MRC's participated in the very first virtual.MEDICA 2020 which was held from 16 – 19 November 2020. There was a total of over 1,300 virtual exhibitors representing 61 countries took part in the event. A wide variety of healthcare products amounting to over 15,000 items were displayed in the online showrooms and over 100 live web sessions were presented for the healthcare community. Over 45,000 professional visitors from 169 nations had connected to the virtual platform and generated 405,000-page impressions with 78% were accounted by international online visitors.

MRC featured a total of 38 rubber medical devices under eight different product categories during the virtual event. For the first time, MRC introduced new animated rubber medical devices directory specially for this virtual event. The directory included full range of medical gloves as well as the non-glove items such as condoms, catheters, respirators, etc. Throughout the four-day virtual event, MRC Marketplace recorded an increase of 50% views per day. MRC also received encouraging number of trade enquiries and most of the enquiries were on medical gloves, particularly nitrile and latex examination gloves. Majority of the enquiries were received from European and Asian countries.

The Matchmaking platform in virtual.MEDICA had successfully linked MRC with a number of potential buyers that are interested to source rubber medical devices from Malaysia. Apart from MRC, the other three Malaysian rubber medical device manufacturers, namely Alliance Rubber Products, Diptech Industries and Smart Glove Corporation, were also tuned in to the digital platform and showcased their products virtually in this event to stay connected with the global healthcare players.

The next edition of MEDICA will be held from 15 – 18 November 2021 as a hybrid event which also consists of live platforms for professional visitors to the Düsseldorf trade fair centre.

MRC continues to participate in Automechanika Shanghai 2020, a significant annual event for the automotive industry in China, particularly the aftermarket segment. This international event marks its 16th edition and has become Asia’s largest trade fair for automotive parts, accessories, equipment and services. This year, the trade fair is themed ‘Navigating a dynamic automotive ecosystem’ and will be held from 2 - 5 December 2020 at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre, Shanghai, China.

For the first time in the history of the event, Automechanika Shanghai 2020 has introduced an online virtual exhibition platform to cater to overseas visitors who could not attend the show physically due to the COVID-19 restrictions. AMS Live platform will allow visitors to interact with exhibitors virtually as well as providing access to webinars on the latest innovations in the automotive industry commencing from 30 November - 6 December 2020.

Apart from MRC, there are two other Malaysian rubber automotive component manufacturers participating virtually via the AMS Live platform. MRC booth, which will be manned by MRC Shanghai representatives, will showcase a wide range of high quality automotive components, re-treading materials and green rubber such as Ekoprena and Pureprena. Come and visit us at Hall 1.1, Booth 1.1B74, to source for high quality rubber products from Malaysia!

The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to adapt to the new norm and many businesses are embarking on virtual meetings. In light of this, MRC would like to announce its inaugural E-Global Sourcing Mission (e-GSM) to be held from 1 – 31 December 2020. The e-GSM is a programme which provides a safe online platform for global buyers to identify and meet with genuine Malaysian manufacturers to source for quality rubber products from Malaysia.

The key rubber products that are promoted under the e-GSM programme this year are Rubber Automotive Components, Engineered Rubber Products, Precured Treads & Retreading Materials, Latex Foam & Latex Mattresses and Specialty Rubber Materials (Green Rubber).

Interested buyers, importers or distributors are invited to register at the e-GSM Online Registration Form. The registration is opened now until 22 November 2020.

For more information, please contact Mr Syazwan (syazwan@myrubbercouncil.com) or Ms Zafirah (zafirah@myrubbercouncil.com)

MRC concluded another successful participation at the 83rd China International Medical Equipment Fair, also known as CMEF Spring 2020 which was held from 19 – 22 October 2020 at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, China. Despite postponements and uncertainties resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, MRC endeavoured to continue its presence in the event by hosting the MRC Malaysia Pavilion, together with three other Malaysian rubber medical device manufacturers and exporters. The representatives from MRC’s Shanghai office attended and manned MRC’s booth during the show.

MRC Malaysia Pavilion attracted visitors who were keen in seeking high quality Made-in-Malaysia rubber medical devices, particularly medical gloves, the most sought-after products due to the pandemic. MRC received considerably good number of trade enquiries despite the lack of international visitors due to travel restrictions imposed in China to curb the spread of COVID-19. Concurrent business-matching sessions between the participating Malaysian companies and prospective buyers were coordinated by MRC throughout the four-day trade exhibition with encouraging number of potential sales recorded. On social media, there was a significant increase in the number of new followers registered with MRC’s account. The show's next edition will be held from 13-16 May 2021 at the same venue.