The organisers of the 12th Taiwan Hardware Show (THS), due to be held in the Taipei World Trade Center from 11 – 13 October 2012, are expecting a perceptible increase in both exhibitor and visitor figures. The Kaigo fair company and the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers’ Association are reckoning on 350 exhibitors (2011: 255) and more than 600 stands.On the visitor side the expectation is for an increase of around one-quarter to 25 000. Last year’s total of 19 562 visitors came from 57 different countries. At just under 50 per cent the proportion of international visitors almost doubled compared to 2010. About one-third of them were from Europe and North America.The fair dates are strategically geared to the Canton Fair in China, which is held no more than one and a half hours’ flying time away. This is calculated to allow participants to visit suppliers on the spot and so make one-stop sourcing easier.