Taipei Plas 2008 Drew 14% More Exhibitors at the TWTC Nangang Venue

The 2008 Taipei International Plastics & Rubber Industry Show (Taipei Plas 2008), held September 18-22 at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall (TWTC Nangang), gathered specialized manufacturers of plastic processing machines and relevant auxiliary equipment to showcase advanced machines, especially the most popular energy-saving models.

This year's exhibition concentrated on innovative technologies developed by the plastics and rubber processing machinery manufacturers from home and abroad to meet the ever-changing need of the 3C (computer, consumer electronics and communications) and ICT (information and communication technology) sectors.

The five-day exhibition was co-organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) in tandem with the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI).

The TAITRA noted the Taipei Plas 2008 exhibition featured injection molding machines, blow molding machines, extrudes and extrusion plants, rubber processing machines, recycling equipment for reprocessing, packaging machines, thermoforming machines, printing machines, printing machines, auxiliary equipment, and relevant parts and components, among others

TAITRA is Taiwan's semi-official, non-profit trade promoter engaged in market promotion, compiling and publishing trade information, organizing exhibitions, offering convention services, providing trade education, etc.

Founded in November 1945, the TAMI currently has more than 2,400 members and those from the plastics and rubber machinery sector comprise an important part of the association.

Taiwan's plastics and rubber processing machinery enjoys a glowing reputation of excellent quality and reasonable pricing, much of which due to long-term R&D. Currently there are around 200 to 250 manufacturers of plastics and rubber processing machinery on the island.

Double-digit Growth

Taiwan's plastics and rubber processing machinery industry last year registered a total output of NT$40.2 billion (US$1.25 billion at US$1:NT$32), a growth of 10.8% from a year earlier, according to latest customs-cleared statistics compiled by the TAMI. Reasons for this growth included rising exports to mainland China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Turkey, Russia and other markets.

In the first half of 2008, Taiwan's exports of plastics and rubber processing machinery continued rising, with the bulk categories consisting of those for injection molding, extrusion molding, hollow molding, among others. Exports in this period totaled US$541.09 million, or a growth of 12.6% over the same period of last year.

The biennial Taipei Plas has enjoyed continuous growth in exhibitor number, booth number and overseas buyer number over the past years. "The milestone of this year's show is the first time staging of the Taipei Plas at the Nangang Exhibition Hall," said Fred P.C. Huang, chairman of the TAMI. "The unprecedented record high participation included 429 companies from all over the world which is 14% higher than previous session. The exhibition occupied two floors at the TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall with 2,466 standard booths."

Awards for Excellence

One of the major events in this year's show was the "Awards for excellence in research and innovation" in plastics and rubber machinery industry. A total of 29 companies with 34 products registered for the contest, which is 70% more than prior session. Another major event in this show was the campaign for human resources recruitment at a special zone on the exhibition hall. The event provided detail industrial background, career intelligence, resume collection and consultation, and even arrangement of preliminary interview for participating companies and job applications.

This year, the super-excellence award went to Fong Kee International Machinery Co. for its 90mm PP sheet extrusion line by steel belt system. In the "Plastic injection molding machine" category, the first prize was grabbed by Fu Chun Shin Machinery Manufacture Co. for its in-mold labeling production line; in the "Plastic blow molding machine" category, the first prize was snatched by Chumpower Machinery Corp. for its all-electrical stretch blow molding machine; in the "Other plastic machines" category, the first prize went to Hao Yu Precision Machinery Industry Co. for its mini six shuttles net woven circular loom.

"I believe such event will benefit domestic plastic and rubber processing machinery industry to identify needed workers for R&D and business administration, and further contribute to the prosperity of the entire industry," Huang noted.

Ideally Located

Taiwan's location as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, its close proximity to mainland China, and long-established trade links with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia have allowed it to gain a foothold in plastics and rubber processing machinery production for the region and beyond.

Taiwan manufacturers' strong links with and understanding of the mainland Chinese market has attracted international suppliers wishing to tap that lucrative market. Taipei Plas 2008 gathered many Taiwanese manufacturers worldwide, especially those who have long established offshore branches and manufacturing plants.

With good quality at reasonable prices, integrated production chain, and strong R&D abilities supported by Taiwan's world-leading computer industry, Taiwan's plastics and rubber processing machinery industry rivals those in Europe, America, and Japan.

