17 June 2009,
Shanghai - Despite the current global economic woes, textile machinery makers
remain confident about the long-term prospects of the textile industry in Asia,
especially China. They have given the show owners of ITMA ASIA + CITME 2010 a
vote of confidence by signing up for space in the second combined show.
Although application
forms were only issued last month (the deadline for submission is September),
show owners CEMATEX and its Chinese partners - the Sub-Council of Textile
Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex), China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and
China International Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC) - have already
received applications from all the key industry players, as well as strong
support from various partners and industry associations.
Statistics released
by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) last month painted
a dismal picture of the textile machinery industry, with global textile
machinery shipments declining substantially in 2008. However, on the brighter
side, the vast majority of the shipments headed for Asia as textile makers in
the region continue to invest in upgrading their production facilities to remain
competitive.
The 2008
International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics revealed that:
• Global shipments of short-staple
spindles amounted to 8.6 million in 2008, and Asia absorbed 96% of these, ie
8.3 million.
• Investments in open-end rotors
reached 195,650, with Asia being the main recipient, chalking up 73% of the
total.
• For texturing machinery, shipments
of single heater draw-texturing spindles (for polyamide filaments) totaled
5,230 in 2008, with 90% going to Asia.
• Shipments
of double heater draw-texturing spindles (for polyester filaments) reached
163,000, with 74% headed for Asia.
• For the weaving machinery segment,
investments in shuttle-less looms amounted to 44,800 machines, of which 90%
went to Asia.
• Circular knitting machine shipments
reached 21,150, while electronic flat knitting machines totaled 20,300. Around
87% of the investments for each of the segments went to Asia.
Speaking at the ITMA
ASIA + CITME 2010 press conference held at the Shanghai New International Expo
Centre in Shanghai, Mr Edward Roberts, President of CEMATEX, stated: “These
shipment statistics clearly demonstrate that Asia represents the best market
opportunities for machinery makers, and we look forward to the support of major
manufacturers in our second combined showcase.
“The success of the
first-ever combined show which took place in Shanghai last year has shown that
we have moved in the right direction to meet the needs of the industry by
reducing the number of shows for machinery buyers and sellers alike, thus
reducing their financial burden.”
Also speaking at the
press conference, Mr Gao Yong, President of the China Textile Machinery
Association, said: “We are cautiously optimistic about the combined exhibition
although there is a global decline for machinery demand. China’s textile and
textile machinery scene is still doing well vis-à-vis other markets.
“Green shoots of
economic recovery are sprouting and we are heartened by encouraging news
emerging from the textile sectors. The resurgence of China’s textile industry
is expected as early as next year, and textile and garment exports are
projected to grow 8 percent annually to US$240 billion by 2011.”
In addition to
support from CTMA and CEMATEX’s European member associations, the show is also
supported by other world textile machinery associations –
Japan Textile Machinery Association (JTMA) - special partner
association
- American Textile Machinery Association (ATMA)
- Korea Textile Machinery Association (KOTMA)
- Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI)