More international than ever

Now condensed into three days: The 40th edition of the International Hardware Fair (EWM) in Cologne will run from 6 to 8 March 2016 with around 2 700 exhibitors from over 50 countries. With stand bookings at the level of the previous fair and a foreign share of more than 80 per cent, the trade fair organisers see their position as number one in the international hardware sector as confirmed. On show will be products, new ideas, innovations and trends from the tools, industrial supply, fasteners and fixing/fittings technology segments as well as DIY and home improvement. "We have further enhanced the International Hardware Fair, in order to best suit the requirements and trends of the industry," says Katharina C. Hamma, Managing Director of Koelmesse GmbH.
The EWM 2016 has been condensed into 3 days and will exhibit over an area of 144 200 m². The strongest exhibitor category at the fair, as always, is the tools segment. In 2016 approximately 1 650 exhibitors will present their range of latest products and innovations from axes to pliers in Halls 1 to 4.
Also strongly represented: The industrial supply segment in Hall 4. Here around 450 exhibitors will show compressed air tools, high-pressure cleaners, welding and soldering equipment, workshop fittings, shop and storeroom fittings, ladders and scaffolding as well as products to do with health and safety at work. In Hall 5.2, there will be around 350 exhibitors from the fasteners and fixing/fittings technologies segment showing up and coming products due to be launched on the market in the next few months.
The DIY and home improvement segment completes this wide range of products in Hall 5.1. The trade visitors can find everything they need here for their DIY requirements, demonstrated by around 250 exhibitors, 45 of which will be on show on the DIY Boulevard - a new concept, spanning 210 metres along the middle of the Hall. 

Once again, the level of internationality at the International Hardware Fair is very high. Germany, alongside Italy is the biggest European group exhibitor, followed by Great Britain. Outside Europe: China, Taiwan, India and the USA are strongly represented. For the first time the EWM is organising its own eCommerce Theme Day as a communication and dialogue platform (6 March 2016…