-- Special role of UK companies in the world’s biggest textile market
-- Massive annual growth in exports to China and Hong Kong
-- Innovations in testing and quality systems as well as production machines

In the world’s biggest textile manufacturing country, British-built machinery continues to play a special role, as Chinese mills demonstrate an undiminished appetite for the range of specialised production, testing and component technologies offered by UK companies.
The special relationship between Chinese textile firms and their British-based suppliers of equipment will again be in evidence at CITME 2006 in Beijing. Under the banner of the British Textile Machinery Association, a select group of UK firms will provide a vibrant demonstration of both hardware and expertise, in the British Pavilion in Hall 4 of the Beijing exhibition complex.
Not only will the BTMA member firms promote their latest technical developments – including a number of products been seen in public for the first time – they will also renew and strengthen their partnerships with Chinese customers, built up over many years and bolstered by the BTMA’s own unrivalled marketing and facilitating efforts. The fruits of this work can be expressed in cold facts which tell an impressive story:

• China is the UK machinery companies' Number One export market – a feature which the British share with much larger machinery-building countries like Germany and Italy, underlining the fact that the BTMA firms have retained their place in the forefront of global competitiveness.
• Between 2004 and 2005 – the last period for which full-year export statistics are available – UK textile machinery exports to China rose by a staggering 89%.  his was part of an Asian region sales increase of 35% over the same period by the British companies.
• To the ‘China’ export figure must be added the 42% export growth between 2004 and 2005 to Hong Kong, which is recorded separately in official UK trade statistics.

While early evidence shows that the export figures for the UK and its fellow European machinery-building countries are not likely to feature the same dramatic growth this year, there is a strong feeling that CITME itself could be the catalyst for a revival in investments by Chinese mills.

BTMA Director Alan Little

Says BTMA Director Alan Little: “There is no more competitive market than China, and our member companies have continually shown that they have both the innovative products and the commercial and customer-oriented support networks to ensure that they remain major partners for Chinese mills.
“As previous experience and actual sales have shown, UK companies not only have a special relationship with their Chinese customers, but they also have the special products – particularly those related to quality-enhancing aspects of the textile processes – that fit exactly with the needs of the growing number of export-oriented Chinese producers of high-quality goods for global markets.”
Mr Little and has staff will be in attendance throughout CITME, to provide information and contacts for Chinese visitors on behalf of the entire BTMA membership of more than 40 companies serving sectors of the textile industry.

HIGHLIGHTS

The British exhibitors at CITME 2006 are optimistic and have backed that mood by planning to unveil some genuinely innovative products at the event. As expected, textile testing and quality control will be a major feature of the British booths, and a big highlight is likely to be the presentation by Roaches Engineering of two novel systems which use digital imaging to take the guesswork out of fabric quality assessment and, potentially at least, settle any quality-related arguments between fabric maker and downstream customers such as retailers.
SDC Enterprises has tackled the bugbear of counterfeiting on its latest version of the Multifibre DW test fabric, by incorporating  a woven-in security thread as a guard against inferior products being passed off as genuine.
Another vital quality-related area is that of colour and visual assessment of textile products, which will be addressed at CITME by the UK firm of VeriVide, which has pioneered accurate visual assessment techniques and equipment for more than 40 years. Specialist advice on this topic will be available from VeriVide experts at the show.
Production technology for carpets remains an area in which the UK is a world leader, and Sellers Engineers will bring numerous carpet samples to CITME to show off the capabilities of its finishing ranges for use after the carpet tufting or weaving operation. A major feature will be the Sellers equipment for artificial grass (especially sports turf), in which Chinese customers are playing a key role as part of a global upsurge in demand.
Specialised printing equipment for labels used in textiles and apparel will be featured by Focus Label Machinery, and the company will launch a brand new machine from its LX range at the show, to support the fast-rising interest in at-source production of labels for textile products destined for global markets.
Radio frequency drying continues to develop and adapt to changing market demands, and UK specialist machine supplier Strayfield will show CITME visitors how its newest machines use both RF energy and a unique ‘intelligent vacuum’ system for the optimum processing of heat-sensitive yarns.
Fibreguide, one of the world leaders in synthetic fibre jet technology, will be unveiling a new range of components aimed at offering high productivity with lower air use. The FG10E jets are based on a unique and novel triangular design and their addition means Fibreguide now offers the complete range of ceramic jet options to its customers.
Both finishers and nonwovens producers will be interested in the latest developments from Richard Hough, the UK manufacturer of calendering and squeezing rolls, which combines a 200-year tradition with latest-technology products that are widely appreciated by both OEMs and their customers in the textile mills. Of special interest at the show will be the Cotton Calendering Roll, which offers high standards of strength and resilience and is made entirely from natural cotton.
Significant commercial moves by the BTMA member companies are also planned for the Chinese market this year, and among those with news on this score at CITME is card clothing pioneer James Holdsworth, which will announce at the show the opening of a new base in Hong Kong, added to its existing Beijing office, to support its products for the high-pile and plush fabric sectors.
Already open for business since March is the new Slack & Parr China Service Centre in Qingpu near Shanghai, where its man-made fibre gear pumps can be serviced. Slack & Parr is also spotlighting the major technical trend in synthetic fibres towards higher productive efficiency with a range of 12-outlet gear pumps to match the capabilities of the latest winding equipment used in the industry.
The growth of partnerships based on mutual trust and confidentiality is well illustrated by the special creeling and unwinding systems devised by Texkimp. This company does have a successful sales record in China, but such is the sensitive nature of some of the synthetic fibre markets in which it operates, it is not able to breach confidences by even divulging the broad nature of many of its installations, let alone the identity of specific customers. However, CITME visitors are assured of Texkimp’s ability to meet their textile creeling needs, as the company’s spokesman asserts: “If the material can be wound onto a supply package - Texkimp can unwind it.”

