóbile received around 60 thousand visitors, coming not only from Brazil but from all over the world, especially from South America and Central America.

The great development of the supplying industries in this sector in Brazil makes the country a technology radiating pole to the entire region. Brazil exports machines, raw material and hardware to many countries. These are products of great quality, comparable to the European products, with very competitive prices, sometimes comparable to the Asian prices. All this diversity is exhibited at ForMóbile, which also counts on another important competitive differential: its location in the city of São Paulo. São Paulo is geographically located in a point of easy access, both for Brazilians and foreigners. Also, the city has the broadest and most complete infrastructure of services in the country. It counts on about 60 thousand hotel rooms, 12,500 restaurants and 15 thousand bars, in establishments with tariffs and services for all tastes and budgets. Another important point: São Paulo is served by the largest road and air network in the country, which makes the access to ForMóbile easy, fast and cheap.

The ForMóbile visitation profile is quite varied, which is another differential aspect of the event. They are furniture makers, woodworkers, carpenters, resellers, wood processors, architects and designers, among others.

The president of the fair, Alexandre Barbosa, declares that this great variety of professionals attending ForMóbile 2008 is due to the fact that it is a complete fair: “No other event in Brazil gathers so many exhibitors, novelties, and so many new partnership opportunities. There will be exhibitors from the major international and national groups that supply technology or inputs to the wood and furniture areas. Therefore, the fair is a unique chance to see all these novelties at once”, he explains.

Besides the main fair, ForMóbile 2010 will have three important simultaneous events. The Texbrasil Decor Textile Exhibit brings the latest worldwide trends in fabrics, colors, and textures specially developed for the furniture and decoration sector. The ForMar – Joiners/Carpenter Fair – will have a special program of exhibition and workshops for small furniture manufacturers, besides a “Model Furniture Factory” operating during the fair, demonstrating processes and products.

The main highlight of the simultaneous events at ForMóbile 2010, however, will be the ForWood – International Suppliers Fair of Wood Transformation Industry. Following a world trend to gather the entire production chain in a great event that is subdivided into other smaller ones, ForMóbile 2010 will have the first year of Forwood. Since the first edition, in 2004, ForMóbile has already counted on the presence of the wood field, important link of the chain. This participation has grown and now justifies the need for a specific event to be held, with different attractions and profile. ForWood shall broadly include the wood chain, from the beginning up to the finished product.

FURNITURE MANUFACTURING & SUPPLYCHINA2009

Concurrently with Furniture China, FMC Premium September 9-12, 2009, Shanghai New Int’l Expo Centre

Organizer:

China National Furniture Association

Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo Int’l Exhibition Co., Ltd.

FMC 2009 – Fully Booked

Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China 2009 (FMC 2009) will be staged alongside FMC Premium at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from September 9-12, 2009. Being a part of Furniture China, FMC is one of the largest furniture equipment and material exhibitions in Asia. The show is proud to attract more than 650 famous machinery equipment exhibitors and furniture supply corporations.

FMC 2009 benefits from co-location with Furniture China 2009, the 4th largest furniture exhibition in the world, which is expected to attract more than 70,000 domestic and international trade visitors. FMC and FMC Premium will host about 650 companies with 36,000 sqm of exhibition area.

World famous brands re-join in spite of a weak economy

Despite a bleak economic climate, FMC 2009 has continued to keep its key figures at the record heights achieved in the previous edition. According to the statistics of the organizer, FMC 2009 is fully booked again. International and domestic woodworking manufacturers, such as HOMAG, BIESSE, WEINIG, SCM, NANXING, Shanghai YUETONG, V-HOLD confirmed their participation. Taiwan Woodworking Manufacturers Association (TWMA) will joint with more than 30 of their members. In addition, a large number of exhibitors have confirmed their attendance in the classified display sections, LEITZ, LEUCO and AKE in Saws Blades and Tools hall, JUNJIA, LIWANG in Fabric and Leather hall, HYDERON, BOKE in Furniture Hardware and Fittings hall, CHANGRUNFA PAINT, HUARUN PAINT in Furniture Coatings & Chemicals hall…Thus FMC will create an excellent opportunity for great business deals and provide international networking at the show.

FMC Premium continues to attract industry leaders

As a part of FMC, FMC Premium continues to provide an exclusive business platform where exhibitors can concentrate fully on business and products. Targeted at high leveled furniture raw material exhibitors, FMC Premium has been fully booked, among them international companies such as JOWAT, POLLMEIER, EXOR, TABU, AHEC, etc. FMC Premium witnesses the rapid development of the country’s furniture and interior design industry. The show will again bring us updated products and ideas of the market.

Exhibition space of FURNITURE CHINA including 10 indoor halls and 26 outdoor halls are fully booked and assure the high quality and quantity exhibitors and visitors of FMC. Thus the show will showcase the full spectrum of the industry. This September exhibitors from over 20 different countries gather in Shanghai, to show their latest products, discuss the latest industry technologies, prospects and innovations. In this special environment, FMC will still be the most important platform in China for visitors and the exhibitors to establish profitable relationships.

NO.1 IN ASIA，LEADING THE WORLD “CIFF 2009”

CIFF 2009 March, short for 23rd China International Furniture Fair (Guangzhou), lowered its curtain with gratifying results on March 30th at China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou. The 1st phase of the grand event specialized in CIFF-Home Furniture, staged from March 18th to 21st, concurrently with Outdoor & Leisure Guangzhou 2009, Homedecor & Housewares China 2009, CeramEx China 2009 and Intertextile Guangzhou-Hometextile China 2009, while the 2nd phase focused on CIFF-Office Furniture, along with China International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Raw Materials Fair (Guangzhou) / interzum guangzhou 2009 from March 27th to 30th.

In the face of the global economic crisis, the March show of CIFF 2009 along with seven vertical shows under one roof gained a great success. The total exhibition scale has enlarged to 500,000 SQM and hosted 2620 domestic and overseas exhibitors while gathering 136310 buyers, 32922 of which are overseas buyers from 160 countries and 103388 are domestic buyers, respectively. The overall attendance of buyers remains the same level as that of 2008, with 3.1% growth in domestic visitors and 11.8% decline in overseas counterparts.  According to the feedback of our satisfaction survey, exhibitors are fairly pleased with the results which are better than what they anticipate and they have basically achieved the targeted goals.

CIFF-HOME FURNITURE (18th -21, March, 2009)

ALL Star Cast

CIFF 2009 March - Home Furniture shows up with an all-star cast. The domestic leading brands like LANDBOND, HING LEE, KINWAI, ROYAL, KUKA, ZUOYOU, RED APPLE, OPAL, KANG SHENG, BEKING，CAMERICH, ZHI HAO, STEEL-LAND, YI FENG, BILTURE display their newest products in Modern Furniture region. FOUR SEAS, BO YUEN, YUE XING, WEN HUA SPIRIT, POSH, GOLD PHOENIX, GAINWELL, FU BANG, WSXINGLONG, MINGQING in Classical Furniture region exemplifies dazzling charm in showcase. Besides, overseas exhibitors including INDEX(Thailand), Colono(Spain), KODA(Singapore), Ashley(America), Jans2en(HK), HI TEAM(Taiwan), PT. BUANA INTER GLOBAL(Indonesia) bring in the furniture of fresh designs. Though the buyers from USA and Europe buy less due to weak markets, exhibitors gain increased trading volume in the domestic market and other rising markets like Middle East. The furniture wholesaling giants of Shunde Louvre and Redstar Macalline have their booth shown at CIFF as well.

