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Taiwan Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association
Dear TSMA members
Dear Readers
It is evident that 2017 will be another year of change for the global Sporting Goods Industry and some of
the biggest challenges will come from new developments in technology and the impact they will have on the
global sporting goods market. As a key innovator in technology, Taiwan plays a large part in these changes,
offering both disruptive technologies and solutions.
Innovation in fabrics, robotic automation, 3D printing, increasingly sustainable production methods the rise
of Industry 4.0 and “re-shoring” of production from the Asia region will have an effect on working practises and
the workforce itself, creating production gaps where more technologically advanced economies will produce
more using less workers. However, this will mean a greater demand for engineers and highly skilled technicians.
Coupled with new legislation and calls from civil society groups demanding greater transparency of the
supply chain, the pressure on manufacturers to innovate is rising quickly.
To support the Sporting Goods Industry with these challenges, the WFSGI organised a Manufacturers Forum
in Taichung, supported by TSMA as a host partner, exploring several topics in late 2016. Attendees were given
examples of the disruptive technologies in action and heard how the best companies take advantage of the
best technology.
To further support members in the region, the WFSGI Asia office has developed learning programmes in
partnership with manufacturing members to assist in the learning transformation of manufacturing companies.
WFSGI continues to enjoy a close collaboration with TSMA and we look forward to mutual support in these
times of change.
Helen Ford
Senior Executive director,
WFSGI Asia
Robbert De Kock
Secretary General,
WFSGI
Messages fromWorld Federation of
the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI)