Shanghai Show To Reflect Lead Times Problems

SHANGHAI, China – Next Friday the China Int’l Bicycle & Motor Fair, better known as the Shanghai show, is opening its doors. What this show will be all about, is already clear; the current lead times problems throughout the industry.

With that it is expected that this year’s Shanghai Show will attract lots of buyers trying to find alternative suppliers as many of their regular ones have lead times that stretch beyond the 2008 season.

Long lead times were, next to price increases, already the main topic at last month’s Taipei International Cycle Show. As reported by Bike Europe, some parts suppliers could have stuck a ‘Sold Out’ sign on their stands in Taipei. The biggest parts supplier in the business, Shimano is receiving 40% more orders compared to previous years.

Huge order stream

But the huge order stream is not only hitting Shimano. Looking at what’s currently going on, the conclusion is that orders for components are up all over; they are not pinpointed to certain countries, products, segments or price levels. And the order stream shows no sign of slowing down, not even after an Easter weekend with frost and snow and April weather that in Europe only last weekend was warming up.

What all this will bring this year’s Shanghai Show is not hard to predict. In particular companies desperate looking for supplies in order to keep their bike production up and running and/or their Aftermarket deliveries on par with demand; in particular during the bike season in Europe and the US: in May, June and July.

The China Int’l Bicycle & Motor Fair which runs from April 25 - 28, 2008, is especially suited for that. Next to lots of Chinese P&A manufacturers the show, as in every year, also hosts a large contingent of parts and bike makers from India, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Thailand. Of course also lots of Taiwan makers with plants in China are also present.

The total number of exhibitors is approximately the same as last year, with a little over 1,000 stands. Among them renowned names such as Shimano, Colnago, Bianchi, Campagnolo, Continental, Sigma, Topeak, Panaracer, Sidi, Santini, Marzocchi, BMC, Fox Racing, Selle SMP, Kuota, Orbea, Argon 18 etcetera.

The Shanghai show has been growing year after year; in particular in the number of visitors. The organisers, the China Bicycle Association, together with the Shanghai International Exhibition and Shanghai Xiesheng Exhibition are expecting more than 100,000 people this weekend.

This year the show offers less exhibitors related to e-Bikes. In 2007, about 200 e-Bike makers made full use of two halls. 2007 has been a tough year for the Chinese e-Bike industry. Due to the new national standards, the question of battery-related pollution and for safety reasons, e-Bikes were banned in various regions in China, stunting the 50% annual growth seen by the e-Bike industry from 2003 onwards. Due to these reasons some suppliers had to withdraw from the market. The problems in the sector have results in a smaller exhibition area devoted to e-Bike products at the Shanghai show. The number of exhibitors is more or less the same compared to last year but many of the exhibitors choose to rent smaller stands.

Extensive side program

Visitors to this year's show will be given the opportunity to visit one out of many seminars and workshops to be informed about the latest technical and market developments. The 18th edition of the China International Bicycle & Motor Fair will see the launch of the Bicycle Design Competition. Immediately after the opening ceremony in the morning on April 25th the award winning entries will be announced. Following the opening ceremony the award winning models and concepts will be taken to a special area on the fair ground to be demonstrated to the public during the show.

The 18th China International Bicycle & Motor Fair is taking place from April 25 - 28, 2008 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in Pudong, Shanghai, China.

Opening hours are:
April 25-27: 9:00-16:30
April 28: 9:00-15:00
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