Last call to apply for the Hosted Buyer program at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2024

Source：DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOORDateTime：2024.04.03

Various international delegations and more than 150 individually selected large flooring buyers will be hosted by the organizer this year, for tailored business matchings, networking opportunities and enhanced experience. Coming from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Oceania, Europe and more, these delegations are put together in partnership with regional industry stakeholders, associations and media partners from all different flooring segments.

Interview with Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA)

Q: What is the main activity and the mission of Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA)? What is the background and profile of your members?

A: Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA), is an association for its members, providing a vast array of technical information, training, events and promotion, as well as a professional inspection service. Members of ATFA consist of flooring contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and builders.

Q: What is the size of Australia and New Zealand’s flooring market, in terms of number of manufacturers or annual sales volume? What is the post covid status of the flooring market in Australia and New Zealand or other regions of your influence? What has changed?

A:The timber flooring industry in Australia and New Zealand has an estimated +$3 billion turnover annually, with approx. 6,500 enterprises. During the second half of the Covid period, the industry enjoyed a covid generated renovation boom. The market is a little slower currently due to economic conditions.

Q: Who does your region trades more in the flooring business, on both export and import side? What role does China play in the flooring trade for your members?

A: Asian countries play an extremely important role with the importation of engineered flooring, laminate, hybrid and vinyl plank products. China continues to be the dominant trading partner.

Q: How do you see in general the relationship between Australia and China on the trade side? What are, from your point of view the main challenges but also the opportunities?

A: Quality control and consistency of product continue to be the biggest challenge for Australian and New Zealand partners.

Q: ATFA has partnered with DOMOTEX Shanghai in various occasions pre-covid and this year both parties are joining hands again to facilitate Australian flooring experts’ participation at the show in May 2024. How have your members responded so such initiative and how do you think it will benefit them?

A: We have seen some good results and interests from our members to visit the event. The show will give them more partnership opportunities with Chinese manufacturers.