For and from China

The China International Hardware Show (CIHS) in Shanghai sees itself as the second-biggest event of its kind, and the biggest in Asia. This year it is due to be held from 21 to 23 September. International recognition is also coming from EDRA, the European DIY Retail Association, which has now added the CIHS to its list of recommended trade fairs. “Members from EDRA have recommended this show as the one to visit in China, as it is the only trade fair to offer an almost exclusively wide range of products that can be sold in home improvement centres,” says John Herbert, general secretary of the association. The organisers report that 90 per cent of leading Chinese manufacturers are represented at the show. More and more European and American companies are tending to join them in order to use the event to get a foothold in the rapidly growing Chinese marketplace. Indeed, China is becoming increasingly important for international manufacturers. The import of hardware products in the first half of 2010 reached US $ eight bn, which is an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year. Around 35 per cent of these products originated from Europe, and 15 per cent from North America. Top countries of origin are Japan, followed by Germany, America, South Korea and Taiwan. Last year saw the arrival of more than 35 000 visitors. Around 2 300 companies exhibited there on a space of more than 110 000 m². The range of products includes tools, DIY and building hardware, security systems, locks and fittings. The event is jointly organised by Koelnmesse of Germany and the China National Hardware Association. Download: