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Posted March 8, 2018

Cologne Show grows 9 percent in 2018

Attendance rises to 47,000 visitors from 143 countries.


  • Over 47,000 visitors from 143 countries
  • 2,770 exhibitors from 58 countries
  • 9 percent increase in the number of visitors
  • Over 70 percent of the trade visitors are from abroad

On March 7, 2018, EISENWARENMESSE - INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE 2018 closed its doors after four successful exhibition days. With a total of 2,770 exhibitors from 58 countries and over 47,000 trade visitors (plus 9 percent) from 143 countries, the event recorded a significant increase in the number of visitors.

Decision-makers from all over the world made use of the number one event of the hardware industry to discover the new products, innovations and trends of the industry. Furthermore, the trade fair was able to once again increase its level of internationality.

"87 percent of the exhibitors and over 70 percent of the trade visitors come from abroad. 143 countries were represented among the trade visitors - an increase of 19 countries," stated Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. "As a result of this and the significant growth in the number of visitors we were able to underpin the position of EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne as the number one event of the hardware industry."

The product show was flanked by an event program that focused on the digitalization of the industry.

This year's increased number of visitors was above all attributable to the rise in the number of trade visitors from abroad. Significant growth was registered from Asia, especially from Japan, from North and South America, Africa and from the Russian Federation. 12 percent more trade visitors came from the USA alone. The number of visitors from Germany remained at a constant level.

John W. Herbert, General Secretary European DIY Retail Association (EDRA) and Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN), explained the growth from abroad as follows:

"EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne 2018 was a total success for us. The renewed adaption of the duration of the fair was particularly welcomed by our international guests. The number of international buyers, whom we were able to welcome here in Cologne, was correspondingly high: Our major member companies each attended with up to 15 top buyers! It increases from year to year. That is a very good development and it impressively underlines the international significance of EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne.

"The DIY Boulevard, as well as the exemplary customer service round off the first-class overall impression of this year's EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne perfectly."

The next edition of the EISENWARENMESSE - International Hardware Fair Cologne show is set for March 1-4, 2020. Learn more at www.eisenwarenmesse.com

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