China: Chinese down producers look beyond winter to beat seasonality.

Storyline Chinese down producers look beyond winter to beat seasonality Summer is not the typical season for things made of goose down, but in China, companies are defying the off-season slump with innovative products and production processes. In China's Henan province, a down enterprise is using modern processing, ironing, and packaging procedures to ship down products to locations across the nation. Chen Zhaoxian, Transport Driver: "In previous years, I’d have to wait days for a load during this time. Now, I make a trip every three days, hauling ten-plus tons per load, and head back immediately after unloading." Besides an orderly production process, the factory has diversified the products they manufacture. Down quilts are said to be suitable in summer because down is a very breathable fiber and is great at wicking away moisture and humidity. Zhang Taibin, Sales Manager, Henan Rongjiao Home Textiles Co., Ltd.: "Our down quilts have always sold well, especially our newly developed down summer quilts and down shawls, which have been very popular with customers. Sales are up about 30% compared to last year." Another company also says that from June to August this year, their order volume grew by 30 percent compared to the same period last year. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]