2022 International Hardware Fair Cologne Post-Show Report

Show Info

After a four-year-long hiatus, the 2022 edition of the International Hardware Fair Cologne (IHF) wrapped up on Sept. 28 after returning to the Cologne Exhibition Center in person for the first time after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

According to the event organizer Koelnmesse GmbH's compiled statistics after the show, the four-day event saw approximately 25,000 visitors from 125 countries, with at least 70% hailing from outside of Germany, signifying international buyers' confidence in IHF.

As for exhibitors, around 1,400 suppliers attended from 50 countries, bringing their newest offerings and technologies, including tools and parts, construction and DIY equipment, fasteners, and accessories.

Koelnmesse GmbH, citing industry experts who attended the show, pointed out that the foundations of close relationships with their suppliers are built upon in-person, face-to-face meetings such as those facilitated at the show.

On the other hand, buyers and suppliers can enjoy a birds-eye view of trends in the industry and product designs. While suppliers pointed out that the famed IHF crowds had yet to return to their total capacity due to the border restrictions still in effect in some Asian countries, many suppliers said their interactions with buyers and procurement inquiries were notably higher quality than in the past.

Market News

One of the most notable trends that have impacted the tools and hardware industry would be the growing consensus in the society and private sectors toward a green economy model, especially net zero and sustainable development issues. Suppliers must redefine product designs, focus more on technique and equipment to achieve mindsets like energy-saving measures, and decrease waste. The idea is to instill this wave of green sustainability efforts into the industry as core values.

For example, suppliers can create high-quality products with recycled materials through new-generation machinery, and other suppliers have been gradually moving towards a leaner product line so as to cut back on raw materials and plastic usage.

As for product design, the industry must consider factors such as an aging society and how the workforce is placing greater emphasis on the users' comfort and safety. Suppliers are also moving towards ergonomic product designs to allow users to use the tools for an extended time while simplifying tool operation. For instance, recent trends have seen lighter and more ergonomic designs for cordless electric screwdrivers.

Notable Exhibitors

Y.H Caster Co., Ltd. - Expert wheel maker

Y.H Caster exhibited at IHF D063 booth, displaying various chair wheels for various applications and industries, including furniture, logistics, machinery, the food industry, and medical equipment.

The company said that while the pandemic had delayed the show from proceeding, this year's edition was a long-time wait for suppliers, yet show crowds still looked to have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, Y.H Caster pointed out that under the current situation, buyers were more likely to have the time to go into detailed questions regarding their products and company background. Many of their buyers came from Europe, the U.K., Greece, Saudia Arabia, Cyprus, the U.S, and Morocco.

Higo Industrial Corp. - Toolset maker

Higo Industrial featured its CG-400B, 100PCS Tool Set. The toolset storage box itself was made using blown film-forming processes and is capable of carrying socket wrenches, combination wrenches, extension rods, UJ, rachet handles, screwdrivers, pliers, drills, utility knives, hammers, and measuring tape.

Higo representative Ms. Gong said the company hoped that with their attendance at the show, they would continue to network with importers, wholesalers, and chain retailers and build partnerships.

Higo was also an exhibitor in 2018, so they were in an excellent position to comment on the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic situations. In comparison, Gong said many buyers were more likely to source from Chinese suppliers in the past, but now, they were more likely to seek out Taiwanese suppliers.

However, as of publication, Taiwan had yet to completely lift quarantine restrictions, making it more difficult for overseas suppliers to visit Taiwan's factories. Therefore, local suppliers must overcome such challenges when doing business with international buyers, Gong said.

CENS to bridge the world and Taiwanese suppliers

As a long-term media partner with IHF, CENS.com exhibited at Passage 3/11 P003 booth, providing buyers a chance to obtain our show publication covering quality Taiwanese hardware suppliers, which was published specifically for IHF by CENS. In addition, it allowed buyers to quickly get a better idea of what Taiwanese suppliers had to offer and check in on the current trends and news from the island's hardware industry.

CENS also allowed buyers to obtain this year's newest edition of Taiwan HandTools, which comes in a trade magazine and e-book formats in a USB, and Taiwan Industrial Suppliers. Buyers are also welcome to fill out procurement surveys as part of the CENS-exclusive trade show real-time B2B matchmaking service, in which our team and database will match suitable buyers and suppliers.

CENS publication team members observed that buyers were more willing and cooperative to fill out the B2B matchmaking surveys and were professional buyers. Many buyers were also interested in CENS' integrated marketing solutions, showing that global buyers were more open to trying out different marketing channels to get their name out to the market in the post-pandemic era.

Buyer Analysis

Using the data collected through CENS' biz matchmaking services at this year's International Hardware Fair event, we offer a look at our buyer profiles and procurement inquiries.

The top three areas where our buyers traveled from were Europe, excluding Eastern Europe (37.9%), Eastern Europe (16.94%), and the Middle East (15.32%).

The top five buyer background types included Importers (39.47%), Wholesalers (13.6%), Dealers (13.16%), Exporters (11.4%), and Manufacturers (7.46%).

The top five product categories that were the most popular among our buyers included hand tool sets (35.4%), general electric tools (29.8%), pipe cutters (26.6%), cutters and bending tools (25.8%), and socket wrenches and wrenches (25.5%)