Malaysia draws buyers
Show's business down 3.3% from 2002
By Powell Slaughter -- Furniture Today, May 19, 2003
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Organizers of the Malaysia International Furniture Fair here in March were pleased with results despite a dip in written business.
The 2003 show generated $518.8 million in business during the event, down 3.3% from last year. International buyer attendance remained strong, with 6,021 visitors from 122 countries, down from 6,115 buyers from 116 countries who came to MIFF in 2002.
North American attendance rose slightly to 7% of total visitors, compared to 6.5% in 2002. Outside of buyers from Southeast Asia, representing 20% of attendance, European and other Far East buyers were the largest groups, each with 19% of total attendance.
A 10% increase in exhibition space from 500,000 square feet to 550,000 square feet helped accommodate a 14% increase from 350 to 399 in the number of exhibitors. A big jump in non-Malaysian exhibitors fueled the increase. International exhibitors almost doubled to 118, compared with 63 in 2002.
In addition to Malaysian suppliers, exhibitors came from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Exhibitors reported an improvement in the quality of visitors, more than 80% of whom were importers, wholesalers and retailers.
Several visitors commented on the improved quality of the products exhibited.
"The quality and design of furniture here has come a long way," said Karl O'Hanlon, a buyer from New Zealand who came to MIFF as part of an effort to expand his business in Asia.
Dennis Cox, a buyer from the United Kingdom, said producers at the show are offering more products suitable for the global market. "There's a lot more to buy, and more exhibitors are getting geared up for the U.K. market," he said.
Organizers are using design competitions for best display and best product to improve products and merchandising at MIFF. An international panel of judges from Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and Malaysia made the selections this year.
An office furniture group from Markant Asia won the Gold Award for Best Product. Merit Awards went to a dining room from Janesis Collection; a bedroom from Kian; sofas and upholstery from Creative Sofa Furniture Mfg.; another Markant office; outdoor furniture from Steamer Furniture Inds.; and occasional furniture from Kian.
Kian won the Gold Award for display in the bare space category, while Eadeco took top honors for display in the shell scheme category.
Next year, show organizers plan to invite select international exhibitors from outside Asia to increase MIFF's importance as a major Asian show with international impact. In the past, MIFF has focused on participants from Asia.
"We are gearing MIFF to be the landmark show in Asia for the global furniture industry," said Tan Chin Huat, managing director of MIFF Sdn Bhd, organizer of the trade show.
The next Malaysia International Furniture Fair is scheduled for March 2–6, 2004, at the Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur.
MIFF is recognized as Malaysia's national furniture trade show, and is endorsed by the country's Ministry of Primary Industries, the Malaysian Timber Council, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp., the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, and the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board.
The show also is supported by the Malaysian Furniture Industry Council and is a full member of the Union des Faires Internationales.
