The Nanning building materials market is showing signs of rapid growth.

In 2004, the China-ASEAN Expo was permanently established in Nanning. Facing ASEAN with an open and cooperative spirit, Nanning—the “Green City”—has been writing a vibrant and harmonious chapter of win-win cooperation, marked by grandeur and diversity. Over the past nine years, as a leading city and “bridgehead” for China’s openness and cooperation with ASEAN, Nanning has actively planned industrial development and continuously strengthened its overall economic power by hosting the China-ASEAN Expo. It has also proactively enhanced urban infrastructure construction, creating a favorable environment and conditions for fostering cooperation between China and ASEAN. Moreover, Nanning has more vigorously leveraged its “Nanning Channel” role, building bridges and platforms that facilitate exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN. By deepening its openness and cooperation with ASEAN countries, Nanning has greatly promoted its comprehensive economic and social development. Once a city tucked away in a remote corner, Nanning is now attracting increasing global attention as the core city of the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone in Guangxi and as a window city for China’s openness and cooperation with ASEAN.

In recent years, Nanning City has firmly seized the China-ASEAN Expo as a platform for cooperation, positioning its industrial development within the broader regional context of ASEAN countries. Taking into account ASEAN markets’ resource advantages, logistics costs, labor costs, and market potential, Nanning has actively explored new models for industrial development, promoted industrial transformation and upgrading, optimized industrial structure, and accelerated the formation of regional industrial strengths.

As Nanning’s economy accelerates and its real estate sector continues to advance, the building materials industry is also experiencing rapid growth. Earlier this month, reporters from Tu Ying Tian Xia visited Nanning’s building materials market to gain an in-depth understanding of the development status of Nanning’s coatings industry. Upon first arriving in Nanning, my initial impression was that there were more than a dozen large and small building materials markets—seemingly too many, disproportionate to the city’s size. In reality, just four or five comprehensive building materials markets with a full range of products would be entirely sufficient.

The distribution of these markets is also somewhat unreasonable. Near the express ring road, there are already several major markets—including Kuai Huan, Chang Wang, Da Jia Hui, and Nan Da Health Home (under construction). Wantielong, Tiandi Yuan, and Da Shang Hui are also located not far away. Before it was demolished, the Hu Qiu Building Materials Market even bordered the Ming Xiu Building Materials Market... Moreover, most of these markets are relatively small in size, lack a comprehensive range of home furnishing products, and have unclear planning. In generally well-planned cities, one market is typically established in each of the designated major zones, with an additional one or two markets added in densely populated areas.

The chaotic situation has intensified competition among Nanning’s building materials markets, leading to a diversion of customers and leaving most markets relatively quiet. This trend has become even more pronounced amid the generally sluggish market conditions. In the future, building materials brands will face a reshuffling, with only the fittest surviving. Correspondingly, some building materials markets will either disappear or undergo transformation. For example, the Tiandi Yuan building materials market has already shown signs of transitioning into a market specializing in wood and steel products.

Moreover, due to the rapid growth of the market, local regulatory efforts have failed to keep pace, leading to a rampant proliferation of counterfeit building materials that have caused substantial losses to many businesses operating in compliance with regulations. Paint products are semi-finished goods, and many consumers have very limited knowledge about them. Faced with a wide variety of fake and substandard products, it is extremely difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit items, posing a significant risk to consumer safety.

As an emerging city that excels in economy, culture, and livability, coatings are an indispensable element in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of residential environments. To this end, many insightful professionals in the coatings industry have shared their thoughts and perspectives.

Exploring the Path of Tu Mou in Guangxi

Li Yuandong, General Manager of Guangxi Hongtaimen Industry Co., Ltd.

Li Yuandong introduced: "In line with the development trends of the door industry, Hongtai Doors has established its headquarters in the Nanning-ASEAN Economic Development Zone in China and uses the Southeast Industrial Zone in Wuyi, Zhejiang, as a key link to deliver Hongtai doors to markets around the globe. Guided by the business philosophy of 'surviving through quality, building brands for growth,' Hongtai Doors is pursuing a development strategy centered on 'industrialized management, market-oriented operations, specialized services, systematic management, and group-based development.' With sincere unity, pioneering spirit, and people-oriented management, we are making relentless efforts to successfully enter the international marketplace. Currently, some exemplary success stories of Hongtai Doors include: Liuzhou Party School, Guangxi College of Water Resources and Electric Power, Guangxi Daily Press, Guangxi Transportation Design Building, Nanning Rhein Lakeside, Taiwan Uni-President Enterprises, Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., and Guiyang Municipal Government Administrative Center."

After more than a year of preparation, in 2013, Hongtai Door Industry established its chain headquarters—the Hongtai Door Industry Experience Center—at the Kuaihuan Building Materials Market in Nanning, a specialized building materials experience center covering nearly 2,000 square meters. The establishment of Hongtai Door Industry’s marketing chain headquarters provides users with convenient, fast, and one-stop door-buying services, marking an important step for Hongtai Door Industry in its ambition to become the “Suning” or “Gome” of the door industry. Hongtai boasts an experienced marketing and business team that provides strong support for its sales and business development. Upholding the business philosophy that “service is more important than sales,” Hongtai is committed to providing customers with the highest-quality after-sales service and strives to become a leading brand in the door industry, not only in Guangxi but throughout China.

We believe that Nanning, Guangxi—a medium-sized city located in the southwestern region of China, tucked away in a corner—will surely become the largest hub for building materials, home furnishings, and door industries in the southwest region in the near future!