New scheduling for global fair

The decision in favour of the two-year cycle was taken  last autumn, after the attempt made to split the DIY’TEC range of products into two parts failed to attract the hoped-for response, since that made it impossible to offer visitors the entire product spectrum. Nor was it successful in checking the exhibitor shrinkage, especially where the big players were concerned.Koelnmesse hopes to be able to better meet the demands of exhibitors and visitors through taking this step towards a two-year cycle. For one thing, costs will be minimised for suppliers, and visitors will have an opportunity to see a virtually complete international range of hardware and home improvement products every two years.
Tools form the biggest section of the fair, covering a gross exhibition space of 120.000 m².From 14 to 17 March the International Hardware Fair/Practical World will bring together under the one roof the three pillars of the fair: tools and security systems, locks + fittings, and builders’ and DIY supplies. The organisers are expecting more than 3500 suppliers from almost 60 countries, who will be occupying 255000 m² of the total 286000 m² exhibition site. The international contingent will be spearheaded by countries from the European Union, with Italy at the top followed by France, Spain, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.The countries of South and South-east Asia fill the top positions where the overseas participants are concerned, with the strongest groups of exhibitors coming from Taiwan, China and India. Numerous suppliers are taking part through cooperative arrangements with their associations or with governmental or private organisations for the promotion of business. Registration has been received from 33 group participations from 20 countries that include France, the United Kingdom and the USA.Last year 68 000 trade visitors registered during the four-day event.World of ToolsThe tools sector, which will occupy a gross exhibition area of 120000 m² and include approximately 1 900 suppliers, represents the biggest section of the multi-trade fair. The choice of products here ranges from a simple hammer to workshop equipment. Hand tools are to be found along with machinery and power tools, machine tools, pressure cleaners, welding and soldering equipment, automotive tools and builder’s staging. The big players in the power tools sector are not represented, though.Security Systems, Locks + FittingsAn exhibition space of 50000 m² is available for…