-- Full details of the exhibiting UK firms and their latest developments

FIBREGUIDE LTD.
Maple Court, Davenport Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1JE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1625 427561  
Fax: +44 1625 511216
e-mail: info@fibreguide.com
Web: www.fibreguide.com

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With an enviable reputation as an innovative manufacture and supplier of quality air-jets for the interlacing of filament yarns in all extrusion, drawing, texturing, warping and covering processes, Fibreguide has a strong position in the Chinese market. For CITME, the firm will underline its technological leadership by introducing a completely new jet range for extrusion spinning. The FG10E jet follows an extensive R&D programme, designed to provide users with highly competitive products offering excellent performance with very low air consumption.
The patented new FG10E Jet is based on a unique development of the triangular chamber design. The jets have been designed for single or multiple jet arrangements with 4mm, 5mm 6.5mm and 10mm pitch, with up to 20 or more ends. The range comprises the FG10SE single position jet normally located in the take up area;
FG10E TWIN jets available with 10mm, 6.5mm, 5mm or 4mm pitch; and the FG10E Multi Position jets with 10, 6.5, 5 and 4mm pitch with standard mounting or a custom-designed manifold.
This latest range means Fibreguide customers have access to a full range of ceramic jets which incorporate the flexibility which has been associated with the company for many years.
Fibreguide is fully committed to the technology of air jets for all synthetic fibre processes and will be continuing extensive R&D on both the design of the jets themselves and peripheral components in the process. The goal will be to increase process speeds and reduce air consumption, in turn reducing process costs, as well as providing further flexibility in the process.

CONTACT IN CHINA
Fibreguide China
6/F, No.18 East Street, Tian Shui Yuan,Chao Yang DIstrict, PO Box 2015
100026, Beijing
P.R.China
Tel:(+86) 10 6501 4536
Fax:(86) 10 6501 9014
Email:Song.g@sohu.com

FOCUS LABEL MACHINERY LTD.
Kendryl Park, Chapel Lane, Bingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG13 8GF, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1949 836223  
Fax: +44 1949 836542
e-mail: admin@focuslabel com
Web: www.focuslabel.com
Contact: Mr David Lee

