ACLE - 10 Years Old Already (and the best still to come)

The All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2008 with the event being held from 3 - 5 September, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Pudong, Shanghai, China. Since its inception in 1998 ACLE has expanded steadily, year-on-year, reflecting the growing importance of the Chinese leather and footwear industries within the global economy. It is now widely accepted as being the premier event for those in the international leather industry seeking to do business in China. Besides being the world's largest footwear exporter with 8.175 billion pairs in 2007, China also imported more than US$7 billion of leather (all types), components for shoes. machinery for tanning and shoes, machinery components, bags and travelware, leather garments, leather shoes, leather gloves, fur garments and equipment for football/basketball/volleyball. Figures compiled by the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) in their Annual Report for 2007 indicate that imports of wet blue achieved a record value of US$1.3 billion, up 32%, and finished leather was US$3.1 billion. These are huge quantities required to feed the finished goods and footwear production lines of Chinese factories. China - Import of Leather and Leather Products in 2007 USD x 1,000 Item Unit Jan.-Dec.2007 Compared % 2006 　 　 Volume Value Volume Value Raw hides and skins 1,000 ton 996 1,620,624 4.1 12.7 Semi-& finished leather 1,000 ton 1,083 4,344,208 -0.5 5.2 Components for shoes 1,000 ton 29 299,044 -9.9 -8.9 Machinery for tanning and shoes   5,757 52,428 -34.7 -25.9 Machinery components ton 510 7,506 　 　 Bags & traveling goods 　 　 354,054   50.7 Leather garments 1,000 pieces 102 26,838 72.7 82.9 Leather shoes 10,000 pairs 1,131 307,899 41.9 48.3 Leather gloves 1,000 pieces 636 2,046 97.5 62.9 Fur garments kg 11,827 4,335 0.8 -9.1 Football/basketball/volleyball 1,000 pieces 1,571 3,397   39.4 Total 　 　 7,022,380 　 9.1 Source: China Leather Industry Association - Annual Report for 2007 ACLE is the ideal platform from which to market and sell wet blue, crust and finished leather, machinery and components to Chinese tanneries, as well as components and accessories to Chinese footwear factories. Last year (2007) ACLE attracted 15,117 visitors: of which 12,384 came from Mainland China. In order to maintain the level of senior buyers from China, ACLE carries out intensive promotion to key buyers throughout China. This promotion includes: · Advertising in trade media and wholesale centers for leather products · Telemarketing in major cities in China · Direct marketing to more than 60,000 targeted buyers · Press releases to alert industry media · Electronic news and promotion on the Internet · Press conferences in major cities in China ACLE is organised jointly by APLF, who bring over a quarter of a century's experience in organising international leather trade fairs, and the CLIA. The exhibition is the leading and most international leather and materials event in Mainland China. ACLE offers a bridge into China for consolidating existing clients or establishing new client contacts. There were a total of 984 exhibitors in 2007, and 2008 is set to exceed this number Act now and do not hesitate to take full advantage of ACLE's unparalleled reach into the Chinese leather and footwear sectors. To reserve your, please stand contact sales@aplf.com. Your local agent will assist you maximize the potential of your participation in China's most successful and international leather trade event. Don't delay. Stand positions within the exhibition are allocated on a 'first come - first served' basis. For more information visit: http://www.aplf.com/ If you wish to contribute to the APLF News, with your experiences in the industry, your observations, or general thoughts on the direction the industry is going, we would like to hear from you.  Email: sales@aplf.com