Comments from Participants

President of China National Furntiure Association, Mr. Jia Qingwen, praises CIFF as “the barometer of Chinese furniture industry”. Chinese buyers are happy to see the enterprises pay more attention to the domestic market, while 89.2% overseas buyers are satisfied with the exhibition effect according to the on-site survey. The trading delegation from Japan is formed with five reprehensive enterprises like TAIYO Furniture, JEFSA Central Inc., GARANT MOBEL and so on. Particularly, the president over 80 years old of TAIYO Furniture, the biggest furniture department store in Japan, takes part in the shopping at CIFF for the first time. The speaker of the delegation says, “We will increase the shopping volume and select the suppliers and qualified products more carefully this year. This is our unique way to tackle the difficult time.” He also remarks, “On this tough occasion, it is impressive for CIFF to successfully keep the progress in scale and quality.”

Professional Activities & Service On-Site

The fashion concept of “LOHAS”, standing for the idea of healthy life and human friendliness, is expressed in the design of furniture found throughout the fair, which delivers the good experience to the visitors. They also appreciate the services and activities at the CIFF, like the “Service System for Frequent Buyers” first launched this year, the gallery of “Red-Stroke Design Exhibition” promoting cooperation between designers and manufactories, and the Digital Kitchen Zone highlighting the technology in lifestyle. The multifunction of trading and communication at CIFF gains the high intention for next session’s participation from both buyers and exhibitors.

Outdoor & Leisure Guangzhou 2009

Under “VIP Union System”, innovatively launched this year, 105 most influential brands like ALMA CONTRACT, KIAN, MANO LEISURE, GARDENART FURNITURE, ARTIE GARDEN, HUATONG GARDEN and LINYA CRAFTWORK have been attracted to the fair of Outdoor & Leisure Guangzhou 2009. The show establishes a high-end platform for commercial meeting, image presenting and fashion releasing through the full display of outdoor living.

Seminar on European Outdoor Furniture Design delivers a hint of making use of high-quality environment-friendly materials to enter the market. The gallery of “World Class Outdoor Design” combines together top-brand display and interactive communication to release the latest outdoor fashion and promote the concept of healthy living. Over 90% buyers are satisfied with the show and will come back next year in the survey.

Homedecor & Housewares China 2009

Homedecor & Housewares China 2009 covered an area of 35,000 SQM, 15,000 SQM larger than the previous session in March 2009. Around 200 domestic and overseas enterprises including famous brands like Sitong,Xiang You, Artage, Eternal, Yinbo, Zhongshun Wooden, Jin Da, Landbond, Ya Masun, Fuhua, Beixiong displayed their qualify products at the show.The diversity of product lines cover the products of Pottery & Glassware, Lighting, Picture & Frames displayed at the show which becomes richer than that of the last session. The inspired designers bring in concepts like “Continental Style”, “Miscellaneous Pieces” of Nature, Abstract Art, and Accessories for all to the exhibits.

There are 34,834 buyers visit the show, 8,322 of which are international buyers. 82% of them feel satisfied with the effect of participation and find the products meeting their needs.   

Ceramics China 2009

CeramEx China 2009, covering an area of 10,000 SQM, has engaged in household & art ceramics in spite of Hong Kong Pavilion and Chao Zhou Pavilion. Famous brands like Sanhuan, Red Star, Hualian, Liuhua, Shunxiang, and Yongfengyuan exhibit at the show with products from different regions. The stylish features insist on the concept of health, environmental friendliness and green techiques. Hunan Hualian China Industry Co.,LTD. showcases the estimated master piece of the Chairman Mao’s memoral, which is full of collection values and attracts a good flow of visitors at the show. 

Intertextile Guangzhou- Hometextile China 2009

China (Guangzhou) International Trade Fair for Home Textiles 2009(hereinafter refer to as Intertextile Guangzhou- Hometextile China 2009) featured by 151 exhibitors in an exhibition area of 20,000 SQM. It’s the first time that overseas group pavilions from Germany, Britain, Korea and Pakistan participated in the show, while the exhibitors from major domestic manufacturing clusters like Yuhang, Jiaxing, Shaoxing and Haining in Zhejiang province continually attend the show in regional pavilions. The products are much richer with sofa fabrics and leather accounting for 43.9%, upholstery fabrics 23%, curtain fabrics 15.5%, bed linen, blankets and bedding down products, carpets and rugs 17.6%.

Seminar-“The trends of 2010 for the interior products market based on observation of developments in Europe” was performed by Kevin Lewis - a famous designer from Britain during the show. The Gallery of “Outstanding Works in Home Textiles 2008” displays the awarded products in last session show. Visitors are crowding into the gallery and appreciating them as pieces of art. Buyers throughout the world pay high involvement to the show and about 80% of whom remarked that they will be back at the next session according to the research.

CIFF-OFFICE FURNITURE (27-30, March, 2009)

All Star Cast

CIFF 2009 March - Office Furniture is the largest office furniture event in Asia with features of new concepts, new designs and new stature. Nearly all top furniture enterprises like MATSU, SAOSWN, OU LIN, YOUZHAN、SUNON, OFISWORLD have participate the show and divided by specified product categories in order under the deeper professional organization. Many famous manufacturers at the fair demonstrate their latest creations and advancements to show their improvement in technological innovation. SUNON firstly releases their latest R&D technique of “U + Coating Technology” during the show, which reveals the new progress in the environmental friendly skill in domestic furniture manufacturing industry. Seminar hosted by SAOSEN Furniture introduces the future development of “medium density fiberboard powder coating technique” to furniture manufacturing.

Multiple Industrial Activities On-Site

The office furniture show this year adopts the creative multiple formats in activity organization. The theme gallery of “Finland Modern Furniture Design and Office Space-Works of Yrjo Kukkapuro and His Students” is one of the unique activities consisting of three parts: the design works show, the academic forum and the cocktail banquet. Many domestic furniture companies appreciate the works created by the renowned design master and his students and acquire advanced design concepts from Europe through the event. It also functions as a channel for communication in the furniture industry. Besides, the Annual Meeting of China National Furniture Association Office Furniture Profession is held during the show. The 3rd Annual Meeting of Government Furniture Procurement kicks off with officials from over 30 procurement centers of municipal governments and furniture company representatives. The 23rd CIFF-Office Furniture is more than a mere “one-stop” trading platform, but a must attended event of Chinese office furniture industry.

Comments from Participants

Though the industry is in a tough time resulting from the global economic crisis, the industry practitioners still remain confident about the future by the positive responses from the market at CIFF. Zhu Changling, vice president of China National Furniture Association, foresees an increase of exports in the office furniture industry; his foresight is not only justified by investigation done by the organizer of CIFF which indicates that there is a change in sales strategy, but not in volume, but also proved by the marketing director with HONGKAI who also says that there is an increase in the number of buyers both at home and from abroad at this fair indicating a promising future.