A “tremendous acceleration” in at-source production of printed packaging, labels, tags and ticketing for textile products destined for global markets has been noted by Focus Label Machinery during the past three years. This trend has been accompanied by a rise in investment by European and US manufacturers in the Chinese and Asian markets, and Focus has targeted its R&D efforts at meeting the growing demand for its latest-technology printing equipment for these applications.
Focus is a leading maker of narrow web printing and converting equipment for the label and packaging industry, supplying most of the leading label and ticket manufacturers, and this reputation will be underscored by an impressive presence at CITME 2006.
The company will use the show to launch its new LX range of  Label Printing Presses for garments, based on its successful Letterflex technology, but now offered in a completely new version, for the production of fabric labels and decorative ribbons.
Focus states that this patented technology allows “the fastest complete job and colour changes of any press in the market today.”  Improved quality with less downtime, less wastage, faster production and higher output are among other benefits which make the LX press a front-runner.
Show visitors will also be able to hear about the latest advances in printing and integrated ultrasonic cutting technology from Focus specialists.
Says a spokesman: “Those local companies in the Asia region needing to meet international quality standards have seen the benefits in investing with leading equipment manufacturers like Focus. In the case of  US and European  operations it allows for maximum flexibility, ensuring production can be transferred to any global facility where demand dictates.”
These are the strengths which Focus believes will keep its products – all manufactured, designed and assembled in its own UK facility – ahead of low-cost, locally-manufactured rivals in Asian markets.

CONTACT IN CHINA
HONG KONG / CHINA
Kar Ming Technology Development Co Ltd
TEL: + 852 2413 0688
Email: bw@karming.com
Contact: Bernie Wong

TAIWAN
Early Sun Co Ltd
TEL: +886 2 283 5600
Email : kyarshin@yahoo.com
Contact : Paul Hsieh

JAMES HOLDSWORTH & BROTHERS LTD.
South Brook Mills, Station Road, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, WF14 8NQ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1924 494471  
Fax: +44 1924 490786
e-mail: info@jamesholdsworth.com
Web: www.jamesholdsworth.com
Contact: Mrs Janet Liley

The world’s oldest card clothing manufacturer, James Holdsworth has this year announced major initiatives in both its manufacturing capabilities and its customer support for China and the Far East. CITME comes at an opportune time for the firm, as it has just announced the opening of a second Chinese base, in Hong Kong, to back up its office already established in Beijing.
Says the firm: “Our commitment to provide all customers with a service and reliability, both of product and representation, is second to none. In order to further enhance this for our Chinese and Far Eastern customers it was decided that a second base be opened in Hong Kong to support the office already established in Beijing.”
The new Hong Kong facility will mainly store and supply the “James Holdsworth Ring” which is known throughout the High Pile and Plush Industry for its ease of application and its quality and efficiency benefits. This Store in Hong Kong will vastly reduce delivery times and allow a more local point of contact that communicates in the same tongue as its customers.
This year will also see another important milestone for Holdsworth, as it prepares to move its manufacturing operation to a new purpose-built, state of the art facility in Marsden, a few miles from its current base at Mirfield in the UK county of West Yorkshire.
The move, at the end of 2006, will see Holdsworth join with two of its wholly-owned subsidiary companies responsible for the manufacture of the card clothing foundation and the tempering, coating and hardening of fine card wires. This will enable the company to produce and assemble under one roof all the key components that go into the manufacture and supply of the highest-quality card clothing to its customers at home and abroad, with a renewed focus on production efficiency and quality.

RICHARD HOUGH LTD.
Mill Hill Street, Mill Hill, Bolton, Lancashire, BL2 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1204 526562
Fax: +44 1204 363191
e-mail: sales@richardhough.co.uk
Web: www.richardhough.co.uk
Contact: Mr Anthony Ashton

Calendering and squeezing rolls for the world's textile industry are the speciality of Richard Hough, a British company which combines a manufacturing tradition of more than 200 years with a modern and innovative product range geared to the needs of finishing and nonwovens plants. Rolls are supplied to many leading textile machinery makers as well as to individual textile manufacturers in more than 30 countries. Now incorporating another well-known British name in this sector, that of David Bentley, Hough offers both new and recovered rolls, for a wide range of applications.
At CITME, much interest is expected to be focused on the company’s Cop Cotton Calendering Roll, produced from natural cotton thread and already an industry favourite thanks to its high resilience and strength. Also produced are a ‘Woollen Paper’ high-density roll made from denim cotton and wool paper, for both textile calendering and embossing; and a polyamide textile calendering roll incorporating a nylon-based cover sleeve.
Squeezing and de-watering rolls for wet process applications such as pad mangles, stenters and dye ranges, feature microporous synthetic coverings, and include: Resilio, a high-performance squeezing roll to replace conventional rubber types; the Resilio-Perlon high-expression squeezing roll for use in the Küsters Aquaroll and Aquatroll mangles; and the Hi-torq Resilio roll, a high-strength squeezing unit designed for high-efficiency squeezing of loose stock fibres.

