Largest Umbrella Producer

In recent years, the Republic of China has become the world's largest producer and exporter of umbrellas. It took over the role formerly occupied by Japan about five years ago. Five years before that, Japan had itself overtaken Germany as the world's leader. Today, Taiwan exports 8 million dozen umbrellas a year.

Although Taiwan-made umbrellas are exported to more than 90 countries and territories, the largest market is the U.S., with North America accounting for 42 percent of all Taiwan's exports. It is estimated that 70 percent of umbrellas imported to the U.S. come from Taiwan, while 60 percent of West Germany's and 50 percent of Britain's supplies also come from the same source.

Before 1945, Taiwan only produced the hand-made umbrellas with bamboo frames covered with heavily oiled paper, all made in cottage factories. Since supply of even these crude versions could not meet demand, more sophisticated umbrellas had to be imported from Hong Kong, Japan and mainland China. After 1949, when the government of the Republic of China moved its seat to Taiwan, a rapid expansion of industry, including the umbrella industry, began. By 1953, many factories had been established making umbrellas with steel frames. Artificial silk covers were introduced in 1956, nylon covers in 1961, and since that year manufacturers have succeeded in making most of the necessary parts.

The Executive Yuan established the Umbrellas Export Association in 1964 to promote overseas sales and study world markets. Since then, exports have expanded rapidly each year, until foreign exchange earned amounts to US$80 million a year. Today, the varieties are numerous: men's, women's, children's; golf, beach and decorated umbrellas; hand-opened, automatically opened, and umbrellas folded, two, three or four times; German-patterned, flat-topped pagoda and square umbrellas; covered with cotton, nylon, manmade fiber and satin cloth; plain, colored or printed, and with or without springs.

Good quality, achieved by strict inspection procedures to ensure no faulty models find their way on to the market, is the main reason for the popularity of Taiwan-made umbrellas. Large factories hire experts to draw up new designs and improve quality of products. Four years ago, the Union of the Taiwan Umbrella Industry was founded so that local makers could exchange information and learn from each other's experience. The government has also continuously provided assistance and loans to local makers.

Because Taiwan-made umbrellas are so low-priced, on the domestic market as well as for export, people in Taiwan do not bother to have old ones repaired; nor do they worry if it starts raining and they have left their umbrellas at home. They simply stop at a shop or department store to buy a new one. On a rainy day in Taipei, the streets become a sea of umbrellas of all shapes, colors and sizes. In hot weather, floral and other colorful patterns predominate as the city's womenfolk endeavor to protect themselves from the mid-day sun.