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These are in-depth pre- and post-show reports on major international trade fairs, held in Taiwan and other countries with significant participation by Taiwanese manufacturers and exporters. They are offered to help global buyers and other readers better understand what is going on at the fairs and the latest offerings by Taiwanese exhibitors.


Photo courtesy of United Daily News Group.

Scanteak and BAUSEN Ride High on Rising Furniture Demand

Mar 18, 2024

The furniture industry is experiencing a surge in demand ahead of the Lunar New Year celebration in January. Scanteak reported its third-highest revenue for the month, while BAUSEN also achieved its second-highest revenue during the same period. BAUSEN, with a primary market in the U.S., is optimistic about the rising demand for home decoration spurred by the housing market. Taiwan's premier f...


Photo courtesy of CENS

Furniture Industry Embraces Sustainability Trend in 2023

Feb 16, 2023

In 2023, the trend of eco-friendly is re-emerging, and consumers are starting to take "sustainability" back into consideration when purchasing furniture. Sustainable furniture is commonly produced from recycled elements or biodegradable wood such as bamboo or acacia. Reclaimed lumber has widely used in manufacturing. This material is usually obtained from old equipment or removed from other pl...


Photo credit: UDN/AP

Delayed container ship production could worsen shipping in 2023

May 03, 2022

The new regulations on shipping carbon emissions are set to come into effect next year, and with the number of global container ships over 20 years old will reach 8.2%, experts warn there will be a wave of elimination of old ships starting as early as this year. However, the supply and production of these ships have been hampered by China's strict zero-COVID policy and the Russian-Ukrainian wa...


Photo credit: UDN

Growth slows as October PMI sees slight rebound to 58.3: CIER

Nov 01, 2021

Chung-Hua Institution For Economic Research (CIER) announced October's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of Taiwan's manufacturing industry today, which increased slightly by 0.5 to 58.3 after two months of decline. CIER President Chang Chuan-zhang said that although the PMI index has expanded for 16 consecutive months, port congestion, freight delays, shortage of key components, and delivery ...


Photo credit: UDN/epa

Global sea freight rates to see hikes in Oct.

Sep 06, 2021

The global transportation peak season is expected to worsen the port congestion problem, presented in how the global large container carrier's general rate increase (GRI) is slated for an uptick growth again in October, pushing shipping prices between East Asia and North America to an all-time high. Freight companies moving to increase prices include Evergreen, Yangming, COSCO, HMM, Hapag-Lloy...


Photo courtesy of UDN

E-commerce giants turn to chartering shipping containers ahead of peak Q4

Jul 26, 2021

The U.S. consumer market is preparing for peak season in Q4, and this has led to a situation where global entities are charting shipping containers to ensure delivery. International e-commerce giant Alibaba recently announced that it would begin operating a chartered shipping route initiative between East Asia and the U.S. western coast. Each week would see around 3,000 TEU and a monthly 12,00...


U.S. Union Pacific pauses service to resolve congestion for a week</h2>

U.S. Union Pacific pauses service to resolve congestion for a week

Jul 19, 2021

With port traffic at an all-time high, causing shipping congestion in the U.S., foreign media reported that the Union Pacific Railroad would be pausing its harbor transportation services last Friday, effective as of July 19. The affected regions include Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Washington, and Tacoma. The suspension is slated to last for a week in hopes of easing inventory backing up ...


Be Part of a Child's Future by Investing in Ergonomic Desks and Chairs</h2>

Be Part of a Child's Future by Investing in Ergonomic Desks and Chairs

Mar 19, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled investment and focus on suitable working spaces at home in times of quarantines and lockdowns. As students have no other choice but to return home, many families have found that existing home spaces often do not have the necessary desks or chairs to provide better learning environments for their children. News reports see students studying from their bed, atten...


Taiwan's government representatives and architecture industry leaders pose at the opening ceremony for a healthy building promotion conference on Dec. 18 at Taipei 101. Photo taken by Ting-Yu Chao.

Industry Leaders Rally Behind Taiwan's 2nd Healthy Sustainable Building Movement

Dec 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the public's awareness of clean, quality air and other related health issues, accelerating Taiwan's architecture industry's foray into the latest global trend: "healthy buildings." In response to the government's pandemic-prevention regulations, the Taiwan Architecture & Building Center (TABC), Taiwan Wellness Building Association, SEED, International WELL B...


(File cabinets, photo courtesy of Chyn Fuh Enterprise Co., Ltd.)

Taiwan's Furniture Industry Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Oct 16, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected global and Taiwan's political and economic landscapes. Unlike some industries, the furniture sector did not escape unscathed, facing a squeeze from management and costs. While Taiwan continues to implement a stable, successful outbreak response, the industry has also misjudged the economic downturn duration. The furniture industry has yet to fully recover...