Don’t you just hate it when you’re driving down the road and people start shooting at you? Apart from the noise and inconvenience involved, a stray bullet can really wreak havoc on your tyres. Fortunately, one Hangzhou, China-based tyre maker has the answer for those who want to avoid weapons-related punctures.
Over the last decade China’s tyre industry has worked hard to overcome the scepticism of many market observers in the West, and today the country boasts a number of brands established as credible players in Europe and North America. Their journey to domestic and international success has been aided by Chinese trade shows, including the annual China International Tire Expo, or CITExpo show. In September, the tenth edition of CITExpo took place in Shanghai. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories at its conclusion, the managing director of the company behind CITExpo reported a very successful show.
SD International reports that it is showcasing its full product portfolio and introducing several new tyres (including the firm’s latest winter ranges in both the Pace and Zeta brands) at CITExpo 2012. The company will also be launching its all-new Briland range for which it holds global distribution rights.
Much has happened in the European tyre market in recent times. Last year’s introduction of the REACH regulations has been of particular interest, as is the run-up to November 2012’s tyre labeling. The second of these has been interpreted by many Chinese tyre makers and distributors as being, in practical terms, a trade barrier intended to make entry into Europe more complicated and expensive. Yet the Chinese appear to be responding pragmatically to the ‘problem’ of Europe. During the CITExpo show in Shanghai the opinion was often voiced that no real problem as such exists, rather a challenge to overcome. And as hardly anyone in China doubts success in this area, in future established western manufacturers in our part of the world can expect the presence of even more competitive, driven Chinese companies.
If the team behind the “Vendetta Tyres“ brand had its way, deliveries to a large chunk of the European tyre market would have already got underway during the course of this year. Yet, as Laree Jane notes, success in Europe involves building up both a new brand and customer relationships, and the director of Melbourne, Australia-based Vendetta International Pty. Ltd is confident of achieving this soon. Sales of Vendetta tyres began last year in the Australian home market and the brand will shortly be present in Canada, Argentina and Ireland, Vendetta’s first market in Europe. Vendetta International now has its eyes on entering further replacement markets; the company is seeking agencies in the UK and other European countries. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories, Laree Jane explained the company’s plans for Europe and what Vendetta International has to offer.
Visitors to next month’s CITExpo in China will be given the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest regulations in North America in China. Show organiser Reliable International Exhibition Services reports that officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the US Department of Transportation, the Chinese Tire Standardization and Technology Committee and the Chinese National Product Quality Bureau will hold a seminar during the show. “Professionals from the Chinese tyre manufacturers may take this unique opportunity to refresh their knowledge in ensuring their products to meet the required standards,” the organiser commented in a statement.
The July edition of Tyres & Accessories is now online our e-paper format. July's magazine features special reports on EDIWheel, EM/OTR tyres and manufacturing machinery, plus reviews of Automechanika Middle East, Autopromotec and a preview of the forthcoming CITExpo in Shanghai. Subscribers can simply click more to view the latest issue.
Although this year’s CITExpo is still several months’ away, the organiser of the Shanghai-based show reports that nearly 200 exhibitors have already booked space. As a result, halls one and two of the Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center are already fully occupied and the organiser says the planned exhibition space in hall three is currently being “booked aggressively.” Reliable International Exhibition Services, the shows organiser, claims it is ready for this, the ninth CITExpo held, to be the largest ever – the 2011 show is expected to have a floor space of over 22,000 square metres and host major Chinese manufacturers plus international brands such as Cooper ChengShan Tire. The 6th Automotive Testing Expo will be held in the week following CITExpo.
CITExpo, the Shanghai tyre and trade and industry exhibition, has announced the dates for its 2011 show. The ninth edition of CITEXPO will be held in the same venue – Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center – from 7-9 September 2011.
In recent months Techking has been in the spotlight because of its entry into the passenger car tyre market, yet during CITExpo the Chinese OTR tyre specialist’s exhibition presence was also very much aligned towards the commercial vehicle sector. Techking’s aim was to present itself to its professional customers around the world as a solutions provider rather than just a supplier of tyres, explained market manager James Wang when speaking with Tyres & Accessories: “We want to offer service focusing on tyre management.” Techking presented one such service at the exhibition, namely its “Total Tire Management System” (TTMS).
Unlike for many in the tyre industry, for commercial agent SD International 2009 did not lead to the much feared recession. As managing director Mike Zhang explained during the CITExpo show, last year’s company turnover was able to hold its own in comparison with 2008 levels – a feat that, in light of the global drop in demand that particularly affected tyres from China, can be considered a glowing success. For the current year the managing director of the 2002 established company is making an even more positive prediction: he expects a doubling – or more – of turnover from its own brands. European sales will be the largest driving force behind this sales increase, however Zhang adds it will also come from Oceania and South America.
At this year’s CITExpo, Best Choice International Trade didn’t just present a large portion of its existing range – visitors were also shown a new brand. By the end of the year this new line-up, produced under the “Mazzini Tyres” name, should be available in 13 sizes between 15 and 18-inches. As export manager Stephen Wu explained, the Mazzini brand will be separately positioned in the market to the company’s existing “Sunew” own brand. “We wanted a new brand for new customers,” elucidated Wu, stressing that the necessity to supply various distribution channels with a variety of brands. In light of this the company is looking around the world, particularly in Western Europe, North America, Australia and Japan, for new distributors.
This year the China International Tire Expo – CITExpo for short – once again broke records. The show’s organiser states that the three-day exhibition was visited by more than 7,400 tyre experts. Last year Reliable International Exhibition Services registered the attendance of 6,320 visitors, which means that this year’s CITExpo, the eighth held, enjoyed 17 per cent visitor growth. This year’s numbers also well exceeded the show held in 2008 – before the global crisis – for which only 6,860 visitors made their way to the Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center. At this year’s show, 60 per cent of visitors came from various regions throughout China, and the remaining 40 per cent from 92 countries around the world.
The organiser of the Shanghai based China International Tire Expo (CITExpo) tyre fair, Reliable International Exhibition Services, has issued statistics from the 2010 show. Managing director Wilko Fong states that between September 8 and 10, some 7,400 visitors from 92 countries and regions attended the show. From this number, 40 per cent were international visitors. The 22,000 square metres of exhibition area was occupied by 290 exhibitors during this year’s show.
The organiser of the Shanghai based CITExpo exhibition, Reliable International Exhibition Services, reports the signing up of even more international exhibitors for September’s tyre show. Managing director Wilko Fong reports that exhibitors from Belarus, Korea and Taiwan have recently confirmed their presence at CITExpo next month. Furthermore, Fong states that many exhibitors have already booked stand space for 2011, and the majority of those doing so have decided to reserve an even larger display area for next year’s show.
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