The trade mission will target a broad range of products that most ceramic tile/sanitary ware distributors would carry. The goal of the mission is to match participating U.S. importers, manufacturers, and distributors with prescreened manufacturers, design studios, and exporters in each of these product sectors. The mission will include meetings with China's top ceramic tile and sanitary ware industries leaders, manufacturer owners and executives, panel discussions, networking opportunities, one-on-one business meetings, industry briefings by experts, and site visits, as well as the The 14th China International Ceramic Fair which will be the best place to experience what China can offer in the tile and sanitary ware industries.
In just 20 short years, the Chinese tile and sanitary ware industries have emerged from nonexistence to world class OEM manufacturing to leading innovative and creative ODM manufacturing. Today many Chinese manufacturers employ top international design talents to design innovative trend setting products. In 2009 the strong domestic market makes the Chinese manufacturers more competitive in the international markets.
China: According to Tile Council of North America, “China, which accounts for 12.7% of all tile imported to the U.S., continues to make a tremendous impact on the market. It now is the fourth-largest exporter of tile (in sq. ft.) to the U.S., with consumption up 53.9% from 2005.” The importance of China-made tiles can not be treated lightly for both ceramic tile distributors and manufacturers. U.S. is the biggest market for China's ceramic sanitary ware exports, and imports about 1/3 of China's total export annually.
China Ceramics Industry Headquarters (CCIH) is the latest and most ambitious development project of the fast growing ceramic tile industry of China. The new project includes 100 individual buildings with a total building area of over 3. 2 million square feet, and covers a land area of over 2.15 million square feet. CCIH is the second phase project of China Ceramics City, well established ceramic tile and sanitary ware industries’ icon in China. About 1/3 of the venue is dedicated to sanitary ware/kitchen and bath companies/products.
China Ceramics City (CCC) is the key sponsor of this trade mission as well as the must see place for ceramic tiles and sanitary ware in Fo Shan. China Ceramics City has become the portal for China's top ceramic tile manufacturers to international markets, as well as the gateway for global buyers for China made ceramic tiles. With over 530,000 square feet of showrooms and offices, China Ceramics City is the best place to see the highest level of Chinese ceramic tile/sanitary ware (about 50%/50%) production from over 170 show rooms side by side. To meet the growing international demand for China made tiles, every year China Ceramics City holds China International Ceramics Fair twice.
The 14th China International Ceramic Fair is a premier trade show like Coverings and KBIS combined. The show features over 500 ceramic tile and sanitary ware exhibitors from all over China. It has a total area of 2.64 million square foot of exhibiting area covering two venues (China Ceramics City has an area of 580,000 square feet; CCIH has 100 individual buildings with showroom space in excess of over 2.26 million square feet), and attracts over 35,000 attendees all over the world. The fair will showcase the latest product designs and trend.
In China, the trade mission organizers will:
- Provide a market briefing highlighting opportunities in the ceramic tile and sanitary ware sectors.
- Schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant.
- Provide a venue for the one-on-one appointments and provide interpreters as needed.
- Provide networking opportunities with the private and public sectors.
- Organize relevant site visits.
- Provide follow up services if desired.
Saturday, October 17, 2009 (China Time)
- Arrive in Fo Shan
- Registration
- Brief Opening ceremony (30 min)
- Visit CCIH, CCC and The 14th China International Ceramic Fair
- Evening Banquet, great foods and entertainment. Fantastic networking opportunity and
- Visit two to three key factories (tile and sanitary ware participants are separated to respective factories)
- Industry Forum (This has been a great event with great participation from both countries.)
- Evening entertainment and networking with manufacturers' top executives.
- Factory visits
- One-on-one meeting with perspective factories/suppliers
- Mission Accomplished/Optional tour starts
- Ceramic/stone tile distributors and manufacturers
- Sanitary ware distributors and manufacturers
- Potential for business in the selected markets
- Timeliness of the company’s completed application, participation agreement
- Provision of adequate information on the company’s products and/or services and communication of the company’s primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners
- The planned group will be 50 people, about 25 for tile distributors and 25 for sanitary ware distributors. We will also invite some renowned architects and big general contractors to participate the mission.
There will be no trade mission participation fee, and organizers in China will sponsor the trade mission in Fo Shan, and all participants will be responsible for his/her own expenses for the rest of the mission. The sponsored expenses include:
- Luxurious 4 star resort hotel while in Fo Shan
- All meals while in Fo Shan
- Airport and local transportation (excluding personal affairs)
- All sightseeing activities organized by sponsors
- All entertainment activities organized by sponsors
- All business meetings
