More visitors were packed into the halls of this year's Eisenwarenmesse - International Hardware Fair in Cologne, according to the official stats from the organiser.
The show, which concluded on Wednesday (7th March), saw trade visitor numbers rise 9% to over 47,000. Cologne welcomed show attendees from 143 countries (19 more than in 2016) and this year overseas trade visitors made up over 70% of the total number of attendees. From Torque's discussions at the show, that large proportion of international visitors was noticeable, according to several exhibitors and visitors.
As we already knew, exhibitor numbers were up - from 2,672 in 2016 to 2,770, from 58 countries (2016: 55). Unsurprisingly, the organiser has judged the show a success and the decision to extend the show to four days was also given the thumbs up. The next edition of the show will stick with that four-day format.
"87% of the exhibitors and over 70% of the trade visitors come from abroad. 143 countries were represented among the trade visitors - an increase of 19 countries," stated Katharina C Hamma, COO of Koelnmesse GmbH. "As a result of this and the significant growth in the number of visitors we were able to underpin the position of EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne as the number one event of the hardware industry."
John W. Herbert, General Secretary European DIY Retail Association (EDRA) and Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN) added: "EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne 2018 was a total success for us. The renewed adaption of the duration of the fair was particularly welcomed by our international guests. The number of international buyers, whom we were able to welcome here in Cologne, was correspondingly high: Our major member companies each attended with up to 15 top buyers! It increases from year to year. That is a very good development and it impressively underlines the international significance of EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne. The DIY Boulevard as well as the exemplary customer service round off the first-class overall impression of this year's EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne perfectly."
EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne will return 1-4 March 2020.
Torque Magazine is an official media partner of Eisenwarenmesse – International Hardware Fair Cologne. We'll have content from the show in our upcoming magazines. In the meantime, catch up with our coverage below:
- An interview with the Show Director
- Products from Prebena, ESSVE & Stahlwille
- Products from Beck and pgb-Europe
- Innovation at the show
- [embed]https://torque-expo.com/ox-tools-launches-full-workwear-clothing-range[/embed]
