ITMA ASIA + CITME 2008 partners to launch joint promotion at upcoming CITME show in October 5 September 2006, Beijing & Zurich – Partners of the combined textile machinery show, ITMA ASIA + CITME, have planned a series of promotions at their respective shows before the debut of their joint event in July 2008.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2008
will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 27 to 31 July 2008

According to CEMATEX (the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers), CTMA (China Textile Machinery Association), CCPIT-Tex (the Sub Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) and CIEC (China Exhibition Centre Group Corporation), CITME 2006 will be the launchpad of the promotional efforts. CITME closed at the China International Exhibition Centre, Beijing, from 17 to 21 October 2006.

Miss Maria Avery, Secretary-General of CEMATEX commented: “CITME is the most influential and established international textile machinery exhibition in China and it has the support of both the Chinese government and private enterprises. Hence, we will be using it for the official launch of our ITMA ASIA + CITME 2008 show.

“In essence, for the next two years, CEMATEX members will be looking at two key exhibitions around the world to promote their equipment - the ITMA show in Munich in 2007 and the ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition in 2008. Moving forward, this alternate focus on Europe and Asia will provide our members with the necessary global thrust for their promotional strategy.”

Dr Lukas Sigrist, Secretary-General of Swissmem, said: “The global textile machinery calendar is crowded with many showcases. Hence, our members have to be more
selective in supporting exhibitions that deliver results, since it is not possible to support all the shows.

“In terms of cost-effectiveness, the established branding of ITMA ASIA and CITME is unmatched. For this reason, our members will be looking forward to the combined show as the platform for China and the rest of Asia in 2008.”

The majority of the world’s leading textile machinery manufacturers have already indicated their strong support of the 2008 combined event.

Said Mr Peter Gnägi, Chief Executive Officer of Rieter Textile Systems: “As the business world globalises, the challenge is to do more with less. Hence, it is imperative that we manage our resources and ensure maximum Return on Investment. Planning ahead, we will be concentrating on the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2008 show for China, after this year’s CITME exhibition. I believe we can leverage on the strong branding of the two shows and come out with a winner.”

Mr Jan Laga, Vice President, Weaving Machines of Picanol, stated: “The last ITMA ASIA held in Singapore in 2005 was a success for us and the business generated was very encouraging. Therefore, we shall certainly be supporting the combined ITMA ASIA + CITME 2008 show. It is even more essential to participate since China is one of our key markets and because the show will be held in the city of Shanghai, close to many of the textile regions. We will definitely not miss it. In addition, the schedule is ideal for us as we can concentrate on the ITMA exhibition in 2007 and this allows us to focus on one biennial show in China.”

Mr. Tetsuro Toyoda, Chairman of Japanese Textile Machinery Association (JTMA), commented: “We can easily imagine that the most well-known textile machinery show in China (CITME) operated by the ITMA standard quality will be a great success in 2008. We expect to see such synergy with our own eyes, and we trust that this integration shall be beneficial for both customers and textile machine manufacturers. We look forward to exhibiting in 2008.”

For years, Chinese manufacturers have also been hoping for consolidation of the textile machinery exhibition scene. Mr Ye Maoxin, General Manager, JingWei Textile Machinery Co., Ltd, commented: “The combination of two big strong exhibitions is a piece of good news for the industry. It’s timely as local and foreign buyers have been demanding a truly international exhibition. The combination of ITMA ASIA and CITME creates an ideal setting for the organising of the best textile machinery exhibition in China.”

In summing up, Mr. Wang Shutian, Secretary General, CTMA, said: “China’s textile industry has created a huge market for the manufacturing and sales of textile machinery with annual demand averaging US$8 billion. The combination of two mega exhibitions, ITMA ASIA + CITME, will benefit the future development of textile and related industries in Asia. We hope manufacturers from CEMATEX and other countries will bring their best and most advanced machinery to the combined exhibition.”

The first ITMA ASIA + CITME 2008 will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 27 to 31 July 2008. It is organised by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and MP International Pte Ltd. The latter was the organiser of ITMA ASIA 2001 and 2005 in Singapore.