Linshu: Innovation Boosts Development of Wickerwork Industry

LINSHU, China, Sept. 11, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

In recent years, Linshu County has been dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional wickerwork techniques while effectively utilizing innovation as a “golden key” to continuously expand and strengthen the wickerwork industry. This has led to the extension of the entire wickerwork industry chain, gradually making Linshu’s wickerwork a prosperous industry with a high degree of integration among the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries.

Image: Integration of Wickerwork into Everyday Scenes

At the O·LVY Farm of Linyi O·LVY Agricultural Comprehensive Development Co., Ltd., a diverse array of wickerwork handcrafts for home decoration, storage, gardening and outdoor use are on display. In the Floral Life Pavilion, wicker flower baskets beautifully complement blooming flowers; In the Lyric Life Pavilion, different model rooms showcase boundless potential of different combinations of wickerwork handcrafts in the living room, dining room, and bedrooms.

“We create exhibition halls that integrate wicker products into lifestyle scenarios, allowing visitors to perceive the different uses of wicker products in various contexts. Such scene-driven approach guides consumer choices,” stated Li Xiuxiu, leader of the Second Research Team at O·LVY Farm.

Since its establishment in 2011, Linyi O·LVY Agricultural Comprehensive Development Co., Ltd. has been dedicated to the in-depth processing of wicker products. The company invests over one million yuan annually in research and development and has established a professional design team that regularly travels to different countries for learning. By incorporating both domestic and international trends into their product designs, they launch thousands of new products each year to capitalize on market opportunities.

Image: Wicker Flower Baskets and Floral Arrangements

In Linshu, an increasing number of wicker enterprises, like O·LVY, are embarking on paths of transformation and upgrading. Thanks to the efforts of wicker artisans, Linshu wickerwork has evolved from traditional products to modern crafts and artworks that integrate materials like willow grass, willow rattan, willow fabric, and willow iron. The product range encompasses dozens of categories and tens of thousands of color varieties, catering to the diverse needs of customers worldwide.

Statistics show that in 2023, there were 336 enterprises in Linshu’s wickerwork industry, including 35 enterprises above the designated size. They generated nearly 6 billion yuan in revenue and 1.53 billion yuan in exports, with products sold to over 120 countries and regions.