IHF 2012 in Cologne Hosts 2,665 Exhibitors Amid Uncertainty

Chinese exhibitors number the highest among others

Despite a gloomy market climate across the EU bloc following governments' fiscal austerity to solve the debt crisis, the International Hardware Fair Cologne 2012 (IHF), held March 3-7 at the Koelnmesse fairgrounds for the 38th time, reported positive results for the global hardware industry.

Robust German Growth
Amid still weak economic climate especially in Spain, Italy and Greece, Germany, the largest economy in the EU with the largest European carmaker by unit sales VW and sought-after brands as Porsche, BMW, Audi and Benz, still shows robust growth potential in the sectors of tools, home improvement products, building materials and hardware.

For example, the Association of the German Tool Industry announced that total turnover of member companies rose 11.3% YoY to around euro3.8 billion in 2011, of which about euro3.4 billion of tools exported, an 11.8% growth. Another positive sign is the rising number of employees in the German tool industry, which edged up 5% in the year.

The Federal Association of German DIY, Building and Garden Specialist Stores (BHB) delivered good news that operators posted a 1.5% growth in revenue of euro18.7 billion in 2011, primarily due to relatively mild weather even in the winter to motivate many people to work on home improvements and gardens.

The Central Association of Hardware Trade also echoes the two said associations, reporting about a 3.5% rise in retail sales of power tools, fasteners, small electrical appliances, household goods and security products in 2011, when the turnover of the production-associated trade, which serves commercial customers, increased by 6-9% as well.

More Exhibitors
Reflecting both the confidence of global suppliers towards the German, EU markets as well as ebullient buyer sentiment, the 38th IHF attracted 2,665 exhibitors from home and abroad, compared to 2,660 in the last edition held two years ago, with visitors exceeding 53,500 from over 130 countries, reported Koelnmesse GmbH, the show organizer.

Chinese exhibitors numbered the largest among the other groups to total 882, according to the show organizer. Mostly offering tools for professionals and DIY applications, some 409 Taiwanese companies participated in the trade fair as the second-largest group, with 387 Germany-based firms from different sectors exhibiting their newest products.

The 38th IHF, living up to its reputation as a serious trade event with a dizzying range, again displayed everything its name suggests, including hand tools, power tools, tool accessories, machine tools, compressed air tools, high pressure cleaners, welding and soldering equipment, workshop fittings, shop and storeroom fittings, ladders and scaffolding, health and safety equipment, security instruments, building fittings, furniture fittings, screws, bolts, decorative metal wares, sanitary ware and fittings, chemical products, interiors and furnishings, building materials, and supplies and accessories for automotives and two-wheelers.

Citing feedback from exhibitors and visitors, most of whom satisfied with the high global representation and quality of business partners along with innovations, the show organizer stated that sizeable business volume and partnerships were created during the four-day event.

Taiwanese Content
Globally known for excellent manufacturing and commitment to quality and innovation, a number of high-profile Taiwanese tool makers were at the event, including Honiton Industries Inc., a dedicated supplier of sockets and wrenches; Daiken Tools Enterprise Co., Ltd., a cable cutter and plier maker who started in 1968; Apex Mfg. Co., Ltd., a producer of staple guns and tacklers with 30-plus years of history; Years Way International Co., Ltd., a vendor of branded power tools; Pard Hardware Industrial Co., Ltd., a supplier of branded socket wrenches and roller cabinets; and Stand Tools Enterprise Co., Ltd., a maker of top-end digital torque wrenches incorporated with MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) chips.

The Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers' Association joined hands with the semi-official traded promoter, Taiwan External Trade Development Council, to set up a special zone to highlight a couple of innovative hand tools from Taiwan, effectively impressing foreign visitors with respect to capabilities of the Taiwanese industry.

Again focused on helping suppliers from Greater China to tap global markets, the Taiei-based China Economic News Service (CENS) organized a sizable group of Taiwanese exhibitors to attend the show, also displaying its Guide Book to Taiwan Hand Tools and CENS Hardware, both sought-after sourcing guides among foreign buyers to enable easy, efficient access to various suppliers.

Added-value Programs
Besides being a conventional trade fair, the IHF also offered industry professionals different events and programs with added-value, an example being the Speaker's Corner, a focused platform on which exhibitors can present innovations to rivet attention and facilitate partnership establishment.

The IHF 2012 was also noted for the DIY store tour arranged jointly by the show organizer and DIY International, which helped foreign buyers to find local suppliers even more easily than walking around the venue. Plus, the best innovations and new products of the year were honored on the first evening of the fair during the welcome party with the EISEN 2012 awards.

The BME-Einkäufertag (Federal Association of Materials Management Purchasing and Logistics Buyers' Day) took place on March 5 to prove just as popular as the other innovation awards and BME forum held alongside the show, with the program rounded off by the “Trainees' Day,” an orientation of sorts for young, up-and-coming talent with detailed insights into the diversity of the sector.

The next IHF will be staged March 9-12, 2014 at the same venue.