Renames in 2010

As Asia’s mature trading platform of office furniture, CIFF Office Furniture Show is growing to be the best place to showcase office integrated environment, office space design and systematic planning. From March 2010, the show will be renamed as CIFF Office Show, so as to further reflect the positioning of Whole-office presentation. Getting more elements from office perspective, the show will provide all-in-one solutions in the fields of modern office space layout, environment design and supported facilities. (无须突出该部分)

China International Woodworking Machinery & Raw Materials Fair (Guangzhou)/ INTERZUM GUANGZHOU 2009

China International Woodworking Machinery & Raw Materials Fair (Guangzhou)/interzum guangzhou 2009, holding the strategic position as a gateway for international companies to sell to the China market as well as a springboard for China companies to sell to Asia, attracts many repeated as well as first time exhibitors. The fair is further enlarged in size to 80,000sqm, 33% over that of last year, providing more opportunities for participating companies and buyers. In total, 761 exhibitors attend the show, 10.6% more than that of last year, with 209 international exhibitors.

Industry players remain optimistic about the future. About 39,222 buyers visit the show, 9,057 of which are overseas buyers, slightly over the situation in last year. Li Qiang from Chengdu, China, says the increasing number of buyers at the fair shows the sign of an optimistic attitude toward the future market. The frequent buyer, Karl R. Kehrer from Australia, is glad to see the great progress in scale and upgraded products and service. Jan Rudzki, the purchasing agent from Sweden, says with excitement and eagerness that products exhibited are great in quantity.

“Actually, the situation is better than what we expected. Chinese customers are more optimistic and they hold a very good view for the future.” commented Mr. Marco Rampichini, General Manager, SCM Group. Mr. Aduen Wang, the Marketing Manager for A&D JASMINE INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD said “This is the second time that we exhibit and we feel that it is an excellent platform to showcase our products, as we received many enquiries from buyers in China and the Asia Pacific region.”

Preview of CIFF 2009 September

In the next session, the 24th CIFF will keep the exhibition marketing principle of “Export Orientation” along with the “Domestic Market Expansion”. There are three highlights of CIFF 2009 September you can not afford to miss as follows:

A Right Comprehensive “Whole-Home-Decor” showcase with accessories and textiles.

Core themes of Modern Furniture and Classical Furniture in CIFF 2009 Sept. along with Homedecor + Hometextile China (Guangzhou) 2009 will be held concurrently. Outdoor & Leisure products theme will be shown in the special zone at the show. The exhibits from interior furnishing to outdoor lifestyle will form the “Whole-Home-Decor” platform continually.

September Fair Attracts Growing Attention of the world

CIFF 2009 September’s exhibition venue is located closely by the largest furniture manufactory base of China and Southern Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The marketing channel throughout the world and the thousands of esteemed customers of CIFF will make CIFF 2009 September the Asia’s furnishing sourcing center in fall season.

Professional Service Valuates your Participation.

The floor plan arrangement will be divided more scientifically; high technology in fair networking will be adopted to upgrade the service systems for buyers, exhibitors and media; more added value activities and seminars will be organized to motivate the long-term development of the furniture industry. More spectacular business of world furniture industry awaits your participation in CIFF 2009 September. See you right in Guangzhou, September 6th-9th, 2009.

SENIOR MINISTER GOH APPLAUDS SINGAPORE MOZAIC SHOWING AT SALONE
INTERNATIONALE DEL MOBILE 2009 IN ITALY

Singapore’s Senior Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong visited the prestigious Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2009 in Milan, Italy on Wedneday. He visited the show to lend support for the Singapore contingent representing the country’s furniture industry at the event under the collective brand, Singapore Mozaic.

SM Goh was received by Mr Andrew Ng, President of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council and accompanied by representatives from Singapore government agencies. Together, they toured the Singapore pavilion and viewed the quality displays by the six local companies that are holding Singapore’s name up high under the Singapore Mozaic umbrella – they are brand ambassadors Air Division Pte Ltd, Getz Bros & Co (S) Pte Ltd, Koda Ltd, Office Planner Pte Ltd and Star Furniture Industries Pte Ltd as well as Exit Design.

An initiative by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), Singapore Mozaic is a B2B industry furniture brand supported by International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) and SPRING Singapore. It aims to showcase Singapore furniture’s finest and to enhance global recognition of the quality, design, reliability and value offered by Singapore’s furniture companies so as to gain greater market share worldwide.

SM Goh also had a series of lively discussions with the representatives of the six Singapore exhibitors at the fair whose participation is supported by the International Marketing Activities Programme (IMAP) from International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore). He was also given a quick overview of the works by six of Singapore’s rising design companies - 1degOFF design playgroup, d.lab™, Jarrod Lim Design, Air Design Group, Outofstock and Studio JUJU. These companies are exhibiting at Salone Satellite, an annual showcase for new designs and ideas by young architects and students of industrial design with the support of the Overseas Promotion Partnership Programme (OPPP) by DesignSingapore Council. Mr Andrew Ng said: “I am glad that Singapore furniture companies and our young designers are leveraging on important international platforms such as Salone Internazionale del Mobile to reach out to a bigger, global audience and thus, increase Singapore’s profile as reputable furniture player in the international market”.

SM Goh’s visit is a strong testimony for the local furniture industry and an endorsement of its efforts to expand internationally. The positive encouragement he has given to the Singapore Mozaic ambassadors and furniture designers while on his visit to Salone Internazionale del Mobile has given the industry a positive fillip.

PANELEXPO 2009 – A SUCCESSFUL ENDING OF AN EFFICIENT FAIR

The fourth edition of Panelexpo concluded on a successful note here at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Despite economic slowdown, turnout of visitors was good and their response encouraging. Many of the participants reported having received good number of serious trade enquiries. A number of participants reported having received substantial amount of spot orders too. Over 85 percent of the participants indicated their interest to participate in the next edition of Panelexpo in 2011. A large number of participants indicated their interest to participate in a similar event in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.

The fair was organized from 2 – 5 April 2009 jointly by the Federation of Plywood and Panel Industry (FIPPI) and Fair Design India Pvt. Ltd. (FDI) under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Environment and Forests, and the Planning Commission, Government of India. It was held in Hall No 10 and 11 of Pragati Maidan covering an area of about 7,800 sq. mtr.

The fair was supported by most of the prestigious national and international organizations in the field including ITTO, INBAR, CNFMA, CBTC, NMBA, IPIRTI and AMCHAM. Other supporters included BIS, CAPEXIL, AIVMA, NIPMA, SIPMA, GPVMA, ICFRE, CNFMA, JHEA, FORHEX & Wood Technologist Association.

Media partners to the fair included FDM Asia, Panel & Furniture Asia, WFD, Ply Reporter, Asian Timber, India Wood & Allied Panels, Ply Digest, B2B Purchase & Hardware Sanitary Construction World, web media partners included Indiaplywood, Indiamart, Tradeindia.com, Tender Tiger, Timber hunt.com were the official e-media partner, Wood & Panel World were the official e-publication and Orbitz the official travel agent.

