Total Exhibitor Count up 5% - 2018 International Hardware Fair Cologne Sets a New Record

by Dean Tseng, Fastener World
International Hardware Fair Cologne opens its doors during March 4-7 at Koelnmesse fair grounds, gathering as many as 2,700 exhibitors from more than 50 countries displaying fasteners, hand tools, industrial supplies, fittings and other products. 80% of those exhibitors come from abroad. The hand tools area has 1,650 exhibitors, the industrial supply area has 450, the fasteners & fixings area has 350 (including Hermann Schwerter, Schäfer + Peters, Prebena and many others), and the other areas have 298 exhibitors. The Taiwanese fastener exhibitors registered through Fastener World are Header Plan, Taiwan Shan Yin, Top Screw Metal, Sheh Kai, Win Chance, Kao Wein, Jockey Bill, and Shin Jaan. The total exhibitor count has grown 5% compared to the last edition. This year the show holds the E-Commerce Summit inviting many e-commerce giants to provide exchange and consultation on digitalization as a response to German hardware industry going for e-commerce under Industry 4.0. The show also comes with a Start-up Village providing opportunities of collaboration between traditional hardware companies and e-commerce start-ups.