Outdoor Lifestyle Hangzhou makes fifth showing

Chinese market seeks to grow outdoors

Cinde W Ingram -- Casual Living, 3/28/2012 3:34:22 PM

HANGZHOU, China —  The fifth annual Outdoor Lifestyle Hangzhou rolled out a red-carpet welcome as mostly Chinese buyers joined international attendees at the March 21-24 show at Hangzhou Peace Exhibition Center.

 Synchronized movements and traditional sounds helped to set the scene at the show’s start.Traditional musical instruments and dresses set the tone at the gala dinner, held the night before the show opened.A musical performance accompanied the gala dinner.Government and trade officials joined speakers on stage for the exhibition opening ceremony.

With the national focus on building domestic consumption, the outdoor leisure market is warming up in China. Exhibitions ranged from outdoor furniture and accessories to garden supplies, recreational vehicles and camping equipment.

Branded as the Great Cow of China, this huge jade statue stands strong for a bull market at the Hangzhou Peace Exhibition Center.Greeters at Outdoor Lifestyle Hangzhou donned traditional dresses to welcome attendees.

 Some of the high-end product shown had actually debuted in Chicago at the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market last September. Activa and Treasure Garden shade products appeared for the first time at the Hangzhou market, according to CEO Oliver Ma. He and his staff were able to meet with Chinese retailers who operate multiple patio furniture stores as well as government and trade officials.

 From left, Hu Pi Yang, vice director of Ningbo Custom; Treasure Garden CEO Oliver Ma; Cinde W. Ingram, editor-in-chief, Casual Living; Treasure Garden COO Margaret Chang and Dragon Hsu of China’s Outdoor Lifestyle Association.

Hangzhou-based Juri Furniture exhibited a portion of its aluminum, stainless steel and woven outdoor furniture designs. In business for 24 years and with two large factories, the company produces for well-known U.S. brands as well as customers in Canada, Australia and Europe, according to Business Manager Wang "Dan" Jianjun. Juri's outdoor furniture lines appear at the Casual Market in Chicago, the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas and spoga+gafa in Cologne, Germany. In addition to producing outdoor furniture for manufacturers including Agio, Foremost Group, Thomasville and Lane, Juri supplies major U.S. home improvement and discount department stores including Home Depot, Maynard's and Sam's Club.

 One of the most popular collections Juri Furniture produced for Lane’s outdoor offerings in 2009-10.

Jojoy Leisure Products displayed some of the outdoor lines it supplies to customers in Germany and to Club and Wal-Mart Canada. The Hangzhou-based company, which opened in 1998, exhibited at the Casual Market in Chicago last September.

 Jojoy Leisure also showed in Chicago last September.

Linhai Weige Arts & Crafts began making outdoor furniture 10 years ago and exhibits at spoga+gafa. It primarily supplies the European market and its business is growing every year, spokesman Yong He said.

 Sorora exports about $100 million globally.Everite has also shown at National Hardware in Las Vegas.

Zhejiang Tianji Leisure Products, which has been making umbrellas and tents since 1996, added outdoor furniture to its lines three years ago. It now exports about 1 million shade products each year and supplies umbrellas to JCPenney, sales associate Micheal Ma said.

 The company exports about 1 million shade products each year

With beautiful stone top tables and dining furniture, DongYe (Fujian) Furniture Co. is looking to introduce its indoor and outdoor leisure furniture products to the U.S. market, salesperson Kathy Lee said.

 Editor in Chief Cinde Ingram visits with Dong Ye (Fujian) Furniture.

HK Long constructs  houses and gazebos, made of spruce imported from North America.

 HK Long

China Chamber of Commerce project managers Liao Yuhan and Jacky Zeng flank speakers Cinde W. Ingram, John Stanley and Eileen Lee as well as interpreters on stage following the Outdoor Industry Forum. Treasure Garden COO Margaret Chang is pictured third from left.

The Outdoor Industry Forum

 Visitors to the southern end of China's Grand Canal were able to easily include side trips to West Lake.

A little local shopping adds flavor to international trade shows.The West Lake Cultural Landscape includes historic and scenic attractions that bring tourists to Hangzhou.