"The development of rubber industry is dependant largely on the quality of the machinery used. It is the technological superiority of the machinery that, in turn, determines the performance and quality of the rubber products. With the development of the global rubber industry, especially that of the radial tyre industry in recent years, the role of the rubber machinery industry has become all the more important.

Today, China has become the world's fastest developing rubber machinery manufacturer. In European Rubber Journal's (ERJ), 2007 global rubber machinery ranking, 11 of the Chinese rubber machinery makers found places among the top 33 global players. In 2007, China's rubber machinery sales turnover stood at US$ 1.2 billion, accounting for one-third of global rubber machinery turnover. In terms of sales, Chinese rubber machinery has been the world's No.1 for the past three consecutive years.

China exports rubber machinery to several international tyre companies including Michelin and Bridgestone and enjoys a good reputation in overseas markets. Moreover, China has emerged as a favourite destination of rubber machinery manufacturers from across the globe to set up joint ventures and the country is fast becoming one of the world's major manufacturing hubs of rubber machinery.

With Michelin and other large tyre companies having already started malting global procurement of rubber equipment, prospects of the China rubber machinery industry appears to be very blight. And, with Michelin having already started making huge investments in China's tyre market, the domestic rubber machinery industry is slated to grow steadily holding the promise for a brilliant future.

Against this background, the venture of Rubber Asia, Asia's largest composite rubber magazine, to publish the Global Handbook & Directory on Rubber Machinery, Equipment and Accessories is certainly a commendable initiative. This unique publication is certain to provide the much needed updates and comprehensive information to readers and stakeholders of the industry across the world.

As Director of Rubber Machinery Committee of China Chemical Industry Equipment Association, I wish a better morrow for the world rubber machinery industry."

Foreword
Li Dongping Director of Rubber Machinery Committee of China Chemical Industry Equipment Association