+++ Around 25,000 visitors from 125 countries +++ Industry celebrates the trade fair’s relaunch after pandemic-related cancellations +++ Over 70 per cent of trade visitors travelled from outside Germany +++ Exhibitors praise high-quality contacts +++ Event’s results exceeded expectations +++
After more than four years, the EISENWARENMESSE – INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR
2022 has celebrated a successful comeback in Cologne. Around 1,400 exhibitors from
50 countries took advantage of the opportunity to present their products and
innovations to the entire hardware industry again. The spectrum of products
presented ranged from tools and accessories to building and DIY supplies all the way
through to fasteners, fixings and fittings.
After four successful days of trade fair activity, the EISENWARENMESSE –
INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR 2022 has closed its doors in Cologne. With around
25,000 trade visitors from 125 countries, the event returned after a 4.5-year
enforced break and immediately confirmed its importance as the number one trade
fair for the international hardware industry.
“The sense of relief at finally being able to meet face to face again after such a long
time and do business in person could be clearly felt among all our exhibitors and
trade visitors throughout the entire trade fair,” said Oliver Frese, Chief Operating
Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. “You had the feeling that a big family was getting
together again after a long time apart.”
“The trade fair was a success, especially in the context of the ongoing travel
restrictions in Asia, the acute energy and raw materials crisis, and the geopolitical
situation in many countries. The feedback from our exhibitors about the business
contacts they’ve made is positive across the board. Clearly, companies made a
strategic decision to attend the EISENWARENMESSE – INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE
FAIR – the decision makers were here,” commented Oliver Frese.
EISEN Award 2022 powered by ZHH
The coveted EISEN Award was presented once again at the first EISENWARENMESSE –
INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR after the pandemic. This time, Koelnmesse
partnered with the German hardware trade association Zentralverband
Hartwarenhandel (ZHH). From the more than 50 innovative products submitted, the
expert jury selected the three prize winners of the EISEN Award 2022 powered by
ZHH. The prize winners include the AluTec hammer by Picard. The carpenter’s hammer
boasts a unique combination of aluminium and steel, which enables previously
unachievable ergonomics. The second winning entry is the Go! SMART measuring tool
by SOLA-Messwerkzeuge. At just 8 cm long, it brings the analogue and digital worlds
together and fulfils the functions of a spirit level, an inclinometer and a protractor.
Also among the EISEN Award winners for 2022 is ToughBuilt with its Scraper Utility
Knife – the world’s first two-in-one. The patented knife allows users to switch
between a utility knife and a scraper with the flick of a thumb.
DIY Boulevard 2022
In cooperation with the manufacturers’ association Haus & Garten, Koelnmesse
presented its 56 DIY suppliers with an exhibition area covering a total length of 272
metres, which had been fully booked long before the opening of the event. The DIY
Boulevard offered manufacturers the unique experience of being able to design the
POS in line with their branding with an authentic display of their merchandise as
well as the chance to make direct contact with end customers.
eCommerce area
The digital transformation does not stop at the hardware industry. The
EISENWARENMESSE – INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR has followed this development
closely. With the eCommerce area, it provided the ideal platform for both finding
and showcasing digital solutions. The spectrum of products and services ranged from
shop systems and electronic payment systems to data storage and processing all the
way through to search engine optimisation. The content of the eCommerce area was
curated by major names including eBay, OTTO, DHL, Facebook and Shopware.
What the industry’s saying about the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware
Fair 2022
John W. Herbert, General Secretary of the European DIY Retail Association
(EDRA) and the Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN)
“The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair is the most important
platform for our industry. It’s both a barometer of trends and a trendsetter. In other
words, it’s the networking platform for the global hardware trade. I’m very happy to
be in Cologne, meeting so many colleagues from all over the world.”
Dr Peter Wüst, Managing Director of the German Retailers’ Association for Home
Improvement, Building and Gardening (BHB e.V.)
“I’m delighted to be at the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair. The
event is absolutely vital for maintaining business relationships face-to-face in this
period of crisis. Despite the difficult times we find ourselves in, I’m picking up a
sense of optimism about the future from the people I’ve been talking to.”
Wolfgang J. Kirchhoff, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the
EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair
The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Cologne is still the industry’s
number-one event, where most of its innovations are presented. It’s the trade fair
with the strongest international profile, even though many visitors and exhibitors
from Asia have been unable to attend due to the pandemic.”
Dietrich Alberts, Managing Director of GAH-Alberts
“The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair has earned its reputation as
the industry’s leading trade fair over many years. Exhibitors and visitors know they
can expect high quality across the board when they come here.”
Stefano Spillere, General Manager of Telwin SpA
“Telwin has been coming to the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair for
more than 30 years. For us, the trade fair is very important in terms of cultivating
our network and maintaining contact with our international customers.
Paul Samms, Director of Licensing at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
“We’re over the moon to be back at the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware
Fair after a break of more than four years. Our international customers have told us
that they travelled to Cologne for the trade fair especially because of us. The
EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair is the ideal place to tap into new
areas of the market and find new retailers.”
Ferdinand Munk, owner and Managing Director of MUNK Group
“Of course, after the coronavirus pandemic, it’s great for the industry to get
together again at the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair. The number
of contacts may not be as high as it used to be yet, but the quality is exceptional
because the visitors are enthusiastic about returning to Cologne to maintain their
business relationships in person.”
Thomas Dammann, Managing Director of the Central Association of the Hardware
Trade in Germany (ZHH e.V.)
“The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair is particularly important for
the specialised trade because it provides the opportunity to maintain relationships
with international contacts and establish new ones. The trade fair is a chance to get
an overview of all the innovations and to be inspired by the other manufacturers.”
Sven Wilde, Head of Marketing Communications at Wiha Werkzeuge GmbH
“The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair is the ideal opportunity for us
to meet our international customers and show them our products and solutions.
We’re very satisfied – even though the number of visitors to our stand was lower this
year, we feel that the quality of the discussions has been even higher than usual.”
Stefan Weigel, Executive Director/CMO at Wolfcraft
“At Wolfcraft, we don’t just focus on the product. Instead, we look at the bigger
picture in terms of sustainability and the customer journey as well as our products.
The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair is a great opportunity for me to
explain this wide-ranging approach to visitors, so I’m very happy to be able to take
advantage of this platform. It’s a source of potential that we, as suppliers of
branded products, will continue to draw on in the future.”
The next EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Cologne will be held
from 3 to 6 March 2024.
Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the hardware sector:
As a top international
trade fair organiser, Koelnmesse is the global market leader in organising events for
the hardware/ironware segment. It hosts the leading international event
EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Cologne at its trade fair grounds in
Cologne, where Asia-Pacific Sourcing also showcases products, innovations and
trends for homes and gardens from the Far East. In addition to the events at its
Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse is expanding its portfolio internationally in key
markets: The China International Hardware Show in Shanghai, the International
Hardware Fair Italy in Bergamo and the International Hardware Fair India in New
Delhi are bespoke events and leading trade fairs for the region with international
participation. They create the foundation for sustainable, international business for
their participants and bring together supply and demand within the sector with a
carefully targeted approach.
Further information: https://www.eisenwarenmesse.com/trade-fair/industry-tradefairs/
Author: Judith Leyendecker
Communications Manager
Koelnmesse GmbH
John W. Herbert, EDRA/GHIN General Secretary, shared his thoughts on the partnership, saying – “I am very much looking forward to my visit to Bergamo and to the first edition of International Hardware Fair Italy. That this is being organized by the Koelnmesse is for me a guarantee that this trade fair will be most professional and of interest to our international membership” 
Thomas Rosolia, CEO of Koelnmesse Italy, commented “Thanks to the support of EDRA/GHIN we will continue to pursue our goal of establishing International Hardware Fair Italy as the most representative platform for the European hardware, DIY, garden & outdoor and building sectors in Italy.”
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