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Interwood Taipei showcases best of woodworking

The Interwood Taipei trade show is the perfect showcase for the competitive advantages of the nation’s woodworking machinery and supplies industry, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Hsieh Fa-dah (謝發達) said yesterday at the opening of the show.

Featuring saws, shaping, molding and bonding machines, sanders and other woodworking equipment and materials, the show, held once every three years, is set to run through Monday at Exhibition Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center.

GROWING STEADILY

“Exports of Taiwanese woodworking machinery grew steadily in 2007, reaching US$684 million [NT$20.8 billion] and representing an 8.4 percent increase year-on-year,” Hsieh said.

The vice minister said this was the reason why this year’s show had set new records in terms of size and the number of participants.

The expo, organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), showcases 182 domestic and foreign manufacturers in 1,070 booths, representing 7 percent and 10 percent growth respectively compared with the previous show in 2005.

HORDES OF VISITORS

Running for the 10th time, the four-day event is expected to attract at least 4,000 visitors and buyers, including 1,000 from overseas, projections by TAITRA showed.

TAITRA president and CEO Chao Yuen-chuan (趙永全) said at the launch that the show also features a procurement meeting area, for which 32 overseas companies had registered to explore business deals with local manufacturers.

“The meeting is expected to provide an information exchange platform for both exhibitors and buyers to generate greater business opportunities,” Chao said.

MAJOR BRANDS

Major Taiwanese companies including Boarke and Jun Shiau, as well as international brands such as Germany’s Homag and Michael Weinig, are showcasing their latest woodworking products at the expo.

The show also includes a competition for woodworking machinery design and products, with the aim of encouraging innovation in the domestic industry.

Chao said all eight of the winning entries in the competition would be on display at the show.

HIGH-PRICE PRODUCTS

“Taiwan’s woodworking machinery industry needs to target high-price products by integrating high-tech and value-added designs,” he said.

Official tallies show Taiwan is ranked third in the world in terms of the export value of woodworking machinery, behind Germany and Italy.

“However, Taiwan is believed to be No. 1 in terms of the export volume in this industry,” Chao said.
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