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International Hardware Fair Cologne 2018: Full exhibition halls and top industry themes guaranteed

2017/12/07 | By CENS

• Circa 2,700 exhibitors from over 50 countries

• New: dSummit places the digitalisation of the industry under the spotlight

• New: Young companies present their creative business ideas in the Start-up Village

photo provided by EISENWARENMESSE
photo provided by EISENWARENMESSE
At the coming EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne, which opens its doors in Cologne from 4 to 7 March 2018, the international trade visitors will be able to examine the innovations and new products of the hardware industry. Approx. 2,700 exhibitors from over 50 countries, who will present the latest developments from the Tools, Industrial Supply, Fasteners and Fixings, Fittings as well as Home Improvement segments over the course of four whole days, are expected. Over 80 percent of the exhibitors come from abroad. "The event is virtually fully-booked, all famous manufacturers are represented," stated Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer Koelnmesse GmbH. "The booking level of EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne 2018 has increased by 5 percent again compared to the same period of the last event. This underlines the significance of the trade fair for the entire international hardware industry once more." The event is rounded off by networking events and a diversified event programme. An important theme here is the digitalisation, which will face the hardware industry with big challenges. EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne is dedicating the dSummit, a two-day format, to the theme.

In 2018, the Tools segment will once again make up the core competence of the trade fair. Around 1,650 exhibitors including Gedore, Hazet, Stahlwille, Wera and Witta Werkzeuge will be presenting their innovations and latest developments from hand-held tools through to machines tools in Halls 1 to 4 and in Hall 10.

Parallel to this, the Industrial Supply segment will also be accommodated in Hall 4. Including major companies such as for instance Altrad, Günzburger and Patrol around 450 exhibitors are represented here in total. The offer of pneumatic tools, high-pressure cleaners, welding and soldering equipment, workshop equipment, shop and warehouse equipments, ladders and scaffolding as well as everything on the theme of work protection covers the entire industrial supply section.

photo provided by EISENWARENMESSE
photo provided by EISENWARENMESSE
The Fasteners and Fixings/Fittings segment is once again the focus of Hall 5.2. Here, not only around 350 exhibitors including Hermann Schwerter, Schäfer + Peters and Prebena will be showing their presence - new products and key themes focusing on the segment will also be presented and discussed in lectures and discussions on the Forum Stage.

As usual, the who's who from the Home Improvement segment will be meeting up at the stands of around 250 exhibitors in Hall 5.1 on all four days of the trade fair. In 2018, among others Schellenberg, Allit and Ambro Sol are on board. For the second time after 2016, the DIY Boulevard forms the centrepiece of the hall, where innovations for the commodity groups building chemicals, interiors and furnishings, sanitary fittings and equipment, building materials, building elements, building accessories, outdoor facilities, automotive and two-wheeler accessories as well as Smart Home will be presented by the metre. Here 48 exhibitors including Abus, Tesa and Spax will be demonstrating their shelf competence.

Key theme digitalisation: dSummit

The digitalisation of the society is a mega trend which will not stop at the gates of the hardware industry. Both the industry and trade are faced with big challenges because the increased networking brings both opportunities and risks with it. In the scope of dSummit, Koelnmesse is offering the exhibitors an orientation and information on the theme. Besides the stage, where expert talks and lectures will be held, suppliers such as amazon business, mercateo, nexmart and rakuten will also be exhibiting.

There is going to be a further new "field of energy" in the form of a Start-up Village too. In cooperation with fediyma, the European Manufacturers Association, EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne is offering fresh contacts here and the opportunity of collaborations between with traditional companies and the digital "new starters".

photo provided by EISENWARENMESSE
photo provided by EISENWARENMESSE