Show Review

Buyers see 26% more booths at biggest-ever spring electronics show

Global Sources' biggest-ever spring edition of the China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components concluded successfully at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo on April 15, 2008.

With a huge product selection of 2,400 booths in 12 product pavilions covering 8 exhibition halls, the 4-day fair attracted tens of thousands of international buyers who came to source hot new electronics from quality China and Asian suppliers.

The fair has grown four times since the first show in 2003 — this April show alone featured 26 percent more booths than the previous spring. Besides, the China Sourcing Fair presents buyers with a large number of China suppliers - 1,800 booths at this year's spring show, a number that has been increasing at 33 percent year-on-year.

As Peter Newell from Australia's Nottage International Pty Ltd said, "Obviously [I've come to the show because of] the competitive prices China offers. And also, we find that doing business with China is very easy compared to other countries. I have been to previous shows and this one is the best of all."

Sarah Benecke, Executive Director of Global Sources, also remarked, "The huge success of the China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components this spring is a testament to the strong demand from all over the world for quality electronic products from Greater China."

Comprehensive buyer services for efficient sourcing
The China Sourcing Fair is organized by Global Sources, the second largest trade show organizer in Hong Kong. A leading business-to-business media company with 37 years of experience in facilitating global trade, Global Sources brings a wealth of experience into organizing the fair. One of its initiatives was to introduce of a series of free buyer services to help buyers source more effectively at the show.

Two feature zones showcasing new products were used to give buyers fresh sourcing inspiration and supplier leads: the New Product Gallery displayed next season's hot products from selected exhibitors, while the Brand Zone featured innovative exhibitors building their own household brands. Free Internet access, lounging areas and industry sourcing tools were available at the Buyers' Lounges, while the Wine & Cappuccino Bar served drinks like wine, beer and coffee to help buyers get refreshed.

Other specialized services at the fair included Asia's most extensive free conference program, which covered hot trade topics such as selecting the right suppliers, quality control and shipping and logistics. A unique 'Ask the Experts' service - free 10-minute one-on-one consultations - featured industry experts who offered buyers personalized advice and solutions for their sourcing problems.

Free buyer transport services were also available to save buyers' time and hassle in getting to the show. Pre-registered buyers received coupons to redeem free tickets for the Airport Express, which provides fast and efficient transport to AsiaWorld-Expo from key downtown locations. Eight shuttle bus lines also ran daily at ten to thirty minute intervals to take buyers to and from the fair.

Vast product selection attracts global volume buyers
The China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components featured over 2,400 booths of quality China and Asian suppliers that manufacture for world-famous international brands. Hoards of buyers visited the show to meet these competitive suppliers, as 95% of them do not participate in other regional trade shows.

Moreover, the fair's products were arranged into12 convenient pavilions, all on ground level halls for easy navigation. These pavilions included Computers & networking; Consumer electronics; Electronic components; GPS products; Healthcare & personal care electronics; In-car electronics; Telecom & wireless; Security products; and VoIP & WiFi products. Three new pavilions have been added this year in response to growing demand and market sophistication: Digital entertainment; Digital video broadcast; and Interconnection technology.

"I'm constantly seeing new products here — there's quite a variety," said Bernard Ruberg, Director of Square Plan CC, South Africa. "It seems they've [the fair's suppliers] been innovating all the time. I will definitely [come back next time]."

"The atmosphere is good, it is very organized, very roomy, lots of space and quite a number of exhibitors. It is easier to choose," Ruberg added.

In addition, quality suppliers from a vast number of countries and regions were represented at this year's spring show. While more than 75% of the booths were from mainland China, the show also featured new designs from Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, plus electronics from India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Turkey, USA, Canada and Germany.

"I guess the best thing about the fair is the fact that you have such a vast volume of manufacturers in one place," added Stuart Andary of NiAlma Australia. "It's amazing - you come for two or three days and solve problems and source products that normally take you three or four months."

With so many quality products and suppliers to choose from, it is no wonder many of the industry's high-profile buyers come to the China Sourcing Fair for their routine sourcing. Volume buyers who have attended the show include renowned brands like Chubb, Cisco, Hitachi, Hyundai, LG Electronics, NEC, Philips, Panasonic, RadioShack, Sanyo, Samsung, Siemens and Sony. In last April alone, the fair registered over 30,000 buyers from 142 countries and regions.

"We have seen a large number of repeat buyers at the Electronics & Components show such as Fujitsu, Siemens, Li & Fung, Monster Cable, Panasonic, Philips and RadioShack which is a testament to the consistently successful business platform we provide at the China Sourcing Fairs," remarked Tommy Wong, General Manager of Global Sources.

More sourcing opportunities at Dubai and Mumbai China Sourcing Fairs
As the global market becomes more competitive, more and more buyers are looking to tap fast-growing supply markets like China to retain their competitive edge. For this reason, the China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components is due to take place later this year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (June 9-11) and in Mumbai, India (November 14-16).

"Cash-rich Dubai offers access to 1.5 billion consumers in surrounding countries and regions, while India is the second most populous country in the world with a fast-expanding middle class," explained Global Sources Executive Director Sarah Benecke.

"And, with only 30 percent of its electronic products made in India, there are many opportunities for suppliers from Greater China," she added.

Stefan Magnusson, Area Sales Manager of Compomill Nordic Components, Sweden, regards the China Sourcing Fair as a "competitive fair" because it gives him important access to quality China suppliers - including a significant community of suppliers who manufacture hard-to-find electronic components.

"We have been coming to this Fair for several years. We have seen about 80 suppliers today, and it's within the electronic components only," Magnusson exclaimed.

"Especially in those product areas where we face serious competition, we need to be able to globally offer competitively priced products to our customers. That's why we have to have suppliers that are either Chinese companies or have production in China," he added.

Buyers like Magnusson find great value at the China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components, where the number of China suppliers has been increasing 33 percent year-on-year. The fair gives him and other international buyers a wider choice of competitive products and suppliers to respond to today's fast-changing market needs.

The China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components will be back on October 12-15 at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo. It will also be held in Dubai (June 9-11) and in Mumbai (November 14-16) to provide more buyers the opportunity to source direct from quality China and Asian suppliers.

More Show News reports