ROACHES INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Upper Hulme, Leek,
Staffordshire, ST13 8TY, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1538 300425  
Fax: +44 1538 300364
e-mail: info@roaches.co.uk
Web: www.roaches.co.uk
Contact: Mr Richard Golonko

World-class testing and laboratory equipment from Roaches Engineering will be presented to the Chinese market at CITME. Major exhibits will be two novel systems which use digital imaging to take the guesswork out of fabric quality assessment. The concept behind both the Opti-Grade SET and Opt-Rate SAS devices is to prevent or settle any potential disputes between fabric suppliers and downstream customers over grading of fabrics to take account of parameters such as hairiness, pilling snagging, creasing and wrinkling. Says a Roaches spokesman: “Major retail groups are among those showing a strong interest in these two instruments, which provide an objective and quantifiable basis for fabric quality issues. There are some major testing laboratories in China and we are sure that these products would be of great benefit to them.
“The two systems have also been developed in recognition of the fact that there has been an element of de-skilling of the fabric testing and analysis procedures over the years, and they make it possible for effective and authoritative quality information to be compiled on the basis of latest technology solutions that are relative simple to use.”
The Opti-Grade SET, developed in conjunction with Marks and Spencer and Shenkar College, Israel, uses neural network technology to grade a test fabric for three characteristics: pilling tests – including the fuzz as well as the pills; snagging; and hairiness.
The Opti-Rate SAS was designed in co-operation with Cotton Inc. and Texas Tech. The fabric is digitally scanned and the image is then automatically converted to an objective grade, covering surface effects such as creasing and wrinkles.

CONTACT IN CHINA
Roachelab Shanghai Co.,Ltd
Room 609, World Center B Building, No.18 Taolin Road, Pudong Avenue, Shanghai, PRC 200135
Tel: 86-21 58216129, 58215229, 50280266, 50280261
Fax: 86-21 58211145
www.roachelab.com

SDC ENTERPRISES LTD.
P O Box 1117, Grattan Road, Bradford,
West Yorkshire, BD1 2WU, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1274 750160  
Fax: +44 1274 750162
e-mail: lynner@sdcenterprises.co.uk
Web: www.sdcenterprises.co.uk
Contact: Ms Lynne Ramsden

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Society of Dyers and Colourists, SDC Enterprises has the backing of one of the world’s leading authorities in research and development of technical standards for the global colouration industry. Enterprises is the SDC’s manufacturing and supply outlet for premium quality colour fastness testing consumables for use in BS, EN and ISO test procedures. Specified by many major retailers, SDC products have become the industry-standard, worldwide, for those organisations wishing to invest in the quality of their product.
Successful participation in may recent exhibitions in China and throughout Asia has enabled SDC Enterprises to continue to bring international standards for colour fastness testing within easy reach of all within the industry, supported by a network of local distributors worldwide.
For CITME, SDC Enterprises will be promoting their latest version of the Multifibre DW test fabric, which now has a special security thread woven into the selvedge, as a way of confirming the authenticity of the product and its reliability in use for vital test procedures.
“Retail brands worldwide are familiar with the threat of inferior quality goods being passed off to consumers as something they are not. Similarly test consumables not of the highest quality can lead to customer rejection, retailer claims and loss of future business,” says an SDC Enterprises spokesperson.
The Multifibre DW Adjacent Fabric product includes a thread that has a visible SDC logos for identification and special micro-characters for security. Detailed testing at a number of internationally accredited independent laboratories has demonstrated the durability of design and ensures that the thread has no impact on test results.
In combination with clearly branded packaging and certificates of conformity, SDC Multifibre can be identified throughout its extensive supply chain, right up to and including the final test report.

