Back for Seconds…

Reifen China, unlike the long-established Reifen show in Essen, Germany, is an annual event. Therefore, a sequel to the show’s successful 2007 debut is already due. Between December 4 and 6, 2008, the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) will again be filled with the aroma of the round objects and the buzz of deals being made. Tyres & Accessories plans to be there, and we’ll be far from lonely….

Last year some 5,800 visitors from 41 countries converged upon Shanghai to attend the 1st Asian Essen Tire Show (Reifen China). There they were met by 88 exhibitors, with the exhibitors’ list reading like a who’s who of the Chinese tyre industry. Giti Tire, Hangzhou Zhongce, Shandong Ling Long, Triangle, South China Tyre, Shanghai Tyre, Beijing Capital Tyre, Aeolus and others had a presence at the show, and this was topped off with a healthy smattering of global manufacturers. Amongst the latter was Marangoni, who later praised the Reifen China exhibition.

“We were completely satisfied with the organisation and high degree of quality of the event,” stated a Marangoni representative. “This event is the first show in China which can compete with the other big international tyre fairs. The name and know-how of Messe Essen was the decisive element that contributed to the success of the event. The Marangoni Group has already firmly planned its participation in the next Reifen China in its budget for 2008.”

Marangoni and the other manufacturers of tyres, casings and tubes made up 68 per cent of exhibitors in 2007. Of the remainder, tyre industry associations, institutions and media – including yours truly – were the next largest group, accounting for 16 per cent of exhibitors. Tyre accessory businesses made up the next 11 per cent, and plant equipment, tools and IT solutions the rest.

What set Reifen China apart from other Chinese tyre exhibitions was the high concentration of well-known Chinese tyre manufacturers. The 2007 Reifen China show was the first time Tyres & Accessories had witnessed so many of the leading tyre manufacturers from China exhibiting in the same space. It thus appears that the cooperation of co-organiser, the China United Rubber (Group) Corporation (CURC), not to mention the weight this association carries with the Chinese authorities, really helped to make the first Reifen China a success. In fact several high-level representatives from Chinese tyre manufacturers reported that they “felt obliged” to help make the first Reifen China a success.

Reifen China will in 2008 again be held alongside RubberTech China (the 8th International Exhibition on Rubber Technology, to give its full name). Organised by the CURC, this trade show has been held since 1999 – annually since 2004 – making it a veteran amongst industry shows in this part of the world. Originally known as Tyres & RubberTech China, this exhibition has since 2007 focuses more exclusively on rubber materials such as chemicals and production machinery, permitting Reifen China to develop into an event that can relevantly cater to all aspects of the tyre industry.

Online visitor pre-registration is available until November 20 at the reifenchina.com website. Each pre-registrant will receive a confirmation letter via e-mail and will be given a free copy of the show catalogue, to be collected from the exhibition’s on-site pre-registration counter. Pre-registration is free.