While there we captured lots of interviews with some of the prime international players in this industry, which may help not only broaden the understanding of how the biggest market in the world is developing, but also shed some light on the companies and people responsible for bringing Chinese flooring product into U.S. floor covering stores.
If you watch any of these conversations among the spate of ones we gathered while in Shanghai, at the very least view the one with David Zhong. David is not only the CEO of VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, the people who produce this show; he’s also the guy that runs the show and dreamed up the whole idea in the first place some 16 years ago.
In our conversation he talks about the growth of Domotex Asia/ChinaFloor, which I expect has now become the world’s largest, and its evolution from a venue primarily to connect western floor covering companies with Asian sources of supply into a show to provide for the rapidly growing residential/commercial Chinese marketplace. David also gives insight into what’s ahead for this show and shares his views on the industry in general.
Among the other conversations from the show you may want to check out is the one with Ray Kwan, general manager, international operations, Elegant Living Group. Elegant Living is a unit of Malaysia-based Samling Global and manufactures hardwood, laminate and LVT, which it offers through at network of franchised stores in China. The company also has partnerships with several well-known western players such as Mannington, Tarkett, CCA and QEP.
Also listen to my interview with Jim Gould, president of The Floor Covering Institute. If you want to get some good insight into this show, Jim is the man. A student of Asia and Domotex Asia/ChinaFloor from the beginning, he chronicles some of the changes that have taken place in this year’s show, the increase not only in the number of exhibitors but the average size of exhibit space these companies occupy in the Shanghai New International Expo Center, as well as the many events that complement the show. A real highlight of the exchange with Jim is what he has turned up during his never-ending pursuit for new and interesting products.
There are also a number of other conversations equally as exciting that we just didn’t have space for here, available in the TalkFloor.com archives. These include great conversations with: Xinyue Huang, director of overseas business at Power Décor; Jeff Galloway, divisional VP, Asia Pacific with Shaw; Thomas Baert, ChinaFloor Lamett; Mike Gagne of Sunergy; Charlie Monroe, Card-Monroe; Per Josefsson and Marcus Bergelin of Valinge; Wanda Ellis of the American Flooring Alliance; Peter Russel from Vitec; and, representing the National Wood Flooring Association, Mark Elwell of Bamboo Flooring Hawaii.
The Chinese market with a population just north of 1.3 billion people, all of whom appear to have a natural bent for entrepreneurship, is indeed a fascinating place. It’s full of burgeoning companies, innovative people and exciting and fresh ideas, and it’s a part of this industry that no one in the rest of the world should turn their backs on. This month’s archives is a quick and easy way for you to stay plugged in to this exciting and mushrooming market without even having to read a single word or spend a cent. Such a deal!
