Reifen China prepares for sixth show

When Reifen China opens the doors to the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center for the show between 14 and 16 November 2012, it will mark the sixth time that international tyre trade event has been held. And it comes at a good time for European buyers looking to connect with Chinese manufacturers as it is set against a backdrop of continuously increasing capacity and the relaxation of import tariffs against Chinese passenger car tyres bound for America.

The show is once again being organised by German exhibition firm Messe Essen, best known in our industry for putting on the world renowned Reifen show in Essen ever two years, in cooperation with the leading local industry association China United Rubber Corporation. According to the two companies, the Chinese event has been expanding over the time of its existence and is continuing this trend by registering further growth this year.

Over 10,000 exhibitors and numerous leading manufacturers expected

The 2012 show will cover an area of some 12,000 square metres, according to the organisers, with around 130 exhibitors from 14 countries presenting their ranges associated with everything to do with tyres, wheels and even general garage equipment. This time round more than 10,000 trade visitors are expected to attend. Tyres & Accessories will be present once again and will continue is media sponsorship of the 2012 show, an arrangement that our magazine and website has been associated with since the show’s infancy. The German Federal Association of the Tyre Trade and the Vulcanisers' Skilled Trade, also known as Bundesverband Reifenhandel und Vulkaniseur-Handwerk or the BRV, continues in its role as the “ideal sponsor” of Reifen China.

As far as the leading Asian tyre manufacturers are concerned, many will continue long-established support for the show by exhibiting their newest developments. For example the exhibitor list already includes Double Coin Holdings, Shandong Linglong Tyre, Cooper Chengshan, Triangle Tyre, South China Tire & Rubber, GuiZhou Tyre, Aeolus Tyre, Shengtai and Guangzhou Pearl River Rubber Tyre. However exhibitors are not only comprised of Chinese manufacturers, from the outset the show’s organisers have sought to maximise the benefit of the international nature of the even and of China’s position as an influential and growing manufacturing base. That’s why there are also a number of companies from Belgium, Germany, England, India, Italy, Malaysia, Japan, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, the USA, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates that will be exhibiting.

The show’s international nature is emphasised by the fact that exhibitors from all over the world are said to be using Reifen China as a communication platform. This is said to allow them to forge links and pave the way into new sales markets. At the same time, according to the show organisers, this simultaneously contributes to the consolidation of the globally leading position of Reifen Essen. However, this effect is likely to work in the opposite direction too. There are, of course, exceptions. One conspicuous feature in particular is that companies from Eastern Europe are said have become more interested in visiting and exhibiting at Reifen China. For example, Poland will also be represented at the exhibition for the first time this year.

In addition to the show proper, Reifen China is – as it has consistently been since its inception, held in parallel with Rubber Tech China. Rubber Tech China fills the position of a kind of sister event to Reifen China owing to the fact that it specialises on the rubber processing and manufacturing industries, many of which are suppliers to the tyre manufacturers “next door.” As a result some tyre manufacturers with a finger in both pies have been known to exhibit at Rubber Tech with the hope that they will attract pass-by traffic – a symbiotic effect that is likely to be mutually beneficial to both shows. Around 430 exhibitors will show their ranges at this neighbouring event.

Symbolising the synergy between the to events, the “China Forum” is designed to provide an outlook on the latest developments of the market that will be staged within the framework of Rubber Tech China and Reifen China. According to the organisers this part of the week features lectures with speakers from companies such as Siemens, Michelin, Lanxess, VMI, Cabot, Bekaert, Sinorgchem or Lord focusing on legal foundations, new material developments and achievements relating to energy efficiency.