Ten per cent rise in visitors and lots of discussion at the CIHS

The China International Hardware Show (CIHS) has increased its number of visitors by around ten per cent. According to information from Koelnmesse, the trade fair organisers who hold the CIHS together with the China National Hardware Association, 52 175 visitors came to Shanghai in October 2016, 5 948 of which from overseas. The number of exhibitors stayed at the same level as 2015 with 2 920 (including 320 from overseas). The exhibition space was again around 150 000 m². "CIHS is continuing to enhance its international awareness. Therefore, I am confident that CIHS will prove its position as the most important hardware show in Asia," remarked Gerald Böse, President and CEO of Koelnmesse, with regard to the result.
National pavilions were not only erected by Germany and Taiwan, but also for the first time by Korea and India. The organisers also praised the extensive supporting programme at the three-day trade fair. To meet the requirements of manufacturers and introduce European new measures in this Industry 4.0 Era, the organizer called for a "Sino-EU Hardware Forum". Over 200 attendants from all over the world, including manufacturers, traders, associations and media gathered at the forum. A dialogue among China National Hardware Association, International Federation of Hardware and Housewares Associations (IHA), European DIY Retail Association (EDRA), and several China leading manufacturers took place during the forum. The seminar "Internet+" organized by Alibaba.com and China Hardware Magazine was another dialogue.