Exhibit profile of the fair included Plywood, Bamboo, Panels including Wooden / Aluminium / Honey Comb & Glass / Allied Panel Products, Veneers / Laminates, Particle Board / MDF, Moulded Plywood, Bamboo / Wood working machinery, Furniture making machinery, Sawing Machines, Logging Tools & Machines, Hand Tools, Adhesives, Chemicals, Resins & Glues, Coatings, Funiture & Fittings, Work Stations, Modular Kitchen, Doors & Windows, Floor Tiles, Hardware & Accessories.

There were a total of 99 participants from 9 countries. Overseas participation came from countries like China, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Taiwan and UK. China was the Partner country and Chinese companies focused mainly on machinery. Bangladeshi companies displayed exclusively wooden furniture while Malaysian companies displayed a variety of wooden products including furniture, laminated panels, sawn timber, board and laminated scantlings. Italian and German companies also focused on machinery while veneers, veneer edging were the major attraction from UK.

Some of the leading Indian companies at the fair were Biesse, FlexiCam, Sandeep Machines, Wood Master, Woodtech Consultants, Kalyan Industries, Guru Amar Industries and Jamuna Engineering in the machinery segment, Century Plyboards, Sarda Plywood, Greenply Industries, Bajaj Eco-Tec, Balaji Action Buildwell, Alstrong, Alstone, Durian, Unique Ply in the plywood and panel segment, and Indian Crafts, Golden Furnitures and Litmus Design in the furniture segment. Bamboo products were displayed prominently by companies like Arunachal Plywood and Loga Shree under the NMBA banner. Bamboo Hut was a major attraction for the visitors.

The fair was inaugurated by Shri Sajjan Bhajanka, President, Federation of Indian Plywood and Panel Industry, in the presence of eminent personalities from the trade and industry. It attracted over 3000 quality trade visitors during the four day period. These included prominent builders, architects, interior decorators, hoteliers besides wholesalers, distributors and other trade channels. Visitors came from across the country including far off places like Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Jaipur, Assam, Ahmedabad, Yamunanagar, Jalandhar, etc. Visitors were largely decision makers comprising top and senior officials from the companies.

A concurrent technical seminar was organized under the theme World class latest technology for process and products ‘Wood, Bamboo and Beyond!’ A number of papers on current subjects concerning the industry were presented by eminent speakers from India and abroad. These included:

•   Forest Certification for Wood Products by Prof. Maharaj Muthoo, President, Roman Forum, Italy

•    Agoforestry – The Raw Material Supply: Sustaintainability and Future Prospects by Dr. Sudhanshu Gupta, IFS, Asst. Director General (RP), ICFRE, Dehra Dun

•    Photocuring of Biofibre Composites by Dr. R. N. Kumar, Course Director, Dept. of Wood Science & Technology, Kannur University, Kannur, Kerala and Consultant in M/s. Western India Plywoods Limited, Kannur Role of Wood based Industries in Climate Change Mitigation by Mr. Jaydeep Chitlangia, Secretary General, FIPPI Bamboo –A Resource for Wood Substitution by Mr. Ajay Kumar, NMBA, New Delhi Conversion of Plywood, Veneering Units, Saw Mills in the North Eastern Region Value Addition and Ancillary Unit with Assured Market: A First-Hand Experience by Mr. M. M. Jalan, Chairman, Arunachal Plywood Industries Limited Wood Substitution – Recent Development by Dr. S. K. Nath, Jt. Director, IPIRTI, Bangalore

•   Bamboo: Trade Opportunities for Livelihood Development in South and Southeast Asia by Mr. T. P. Subramony, Regional Coordinator (South Asia), INBAR A review of Standardization in the field of Wood, Bamboo & Panel Products by Mr. J. Roy Chowdhury, Scientist-E, BIS, New Delhi Export Scenario and Potential for Indian Plywood & Panel Industry by Mr. B. H. Patel, Chairman, CAPEXIL Particle Board & MDF Scenario in India by Mr. J. Bhattacharyya, and Economic Slow Down and Stimulus-Clean Technology and Wood Based Panel Product Industry by Mr. Anand Amrik Singh, Amman Consultants.        

Awards were presented for excellence in display and innovative products in different categories. Following companies were selected for the awards:

Category – Plywood and Panels
1^st    Prize: Greenply Industries Limited
Prize: Century Plyboards (I) Ltd.
Prize: Sarda Plwood Industries Limited
Special Prize: Unique Plywood (P) Ltd.

      Category – Machinery
1^st   Prize: Sandeep Machines Private Limited
2^nd Prize: Biesse Manufacturing Co. Pvt. Ltd.

Category – Innovative Products

Special Prize: Alstrong International
Special Prize: Arunachal Plywood Industries Limited
Special Prize: National Mission on Bamboo Applications

      Category – Overseas Participants

      1^st Prize: Bangladesh Furniture
2^nd Prize: China Foma Group Co., Ltd.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS TO HOST “GREEN DESK" AT AWFS^®FAIR

Attendees, Exhibitors Get On-the-Spot Resources and Answers to Questions on Sustainability, Green Certifications, State and Federal Regulations

A new feature called the Green Desk will be launched at the AFWS^®FAIR this summer in Las Vegas. The Desk is a place where anyone in attendance can stop by to ask questions related to “green” practices and issues that are impacting virtually all businesses. 

The Desk is one of several new features of the 2009 show, designed to impart additional benefits to attendees as well as exhibitors in a climate of change and economic uncertainty.

Experts from a variety of professional organizations will act as hosts on the Desk throughout all four days of the show. They will address questions on sustainability practices, environmentally friendly products, building and product certifications, as well as state and regulations affecting the industry. The Desk will be located in the main lobby of the show and readily accessible to all show goers. 

Desk hosts are experts from national environmental organizations and industry associations with sustainability programs. They include the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Lean and Clean program, which combines the strengths of lean manufacturing with green strategies; the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resource Board (CARB), initiators of the regulations on formaldehyde in composite wood products. Groups that monitor forest management and chain of custody will include Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS).  

Also represented are the Sustainable Furnishings Council and the U.S. Green Building Council, originators of the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification. Trade organizations with environmental programs up and running include the Composite Panel Association and Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.

Attendees interested in environmental topics can also take advantage of seminars in the Safety & Environment and new Going Green tracks of the show seminar program. The AWFS^®Fair College of Woodworking Knowledge (CWWK) is the largest education program in the industry. The CWWK is a once-every two-year opportunity for attendees to gain economical and practical knowledge to bring back to their businesses. Fifty seminars and workshops will be offered over the course of five days in 2009, beginning on July 14, the “pre-show” day.

TULIPWOOD IS THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR'S AHEC PAVILION AT INTERZUM

Two years ago, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), had a big impact at Interzum with its red oak pavilion raising awareness for the species and creating a focal point for the US hardwood industry to network with hardwood buyers from around the world.

This year it is American tulipwood that will feature strongly in both, the display and information graphics, as well as the structure itself. “Over the past year, AHEC have been raising the profile for this very sustainable and versatile species and challenging the market to look at it differently. I mean this literally as one of our aims has been to show everyone how exciting it looks and that it doesn’t always have to painted and stained”, says David Venables, AHEC’s European Director.

The “tulipwood challenge” as AHEC calls it, gained extra momentum last autumn when top architect David Adjaye used it for his “Sclera” pavilion for the London Design Festival. The challenge of treating the tulipwood for external use has led to an ongoing cooperation between AHEC and wood treatment specialists Osmose. The latest research results and samples of treated and exposed tulipwood will be displayed on stand.

