Exports of fixings, fastenings and hand tools

The year 2003 saw Taiwan export fixings and fastenings worth US $ 2.2 bn (€ 1.8 bn) to around 140 countries. This indicates a 15 per cent share of the global market. Over the last seven years, exports have grown by an average of eleven per cent by value and twelve per cent by quantity. The island of Taiwan has about 1 600 firms that manufacture fixing and fastening products, and around 500 suppliers provide the tool moulds. These figures have been issued by the organisers of the Taipei International Hardware & DIY Show, to be held from 23 to 25 October 2004.
They put a figure of US $ 2.35 bn (€ 1.95 bn) on the export volume of hand tools. The executives recorded growth of 6.4 per cent in the first six months of 2004. The total of nearly 500 manufacturers supply a large part of their products to the USA. Their market share there is estimated at 30 per cent.
According to the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, Taiwan’s overall export volume should reach a level of US $ 159.9 bn (€ 132.8 bn) this year.