The 30-year-old Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers` Association (THTMA), which represents over 370 Taiwanese hand-tool manufacturers, regularly organizes its member companies to showcase their latest products at important trade shows at home and abroad.
THTMA members at Expo Nacional Ferrtera
By attending various trade shows, the Taiwanese suppliers have deeply impressed buyers with product quality and all-round supply capability.
In 2007, the association organized exhibition groups to attend seven trade shows: the 11th China International Hardware Fair in Shanghai (Mar. 10-12); Ferro Forma of Bibao, Spain (Mar.7-10); National Hardware Show of Orlando, the United States (May 8-10); Expo Nacional Ferrtera of Guadalajara, Mexico (Sept.7-9); Taitronics India (Sept.14-16); and China International Hardware Show in Shanghai (Oct. 23-25); Intertool in Moscow, Russia (Oct. 30-Nov. 1).
Such global participation in trade shows reflect an obvious market shift of the island`s hand-tool manufacturers from developed markets to emerging markets, where profit potential is greater but competition from big Western suppliers is lesser.
Taiwan-made hand tools have become increasingly more popular with consumers in developing markets because of good quality and affordability, which Western tool suppliers will not offer.
THTMA members at the China International Hardware Show
Taiwan shipped US$2.57 billion of hand tools in 2006, up from 2005`s US$2.46 billion as a result of growing global availability of Taiwan-made tools.
THTMA Members` 2007 Trade Show Program
| Show title | Date | Hosting City |
| The 11th China International Hardware Fair | 03/10-12 | Shanghai |
| Ferro Forma 2007 | 03/07-10 | Bilbao |
| National Hardware Sow | 05/08-10 | Orlando |
| Expo Nacional Ferrtera | 09/07-09 | Guadalajara |
| Taitronics India 2007 | 09/14-16 | India |
| China International Hardware Show | 10/23-25 | Shanghai |
| Intertool | 10/30-11/02 | Moscow |
Source: THTMA
(by Ken Liu)