All-electric machines

At the Taipei Plas 2008, one of the most prominent exhibitors was Victor Taichung Group which is a leading high-precision machinery manufacturer of all-electric machines and the No.1 machine-tool builder in Taiwan. The company has developed the high-speed and high-precision dual-color injection molding machine-the VE-280DC series (280 ton). The VE-DC series product is developed to meet markets demand by combining powerful new-generation controllers and advanced technologies with a high-speed precision dual injection unit.

Victor Taichung's VαII-300-series all-electric machine is developed to meet current market's demand by combining advantages from first-generation all-electric machines with the new-generation designs for getting higher machine precision and performance.

The machine has been designed with wider platen to meet bigger and wider molds for producing thinner and wider parts. The "Center Press Platen" concept has been applied to both the movable and fixed sides in order to evenly distribute mold clamping force. Japan-made high precision ball screw is used to achieve smoothness on high-speed operations and obtain longer machine life.

One of the outstanding exhibitors focusing on key components was Nan Yun Industrial Co., Ltd. which was established in 1993. The company displayed a full series of screws and barrels for various extruding machines and plastic injection molding machines.

Prudently tapping the rising trend of environmental consciousness, Fu Chun Shin Machinery Manufacture Co. not only unveiled the "servo energy saving injection machine, HT-SV series for customers to lessen energy consumption directly but also introduced the "gas assisted injection system (GAS)" to offer another way to save energy and cut industrial wastes. Fu Chun Shin provides a turnkey solution for adopting "GAS-assisted injection molding". Customers can choose the system for a single injection machine or for turnkey solutions.

Energy-saving Models

Huarong Plastic Machinery Co., with more than two decades of manufacturing experience, is one of Taiwan's most professional manufacturers of plastic injection molding machines. Under the leadership of president Roy Shiao, the company is expanding its world presence with the direction of "making industrial alliances for sharing added value."

The company has rolled out a wide range of plastic injection molding machines, including manual, precision, all-electric and energy-saving models, most of which were all displayed at the show. At present, the company's major product lines are PET, HDC, IML and F(FC) series.

The company said it has successfully developed HR-F(FC)-series servo hydraulic injection molding machines which claim a 72.8% energy saving compared to its HR-N-series model, a fully programmable logic controlled (PLC) machine.

Shiao said his company has strong competence in developing PLC machines. The company has recently developed a powerful PLC system to control 168 plastic injection molding machines in-plant. For actual application, one of the company's customers uses the PLC system to control 30 plastic injection molding machines, helping it save ample labor.

Huarong is capable of developing innovative, made-to-order machines. For instance, the company's R&D department began development of its HR-IML-series in-mold labeling and injection molding machine in 2006. In less than a year, the company was able to launch the innovative machine at an international plastic show held in Guangzhou of Guangdong province, mainland China in 2007. At present, the company mainly sells the HR-IML-series in-mold labeling and injection molding machines to Europe, the U.S., the Middle East and South Africa.

Currently the company is striving to develop the compact model as two-section injection molding machines, rather than conventional three-section ones. The two-section model is also more energy efficient.

Huarong currently exports 90% of its total output. The Middle East accounts for 30% of the total exports. To promote corporate image and innovative products, the company mainly showcases products at some internationally renowned plastics shows, including those held in Germany, mainland China, Taipei, Dubai, Egypt, South Africa, Mexico and Poland.

Wide Ranging Injection Molding Machines

With sustained expansion over the past several years, Chuan Lih Fa Machinery Works Co., Ltd., founded in 1966, has grown into a leading supplier of a wide range of high-speed injection-molding machines, multi-resin/color injection-molding machines, vertical injection-molding machines, and mold-spotting presses.

Lin Jung-teng, the company's president, attributes the firm's steady, smooth growth to its long-term commitment to "advanced technology, top quality & honest management."

Under such guideline, the company conscientiously improves designs, upgrades quality, and meets customers' ever more demanding requirements. The ISO901 certification, CE certification, and good-product-design awards granted to the company over the past few years are clear confirmations that its quest to give total satisfaction to clients is paying off.

Starting with only five staffers, after a series of expansions over the years Chuan Lih Fa now has over 200 employees in Taiwan, plus more than 250 working at two factories in China, which are in Shanghai Municipality and in Zhongshan of Guangdong Province, focusing on the production of 100-ton up to 1,380-ton injection-molding machines.

The firm tests each item before delivery for 72-hours nonstop; while comprehensive after-sales service is part of the company's guarantee to ensure industry-leading satisfaction.