IFFS/AFS 2011 raises the bar with a full suite of exhibits for furniture, furnishings and accessories
Posted on | August 13, 2010 |
With seven more months to go, the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2011/28th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2011), Deco Asia 2011 and Hospitality Asia 2011 are filling up the exhibition halls to the brim with an eclectic mix of exhibitors from Asia and beyond. Held from 9th to 12th March 2011, this comprehensive showcase will display more than 130,000 pieces of quality furniture and furnishing products from around the globe, reinforcing the fair’s enviable reputation of being Asia’s most prestigious furniture trade show and a “must-visit” for international buyers and industry players.
The 2011 edition will feature a trilogy of shows. Alongside the IFFS/AFS 2011, the expanded Deco Asia 2011 promises a wider variety of soft furnishings and accessories for the home, while the newly launched Hospitality Asia 2011 will exhibit a whole suite of products for the hotel and contract manufacturing industry. The fair has increased its total show space to 70,000 square metres, 16 percent more compared to the last edition.
Early interest from international and local exhibitors have already snapped up 55 percent of the total exhibition space, led by Singapore exhibitors, who have increased local representation at the show by almost 15 percent as compared to last edition’s booked space. They include companies like Archipelago Exports Pte Ltd, Box Living Pte Ltd, Cellini Design Center Pte Ltd, D-Bodhi Pte Ltd, Domus Ventures Pte Ltd, Eurosa Furniture Co. (Pte) Ltd, Haleywood Industries Pte Ltd, Koda Ltd, Lifestyle Holdings Pte Ltd and Star Furniture Pte Ltd.
International brand names have also registered early participation, including marquee exhibitors such as Bayliss (Australia), Manutti BVBA (Belgium), Zhejiang Kuka Technics Sofa Manufacture Co., Ltd (China), Chakra Naga Furniture (France), Brema Marketing GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Kenas Pacific Pte Ltd (Hong Kong), HALO (Hong Kong), Violino Limited (Hong Kong), Hin Lim Furniture Manufacturer Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) and Far East Furniture (the Philippines). Other furniture companies from the Philippines and Thailand are also expected to increase their exhibition space significantly, underscoring a stronger Asian presence at the annual show.
New exhibitors, attracted by the growing international stature of the IFFS/AFS, have also come out to seek opportunities including Maruyoshi Corporation from Japan, BJ Cabinets Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Home Upholstery Industries Sdn Bhd, White Feathers Industries (M) Sdn Bhd and Wegmans Furniture Industries Sdn Bhd from Malaysia, and Bassett Furniture International from the USA. Local outfits, Abitex Design (S) Pte Ltd, Cheng Meng Furniture Co Pte Ltd, Design Studio Furniture and Falcon Incorporation Pte Ltd have also confirmed their participation at the Hospitality Asia 2011 with much enthusiasm.
Design continues its reign at this year’s fair with more floor area designated for the D’space initiative, an over-arching umbrella introduced in 2010 which encompasses all design activities. It includes PLATFORM, the Singapore Furniture Industries Council’s launch pad for new and promising furniture designers as well as the coveted Furniture Design Award (FDA 2011), Asia’s prestigious furniture design competition.
IFFS/AFS 2010 marked a record 17,277 trade visitors from 112 countries and closed an estimated total of US$270 million in spot orders and US$2.5 billion in follow-on sales. The show organiser, IFFS Pte Ltd, expects the 2011 edition to raise the bar further with a full and comprehensive suite of exhibits totally focused on getting local and international buyers the best sourcing results on one platform, including soft furnishings & interiors as well as the hospitality & contract segment.
For more information on IFFS/AFS 2011, please visit www.iffs.com.sg