The AHEC stand will again feature interactive grading areas with industry experts on hand to carryout demonstrations and answer questions on how American hardwood lumber and veneer are graded for export.

The final element will be an internet café area where visitors can come and try the new user friendly AHEC website to learn more about the potential of US hardwoods, order free publications, enjoy a cup of coffee and talk to the experts. If you trade in US hardwoods or want to know how to develop these species as part of your business make sure to visit the AHEC pavilion, Hall 5.1, C-010, D-011.

ASEAN FURNITURE INDUSTRIES COUNCIL PUSHES AHEAD TO CONSOLIDATE ASEAN TRADE SHOW CIRCUIT

The ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) is once again leading its member countries to further enhance and develop a seamless furniture trade show circuit in the ASEAN region. Six furniture trade shows organised by AFIC member countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will be taking place over 12 days in March 2009. Taking centre stage is the AFIC-supported 26th ASEAN Furniture Show held in conjunction with International Furniture Fair Singapore 2009, where the best of ASEAN furniture elements come together under one roof.

To enable exhibitors and visitors to manage their participation and travel plans more productively, AFIC members fine-tuned the show dates of the furniture trade fairs in their countries to bring the start and end dates closer together. The more efficient exhibition calendar allows both exhibitors and buyers to save precious time and expenses while achieving effective results. This will in turn encourage higher participation and create greater visibility for member countries.

First on the calendar is the Malaysian International Furniture Fair 2009 (MIFF), which will be held in Kuala Lumpur from 3 to 7 March 2009. This is followed by the Philippine International Furniture Show 2009 (PIFS-Manila Now) and 20th Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) that are taking place in Manila and Cebu in the Philippines. The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2009 held in conjunction with the 26th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2009) is the next show on the circuit and will be held from 9 to 12 March 2009. Rounding up the 2009 furniture trade show calendar from 11 to 15 March 2009 are the International Furniture & Craft Fair Indonesia 2009 (IFFINA) in Jakarta and Thailand International Furniture Fair 2009 (TIFF) in Bangkok.

Mr Jerry Tan, Chairman of AFIC said: “Besides facilitating intra-ASEAN trade, AFIC also hopes to further build and strengthen global recognition for the ASEAN furniture industry. In view of the current economic climate and stiff competition in the furniture arena, AFIC and our member countries are even more acutely aware of the importance of banding together to collectively raise awareness of the strengths of the furniture industry in member countries. The excellent furniture trade shows organised by our members provides an ideal platform for us to showcase our quality offerings and highlight our competitive advantages in design, innovation, manufacturing and even exhibition management to global players.”

Each furniture trade show on the ASEAN circuit possesses unique strengths and identities that differentiate the ASEAN furniture industries from other regions.

For example, TIFF is regarded as an important event to spot the latest furniture design trends with exhibits that often display unique contemporary styles infused with distinctive Asia touches. CebuX is also well-known for consistently featuring products of excellent design. Together with PIFS-Manila Now, the Filipino furniture shows present exhibitors with furniture pieces of fine local craftsmanship steeped in cultural traditions, using natural raw materials found in Asia. Similarly, IFFINA provides a complete overview of the Indonesian furniture and craft industry with a large array of quality hand-crafted products at reasonable prices. Besides showcasing a comprehensive selection of furniture and furnishing products, MIFF also hosts an extensive range of hospitality services to make visitors feel at home.

Each year, top ASEAN players also come together to display the best of their furniture and furnishing pieces at AFS. As the most established trade fair for the ASEAN furniture industry with 25 successful runs, AFS features the biggest collection of furniture exhibits from ASEAN countries in one location. Held in conjunction with IFFS at the Singapore Expo, AFS has grown to become a prestigious, must-see event featuring design-centric furniture of excellent quality from manufacturers across Asia and around the world. IFFS/AFS 2009 looks set to continue in its role as a successful global trade platform, with over 60,000 pieces of furniture and furnishing products from some 30 countries slated to be on display.

To promote the ASEAN furniture trade show circuit, AFIC has also initiated a joint advertising campaign for the five ASEAN furniture tradeshows. Managed by the AFIC Secretariat in Singapore, this campaign is currently running in key furniture trade publications and serves to highlight the locations and dates of the respective shows. The advertisement emphasises the effectiveness of the ASEAN circuit and its ability to meet the sourcing requirements of global furniture trade buyers in a most efficient manner.

To offer the global furniture market a bigger, better and more innovative ASEAN show, AFIC will also look to the implementation of effective design and value propositions from member countries.

Mr Steven Chew, Secretary-General of AFIC, said: “Our combined efforts reflects the unity and cohesiveness of AFIC members and demonstrates the strong cooperation within the ASEAN furniture trade industry. With this synergy, we hope to achieve good results during the upcoming furniture trade show season. Moving forward, AFIC will also continue to lead our member countries to tap on growth opportunities and harmonise our implementation plans for the ASEAN furniture trade.”

FMC 2009 - LARGER SCALE & MORE CLASSIFIED

Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China 2009 (FMC 2009) will be staged alongside FMC Premium at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from September 9-12, 2009. Under the umbrella of the Furniture China Exhibitions, the two shows will provide outstanding business opportunities to companies supplying raw materials, components and woodworking machinery to furniture manufacturers. While FMC PREMIUM is a show specially designed for high-end manufacturers of furniture raw materials & components. The shows benefit from co-location with Furniture China 2009, the 4th largest furniture exhibition, which is expected to attract 70,000 domestic and international trade visitors. FMC and FMC Premium will host about 600 companies with 36,000 sqm of exhibition area.

FMC 2009 will be allocated totally 2 indoor halls and 12 outdoor halls. FMC2009 will upgrade its classification of display areas for easy visiting. The following is the layout plan.

FMC 2009 - A Pleasant Prospect

A financial crisis spread all over the world at the end of 2008, bringing inevitable effects to all industries in 2009. But according to the statistic of organizer, FMC2009 is still fully booked. International and domestic woodworking manufacturers, such as HOMAG, BIESSE, WEINIG, SCM, NANXING, Shanghai YUETONG, V-HOLD have confirmed their participation. Taiwan Woodworking Manufacturers Association (TWMA) will come with over 30 of their members. In addition, a large number of exhibitors have confirmed their attendance in the classified display sections, LEITZ, LEUCO and AKE in Saws Blades and Tools hall, JUNJIA, LIWANG in Fabric and Leather hall, HYDERON, BOKE in Furniture Hardware and Fittings hall whereas JOWAT, EXOR, AHEC, POLLMEIER, FRENCH TIMBER, KINGSLIDE, TABU, etc in FMC PREMIUM. Thus FMC is a most important platform in China for visitors and the exhibitors to establish profitable relationships as well as creating an excellent opportunity for great business deals and furthermore to create an international networking structure.

FMC Premium-A Show for High-end Suppliers of Furniture Components and Raw Materials

FMC Premium set an exclusive business platform for domestic and international quality suppliers of furniture components and material. Designed to provide an open and harmonious atmosphere with uniform, high-quality exhibition stands, FMC Premium continues to provide a forum where exhibitors can concentrate fully on business and products. Catering and selective visitor access will make attendance efficient and effective for both visitors and exhibitors. Until now FMC Premium has received the booth booking from over 80% of 2008 exhibitors, among them international companies such as JOWAT, POLLMEIER, EXOR, TABU, AHEC, etc.

