Taipei Int'l Woodworking Machinery & Supplies Show 2008

Taipei, Taiwan, July 15, 2005 – Taipei International Woodworking Machinery and Supplies Show, known throughout the industry as INTERWOOD TAIPEI, triumphantly wrapped up July 4 after four days of dazzling success.

The event, organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) and Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA), attracted 3,826 buyers and visitors from home and abroad. Among them were 831 overseas buyers, a significant 39% increase over the last exhibition. The largest number of foreign visitors came from Japan with 98 visitors, followed by Thailand, Malaysia, the USA, China, Indonesia, Mexico, India, Russia and Philippines. Below is a breakdown of buyer by region and country:

Region	# of buyers	Ratio	Growth rate
Asia	494	59.44%	10%
Europe	117	14.08%	179%
North America	75	9.03%	67%
South America	59	7.10%	268%
Middle East	36	4.33%	140%
Australia and New Zealand	26	3.13%	30%
Africa	21	2.53%	163%
Central America	3	0.36%	0%
Total	831	100%	39%

Country	# of Buyers	Ratio	Growth rate
Japan	98	11.79%	9%
Thailand	82	9.87%	21%
Malaysia	77	9.27%	15%
USA	59	7.10%	84%
China	56	6.74%	30%
Indonesia	45	5.42%	-8%
Mexico	41	4.93%	413%
India	37	4.45%	363%
Russia	32	3.85%	700%
Philippines	23	2.77%	-12%
Other	281	33.81%	37.75%
Total	831	100%	39%

INTERWOOD TAIPEI 2005 grouped together 170 exhibitors from Taiwan and abroad to use 965 booths at the TWTC Exhibition Hall. The show has grown to be the second largest exhibition of its kind in Asia and is the biggest ever held in Taiwan. Among the exhibitors, 10 overseas exhibitors occupied 37 booths. Among them was the world's major brand Homag from Germany that was participating in this show for the first time.

Most of the exhibitors expressed their satisfaction at the outcome of the show, and were especially pleased with the turn out and quality of overseas buyers, the overall planning of the show, and the services offered by the organizers. Bill Hung, Chairman of TWMA as well as President of Boarke Machine Co., pointed out that the number of overseas buyers is significantly higher than the previous show, especially those from the Middle East, India, and Russia. San Ford Machinery Co. is also delighted about the growing of overseas buyers, particularly new visitors from Europe and South America, and they have already received on-site orders from new oversea buyers. Jun Shiau Machinery Co. stated they were quite happy with services offered by the organizers, and were particularly pleased with the one-day tour to the Northeast coast which provided their buyers a good opportunity to enjoy a unique perspective of Taiwan.

Overseas exhibitors like the major brand Homag also praised the quality and value of the exhibition. In recent years Homag has been exploring their markets in Taiwan, China and Southeast Asia, and after setting up a branch company in Taiwan, they also participated in INTERWOOD TAIPEI for the first time. To their surprise they have made contacts with many Taiwanese manufacturers as well as Taiwan users located in China and Southeast Asia. This was also the first exhibition for Suzuko from Japan who actively staged their high quality wood transmission machinery. They are pleased to note that the high efficiency and safety of their products has won them numerous orders from local traders.

The export value of Taiwan-made woodworking machinery amounted to USD 173 million in the period January to March 2005 long, a 10.7% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Export value of woodworking machinery in 2004 reached USD 829 million, a significant 18.7% growth over the previous year. Major markets include North America, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe, and local manufacturers are meanwhile focusing on newly developed markets like India, Turkey and East Europe.

Many overseas buyers highly praised the quality of services at the show, the good turn out of exhibitors, and of course the quality, price and design of products on display. Carlos Garcia Valadez from Alliance in Mexico has already visited INTERWOOD TAIPEI for the third time. He pointed out that Taiwan-made woodworking machinery is of high quality and competitive price. He is happy with the firm business relationship his company has developed with Taiwanese manufacturers. Ernesto A. Gutierrez, CEO of the Columbia company Valores Bavaria, visited the show for the first time and considered the trip quite worthwhile. He considers the show a good trade platform and he plans to introduce Taiwan-made motor and woodworking machinery to Columbian business.

INTERWOOD TAIPEI has clearly positioned itself as a top export-oriented tradeshow, and serves as a perfect trade platform for overseas buyers to source for the best made-in-Taiwan woodworking machinery. That all spells good news, more exhibitions and visitors for the next INTERWOOD TAIPEI that is coming three years from now in July 2008.

Or contact the Publicity Manager:
Sherry Tsai sherrytsai@taitra.org.tw
Tel: 886-2-27255200, ext.2616
Fax: 886-2-27251959
Exhibition Department of TAITRA