Tyrexpo Asia 2009: “We have no Hesitation”

“In these hard times we are very happy that…” – So begins the organiser’s summary of Tyrexpo Asia, which during its seventh running attracted 2,985 visitors (a decrease of 5 per cent on the last time) and 135 exhibitors (an increase of 8 per cent) within an exhibition space unchanged from 2007. While these figures highlight how the exhibition developed, they only show a single snapshot. The sense of increased hesitation to spend money on travelling to and exhibiting at a show was in line with what one would expect in the current market situation. But what bare numbers do not depict is ‘visitor quality’, something that both the organiser and exhibitors noted to be “superior to very good.” Furthermore, Tyrexpo Asia also provided an ideal platform for tyre wholesalers and their suppliers.

Tyre wholesalers in particular seem to be a group that may end up profiting from the current financial and business crisis. They can step in if tyre dealers wish to reduce their inventory, and their exclusive brands can help combat eroding profit margins. On top of this, it is now difficult to imagine the tyre market’s logistics supply chain without wholesalers. Therefore this Singapore tyre exhibition was again an essential date on the calendar for both manufacturers and suppliers of the best-known exclusive and private brands.

On the whole, these companies reported a business environment that is more positive than detrimental. “The exhibition was excellent. We were thoroughly busy and finalised a number of new contracts,” reported Hercules Tire’s Joe Recchia. The crisis didn’t seem to have had a direct threat upon Euro-Tyre, either. “Current developments are only positive for our business,” said Mischa Driessen. “Wholesalers as a whole are profiting from the crisis.” Tyre Trading International also only noticed “a few problems” regarding the international tyre industry’s current situation. Double digit declines in sales have not at any rate apparently been experienced by the exhibitors at Tyrexpo Asia 2009. To the contrary, wholesalers and other exhibitors actually report that additional, unexpected orders have been flowing in since last autumn.

“We have no hesitation in returning to Singapore,” said ECI managing director Paul Farrant. The Southeast Asian metropolis is a “popular and proven venue for our exhibition.” The eighth Tyrexpo Asia will again take place at the Singapore Expo Center, between March 29 and 31, 2011. Whether or not the overall demand situation within the international tyre market will – as generally expected – have again improved by this time is perhaps not of overriding concern to the Tyrexpo Asia organiser, considering its very specific clientele. What is more important is that the exhibition has become relatively well established and enjoys the support of numerous long-time exhibitors.