Taenaka Pile used to export a great deal of items such as seats for automobiles and products for interior usage. They recommenced full-scale export business in 2000, and has been participating in the French materials show Première Vision since 2002. This has allowed more realistic business. We asked Mr. Taenaka about his view on the current situation concerning materials from his point of view as an international materials manufacturer participating also in materials shows in countries like Italy, Russia, China and South Korea.

Our company handles both items related to apparels and interior use. In regard to apparel related items, about 30% of our profits come from our exports. However, it has come to my realization recently, that participation in joint shows alone makes business expansion rather difficult. You have to make efforts to present your products before and after the show, and that's where I've reflected upon. We shouldn't just show the products, if we don't find out what people are looking for then the business will just get stuck.

Many materials from Japan are being commonly used around the world. On the other hand, exceptional products or revolutionary materials won't be created just like that. If we neglect to keep working at business operations, then business itself will consequently decline. Perhaps it is characteristic of the Japanese to be lousy at business operations. I think it's important to have confidence and explain one's products even if one can't speak English well. I don't think it's a good idea to just depend on an agent. In my own case, even as the number of products similar to pile fabric increase and China further advances with its revolution of technology at a rapid speed, it doesn't mean our business has thus diminished. This is because there are users out there who are after high quality pile fabrics.