Growth in popularity

Anyone looking for Far East suppliers of products from the categories of hardware and DIY, garden and leisure, had ample opportunity to make the appropriate contacts during the Asia-Pacific Sourcing event, which was held in Cologne from 4 – 6 March. A total of 671 suppliers were represented there, or over 20 per cent more than attended the premiere in 2005. Over a show space of 32 000 m² in Halls 11.1 and 11.2 they showed their range of products that covered the categories of tools, locks and fittings, do-it-yourself, hardware, fastenings, garden furniture and equipment, grilling and camping. Approximately 8 300 trade visitors (including estimates for the final day) travelled to Cologne from 60 countries of origin – over 10 per cent more than in 2005.More than half of all the visitors arrived from abroad. However, German awareness of the fair has again seen an increase by comparison with the inaugural event. In particular, the national and international mass-merchandising formats were there on the spot, including decision-makers from the buying departments of major international chains like Carrefour, Migros and Leroy Merlin, along with German representatives of the sector from Obi, Hornbach and Toom Baumarkt, for instance, as well as buyers from all the big German hypermarket chains like Aldi and Metro.According to the first results of an independent exit survey carried out by Koelnmesse, the trade visitors attested to the fact that the Asian suppliers, who mainly came from China, Taiwan and India, displayed improved quality, more efficient services, attractive stand concepts and a great deal of industry know-how, when compared with the premiere in 2005. The fair was for the first time accompanied by two trade congresses. The “Sourcing Asia” workshop, an event dealing exclusively with subjects geared to business with the Asia-Pacific region, was held on 5 March 2007.The first GS1 Non Food Conference, on 5 and 6 March 2007, focused on cross-company processes and marketing in the non-food industry. Attending this event in addition to the 200 or so participants were three German industry associations: BHB, Bau and DIY, and IVG.In 2009 the Asia-Pacific Sourcing fair will be held in Cologne from 1 – 3 March.
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