AMERICAN ASH: THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR THE VISITORS CENTRE AT THE
AÑANA SALT VALLEY IN SPAIN

For the team at the Landa-Ochandiano workshop in Spain, American ash was the natural choice for a building which stands as a testament to one of Spain’s oldest industries – salt production. Opened in October 2008, the simple design of the Visitors’ Centre at the Añana Salt Valley, in the province of Álava, combines old and new elements and the aesthetical appeal and flexibility of American ash made this species the perfect choice.  

Mikel Landa, one of the architects responsible for the project, says: “The light tone and marked grain of American ash provides a great visual effect and the wood is easy to cut into small strips which allow for the bending we needed to take on the shape of the building’s skin. In some ways the building resembles an upside down ship’s hull so wood is the natural choice.”

History and restoration of the Añana Salt Valley

Añana Saltworks are inland saltworks that exist because of a geological phenomenon called a diapir which creates hyper-saline springs.

Saltmaking activity has been continuous from 822 until the end of the twentieth century, although it is thought to have started even earlier than the ninth century. In the Middle Ages its salt was sold throughout the Iberian Peninsula. A series of circumstances during the last years of the 20^th century drove the saltmakers to other industries and with no maintenance, the buildings fell into disrepair.

A Master Plan restoration plan began in 2003, including the refurbishment of some buildings between the town and the saltworks. Work began in 2004 to restore the old salt store which was to become a visitor’s centre.

Project

Only the perimeter walls of the salt store remained and the idea was initially to turn it into a visitors’ centre with exhibitions, displays and guided tours on what had been an important industry for the area for hundreds of years. Later on, the idea is that this building could be used as a sales centre where visitors could buy salt made by the traditional method.

The base still existed on which to develop the new elements which would create a mix of old and new. 

Genesis 

The project was based around a simple design for the visitors’ centre. The exterior shape is elliptical, fulfilling all the requirements for a practical display and meeting area and creating an interesting interior space with subdued lighting to create atmosphere.  This geometric shape is formed by the roof of the building, linked to the masonry walls on both sides and the floor. It has an oblique cut on the east side that creates access to the building, with two other side openings. 

The inspiration for the design, material and structure came from the architect’s experience of building his own kayak, using wood to create its unique curved shape.  So the design resembles an upside down boat’s hull.

Frame

There are seventeen vertical arches made of 12mm thick layers of laminated larch wood. The straight and curved elements were glued at the factory, so the frames were built into halves and assembled at the construction site. Joints were made using epoxy resins and stainless steel threaded bolts. Support steel shoes were made of stainless steel because the building is situated in a hyper-saline environment which causes corrosion.

Planking

The frames are connected to each other by American ash strips placed in two layers, one of them directly fixed to the upper face of the arch members and the other one fixed to the lower face.  Waterproof sealant has been applied to the external face of the upper layer. The lower side of American ash wood is visible from the interior.

American ash was selected for aesthetical and mechanical reasons. On one hand, this wood has a great visual quality with a marked grain that makes you feel as if you are inside a ship’s hull. Also this species is easy to machine into small strips, allowing the bending needed to take on the shape of the building’s skin.

To obtain the two layers of American ash, boards 8mm thick and 25mm wide were used, with a curved dovetail so that the fit of one board with the next allows a turning between boards. The surface is sanded, to give its final appearance, and to be fitted in place, the strips of American ash are glued on the edge of the dovetails.

Exterior

The exterior is completed with a third layer of wood placed on the outside to create the external visible surface. Ipe wood was chosen for this function for its natural weathering properties and good durability.

This Ipe wood layer is fixed in rectangular strips 8mm thick and 25mm wide, placed with an 8mm space between them. The arrangement allows water to flow through onto the waterproof sealed layer below, above the outer layer of ash. An elastic one-component waterproof sealing has been used for this.  To allow the boards to take the shape of the ellipsoid, the space between the boards varies from 8mm to 12mm depending on the radius from the transverse curvature which differs along the shape.

 Roof

The building’s roof has a horizontal section built with a glulam wooden framework of Larch wood and a board of phenolic-plywood. On the exterior, the waterproof seal is visible, placed right on top of the plywood board.  

The rain water from the flat roof and from the ellipsis runs through two stainless steel gutters that take the shape of the wall and of the ellipsoid. The gutter section has three sheets, the first one is flat, the second sheet is cylindrical and the third one has an ellipsoidal shape. All three are welded together.

Installations

Between the two layers of American ash there is a thick layer of insulation of rockwool. The masonry perimeter walls are visible from the interior in the intersections in the ellipsoidal skin. The heating system for the building is an electric radiant floor

Architect Mikel Landa says: “The environmental conditions of high salinity, the requirements for the structure and the ellipsoid idea led us to select wood as the main material. Wood has been used for the structure, interior and exterior sheathing, joinery and some flooring. The use of different species, in line with their individual mechanical, technological and aesthetic characteristics, has produced a unique building which testifies to the adaptability of this naturally sustainable material.

NEW SMARTSHOP TO SHOWCASE AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT
FOR THE SMALL CABINET SHOP AT AWFS^® FAIR  

The 2009 AWFS® Fair will feature a new area called the smartSHOP, a fully operational cabinet shop, this summer to show attendees how automated woodworking equipment can increase shop efficiency.  The machinery that will be demonstrated in the special small shop booth will include nesting machines, multi-head horizontal boring machines, edgebanders, motorized case clamps and hinge insertion machines, all working in tandem.

Gero Sassenberg, a woodworking expert and furniture consultant specializing in management and engineering consulting to the cabinet and furniture industries, will be operating the smartSHOP and will use equipment from participating exhibitors to demonstrate how all the processes of cabinet construction, from data input software to cabinet assembly can be automated, saving time and money. He’ll also be available to answer attendee questions.

“This very hands-on demonstration will provide a great learning opportunity for attendees, answer their questions, and allow anyone that attends to get one-on-one advice for their own shop,” Sassenberg says. 

Sassenberg will also be teaching an efficiency seminar in the smartSHOP space, “Simplicity in Automation for the Small Shop,” as part of AWFS’s Special Machinery and Relevant Technology (SMART) educational sessions. SMART sessions are designed to give attendees an in-depth look at new technologies and machine processes. Sassenberg’s session will take the mystery out of designing and building Euro-cabinets using CAD/CAM.  He will take observers through software selection and application, nesting, machine layout, material handling and the machining of parts and assembly.

During regular show hours, Sassenberg and other woodworking professionals will interact with attendees while demonstrating the automation process — start to finish. smartSHOP workers will use the automated machinery to produce cabinets and drawers for a local Las Vegas charity. Free “mini-smart demos” will also be sprinkled throughout the day for attendees.

“Our decision to launch a smartSHOP is a direct result of listening to our attendees,” says Archie Thompson, AWFS Tradeshow Committee Chair. “Owners of smaller-sized businesses told us that the AWFS^®Fair can be overwhelming and they just don’t know where to start looking for machinery or supplies. We felt the smartSHOP would allow them to see everything at work in an environment that is similar to their own, get advice on what products they need and be directed to the exhibitors who are showing equipment they can use.”

