J&F Headwear, a Taizhou company, sets up a booth at the 138th Canton Fair. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

The 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) concluded on Nov 4, with Taizhou enterprises leaving a strong impression on global buyers. A total of 169 companies from Taizhou participated, securing deals worth $51 million and showcasing a renewed, innovation-driven image of "Made in Taizhou".

Taizhou exhibitors occupied 273 booths this year, displaying a wide range of products, including hardware, furniture, new energy equipment, sports and leisure goods, home appliances, large machinery, motorcycles, holiday items, toys, apparel, textiles, and raw materials. Instead of competing on price alone, Taizhou companies won orders through technological innovation and product differentiation.

At the booth of GMO Water Heater, an air-source heat pump water heater with remote-control functionality and an energy efficiency rate of up to 80 percent quickly attracted international buyers, securing contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In the healthcare sector, Jiangsu Meilan Medical Device drew attention with three newly patented self-heating products, backed by CE and FDA certifications. The company secured eight new international clients and reached cooperation agreements with four global health brands. A Saudi buyer alone placed an order for 150,000 warming patches valued at more than $450,000.

J&F Headwear, a long-time exhibitor, targeted Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets with lightweight, breathable cap designs suited for tropical climates. Live demonstrations — including waterproof and heat-dissipation tests — helped the company connect with new distributors. Unexpectedly, a South Korean buyer also expressed interest in co-developing a product line, opening the door to higher-end markets in Japan and South Korea.

The booth of Taizhou Yuanda Investment Group. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

As global demand increasingly shifts toward personalized and small-batch customization, several Taizhou firms stood out.

"Customized products have higher added value and demonstrate a company's responsiveness to market needs — a key component of global competitiveness," said Li Weiyuan, deputy director of the Taizhou Commerce Bureau's Foreign Trade Division. According to him, this year's Canton Fair highlighted a noticeable improvement in Taizhou companies' ability to tailor products for international markets.