The ACF China Co – Millstone Trading

17 September 2008

The latest from Furniture in China 2008 expo

Posted by Roger under: Industry News & Events; Industry Trends; Trade shows, expo and trade fairs .

Review Part 1 of (2) Furniture in China Fall 2008 Trade show & Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China 2008 (Its not the High Point Market, its not the lasvegasmarket either, but it ain’t bad!)

Unlike a few years back when it seemed only Halo had “vintage leather look,” this time around more then one supplier is now producing Italian leather wing chairs, vintage leather chesterfields, copies of Vintage Leather Ottomans and Cigar colored faux vintage leather armchairs. Even a relatively average sofa manufactured managed to do decent job on several 2 and 3 seater sofas they had, put out in a nice honey brown finish. I asked about the process of producing the vintage leather look and the response was “its complicated, but involves a lot heat, chemicals, pressing and stretching. Of course previously it seemed almost impossible to buy from Halo anyways  (since they seems to have a exclusive agreements in just about every country from New Zealand to Israel). In all fairness though, they do seem to have the most genuine aged feel.

The Shanghai, Cixi and Ningbo factories were out in force, doing what they do best: Which is copying other manufacturers designs. Which is probably why taking photos is so difficult. Unfortunately once you leave the show its easy to forget who you visited and a snapshot of the supplier and their products always makes a big difference.

One buyer (for a very major name brand incidentally) walked into a exhibitors showroom supplying accessories, home accents and wall décor – just as I was arguing this point (in Chinese) to the showroom salesmen.  His first question too was, do you mind if I take a photo? He was out the door in less then a minute and probably forgot about who they were in less then two. (I had to wait for the photo shown above to arrive in my email box a few days later.)

One Shanghai based “Chin Chin” supplier literally shoved us out of their booth and tried to forcefully grab their name card back from us, when we remarked that everything there looked like exact copies of Halo Asia’s product. Clearly a sign of things to come should you work with that supplier.

Of course some of the copies were better then others like this wrought iron base French cafe table/ Bistro Table with a pickled finish top from a Shanghai based manufacturer. Reclaimed woods, whitewashed looks, along with lightened wood, bleached finishes and limed finishes were very popular with Wesbrook and the (notoriously snooty) Kenas Pacific leading the way.  Bentwood chairs continue to remain a staple where ever you go as do leather bar stools.

reclaimed materials and sustainable materials were popular like this elm wood dresser.

From  Furniture in China 2008 Trade show

The Chinese antique furniture factories seem to have made the switch mostly to European style antique reproduction, particularly the French Provincial / french country look. Lots of side tables, Louis XV style commodes, chest of drawers, occasional tables and even a tripod table or two.Of course, as usual there is always something a bit off which gives it away. A quick look at the sides of the various Commodes revels the curved sides vary from factory to factory. In this case the colors and “distressed finishes” all have a distinctly Chinese look to them, as do the heavy lacquers (which are typically the same ones they previously were using for Chinese antique reproduction furniture).

Furniture quality was generally average at best with these sort of factories. Nothing stunning from majority of them (though inexpensive when ordering in quantity).  In an attempt to re-brand themselves, whereas a few years back they were all called “something-or another Classical Furniture Co,” many have changed their names to things like Style Furniture or West Home. One thing hasn’t changed though. The guys are all still named Charles.  If you gave these factories a business card, expect them to be spamming you with non-stop photos and Excel price lists shortly.

Drawer pull of the year? Then there of course, is this darn fitting! I must have seen this fitting or some variation of it, on at least one piece per vendor.

Part two: Upholstered furniture, decorative accents, accent furniture and more.

HaoHao This

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