As the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics - Autumn Edition drew to a close, Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt, addressed the media, highlighting the role of exhibitions as a crucial platform for the textile industry to navigate global trade uncertainties, particularly those stemming from tariffs and geopolitical shifts.

Exhibitions as a counter-strategy to uncertainty

Responding to questions about the impact of tariffs on exhibitor and buyer numbers, Schmidt acknowledged the widespread concern. Echoing a sentiment raised by the media, he emphasized that the exhibition's dynamic nature and its ability to connect global players offer a powerful counter-strategy.

Resilience and optimism drive the industry

Schmidt's perspective, however, was one of resilience and optimism. He noted that the discussion about tariffs is not a new topic, and companies have been forced to adapt for months. "Every morning you can look on the phone, something is changing and companies have to survive and say, 'okay, how can we do this and what should we do?'" he said.

He stressed that companies are embracing a proactive approach. "My discussion with many companies at our shows is that they say, 'okay, we have to be optimistic, we have to look for new markets, new opportunities.'" This is precisely where exhibitions prove their value. "I think an exhibition is exactly the right platform to generate new business," he affirmed.

Global platform for diversification

Schmidt also highlighted the strategic diversification of supply chains, a trend that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now being accelerated by trade tensions. He pointed to the growing presence of new participating countries, such as Ireland, the Netherlands, and Australia, underscoring the truly global nature of the platform.

"You can see this is really a global platform to make everybody see the new opportunities and try to find a solution," he stated. He added that Chinese companies are actively seeking to "make their production and their exports more, how to say, flexible and consistent," and are finding these solutions at trade shows.

Messe Frankfurt, a leading trade fair organizer, has seen its exhibitions become a crucial hub for the global textile industry as manufacturers and buyers grapple with the complexities of international trade and tariffs. Schmidt's message was clear: while trade tensions create challenges, they also drive innovation and a search for new opportunities. Exhibitions like Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics provide a vital space for the industry to come together, adapt, and build new, resilient business relationships.