Economic close-up: Three details reveal the foreign trade vitality of the international city of bag & suitcase
Omnimedia reporter: Chen Suncun; correspondents: Wang Xinyue, Zhao Lingzhi (Huaihua Daily)
Share opportunities and win the future. From May 8 to 11, the 2nd Hunan (Huaihua) RCEP Economic and Trade Expo (the “Economic and Trade Expo” for short) was held in Huaihua. Five major areas were set up at the Huaihua International Exhibition Center for the Economic and Trade Expo, including the RCEP National Pavilion, Dual Channel Pavilion, Huaihua 5+10 Industry Pavilion, Hunan City and Prefecture Pavilion, and Trade in Service Pavilion. The Economic and Trade Expo brought together more than 1,000 enterprises from 15 countries and regions, during which 28 cooperation projects were signed, with a total investment of RMB11,886 million.
Walking into the pavilions, the reporter was impressed by the vibrant business vibe and trading scene. Three details reveal Huaihua’s development speed and foreign trade vitality as an “international city of bag & suitcase”.
The Bag & Leatherware Industrial Chain Exhibition Hall is bustling with merchants.
(Photo by: Chen Suncun, omnimedia reporter; Wang Xinyue, Zhao Lingzhi, correspondents, Huaihua Daily)
A smart rideable suitcase gained popularity in both the Canton Fair and Huaihua City
The Canton Fair is an important window and trade promotion platform for China’s opening up as well as the barometer and bellwether of foreign trade. At the 137th Canton Fair that kicked off on April 15, a smart rideable suitcase that combines storage and transportation functions made a hit and received wide media coverage.
Fortunately, more than 20 days later, the suitcase also gained popularity in Huaihua—
On May 9, at the Special Matchmaking Meeting for the Bag & Leatherware Industry of the Economic and Trade Expo, Hunan Huawei Technology Co., Ltd. rolled out a smart rideable suitcase that also combines storage and transportation functions, attracting the attention of merchants.
Located in Huaihua International Land Port Economic Development Zone, the company specializes in the production and manufacturing of bags and suitcases such as high-end trolley cases, traveling cases, flight cases, briefcases, and bags with trolleys. It is a strong player in Huaihua’s bag & leatherware industry.
“We have a strong R&D team that constantly introduces new international products with attractive designs, exquisite appearances and high quality, which are exported to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and America,” said Feng Pinyu, sales manager of the company.
The Bag & Leatherware Industrial Chain Exhibition Hall of the Huaihua 5+10 Industry Pavilion offered a variety of goods, attracting a continuous stream of merchants.
A salesperson from Huawei Technology was teaching a foreign merchant how to use the smart rideable suitcase. “Sit on the suitcase and place both hands on the steering handle. Control the forward button with your right hand and the backward button with your left hand. You can use the emergency brake by pressing the left and right buttons simultaneously. It is easy to use.”
A foreign merchant is trying out the smart rideable suitcase.
(Photo by: Chen Suncun, omnimedia reporter; Wang Xinyue, Zhao Lingzhi, correspondents, Huaihua Daily)
Under the guidance of the salesperson, the foreign merchant rode around the exhibition hall. He gave a thumbs-up and placed an order right away.
The salesperson told the reporter that Huawei Technology also participated in the Canton Fair last month, and their products were very popular. “You can see in the video that even an overweight customer can comfortably sit on the suitcase.”
“Considering the different weights of consumers, our rideable suitcases have a seating width of 32 centimeters and a maximum load capacity of 120 kilograms. “At the Canton Fair, we found that our products have the widest seating area and a large capacity of 40 liters, ” said Feng Pinyu.
However, some buyers also expressed their concerns about safety issues. Feng Pinyu said that the smart rideable suitcases are made of polycarbonate (PC) materials, which have high strength and meet the security requirements of aircraft, high-speed rail and other security checks in terms of battery capacity and suitcase size.
“The maximum speed is 8km/h. The lithium battery is detachable, and there is also a spare battery. I rode around the entire exhibition hall many times yesterday, and the suitcase still had power when the closing time arrived. It is noon now, and the display shows that the suitcase is still 50% charged.” The salesperson used her rideable suitcase to show product parameters to buyers.
In addition to buyers, an exhibitor from the nearby Thailand National Pavilion also came to the Huaihua Bag & Leatherware Industrial Chain Exhibition Hall during work breaks to purchase a suitcase. He said it could come in handy on his return trip.
During the Economic and Trade Expo, the smart rideable suitcases exhibited by Huawei Technology and Lingxiu Luggage Manufacturing were popular among domestic and foreign merchants.
Striving to become a top player in the industry
At the Huaihua Bag & Leatherware Industrial Chain Exhibition Hall, the high-end products exhibited by Hunan Zenesse Technology Co., Ltd. came in great varieties and attracted a large number of merchants.
“The retro Rome series, double-color Inca series, and Milan business suitcase series are very popular among consumers at home and abroad,” said Xie Hui, manager of the company. As soon as the Economic and Trade Expo kicked off, merchants from Southeast Asia and the Middle East came to negotiate for cooperation.
The products celebrate a delicate alchemy between tradition and fashion. A Malaysian merchant walked around the exhibition hall and carefully examined the bags and suitcases, praising that Huaihua products are very international.