The full-scale international AWFS^®Fair, scheduled for July 15 – 19, in Las Vegas, will also feature exhibitors from the entire home and commercial furnishings industry and includes manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, construction, materials, and other supplies to furniture, cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers.

NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATION EXPANDS GLOBAL REACH
NEW OFFICE OPENS IN SHANGHAI, CHINA

The National Hardwood Lumber Association officially opened its first overseas office on Monday, January 12th in Shanghai, China. Bob Sabistina, previous NHLA Inspector Training School Director and previous NHLA Chief Inspector, will oversee the Shanghai office. His work will be divided into three main areas:

1) Inspection services including grade inquiries on specific loads and dispute resolutions.
2) Teaching and training of US hardwood lumber grades to the growing list of consumers in China and Southeast Asia in cooperation with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC).
3) NHLA promotion and representation at industry meetings, tradeshows and various industry functions.

Mr. Sabistina has been working in Asia as a consultant for the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) since 2005, mainly conducting NHLA grading seminars. The move to a permanent office is a natural progression as the North American hardwood industry expands its search for hardwood lumber markets. "The success of reaching those markets is dependent upon the differentiation of North American hardwoods from the rest of the products," explained NHLA Executive Director Mark Barford.  "Our commitment to the Shanghai office shows our members, the industry and the global market that NHLA is moving forward with our new brand and refocused message - 'Strong Roots. Global Reach.'"

FEBRUARY LAS VEGAS MARKET ATTENDEES WILL DISCOVER EXTENSIVE, NEW RESOURCES WITHIN WMCLV’S BUILDING B

Retailers and interior designers looking to maximize their experience at 2009 Winter Las Vegas Market, February 9 – 13, will find the latest and greatest conveniently located under one roof—Building B at World Market Center Las Vegas. The 1.6-million-square-foot Building B will be a true hub of activity during Las Vegas Market, including an assortment of new and expanded showrooms, educational resources and convenient services. 

Expansions abound  

To accommodate the many new product introductions planned for 2009 and growing retail business at Las Vegas Market, many World Market Center Las Vegas showrooms have moved to expanded spaces in Building B. Such companies include Dovetail Furniture and Designs, one of the largest importers and distributers of eclectic handmade furniture, accessories and textiles from around the world; Peninsula Home Collection, which features uniquely painted and distressed furniture handcrafted in South America; Crestview Collection, showcasing a full line of portable lighting, accent furniture, accessories and wall decor for today’s home; and Richter Designs, premier manufacturers of high-end custom upholstery, are all moving their show-rooms to larger spaces within Building B. 

Additionally, to accommodate buyers looking for fresh resources and products, a new eclectic mix of permanent showrooms will be located entirely on the first floor of Building B. Showrooms located here will showcase a wide array of fashion-forward products that are unique in character and originate from different corners of the globe.

“These showrooms will offer an assorted mix of traditional, transitional and contemporary home furnishings and will feature accessories, wall decor and other modern trends of design,” said Babs Blair, Vice President of Leasing for World Market Center Las Vegas. “This will be an area that designers will go crazy over.” Buyers will find an array of goods that boast unique staining and finishing processes, as well as products made from stone, granite and marble. Dining and occasional tables, crafted from a variety of different types of finishes, such as hand-painted chests and leather goods, also will be featured.

Such tenured companies as Acrylicore, Environment Furniture, Charles Carol, Crestview, Style Craft Frames & Wall Decor and Kreiss will have exhibit space on the first floor. Cutting-edge lines that were previously located on other floors, such as Andes International, Armenart, Casa Bonita, Classic Leather, Dovetail Furniture & Designs and Peninsula, will now be relocated on the first floor of Building B.   

High-design juried showcases now located in Building B

In tandem with the changes taking place on the first floor, the second floor of Building B will also be fashion forward:  “B2” will serve as the home of the juried showcase exhibits, including ConText, Design & Living and the Living Green Pavilion. “These exhibits have been held at various locations in the past, so we are excited to provide a permanent home for them in Building B.  As always, this will be a must attend destination for discriminating buyers and designers,” said Tim Branscome, Vice President of International for World Market Center Las Vegas.  Each section of the juried showcases will allow buyers the chance to purchase a variety of unique and exclusive products shown by exhibitors at the Las Vegas Market. 

Marking its one-year anniversary at the 2009 Winter Las Vegas Market, ConText is the premier showcase for high-end home textiles and bedding, offering decorative pillows and cushions, luxurious bath items, table linens and throws among others. Design & Living is ideal for buyers searching for hot trends, including creative and colorful products that range from traditional to contemporary. This exhibit will convey high-designs for home furnishings and decor, as well as innovative products and exceptional accessories.  

Las Vegas Market’s Living Green Pavilion offers the latest in innovative eco-friendly and sustainable designs. The Living Green Pavilion is the country’s largest, most comprehensive venue of its kind, showcasing an array of recycled, reclaimed and renewed products from prestigious exhibitors. All products displayed are verified sustainable. The 2009 Winter Las Vegas Market is proud to offer the Living Green Pavilion as a resource for buyers to educate themselves on the latest in the eco-friendly movement.  

As always, the juried showcases boast a strong international presence and will highlight new designs from Europe, Brazil, Mexico and Asia. “There will be a lot of surprises on the second floor. Buyers should anticipate the opportunity to see a lot of new companies that have not exhibited in the country before,” said Branscome.

Upon reaching the second floor of Building B, buyers will have the option to go directly to one of the three showcases. With convenient access from both the escalator and elevator, there is no need to walk through one section to reach the next. In addition, buyers can take advantage of the accessibility from the second floor of Building B to the Las Vegas Design Center, the year-round hospitality marketplace located in Building C. 

“Interior designers, architects, high-end specialty retailers, suppliers and buyers looking for new designs will have an excellent opportunity to explore ConText, Design & Living and Living Green Pavilion on floor two, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center, which is conveniently located across the skywalk in Building C,” said Branscome. “These two independent parts complement one another nicely, so their prime locations and trend-setting designs offer buyers convenience as well an incredible product mix.” 

Educational Resources 

In addition to the wealth of home furnishings manufacturers and their products, attendees will be able to take advantage of many educational, trend-setting, industry and business seminars that provide meaningful and strategic tools to make their business successful and their Market experience more valuable.

World Market Center Las Vegas, along with Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) and National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), is unveiling an Education Concierge to provide streamlined education information and world-class service to all Market attendees. Located in the Lobby of Building B, the Education Concierge will be available for those wishing to learn up-to-date seminar details, locations and speaker contact information. Specialty seminars will cover trends, color, and merchandising, buying patterns, sales techniques, business strategies, sustainability and more.

“With a robust offering of seminars from World Market Center Las Vegas and WHFA, we take pride in providing original and relevant seminars with information that attending retailers and designers can truly apply to their business,” said Margaret Casey, Director of Programming for World Market Center Las Vegas. “The expertise and passion our speakers bring is reflected in their valuable and engaging presentations. By providing our attendees with easy access to information on all of these events at one convenient location, the Education Concierge adds additional value during Las Vegas Market.”

