The fair took place from May 7 – 9 at the India Expo Center Greater Noida. Being close to New Delhi its success lies largely in offering an alternative leather industry trade show for those based in northern India, and to the fact that many international companies are ‘waking up’ to the vast commercial potential of India. Over 180 internation companies exhibited.

Acting as a catalyst to the rapidly expanding footwear and leather market in India, the 2010 exhibition hosted separate group pavilions from the US, France, Taiwan and China, and individual exhibitors from Hong Kong, Korea, Egypt, Italy, Thailand, Bangladesh, Netherlands and India.

The French Pavilion was organised by Sophie Hivert, export manager of the French Tanners Association, who commented: ‘This is the first time the French Tanners Association is exhibiting in India, a country with great potential for leather and footwear.’ One of the French exhibitors, Yves Morin, ceo of CTC (Technical Centre for Leather) added: ‘fMM&T provided the ideal platform to interact with new customers and look for a potential partner. We are already doing business in India but do not have an office yet, This first participation has already met our expectations and we will return next year.’

Alberto Paccagnella, president, Focus Machines India and vice president of Assomac noted that ‘the India market is very important and the show helps us to enter the Indian market.’

Meanwhile feedback from buyers emphasised that fMM&T is fast becoming a ‘must attend’ show for the Indian footwear and leather industry.

‘This is a very good show to visit and we have met a wide selection of vendors here’, said visitor, Sanjay Thukral, Nike India.

As with all successful trade exhibitions, fMM&T provides an ideal platform for potential customers and suppliers to meet face-to-face. It allows suppliers from the footwear and leather industry, manufacturers of footwear, leather garments, importers, exporters, designers, brand owners, distributors of leather components and product developers to meet under one roof.

fMM&T is organised by APLF, who organise APLF – Materials, Manufacturing & Technology (MM&T) in Hong Kong. fMM&T is managed by UBM India, in partnership with the Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA).

The third edition of fMM&T 2011 will run from May 6-8, 2011, at the India Expo Center, Greater Noida New Delhi.