South Africa’s furniture manufacturing industry is heading to Shanghai this month, with SAFI leading a delegation of 12 companies and 22 industry representatives to one of the world’s leading showcases of furniture manufacturing technology.
The China International Furniture Machinery & Woodworking Machinery Fair (WMF 2026) takes place from 5 to 8 September 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai. The exhibition focuses on woodworking machinery, furniture manufacturing technology, automation, materials and smart factory solutions, giving South African manufacturers an opportunity to see first-hand how production technology is evolving internationally.
“This is about much more than attending an international exhibition,” says Tracy Symons, SAFI Marketing & Relationship Manager, who has led the coordination of the delegation. “It is an opportunity for our manufacturers to step inside the factories of the future, explore technologies and production solutions that could improve their own operations and bring that knowledge back into the South African industry.”
Interest from local manufacturers has been strong. SAFI successfully secured participation from 13 companies, with each able to nominate up to two representatives, bringing the delegation to 23 people. SAFI has taken responsibility for coordinating the programme directly with AdSale, the company facilitating the Hosted Buyer Programme, including administration, travel arrangements, visa guidance, documentation and ongoing delegate support.
For an industry facing pressure from rising input costs, imported products and increasingly competitive international markets, exposure to new manufacturing technologies is particularly valuable, notes Symons: “South African furniture manufacturers have enormous skill and capability, but competitiveness increasingly depends on how efficiently we can produce, how effectively we use our resources and how quickly we respond to changing markets. Seeing developments in automation, machinery, materials and smart manufacturing gives our delegates an opportunity to consider what could realistically be adapted to South African businesses.”
Importantly, SAFI intends the value of the initiative to extend beyond the companies travelling to China. Insights gained at WMF can help stimulate broader conversations around productivity, technology adoption and the future competitiveness of South African furniture manufacturing: “We want our delegates to come home asking questions… Where can technology reduce waste? Where can automation improve productivity? Which new materials or processes could create opportunities? And, importantly, how do we embrace innovation while retaining the craftsmanship and people that remain such an important strength of South African furniture?”
For SAFI, Shanghai represents both a learning opportunity and another step towards connecting South African manufacturers more closely with developments shaping the global furniture industry.