SELLERS ENGINEERS LTD.
Chapel Hill, Huddersfield,
West Yorkshire, HD1 3EH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1484 540101  
Fax: +44 1484 544457
e-mail: admin@sellersengineers.com
Web: www.sellers-uk.com
Contact: Mr Tim Sugden

A strong track record in the supply of more than 60 machines to the region underlines the position of Sellers as one of China and Asia’s major providers of post-production technology for the carpet industry. Acclaimed worldwide for its carpet shearing ranges, Sellers also offers complete finishing plants up to 5 metres wide, for carpets as well as for the fast-growing synthetic turf market. Enquiries continue to increase as China prepares for extra installations of artificial turf ahead of its hosting of the  2008 Olympics and an expansion in demand for sports surfaces generally.
Samples of all types of carpet – produced by the major carpet production methods of tufting, weaving and needling – will be on view at CITME, as Sellers seeks to underline the range of product possibilities its equipment can be used for. A key benefit for Sellers customers is the company’s expertise in providing effective operative training programmes, to maximise the productive potential of its machinery.
Recent technical progress in backing has seen Sellers applying its coating, curing and perforating systems to both latex and polyurethane backing options for carpeting. In shearing, Sellers equipment is now offered with a new tension control and drive system to simplify operation and maintenance.

CONTACT IN CHINA
CEO International (Holding) Inc.
Room 902, Beijing JingShan BurLingame Commercial Building,
No. 33, Deng-Shi-Kou Street, East District, Beijing, 100006.
Phone: 0086 10 65126723
Fax:     0086 10 65126725
E-Mail: admin@ceobeijing.com
Contact: Mr. Zhang Ze

SLACK & PARR LTD.
Long Lane, Kegworth,
Derbyshire, DE74 2FL, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1509 672306  
Fax: +44 1509 673357
e-mail: info@slack-parr.com
Web: www.slackandparr.com
Contact: Mr Neil Anderton

As China continues to influence the world market for the supply of commodity man-made fibre, its fibre manufacturing machinery potential continues to be hugely important to Slack & Parr, which is a major supplier of vital components for the industry.
In recent years, high volume sales of gear pumps have been made both directly to Chinese customers and by products arriving via projects from large European and American engineering companies.
In March 2006, Slack and Parr opened its China Service Centre in Qingpu near Shanghai. This facility demonstrates a commitment to a market that the company views as the future home of synthetic fibres and provides its Chinese customers with access to a pump service facility with all the features European customers have demanded for many years.
Says a spokesman: “In addition to our own products, Slack & Parr is more than happy to give honest engineering advice and maintain gear pumps from any of its respected competitors.”
Chinese customers are especially keen on enhancing ‘valued added’ aspects of their business, through parameters such as improved efficiency and cost reduction. In this regard, Slack & Parr reports that whereas 10 years ago, gear pumps with four outlets were viewed as a sensible choice between capacity requirements and reliability, the latest planetary pump designs are supplied with 12 outlets.
Production demands have seen sales advance through 5, 6, 8 and 10 outlet designs to the new 12 outlet polymer pumps which match the latest 12-end high speed winders.
The company will show a 12-outlet planetary polymer pump for the first time in China at CITME 2006. Market reception is reported to have been enthusiastic, with several references already available.
At its UK HQ, Slack & Parr has been working on key production equipment upgrades to ensure its gear pump components remain cost-competitive. In the past year, the firm has invested  £1 million was on new production and production related machinery for its plant at Kegworth, Derbyshire, whole future plans involve the construction of a new factory and head office to cater for further expansion and modernisation.

