The Colombian import market for projection screens registered positive data during 2009 and everything seems to indicate that during this year the figures will grow due to the demand for these products in the different sectors.
By: Duván Chaverra A.
Over the years, the Colombian market in general has become one of the most important in the South American region, since it has been showing considerable growth that has allowed it to grow economically within its own territory despite the multiple social problems that afflict it.
To verify this, this time we analyze the Colombian market of projection screens in terms of imports during the period of 2008, 2009 and this year, all in order to know the movement of this market.
Supported by the statistics website The Datamyne, and with the contribution of a Colombian company that appears as one of the five main importers of the equipment in question, we will analyze what have been the causes why this market in the Andean region has presented a substantial growth.
Our guest is Javier Pazmiño, commercial manager of Audiovisuals Image and Sound, who will answer some general questions about the evolution in the import of projection screens in Colombia.
Worldwide and 3D
The arrival of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the impressive appearance of cinema in the third dimension were two of the reasons why the sale of projection screens in Colombia registered a considerable growth throughout 2009 compared to 2008, both in the number of units and in their total value.
The number of imports grew by 25%, and our guest Javier Pazmiño explains from the experience of his company some of the reasons why this number increased throughout 2009.
"There is a growing market and also because the screens we were getting in the local environment did not meet our needs, which made the company decide to start importing in good quantity from China."
Precisely China is the country that is supplying the Colombian market the most, surpassing by a representative amount other importers such as the United States, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea, which appear in the Datamyne as the five nations that most imported projection screens to Colombia during 2009.
During 2009, the Asian country registered 44% of imports to the coffee country in terms of total value; however, the United States, although it imported a smaller number of screens (only 8% compared to 85% of the Chinese) its value was at 42% of the overall total, something that indicates that the prices of the screens in the North American nation are substantially more expensive.
Precisely, the value of screens in China was one of the reasons why a company like Audiovisuales Imagen y Sonido decided to import: "Before we got the materials in our country and we designed the screens, but here the labor and the elements are too expensive, so we considered that it was much more favorable to import them from China."
In addition, with the advancement of technology in projectors, there are several sectors that demand this kind of solutions. The representative of the Colombian firm said in this regard that his company works with different sectors: "This product is basically aimed at large industries, universities and the entire student sector and companies that are dedicated to holding events or shows, that is, there are several sectors with which we are related."
The statistics portal The Datamyne also shows that during 2009 the season that recorded the most imports was in the first and last months of the year. For example, Audiovisuales Imagen y Sonido made all its imports in the month of December for a total of US$27,799, for a percentage of 12% of the conglomerate of national companies.
"Economically we stayed in line with 2008, there were not many changes, and all that basically depends on the customers you have. There was really no growth, I would say that it was presented was a support, "said Javier Pazmiño regarding the movements of his company during the previous year.
In addition, in January 2009, 99% of the imports made by Colombian projection screen companies were from China; Japan recorded 70% in February, while the most dominant month for the United States was May, with 97% of total imports during that time.
2010 data
In the first two months of 2010, according to The Datamyne, China accounted for 96% of total imports, followed by the United States with 2%.
Regarding the beginning of 2010 for importing companies, Javier Pazmiño said that Audiovisuales Imagen y Sonido during the first months of this year has registered positive numbers: "The year has started very well for us, the theme of the World Cup has helped a lot, although it would have been better if Colombia were classified, we also have some projects that have helped us grow so far in 2010".
Finally, our guest talks about the expectations they have for the rest of 2010, a year in which they expect to grow around 6%: "We have observed that there is a slight rebound compared to 2009, I think we will be at least in a growth of 5% or 6% compared to 2009, I even think the figure may be a little higher."
