You are here

Texcare Asia: Shanghai Showcase

SHANGHAI, China — Here, you’ll find a booming tourism market, increasing investment in energy-efficient equipment, greater environmental awareness, a push to renovate or build hotels and hospitals, and a growing middle class that’s becoming more fashion- and hygiene-conscious.
All indicators point to growth for textile care in China, and Messe Frankfurt and the China National Light Industrial Machinery Corp. (CNLIMC) are trying to capitalize on that fact by organizing Texcare Asia – the International Trade Fair for Modern Textile Care – here less than two years after its last showing in Beijing.
The three-day event beginning Wednesday at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre will cover nearly 108,000 square feet (10,000 square meters) – about 25% larger than the 2005 show. Texcare Asia ’05 drew 5,259 visitors from 52 countries; this year’s exhibitor list totaled approximately 120 companies as of Aug. 20.
“Texcare Asia is the most important international event for the textile cleaning and laundry industry in China this year,” says Elgar Straub, managing director of VDMA, German Garment and Leather Technology Association.
Alliance Laundry Systems, American Dryer Corp., Chicago Dryer Co., Dexter Laundry, G.A. Braun, Leonard Automatics, Pellerin Milnor Corp. and Tingue, Brown & Co. will be among the United States-based exhibitors. Foreign-based exhibitors with a U.S. presence will include Electrolux, Girbau, Jensen, Kannegiesser, SailStar and Trevil, among others.
Away from the show floor, the fair will feature the Professional Textile Care Academy (PTCA), a special two-day conference and networking program designed to bring the European textile care industry’s expertise to a China that’s hungry for the knowledge.POPULAR AND PROSPEROUS
This month's fair will be roughly 25% larger than the Beijing show in 2005.
China’s booming economy, combined with the relaxation of laws regarding overseas companies setting up shop in China, means that now is the perfect time for international companies to enter this dynamic market, show organizers say.
Manufacturers and suppliers new to Asia will have the chance to expose their brands, observe industry trends and meet with distributors from throughout the Far East. Companies already present in Asia will be able to expand their distribution network, increase international brand recognition and review their market positioning.
Many factors are contributing to China’s growth. The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts that by 2020, China will be the top tourist destination for overseas visitors. The number of foreign tourists is predicted to reach 64 million in just three years.
This increase in international tourism – spurred by the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 – has resulted in hotels and hospitals investing in new laundry and drycleaning equipment to meet international standards. In Shanghai alone, 300 new hotels will be built and 400 more renovated before the World Expo.
A shortage of energy resources and a rapidly growing demand for energy has led the Chinese government to make energy efficiency a top priority, introducing tax incentives for manufacturers and end users. Consequently, a number of hotels, hospitals, commercial laundries and drycleaners in China are investing in new water- and energy-efficient laundry and drycleaning equipment.LEARNING FROM EUROPE
The European textile care industry leads the world in a number of areas, Texcare’s organizers say, and show patrons will be able to take advantage of their expertise at Professional Textile Care Academy (PTCA) sessions.
Organized by the International Committee of Textile Care (CINET), CNLIMC and Messe Frankfurt, PTCA will allow attendees to learn valuable business strategies and solutions from their European counterparts, as well as gather knowledge about recent technical developments.
PTCA will be presented in two parts: a two-day workshop comprised of seminars and discussions, and an evening conference/networking event where attendees can socialize and exchange information.
Key topics will include business practices, market trends, new technologies, quality standards, and environmental issues. Experts from leading European companies and institutes will lead the sessions.
The first day will focus on the textile rental and service market, while the second day will focus on consumer applications and financial issues.
A cocktail reception and dinner banquet at a hotel near the exhibit hall will provide the backdrop for the networking event. Some 250 people are expected to participate, including suppliers from all over the world, industry professionals from across China, and government representatives.
To learn more about Texcare Asia or to register for the event online, visit www.texcare.com.

Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].