With the arrival of 2000, The People's Republic of China celebrates its 50th anniversary while Sipco, publisher of Fabrics & Furnishings International begins its 10th year. Thanks to all of you for getting us to this point. We appreciate the support from the industry and are happy to make a continuing contribution to it.

With the great interest in China as a relatively new resource to the decorative fabric world, we wanted to emphasize this emerging player in the world market in the 10th anniversary issue of F&FI. 2000 is also the year of the dragon, which the Chinese regard as a symbol of power and good luck!

China represents a great opportunity to do business. It has been estimated that there are 1,200 fabric mills in China, some with just one loom but there are several mills in the $5-$7 million annual sales range.

China may also become a place to sell some of your own products. For the first time, Chinese consumers will be able to borrow mortgage money at low rates in order to buy their homes. This will increase sales of home furnishings. Some European, Australian and American mills are already doing business with China; a few of these have been doing business in China for many years. With 1.2 billion people in China, a quarter of the world's population, think of the possibilities to do business there either directly or through a joint venture with Chinese partners.

At the moment, however, China's contribution to the industry is primarily as a source of low-priced goods. Chinese mills have made a business with old equipment and cheap labor. And, in the short term, Chinese suppliers will give competitors a hard time by copying designs at lower prices. (Italian-made amberlins or medallion-striped designs have been copied and the market gutted by Chinese suppliers at $3.50 a yard. Prints have been copied for $2 or less.) Ultimately, the country will have to make a contribution to original design. China has behind it a 5,000-year history of art and history. Wouldn't it be great if the Chinese could draw on their rich design history and tradition and thereby take a front row seat in the world of fabrics as a style leader?

It should be said that some in China are trying to create imaginative fabric designs. The early stages of home-made CAD systems are in use at the university and commercial level. However, more effort will be required in the way of product and design development by the Chinese mills.

We hope you enjoy this issue and its focus on China as well as our section covering the major shows that took place in autumn. Also, F&FI has added a regular technology section to its pages in order to bring to you coverage of the technological changes that influence the industry. Enjoy. Again, thanks for staying with us through our first ten years.

 

 

Eric Schneider

Publisher