The Fasteners and Fixings/Fittings segment is once again the focus of Hall 5.2. Here, not only around 350 exhibitors including Hermann Schwerter, Schäfer + Peters and Prebena will be showing their presence - new products and key themes focusing on the segment will also be presented and discussed in lectures and discussions on the Forum Stage.

As usual, the who's who from the Home Improvement segment will be meeting up at the stands of around 250 exhibitors in Hall 5.1 on all four days of the trade fair. In 2018, among others Schellenberg, Allit and Ambro Sol are on board. For the second time after 2016, the DIY Boulevard forms the centrepiece of the hall, where innovations for the commodity groups building chemicals, interiors and furnishings, sanitary fittings and equipment, building materials, building elements, building accessories, outdoor facilities, automotive and two-wheeler accessories as well as Smart Home will be presented by the metre. Here 48 exhibitors including Abus, Tesa and Spax will be demonstrating their shelf competence.

Key theme digitalisation: dSummit
The digitalisation of the society is a mega trend which will not stop at the gates of the hardware industry. Both the industry and trade are faced with big challenges because the increased networking brings both opportunities and risks with it. In the scope of dSummit, Koelnmesse is offering the exhibitors an orientation and information on the theme. Besides the stage, where expert talks and lectures will be held, suppliers such as amazon business, mercateo, nexmart and rakuten will also be exhibiting.

There is going to be a further new "field of energy" in the form of a Start-up Village too. In cooperation with fediyma, the European Manufacturers Association, EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne is offering fresh contacts here and the opportunity of collaborations between with traditional companies and the digital "new starters".