TIFS 2014 to Be Globally Top-3 Fastener Fair by Booth Number

Initiated by Taiwan's Bureau of Foreign Trade and organized jointly by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), a semi-official trade promoter, and Taiwan Industrial Fastener Institute (TIFI), the Taiwan International Fastener Show (TIFS) will see its third anniversary April 14-15, 2014 in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, as the world's third-largest fastener trade fair by booth number.

According to the organizers, the biennial show that was inaugurated in 2010 will move to the brand new Kaohsiung Exhibition and Convention Center for the first time, having sold out its 800 booths to 350 companies.

TAITRA stated that the TIFS 2014 scores a 52% and 92% growth in the exhibitor and booth number, respectively, compared to its 2012 edition, to be a globally top-three fastener trade fair and remain the biggest in Taiwan. The event will also offer better organization, smoother traffic flow and newer infrastructure.

Of the total exhibitors, over 30% are first-time attendees, mostly attracted by the show's high global profile that draws many global buyers, and therefore product diversity will be enhanced, according to TAITRA.

Encouraging First-time Turnout
These first-time exhibitors include Wei Chi Steel Industrial Co., Ltd., a steel billet and steel bar maker, Chao Jing Precision Machines Enterprise Co., Ltd., a fastener production machine supplier; M-Fun Hardware Industrial Co., Ltd., a rivet nut and extension anchor maker; Wen Yang Machinery Co., Ltd., a bolt former and screw header machine supplier; King Ann Industrial Co., Ltd., a bolt former manufacturer; DYNA Compressor Co., Ltd., a high-pressure air compressor producer; Hung Li Machinery Industrial Co., Ltd., a plating machinery supplier; PointMaster Machinery Co., Ltd., a screw forming machine manufacturer; Chaen Wei Corp., a screw maker; and Din Ling Corp., also a screw manufacturer.

TATRAI says the wide-ranging exhibitors will form a full supply chain, with the TIFS to not just provide foreign buyers a close look at Taiwan's globally competitive fastener industry but also to enable efficient one-stop sourcing.

Fasteners makers will continue to be the majority of the registered exhibitors in the TIFS 2014, including globally known Taiwanese companies as San Shing Fastech Corp., Taiho Tool Mfg. Co., Ltd., Homn Reen Enterprise Co., Ltd., Ho Hong Works Co., Ltd., Fang Sheng Screws Co., Ltd., Tong Hewi Enterprise Co., Ltd., Chun Yu Works & Co., Ltd., Chun Zu Machinery Industry Co., Ltd., Tycoons Group Enterprise Co., etc.

TAITRA emphasizes that about 20% of the total are engaged in fastener production machines and related equipment as thermal treatment facilities and sorting machines, including Chun Zu Machinery Industry Co., Ltd., Jern Yao Enterprise Co., Ltd. and San Yung Electric Heat Machine Co., Ltd., coupled with molds and dies makers as An Chiao Molds Co., Ltd.

The Five Regions Fastener Association Conference 2014 will be held in conjunction with the 3rd TIFS, which, TIFI says, will help boost Kaohsiung's global image as a top fastener manufacturing hub.

Following six decades of development, fastener production is a pillar amid traditional manufacturing in Taiwan. Ably competing globally based on QCSD—quality, cost, service and delivery—the industry exported US$3.8 billion of products in 2012, with export volume reaching 1.38 million tonnes to make Taiwan the world's second-largest exporter of fasteners. Over 80% of Taiwanese fastener manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors are clustered in Taiwan's southern cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan, which underpins TIFS's attraction to foreign buyers.

The TIFS 2012 was held March 13-14, hosting 230 exhibitors and over 20,000 visitors, including more than 1,500 buyers from 63 countries. A number of heavyweight buyers, such as Theo Foerch Gmbh & Co., F. Reyher Nchefg, Gmbh+ Co., Precision Castparts SPS Technologies Fastener Division, Wuerth Industrie Service Gmbh & Co., Hewi G. Winker GmbH etc. sent purchasing agents and directors to the show. (SC)