First Reifen China exceeds expectations; prompts follow up event

ERJ staff report (SS)

Germany -- The first Reifen China which took place in November 2007 at the New International Exhibition Centre in Shanghai, in parallel with Rubber Tech China, attracted 12 162 visitors from 36 countries, making the conference a “great success” and prompting event holders to schedule a follow up fair from 4-6 Dec 2008.

The fair “has exceeded the expectations by far,” said a spokesperson for the event, in a 10 Jan email to ERJ. A total of 90 exhibitors from 15 nations participated in "Reifen China" which was staged by Messe Essen in cooperation with BRV (Bundesverband Reifenhandel und Vulkaniseurhandwerk) as well as the CURC (China United Rubber (Group) Company).

"The idea of offering the industry associated with all aspects of wheels and tyres a fair platform in the booming Asian market for the first time is going down well with the Asian specialists," said Dr Wolfgang Reiniger, lord mayor of Essen and chairman of the supervisory board of Messe Essen, in the statement.

The leading trade associations from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand have reiterated their support for the event which aims to open up new sales channels for exhibitors by placing Essen's fair subjects in foreign growth markets and, at the same time, to anchor the position of Essen's leading international fairs all over the world.

"In view of the declarations of intent from the Chinese management of the tyre manufacturers Bridgestone and Goodyear which want to be represented as exhibitors at the second Asian Essen Tire Show in 2008, I am certain that, in the long term, the tyre fair in Shanghai will become established as an ideal, enduring communication and information platform for all the companies connected with the tyre business,” said Peter Hülzer, executive chairman of BRV.