Textile manufacturer says Canton Fair a place where dream starts

When mentioning the Canton Fair, Ni Chen, president of Heniemo Furnishing, has a special emotion.

Each year, Ni participates in the fair in person because she can’t forget the place where her dream started, she said.

The platform not only gave her a successful career, but also helped her find friends.

Nowadays, Heniemo has developed into a group with huge industry chain and a group of subsidiaries with 1.2 billion yuan ($184 million) in annual sales.

Ni’s story with the fair started in 1995 when she was working as a translator. She didn’t expect to meet so many exhibits on the scene and buyers from all over the world. The experiences made her feel compelled to start her own business and find her profession a place to play.

At the fair in the autumn of 1996, Ni participated in the event with her own products and obtained the first deal in her life.

A Japanese buyer was eager to find a supplier at the Canton Fair to finish a large quantity order with an urgent delivery time.

When he was exhausted and resting beside Ni’s booth, she handed him a bottle of water. In the conversation with the Japanese buyers, Ni learned of his business needs.

Luckily, the material the buyer was asking for could be found in Ni’s hometown, and the production technology was already mature. The buyer was impressed by Ni’s enthusiasm and professionalism and decided to cooperate.

The on-time completion of the order ensured the two sides’ cooperation for the next three years.

At the Canton Fair in 2002, Ni met a Jewish home textile buyer who owns a business in the United States. After a connecting with Ni, the businessman decided to place a large order of fine satin bed sheets.  

Unexpectedly, the fabric became wrinkled after washing, which bothered some users. Although it doesn’t affect the product very much, Ni offered to take back all the products and provide new ones for free.

Ni’s move refreshed the buyer’s impression on her and from then on, the buyer relied on her even more. He made Ni his exclusive supplier in China.

Ni’s company has become a well-known home textile exporter in China. Its exports of home textiles to the United States ranks in the top three among Chinese enterprises.

“I have mentioned so many times that Canton Fair has changed the destiny of me and my company,” Ni said. “It has become a part of my life.”

“Every April and October, I will participate in the event. It is a great opportunity for foreign trade business players and a big stage to bring hope and achievement to both businesspeople and enterprises.”