A majority of Market’s seminars will take place on the 16th floor of Building B.  Additionally, the NHFA/WHFA Retailer Resource Center is located there and features a number of resources, including enhanced technology, coffee bar, Internet cafe, new vendor space and a “Launch Pad” for new product introductions.

RETURN 1152 – THE RETURN DEVICE FROM HOLZ-HER

With the new RETURN 1152 HOLZ-HER offers a simple, fast and rational device for returning panels to the operator on edgebanders.

At the International HOLZ-HER Days on 25^th and 26^th September 2008 REICH Spezialmaschinen GmbH, known internationally under the brand name HOLZ-HER, demonstrated a return device for edgebanders. This modular system can be attached to the various SPRINT, ARCUS und CONTRIGA series from HOLZ-HER.

The HOLZ-HER RETURN unit allows efficient one-man operation of edgebanders and eliminates the cost-intensive work of manually removing work pieces from the machine and moving them back to the front of the edgebander. Regardless of whether small or medium lot sizes or even mass production, this unit ensures high efficiency with minimum space requirements and minimum manpower for edgebanding and the associated return of the work piece.

The heart of this unit is the basic machine body, which is attached to the end of the edgebander.  The work pieces coming out of the edgebander are transferred to the return device, transported in the lateral direction and then returned to the operator along the motor-driven return path.

The control for the unit is integrated directly into the switch cabinet on the base whereby the work pieces are recognized by a light barrier. A modular return path system allows the overall length of the unit to be adapted to the specific length of the edgebander.

The RETURN 1152 transports highly varying panel lengths within the range of 150-2500 mm safely and reliably. Work piece thicknesses of 8-60 can be transported without problems up to a maximum weight of 70 kg.

Air cushion table for easy charging

The air cushion table for charging the edgebander allows workpieces to be turned and positioned against the fence easily. This ensures that long parts can be fed into the machine precisely.

With the RETURN unit and air cushion table HOLZ-HER REICH Spezialmaschinen GmbH offers handling systems for edgebanders to allow maximum efficiency while protecting the material.

SFIC TAKES OVER CHAIRMANSHIP OF ASEAN FURNITURE INDUSTRIES COUNCIL  

Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) has been formally handed the reins of the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC) starting 8 November 2008. Taking over from the Philippines, Singapore will act as the Chairman, Secretary General and Secretariat for AFIC from 2008 to 2010. The other member countries of AFIC are Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.

The Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) Executive Committee has appointed Mr Jerry Tan as Chairman of AFIC for the two-year term. Mr Tan is the Vice President of SFIC and Managing Director of JACO Singapore Pte Ltd. He is a well known figure in the regional furniture circles and has tremendous experience in the organisation of international furniture trade exhibitions and missions. He has extensive contacts with major furniture players and regional furniture associations throughout the ASEAN countries. His wealth of experience in regional furniture trade issues will put him in good stead to play a key role in fast tracking AFIC’s strategic initiatives to accelerate the growth of the ASEAN furniture industries.

He said: “I am honoured to take on this new role as Chairman for AFIC. The past committees have established a strong foundation for AFIC and we will work towards cementing even stronger ties and partnerships between the ASEAN furniture communities.  I am confident that collectively with our partner members; we can forge ahead and make the ASEAN furniture trade more prominent in international markets and visible worldwide.”

To further strengthen the committee’s knowledge and expertise, the SFIC Executive Committee has appointed Mr Steven Chew, Executive Director of Sitra Holdings (International) Limited, as Secretary General of AFIC. Mr Chew has over a decade of experience in the furniture and timber industries.  He is also a strong supporter of the green movement and brings with him a wealth of industry experience in sales, purchasing, operations and finance functions.  Together with Mr Jerry Tan, he is expected to play a key role in further strengthening AFIC and instilling it with a renewed sense of purpose.

“In these challenging economic times, AFIC plays an even more important role, that of ensuring healthy intra-ASEAN trade and an enhanced competitiveness to stay buoyant amidst the sea of fast-moving global players who are increasingly focused on speed and value. ASEAN integration is our primary focus and I hope to see immediate results in the form of a smoother, more cohesive and effective ASEAN furniture exhibition circuit.” adds Mr Jerry Tan.

AFIC member countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand hold annual furniture trade fairs, namely International Furniture &  Craft Fair Indonesia (IFFINA), Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), the Philippine International Furniture Show - Manila (PIFS), Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X), International Furniture Fair Singapore in conjunction with ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS), and Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF).  The ASEAN Furniture Show held in conjunction with IFFS in Singapore adds to the vibrancy of this circuit, bringing the best of ASEAN players together in a dynamic and comprehensive trade event annually.

AFIC will work with member countries to devise a more efficient exhibition timetable and route for exhibitors and buyers alike. This will bring about better efficiency in terms of time and expenses for all exhibitors and visitors, and encourage higher participation and greater visibility for member countries. AFIC is also keen to support effective design and value propositions in a bid to offer the global market a bigger, newer and more innovative ASEAN show. 

In the next two years, AFIC will continue to roll out initiatives to promote closer relations and cooperation between furniture manufacturing business communities in member countries and regional and international organisations. Actively making recommendations on trade incentives and measures to benefit the ASEAN furniture industries, AFIC aims to further accelerate and harmonise the growth and progress of the furniture and fixture industries regionally with a global consciousness.

C&F ENTERPRISES TO OPEN LAS VEGAS SHOWROOM IN SEPTEMBER ‘09 FASHION-FORWARD GIFT LEADER TO EXHIBIT IN TEMP SPACE AT FEBRUARY 2009 MARKET

C&F Enterprises, Inc. leased a 10,540-square-foot showroom in Building C at World Market Center Las Vegas. C&F Enterprises is one of the leading designers and producers of giftware, decorative accessories, quilted bedding and needlework, everyday linens and holiday merchandise.

The permanent showroom, C-599, will open in the fall of 2009 and will showcase the C&F  line, Gallerie II, and licensed lines such as April Cornell and Colonial Williamsburg. In the interim, C&F will exhibit in temporary space for the Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market in February, according to Jimmy Fang, executive vice president of the Newport News, Va.-based company, who said the Las Vegas showroom will be his company’s first corporate showroom in the western half of the United States.

Fang said the attraction of the growing gift segment in Las Vegas along with the adjoining home furnishing showrooms was a strong attraction to his company.  “Under normal circumstances, we’d grow our business by adding some customers while growing with our existing customers.  In this difficult economy, we need to reach new customers to maintain and grow our business.  We’ve had many requests from customers that no longer attend other shows, asking us to open a Las Vegas Showroom”

This seemed like an ideal time for us to expand into the Las Vegas Market and we’re doing it in a big way.  This will be our 2^nd largest showroom and gives us an opportunity to show our entire line to stores in the western US, many of whom have never had a chance to see our entire line.”

Fang added, “Las Vegas is a destination for not just the western half of the U.S. but the entire United States and the rest of the world. They get a lot of international buyers there. We expect the Las Vegas Market to be successful because people are excited to go to Las Vegas, not just for the Market, but for the city itself.”

C&F Enterprises sells to higher-end retailers, including better department stores, small gift stores and catalogs.  “We certainly expect to broaden our customer base with this new showroom,” Fang said.

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