Taiwan Hardware Show 2011 Sees Wider Range of Quality Exhibits Than Ever

The Taiwan Hardware Show (THS), inaugurated a decade ago, was held the 11th time October 20-22, 2011 at Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1, showing influence by drawing nearly 6,000 visitors from home and abroad on the first day and logging over 19,000 visitors when the curtains fell, with business delegations from Japan, China, Russia and Malaysia and buyers from the U.S., Middle East, Korea and East Europe making up the majority of foreign visitors, according to the show organizer Kaigo Co., Ltd.

The Japanese delegation comprised of around 30 corporate managers, including the 50-year hardware supplier, Katayama Tools, and a leading manufacturer of garden and woodworking tools, Kansai Yonoko. Kaigo emphasized that the owners of Gyokucho, Dokan, Kaneshika and Space Capital all praised Taiwan's achievements in developing hardware and planned to build business with local suppliers at the show.

Tapping improving relations with the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers' Association (THTMA), the China National Hardware Electric and Chemical Products Commercial Association also organized a group of 29 companies to the show and complimented Taiwan's hardware industry.

Kaigo also confirmed that many major foreign enterprises, including the globally known retail chain Lowe's Companies Inc., world's largest hand tool brand Stanley Black & Decker, German distributor W?rth, Malaysian hardware supplier Ewins Corporation Sdn Bhd., U.S.-based tool distributor Fisher Tool Company Inc., Israeli fastener supplier Barsys Fastener Ltd., Romanian auto accessories and material supplier Romcarbon S.A. and Canadian building material supplier Reliable Fasteners, all sent chief operating officers or procurement managers to the show in search of partnerships with Taiwanese companies.

Wider Range
Some 260 exhibitors took part across 400 booths. Responding to THTMA chairman Mark Lin's call to participate, a number of Taiwan's top-end hand tool brands, including Lancer, Hans, Honiton, Infar, Lucky and Lion Tools were present. Lin says, “THS 2011 has a wider product range than any years in the past, and is expected to become larger in exhibitor and visitor numbers next year.”

The THS 2011 covered hand, power tools, building materials, automotive supplies, DIY items, home furnishings and houseware.

Some local exhibitors expressed optimism about post-show business opportunities based on positive reactions shown by foreign buyers.

Newcomer
Ho Cheng Garden Tools Co., Ltd. exhibited as a first-timer and found quite a few new customers from abroad, according to the manager Eric Huang, who added that most of the customers were from Europe and the Middle East, drawn to the show mainly by reliable quality and competitive prices.

Ho Cheng also unveiled its newest products, Professional Pruning Shear and Gear series shears, with Huang showing the tool's handle being of cast aluminum alloy, with anodized surface, ergonomically curved shape, and blade finished to mirror smoothness.

The two blades of the shear are of specially developed high-carbon steel and heat treated for durability, with one indented to enhance cutting efficiency and minimize sap soiling, a central lubricating screw to ease upkeep.

The Gear series shears come in bypass and anvil models, with improved gears and leverage to enhance cutting efficiency. The handles are of nylon for lightweight, with the blades of K5 steel and specially treated for higher structural stability. These have been shipped to Germany, said Huang.

Jawdong Industrial
Jawdong Industrial Co., Ltd.'s general manager Steve Yang also confirmed more business opportunities at the venue: “Buyers from Europe and China significantly increased this year, and we've also garnered OEM (original equipment manufacturing) orders from Japan over the past few days.”

This maker drew many buyers with its 7-in-1 multipurpose crimping and wire stripper for professionals, a tool developed to cut, strip wires, cables across wider diameter range, as well as handle non-insulated, connector and open barrel terminals.

Ferro-Carbon Enterprise
Many visitors were intrigued by the innovative double-lock FECA-branded suction cups demonstrated by Ferro-Carbon Ent. Co., Ltd., a veteran maker of tile cutters in Taiwan. Joyce Tang, sales representative, said her company has expanded product diversity over the past year and is showcasing the newest models for kitchen and bathroom, as well as having improved coating methodologies to enhance visual appeal.

Encouraged by the increasing numbers of foreign buyers, Tang said that “a number of new customers from the U.K., Australia, the U.S. and Japan have shown intention to build partnership with our company due to being satisfied with our quality, which bodes well for post-show opportunities.”

