The fair is digitalised

At the next International Hardware Fair, which opens its doors in Cologne from 4 to 7 March 2018, international trade visitors will be able to see the hardware industry's innovations and new products. Around 2 700 exhibitors from over 50 countries are expected, who, over four days, will be presenting the latest developments in the segments tools, industrial supplies, fastening and fixing technology, fittings as well as construction and DIY supplies. Over 80 percent of the suppliers come from abroad. "The event is almost fully booked, all renowned manufacturers are represented," says Katharina C. Hamma, chief operating officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. "The level of bookings at the International Hardware Fair 2018 has again risen by five per cent compared to the same period of the previous event. Once again, this emphasises the importance of the fair for the entire international hardware industry." The event is rounded off by networking opportunities and an event programme. An important theme is digitalisation, which will cause major challenges for the hardware industry. The trade fair is dedicating a two-day forum to this topic with the dSummit.
Also in 2018, the tools segment forms the core competence of the fair. In halls 1 to 4 and also 10, around 1 650 exhibitors including Gedore, Hazet, Stahlwille, Wera and Witte Werkzeuge will be presenting their innovations and latest developments from hand tools to machine tools. Industrial supplies will also be in hall 4 at the same time. A total of around 450 exhibitors are represented here, with major companies such as Altrad, Günzburger and Patrol. The range of pneumatic tools, high-pressure cleaners, welding and soldering equipment, workshop equipment, shop and warehouse equipment, ladders and scaffolding as well as everything to do with the topic of occupational safety, covers the entire field of industrial supplies.

The segment fastening and fixing technology once again forms the focus of hall 5.2. Here, not only around 350 exhibitors, including Hermann Schwerter, Schäfer + Peters and Prebena Präsenz are presenting themselves - also new products and central topics from the segment will be presented and discussed on the forum stage in a series of presentations and talks. As usual, the who's who of the construction…