Having just returned from Taiwan, Executive Editor Phil Matten assesses the prospects for next year’s Fastener Taiwan 2016 show at the modern Kaohsiung Exhibition Center.
In 2014 Fastener Taiwan was staged for the first time at the newly constructed Kaohsiung Exhibition Center in the southern Taiwan city’s harbour redevelopment area. The move transformed the event, providing sorely needed additional exhibition space and a massive improvement in the quality and attractiveness of the venue. 350 exhibiting companies, including this magazine, were there to welcome some 1,750 overseas buyers and more than 24,000 local visitors over the two day event.
The well designed and airy two halls, either side of a well provisioned central atrium, allowed Taiwanese fastener manufacturers – for the first time – to really demonstrate pride in their industry and its capabilities through the scale and presentation of their stands. Crucially the new exhibition centre in Kaohsiung meant the show could expand but continue to be located in the heart of Taiwan’s main fastener industry cluster. There are around 700 fastener companies within a half hour drive of the exhibition centre, and exhibitors took full advantage, inviting many buyers to their production facilities either side of the show days.
The co-location of the Five Region Fastener Association Conference brought high-level delegates from Japan, mainland China and Korea to mix with buyers from the USA, Europe and the rest of Asia.
In 2014 then, Fastener Taiwan came of age and justifiably joined the ranks of the most important fastener shows across the world. The key difference remains that this is a showcase for the Taiwanese industry, although 2016 will for the first time see a more significant content of non-Taiwanese exhibitors.
The 2016 show will once again be jointly organised by the Taiwan Bureau of Foreign Trade and Kaohsiung City Government, and delivered by the Taiwan Industrial Fastener Institute and the country’s export development agency, TAITRA. It will be longer, extending to three days at the request of exhibitors who wanted more time to engage with all the visitors. The next show will also be bigger, through more skilful use of the two halls it will accommodate 400 exhibitors occupying a net exhibition area of around 9,000m². All of that space is taken and TAITRA says it is already operating a waiting list. Exhibitors will again cover the full range of fastener and fixing products manufactured in Taiwan, together with wire rod product, fastener manufacturing equipment and tooling, inspection technologies and installation systems. TAITRA has released a key exhibitor list (see below), which underscores the calibre of participants.
As before, Fastener Taiwan 2016 will arrange 1-to-1 procurement meetings between international buyers and Taiwanese producers. There will also be a Global Fastener Leader Summit and Gala Dinner, expected to attract around 800 international visitors and exhibitors, including representatives from the world’s fastener distribution and manufacturing associations.
TAITRA is emphatic about the role of the show. “Fastener Taiwan is the only international B2B fastener show in Taiwan. Serving as a trading platform for sourcing and procurement, Fastener Taiwan features a complete range of fastener products. It perfectly illustrates Taiwan’s status as ‘The Kingdom of Screws’ and provides an outstanding representation of the highly integrated supply chain of Taiwan’s fastener industry.”
The organisers also know they are building on a solid and improving track record. “98% of overseas buyers rated the 2014 show as ‘excellent’ and promised they would be back. 85% of exhibitors also vowed to return, a level of commitment that has already been thoroughly demonstrated.”
The world significance of Taiwan as an advanced fastener producer is no doubt. In 2014 Taiwan fasteners exports grew 10% to reach 1.55 million tonnes worth some US$4.3 billion – extraordinary for an island that actually has a smaller landmass than Denmark. Exports are critical to the fastener industry and indeed to Taiwan’s economy, accounting for 90% of total fastener production and explaining the extraordinary level of energy and professionalism being poured into the 2016 event.
Expect it to be a very busy but rewarding three days in Kaohsiung.
Will joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine in 2007 and over the last 15 years has experienced every facet of the fastener sector - interviewing key figures within the industry and visiting leading companies and exhibitions around the globe.
Will manages the content strategy across all platforms and is the guardian for the high editorial standards that the Magazine is renowned.
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