STRAYFIELD LTD.
10/11 Ely Road, Theale,
Berkshire, RG7 4BQ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 118 932 3823  
Fax: +44 118 932 3103
e-mail: info@strayfieldfastran.co.uk
Web: www.strayfieldfastran.co.uk
Contact: Mr Peter Blake

A 20-year track record as the leading global supplier of Radio Frequency drying equipment to the Chinese textile industry enables Strayfield to offer its expertise at CITME to a wide range of existing and potential new customers.
For Chinese mills, the drying of precision-wound high-density packages at the lowest possible temperatures at 100% generator output has become an important advantage of using Strayfield equipment, and this is an area in which the partnership between Strayfield and its customers in China has led a global trend.
The importance of health and safety in the workplace is also stressed by Strayfield, which has welcomed the increasing number of countries adopting international regulations governing radio frequency interference and use of such machinery. Its equipment is designed to meet all current Chinese regulations on both health and safety and RF interference.
Among latest ranges to be featured at the show will be the 25FV Cabinet Dryer, which is the smallest of the second generation Strayfield systems, specially designed to cater for latest industry trends. Systems for processing thermally-sensitive yarns and colours are now in demand, and the new Strayfield machines in this area combine RF energy with an ‘intelligent vacuum’ system, with a maximum drying temperature of 65C..

CONTACT IN CHINA
North of China:
Besten Co.
e-mail: besten@netvigaer.com.
South of China:
Union Trading Co.(China) Ltd.
e-mail: union@uniontdg.corp.com.hk

TEXKIMP LTD.
Manchester Road, Northwich,
Cheshire, CW9 7NN, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1606 40345  
Fax: +44 1606 40366
e-mail: sales@texkimp.co.uk
Web: www.texkimp.co.uk
Contact: Mr Pete Banham

Specialist creel manufacturer Texkimp views the Chinese market as extremely important, with sales to China putting it among the UK firm’s five leading export destinations, with some important installations.
Texkimp has a full range of creel designs for unwinding either over-end from stationary packages, or by tangential “unrolling” unwind from rotating packages. The firm will focus at CITME on emphasising its commitment to the market and reinforcing contacts with both existing and new customers. Its expertise covers the unwinding of all types of fibres –  including threads, yarns, cords, high-performance fibre tows, ribbons, wires, tapes and monofilaments: “If the material can be wound onto a supply package - Texkimp can unwind it,” is how the firm’s spokesman puts it.
The full range takes in Tire Cord Creels, Tape and Monofilament Creels, Carbon Fibre Creels, Driven Systems and Very Heavy Duty Creels(VHD).
Technology levels offered range from simple mechanical systems to the latest  inverter drive units.  Creel sizes range from thousands of unwinding positions down to individual package unwinding solutions, with package weights up to 500kgs and speeds up to 1500m/min.

CONTACT IN CHINA
ATA Plastic Machinery Company Limited, 302, 52-5 Shuiyin Street,
Dongshan, Guangzhou,  510075   China
Tel: +86 20 3761 3295            Fax: +86 20 3761 3926
email: sales@atamachinery.com

VERIVIDE LTD.
Quartz Close, Warrens Business Park, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE19 4SG, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 116 284 7790  
Fax: +44 116 284 7799
e-mail: enquiries@verivide.com
Web: www.verivide.com
Contact: Mr Paul Dakin

In the field of colour and visual assessment, the UK firm of VeriVide has been a world leader for more than 40 years. Its products include colour assessment cabinets and related systems, based on the use of  CIE 51 standardised viewing conditions, to ensure that textiles are seen and assessed in a way that is both measurable and communicable through the various electronic methods of describing colour and light.
For textile manufacturers, VeriVide identifies the key factors to be considered as: visual assessments; visual assessment against numerical data; and visual assessment against on-screen approvals. The company stresses that modern digital technology makes it important for the light sources in visual assessment cabinets to match theoretical illuminants D65, D75, F11, A.
An important aspect of VeriVide’s service is its assistance in ensuring customers choose the right light source and apparatus suitable to their particular needs. These can range from transmitted to reflected light, or for a viewing specification that requires a particular angle, all of which make a key difference to the final quality perception of the textile product.
VeriVide believes that the need for colour assessment cabinets to meet demanding standards has never been greater, as assessments are now often viewed either against numerical data from a spectrophotometer or on-screen approvals with computer-based products such as DigiEye or Datacolor envision (Imagemaster).

Contact (for media enquiries about this press release and photos):

Phil Owen
TEXTILE JOURNALIST
e-mail: btma-media-info@blueyonder.co.uk
Tel +44 1942 492180
Fax:  +44 8701 257544
Postal Address:
Gerlan House, Rosthwaite Close, Hawkley Hall, Wigan, Lancs., WN3 5RN, United Kingdom