TSMA YEARBOOK 2016

2 0 1 6 /

Y e a r b o o k /

T a i w a n S p o r t i n g G o o d s M a n u f a c t u r e r s A s s o c i a t i o n

Dr. Jochen M. Schaefer

Attorney-at-Law (Germany) / Legal Counsel World

Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry

Am Kapellenberg 21

D-85604 Zorneding (Munich Region) Germany

Tel: +49-(0)8106-37723- 41 Fax: +49-(0)8106-37723- 59

E-Mail:

sj@sjlegal.de

Cell: +49-(0)151-16407932

Further, another concrete risk factor may be that especially major global players in the sporting goods

sector may increasingly focus on new innovative highly automated production methods including the

decentralized manufacture by using 3-D printers and comparable new technologies to significantly lower

their production cost in order to remain competitive at a global scale.

For Taiwanese exporters of branded and unbranded sporting goods, it could be that they will have to rethink

in few years their whole distribution model in Europe on a midterm perspective. If European consumers can

purchase goods online from any point of sales at the best possible price regardless where they live or work,

it might become very difficult, if not impossible to grant territorial exclusivity to any European marketing

partner such as distributors, agents or other representatives.

Evidently, the European single digital market is not in place yet. It may well take a few years from now until

we might see a major difference (unless such developments will be exponentially accelerated by the global

leading online platforms such as Amazon and eBay). In addition, the plans of the European Commission

may well face substantial political resistance in particular from European industry and trade organizations

representing brand owners and the traditional retail trade.

Nevertheless, I strongly believe it is well worthwhile for the Taiwanese sporting goods industry

representatives to be aware what is going on in foreign markets and what future trends may be. Finally, I do

have all confidence that TSMA in close alliance with its comprehensive network of European contacts will be

and remain a trusted source and guide for all its members doing business in Europe (and elsewhere).