Re-Dai Precision
Re-Dai Precision Tools Co., Ltd.'s Pop-On Locking Extension Bar also captured ample attention with its innovative designs. The chairman S.C. Yu indicated that the feature is the improved safety locking mechanism enabling one-handed attachment of tools to extension bars without pinching fingers. Of high-grade chrome vanadium steel, the bar has high torque and knurled surface.

The Taiwan's top-caliber ratchet wrench maker has also ventured into VDE-certified repair tools for electric vehicles and power generation equipment, all of which also debuted at the show. Yu says, “Re-Dai's development of VDE tools is under way for the second year and the business will sustain growth amid the uncertain global economy.”

Lucky-Brand Industrial
With impressive exterior and functionality, the Evolve One-piece Hammer unveiled by Lucky-Brand Industrial Co., Ltd. also attracted intense attention. The senior sales represntative Jill Wu indicated that the 16-oz hammer has a dual-tone, easy-grip handle of PP and TPR mix, and a larger head for stronger impact than competing models.

The dimpled handle is a major feature of the hammer that Wu said is designed to reduce shock and vibration. Also very light, the top end of the handle is thinner than any 16 oz models without compromising durability thanks to cutting-edge production technology, with the handle structure proven undamaged after a thousand blows.

Feeling the positive atmosphere among local exhibitors, Wu said buyers have returned mainly due to having bought poor quality items from China or emerging suppliers, realizing Taiwan is a better sourcing base. “Such trend is real, for our company has been busy filling returning orders since the beginning of this year,” he added.

A-Kraft Tools
Louis Chen, chairman of A-Kraft Tools Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and one of Taiwan's largest OEMs in the hand tool industry, also noticed the trend of foreign customers renewing business with local manufacturers: “Orders from Europe and the U.S. have returned to Taiwan significantly this year, hence the current prosperity of the industry.”

Chen advised Taiwanese hand tool manufacturers to strengthen competitive advantages by introducing computerized management. “The industry must progress not only in product upgrading, but also in organizational efficiency. Computerized management helps a company to enhance overall efficiency and better maintain customer relations to keep customers.”

A-Kraft is best-known for computerized management in the industry, having set up a huge database and information system to replace over 95% of daily paperwork from ordinary personnel management to production and inventory controls. “My company is setting example for the industry and is willing to share its experience with peers,” said Chen.

Seminars
The show provided educational opportunities by hosting several seminars for industry insiders and visitors to learn state-of-the-art technologies and market knowledge.

DIY International general manager Marc Dahne spoke on the topic “The Current Trends and Prospect of European DIY Retailer Market,” citing a survey by his publication showing over 60% of consumers polled in German DIY stores being willing to pay more for eco-friendly products, as well as reminding Taiwanese makers to tap opportunities generated by the graying population in Europe that demands more lightweight garden and DIY tools.

Rax Man, Asia-Pacific manager for U.S.-based Enthone Inc., addressed the issue “Current and Future Trends in the Field of Electroplated Surface Finishes,” pointing out global regulations for non-toxic, eco-friendly coating process that will speed up coating technology upgrading and change development of auto parts, fasteners, building materials, hand tools and other metal products in the near future.

The EU has launched RoHS, WEEE and REACh requirements to ban nonylphenol and non-degradable surfactants like Cr6+, Cd/Pb and PFOS in coasting process, coupled with explosive concerns about extended warranties and further increasing quality of metal products, which will drive metal product manufacturers to upgrade products with value-added surface treatment.

Fierce Competition in Australia
Shedding light on the ongoing changes in the Australian DIY tool retail segment, Australia Hardware Journal's editor Mark Daffey talked on the topic “The Battle for the Australian Hardware Market,” indicating the increasingly fierce competition among local, larger DIY tool and grocery retailers.

Predicting changes in the market, Daffey said that major players will keep growing, with increasing mergers among larger corporations to force independents to decline. Intensifying competition will also lead to margin declines, while existing brand loyalties among consumers are also likely to be challenged. Therefore, only those who are concentrated on strengthening core competencies of service, trade and product categories will likely survive.

Concerning development of Taiwan's industrial design capabilities, the Chinese Industrial Designers Association (CIDA) chairman J.C. Gou said in his speech “Industrial Talent Incubation” that Taiwanese manufacturers have relied on cumulated production and processing technologies as bread and butter to add value to products over the past decades. However, to go upmarket, they have to step up industrial designing, which leverages manufacturer's image and capabilities.

Citing Bosch AG's view towards design, Gou pointed out that new design adds value, while new technologies create emotional connection with end-users, which will speed Taiwanese manufacturers toward becoming ODMs and OBMs.