The All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE), China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) and Moda Shanghai 2004 concluded with resounding success on 3rd September 2004 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The 2004 fairs presented an extensive array of leathers and related products, with 906 exhibiting companies from 35 countries and regions, an increase of 23% over last year. The 2004 fairs covered over 35,000 square metres of gross exhibition area, an increase of 50% over 2003.

Excellent response from exhibitors

Known as Mainland China's best venue to meet the decision-makers in the leather industry, ACLE 2004 received excellent response from the exhibitors. Mr. Gus Siokis, manager of the U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association, said, "This is the fourth time we have exhibited at ACLE. Our companies received millions of US dollars' worth of business during the three-day show. This year, our pavilion is larger than ever. China is a very important market for US hide and leather suppliers and we expect to have a larger pavilion at ACLE next year!"

Ms. Perrine Ardouin, Senior Event Manager of the Asia Pacific Leather Fair Ltd, said, "We are pleased to announce that 11 international pavilions from Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Korea, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the USA, have confirmed their participation in next year's Fair, and five of them will expand their exhibition space as a result of good business achieved at ACLE2004." She went on to add, "Mainland China is a market in need of the best and latest leather products and tanning technologies. ACLE is the best platform for global suppliers to meet with key players in this promising market!"

The industry events that bring quality buyers and products together

ACLE, CIFF and Moda Shanghai 2004 attracted 14,980 trade visitors from 78 countries and regions, which is an increase of 20% over 2003. Mr. Tony Yao of BST International Inc. said, "We import hides, skins and upholstery leather from England, Ireland, the USA, Belgium, Germany, and Henan province in China. I have been coming to the Fair for seven years and this year, I have placed orders worth more than US$20,000 with the suppliers on-site in the first two days. ACLE has created a perfect trading environment and a great opportunity to find new suppliers." 

Exhibitors' profile match perfectly the needs of buyer

ACLE, CIFF and Moda Shanghai present a wide range of leather products. ACLE focuses on leather-making technology, leather goods and raw materials, while CIFF and Moda Shanghai feature footwear products and the latest fashion goods.

At ACLE 2004, raw materials played a major role, accounting for over 50% of the exhibiting companies, followed by tanning machinery, process chemicals and dyes, which account for 15% and 10% respectively. According to the buyers' survey conducted during the Fair, over 70% of the surveyed buyers aimed to source raw materials at ACLE.

Related statistics also reflect that 55% of the buyers come to the Fair to source new suppliers, new items and to place orders, while 22% of them come to collect market/product information and 18% of them come to consolidate contacts. One satisfied buyer was Ms. Michelle Huang of Lifestyle Enterprise in Mainland China. She said, "We are a US company producing leather sofas in China and we sell to the USA, Canada, and Europe. ACLE is definitely the place to get the latest trends and information. I will come back again next year." 

The survey also revealed that over 80% of the surveyed participants were CEOs, managers or merchandisers and 10% were engineers and chemists. These groups of buyers played a major role in the decision-making process. "We are a leather garment manufacturer and our products are sold all over China. Every year, we purchase about US$ 2 million worth of hides and skins from Spain, Italy and China. The quality of exhibitors and products at the Fair is very good and the number of product categories increase every year," commented Mr. Kong Xian Ding of Aobao (China) Co Ltd from Beijing, Mainland China. 

Running concurrently with ACLE was CIFF and Moda Shanghai 2004. The two events hosted 193 exhibiting companies from 8 countries and regions, including 3 group pavilions representing India, Japan and Taiwan. 

Fashion footwear (42%) was the major category of the exhibits, followed by garment (30%), handbags and leather goods (11%). This exhibits' profile matched with the buyers' interest as indicated in the result of the survey conducted on-site: 31% on footwear, 18% on handbags, 12% on garment and 10% on wallets. The high quality buyers, of which 60% were agent, wholesaler, importer and exporter, retailer and department store, were satisfied with the results obtained at CIFF and Moda Shanghai. The CIFF and Moda Shanghai are indeed, the perfect business-matching platform for footwear, handbags and fashion accessories industry in Mainland China. 

The next ACLE, CIFF and Moda Shanghai will be held from 7 to 9 September 2005 at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center.