David Connett’s thoughts on the Zhuhai conference
The Asia Pacific market for consumables is already a large market accounting for around twenty five percent of the global market and the annual growth is running at around eleven percent at the moment. Asia Pacific is just part of the BRIC (
Wherever you are based in the world, some of the parts or cartridges you buy will have probably come from the Asia Pacific region. The centre of the industry in the region is Zhuhai and about forty thousand people work in the industry and the surrounding region. Zhuhai produces around four million cartridges a month, plus ribbons and inkjet compatibles, bags, seals, toner, ink, etc.
Having such a large audience in one place makes it a good place to run a magazine and have a conference and trade show. But starting a new trade show is always a bit of a challenge; despite all the management speak about empowering your staff, you do get involved in every aspect of the show. Some of my team might consider it interfering and who knows, they may be right. But establishing a show half way around the world does present the odd management challenge or two.
Our one day Premax conference was well attended, with around 200 delegates and a full programme of presentations from speakers across the industry. Lyra’s Charlie Brewer gave a very good insight into the market as a whole and his colleague Jiqiang Rong gave an enlightened presentation on the aftermarket brand penetration in the domestic Chinese market. While the colourful IP lawyer, Ed O’Connor, gave a presentation on Intellectual Property as it really is. I learnt more about the wider Chinese industry listening to Mr Gong Bin Long [check] as he gave an inspired presentation on the wider issues of the local industry in
As the conference ended, it was a quick trip back to the hotel to change for the Gala Dinner, in aid of the Chinese Red Cross and children with Leukaemia. It was a very special night and it raised almost two million RMB.
Remax trade show opened promptly on Thursday morning, following the grand opening ceremony, attended by the deputy Mayor of Zhuhai. Colourful to say the least, I was concerned that the rain would put everyone off, but the Deputy Mayor assured us that rain was good as it meant “money”. The show was busy all day and at times it was difficult to get around without jostling into someone.
Thursday afternoon saw the first every Innovation Awards sponsored by Print Rite. This was a very impressive event, showcasing just how many people in the industry are working on R&D and developing technology that is then patented. As an industry we have amassed a huge volume of patents