Review of the 139th Canton Fair: The 'New Narrative' of Chinese Brands
time2026/04/27
- TILER, a tile tool brand, has participated in the Canton Fair since 1994. At the 139th session (April 15–19, 2026), it exhibited six product lines, attracted global buyers, and showcased a 31-year journey from a manual cutter to global sales leadership.
In 1994, the founder of JohnTools (parent company of TILER, its professional tile tool brand) stepped onto the Canton Fair floor with a manual tile cutter.
Back then, the exhibition hall was still on Liuhua Road, without the translucent glass dome we see today. Today, the Canton Fair has become one of the world's largest exhibition complexes.
Since 1994, we have never missed a single session. As the wheel of time turns to 2026 — when the lights of the 139th Canton Fair come on again — a long line of global buyers has already formed in front of the TILER booth.
From April 15–19, 2026, the first phase of the 139th Canton Fair opened at Guangzhou's Pazhou Exhibition Hall.
TILER showcased six product lines at Hall 10.2, Booths I41-42 & J07-08 — including tile cutters, large-format slab systems, intelligent handling equipment, and leveling tools.
The booth was busy. Buyers from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East stopped by to try the tools hands-on. TILER team members moved among them, freely communicating across languages — making this one of the most internationally diverse corners of Hall 10.2.
A professional visitor from Germany commented on site:
"Ten years ago, we came to the Canton Fair looking for cheap goods. Now, we come for quality products. The European market has extremely high quality standards, and TILER's products meet our requirements."
On TILER’s data wall at the booth, the following numbers were displayed:
Leading global sales of tile cutters for 12 consecutive years
Products sold to 140+ countries and regions
Serving 500+ corporate clients worldwide
Behind these numbers lies more than three decades of dedication.
TILER’s growth path is clear and determined: go deep in a niche, excel to the extreme, and earn trust in the global market.
At the 139th Canton Fair, TILER is just one of many exhibitors — yet it reflects a deeper shift in Chinese manufacturing.
From cost competition to value competition
"Made in China" is no longer about being cheap. It's about being durable, safe, and efficient. TILER’s electric vacuum lifter handles 260 kg slabs, letting one worker do the job of three or four — not by cutting costs, but through innovation.
From selling products to providing solutions
In the past, companies sold tools — a trowel, a suction cup, a cutter. Now, TILER offers full-process solutions: cutting, handling, leveling, grouting, cleaning. Six product lines, one integrated system.
From pursuing scale to pursuing long‑termism
Being the global sales leader for 12 consecutive years didn't come from marketing hype, but from product‑driven reputation. Serving 140+ countries and 500+ clients didn't come from price dumping, but from continuous innovation and consistent quality.
Long‑termism means chasing sustained growth, not short‑term explosions — earning trust, not just beating competitors.
Will the electric era kill manual cutters? No.
The global manual tile cutter market is expected to grow from $350 million (2024) to $448 million (2031), at a 3.6% CAGR — and heavy‑duty manual cutters are growing even faster at 9.6%.
Why are hand tools still so attractive?
DIY culture – 60% of Western millennials plan home renovations; hand tools are affordable and easy.
Pro‑grade upgrades – No longer "low end." Heavy‑duty, high‑precision, ergonomic designs are trending.
Complementary use – Power tools for large, standardized jobs; hand tools for small spaces and custom work.
They don't compete. They coexist — each playing to its strengths.
So, the future is bright, and TILER’s story continues.
Going forward, TILER will keep deepening its focus on the tile tool sector, continuously invest in R&D, and embrace intelligent trends. We look forward to joining hands with more global partners to bring high‑quality Chinese tile tools to construction projects around the world.