Merchants were most interested in innovative products: The suitcase with the intelligent positioning function allows users to check the location of the suitcase in real time through a mobile App; the suitcase with a hidden power bank enables users to conveniently charge their mobile phones and other electronic devices; and the co-branded suitcase makes a perfect combination of art and functionality, which is both collectible and fashionable.
“The suitcases are made of high-strength and lightweight aluminum magnesium alloy. We adopt advanced drawing technology to make exquisite, seamless suitcases.” According to Xie Hui, the company is dedicated to high-quality suitcase manufacturing. All suitcases come with a five-year warranty. The company also offers lifetime maintenance for all parts except for the suitcase body.
Zenesse suitcases celebrate a delicate alchemy between tradition and fashion. (Photo by: Chen Suncun, omnimedia reporter; Wang Xinyue, Zhao Lingzhi, correspondents, Huaihua Daily)
Xie Hui said that consumers can also customize suitcases based on their needs and preferences. The color, size and interior can be personalized to their needs. This thoughtful service allows every customer to find the most suitable suitcase for them.
These innovative designs and services not only make travel easier, but also demonstrate the company’s continuous exploration and breakthroughs in technology. Last winter, members of the New Business Digital Marketing Studio of the Business School of Huaihua University also fell in love with Zenesse bags and suitcases.
“We will recommend these cute products to consumers around the world through digital marketing platforms,” said Zeng Xiangping, tutor of the studio.
“We mainly engage in foreign trade. The patented combination locks developed by us have facilitated customs clearance in various countries.” The company has been in constant pursuit of higher quality, according to Xie Hui.
“For example, in terms of structure, we use an integrated, seamless suitcase body for enhanced water resistance. In terms of materials, the industry is transforming towards stainless steel, titanium steel, and carbon fiber. Currently, we mainly use aluminum alloy. We have also explored the production of the advanced carbon fiber bags and suitcases.”
As the company strives to become a top player in the industry, it continuously transforms and upgrades its products, making Huaihua’s bag and leatherware industry a new force in foreign trade export.
According to data about Huaihua’s bag and leatherware industrial chain, in the first quarter of this year, Huaihua exported 343 TEUs of bags and suitcases, with a total export value of RMB120 million, a year-on-year increase of 29.6%.
Reshaping materials with technology
Huaihua has turned coffee grounds, corn cobs, orange peels and other wastes into raw materials for bags and leatherware.
During the Economic and Trade Expo, at the Huaihua Bag & Leatherware Industrial Chain Exhibition Hall, Hunan Cunqian Technology Co., Ltd. attracted a large number of merchants.
Cunqian Technology is an innovative technology enterprise that specializes in the high-value development of biomass resources and focuses on turning waste into wealth. Through the micro-nanofiber separation and recombination technology independently developed by the company, it turns agricultural and forestry biological waste into environmentally friendly new materials that can replace traditional leather and synthetic leather.
A variety of unique handbags, shoulder bags, and backpacks were neatly arranged at the company’s booth. The Molsons from Kuwait were drawn to the cute bags.
They bought three handbags in one go but still wanted more. “Don’t miss out on good things.” They recommended the bags to their travel partners, who also bought three bags. Mrs. Molson asked for a gift from the exhibitor. “The goods represent fair dealing, and the gift represents our friendship.”
A group of Kuwaiti merchants are shopping at Cunqian Technology.
(Photo by: Chen Suncun, omnimedia reporter; Wang Xinyue, Zhao Lingzhi, correspondents, Huaihua Daily)
In addition to retail customers, the Economic and Trade Expo also brought together bag and suitcase partners and raw material partners.
Shu Ziming, Chairman of Cunqian Technology, previously engaged in foreign trade in Germany. In 2023 he returned to his hometown Huaihua to start a business. The company made a breakthrough in building a “three-step closed-loop technology system”, achieved thorough value mining of biological waste, and developed BioSkin®, an environmentally friendly material.
“We separate micro-nano cellulose from bamboo residues, coffee grounds, fruit peels, bagasse and other waste materials, with a purity of over 95% and a diameter of 1/1000 of that of a human hair. With ultra-high specific surface area and mechanical strength, the material boasts natural breathability, super wear resistance, and degradable properties.” Shu Ziming said that this new type of leather has a tear resistance strength 2.3 times that of traditional leather.
The company’s BioSkin® environmentally friendly material has passed the international authoritative TUV certification. It has become an innovator in the traditional leather sector. TUV certification is widely accepted in Germany and Europe. One may transfer the certification to the certificates of other countries without the need for testing.
“We produce cruelty-free leather bags,” Shu Ziming said wittily. The bags, shoes, and other products developed by the company in collaboration with luxury brands have obtained international vegan leather certification. In the future, the company will expand beyond the fashion industry to smart wearables, automobile manufacturing, and healthcare.
“Many foreign partners have come to us in recent days. They have a strong intention to cooperate.” Shu Ziming, who has many years of experience in foreign trade, said that the Economic and Trade Expo is a good platform for display and cooperation, where he has met more business partners.
The small bags and leatherware hold the potential for cooperation with a range of products, big and small. It is imperative to share opportunities and win the future. From the Economic and Trade Expo, we see the vitality of foreign trade and the great ambition of Huaihua enterprises.
(Translated by Professor Yu Jie)