Ningbo exporters strike gold ahead of Paris Olympics

Trophies produced by Ningbo Fasibo Sports Products Co Ltd. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

As the Paris Olympics draw near, foreign trade enterprises in Ningbo are experiencing a major windfall.

Ningbo Fasibo Sports Products Co Ltd, a company specializing in crafting trophies, medals, and related items, has seen a significant spike in orders spurred by the approaching event.

Xie Xiangyu, the company's general manager, said, "The impact of the Olympics is unmistakable, evident in the increased demand for sports event-related products such as trophies and medals since last year. To meet year-end delivery deadlines, we have opened two new automated production lines, ensuring the completion of at least one trophy every second on average."

In the first half of the year, Fasibo's exports soared by 138 percent on a yearly basis, with the company projecting a 25 percent year-on-year expansion in total production value for the current year.

Ningbo Donggang Sports Products Co Ltd is another company reaping the benefits of the impending sports bonanza. The company is currently operating its badminton and nylon ball production lines at full capacity daily, with a monthly output of 250,000 units.

"Despite traditionally being a slow season for badminton production, the Paris Olympics have led to a 20 percent year-on-year increase in our order volume. By March, our order book was already filled through year-end," shared general manager Shi Lei. From January to June, the export value of the company's products shipped to France approached 3 million yuan, up by 35 percent year-on-year.

The Olympics have also ignited a fervor for sports globally, leading to an upswing in the sales of fitness equipment such as treadmills.

Chen Lingling, manager of Ningbo Healthmate Science and Technology Development Co Ltd, said that their treadmills, prized for their reliability, sleek design, and smart features, have become highly sought-after. During the past six months, the company exported treadmills worth $18.17 million, marking a 43.8 percent year-on-year growth."

According to data from Ningbo Customs, in the first half of the year, exports of sports products and equipment from Ningbo amounted to 3.77 billion yuan ($522.2 million), reflecting a 22 percent year-on-year increase. Among these exports, sports products shipped to France totaled 120 million yuan, representing a 54.2 percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.