Over 400 exhibitors expected in Taichung

The first post-pandemic annual hardware industry exhibition has won much acclaim from industry leaders. In the wake of the pandemic, the inaugural Taiwan International Tools & Hardware Expo (TiTE) was launched in Taichung, with a focus on "Tools Kingdom, Taiwan - the world's strongest supply chain." The Expo, which was the first of its kind in Taiwan, was supported by government resources and led by industry associations.

Taiwan boasts over 2,300 hand tool manufacturers, with over 70% situated in central Taiwan, specifically Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou. During the opening ceremony, the current chairman of the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers' Association (THTMA), Mr Jack Lai, was joined by former honorary chairmen, including Mr Jian-guo Lin, chairman of Lancer Tools, Mr Arthur Wu, general manager of Proxene Tools, Mr  Hsiang-chen Yu, chairman of Redai Precision Tools, and Mr Hsin-te Huang, chairman of AllPro MFG. In a remarkable collaboration, they successfully promoted the expertise of the association and presented Taiwan's image to the world.

This marked the dawn of a new era for hardware industry exhibitions. Over 250 exhibitors from 11 countries, including Brazil, Bulgaria, China, the Czech Republic, Japan, Korea, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Taiwan, were featured at the event. This marked the first time such a diverse range of exhibitors has been invited to participate, making it a truly unique occasion. With over 550 booths and visitors from more than 42 countries, TiTE is the perfect platform for leading manufacturers to showcase their products and services, and for global buyers to procure from a complete supply chain. This Expo is a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in the industry.

Highly anticipated

Over 200 exhibitors have already registered for the 2023 event, making it a highly anticipated gathering for manufacturers of hand tools, machine tools, screws and fasteners, and industrial security. Jack Lai proudly announced that the Expo is the first large-scale cross-regional event that brings together government resources and more than 20 fundamental industry associations.

By uniting the fundamental industries of Taiwan, the event aims to expand the global market and showcase Taiwan's value on an international stage, providing an excellent platform for global marketing. The event will radiate from the industrial clusters in Central Taiwan, shaping Taiwan into a supply chain trading hub for hardware and related industries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Prominent participants

THTMA chairman Jack Lai stated that his company, Jaco International Corp, is one of the few international manufacturers in Taiwan specialising in producing hexagonal wrenches with specifications ranging from 0.7mm to 36mm. With a product manufacturing tolerance accuracy of 0.03mm to 0.05mm, Jaco's production advantages include product differentiation, small quantities, diverse samples, and high customisation. Jaco's products and professional hand tools are found in various markets, including industrial, automotive, watchmaking, glassmaking, and model making. The products are sold in the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia, making the company a global leader in the industry.  

Jian-guo Lin, a former honorary chairman of THTMA, explained that his company, Lancer Tools, the largest manufacturer in Taiwan with over six decades of professional experience, has an impressive annual production capacity of over 35 million screwdrivers. The company's commitment to innovation has led to the development of a new patented material, SVCM+, which sets it apart from competitors. This material boasts exceptional torque, toughness, and hardness, making it the ideal choice for professional users due to its torque performance, which is over 20% higher than commercially available products, and its wear-resistant properties.

Arthur Wu, founder of Proxene Tools and former honorary chairman of THTMA, is proud to be one of the few manufacturers in the world that produces "digitally adjustable wrenches" and "fully insulated adjustable wrenches." With a remarkable  global market share of 25%for industrial and professional-grade adjustable wrenches, Proxene Tools is at the forefront of the development trend of electric vehicles and the green electricity industry. The company has specialised and refined its skills in traditional industry, earning numerous accolades, including Taiwan's Gold and Silver Excellence Awards, Germany's Red Dot Design Award and iF Design Award and Japan's G-MARK Design Award.  

Taiwan's intelligent hand tool industry owes much to the pioneering efforts of Mr  Hsiang-chen Yu, also a former honorary chairman of THTMA, who established the first socket smart manufacturing plant, Redai Precision Tools. The company's product line includes pneumatic tools, automotive repair tools, electric vehicle insulation tools, and a small range of hand tools. Redai Precision Tools is one of the top five OEMs for global socket tool brands, with an impressive annual production capacity of 30 million socket tools sold in the United States, Europe and emerging markets. The company is also the leading enterprise for middle- and high-end sockets and wrenches in Taiwan.

Redai Precision Tools has been recognised for its high-quality products with prestigious awards such as the Taiwan Excellence Award and the German iF Design Award. Its products have even been adopted in Formula 1 and BMW/Benz car maintenance systems.

AllPro, Taiwan's most renowned tin snips manufacturer, has been in the business for 40 years. The company of president Mr Hsin-te Huang, another former honorary chairman of THTMA, boasts a diverse range of tin scissors and compound spring pliers, and is the leading manufacturer of tin snips worldwide, producing up to 35% of the tin snips in the global market, which means that one in every three tin snips is manufactured in AllPro's factory. It's no wonder it has earned the title of "tin snips king." AllPro produces for both OEM/ODM orders and its own brand. The company has obtained numerous patents and has successfully sold its tin snips worldwide.  

Crucial role

The participation of these top manufacturers is a testament to the strength and competitiveness of Taiwan's hand tool industry, which plays a crucial role in driving Taiwan's NTD 100 billion export value. It also highlights Taiwan's significant position in the global hand tool market. Along with the tools area, the Expo has attracted a diverse range of leading global companies, including Bystronic, the top manufacturer worldwide of sheet metal processing; Shehkai Precision, the largest professional manufacturer and exporter of stainless steel composite screws in Taiwan; Kuani Group, the leading manufacturer of power tools; Wise Center, the top professional manufacturer of gardening tools; Machan, Taiwan's biggest exporter of toolboxes; and Aba Locks, the pre-eminent lock manufacturer.

The 2023 TiTE will also feature the "Industrial Software & Digital Transformation" exhibition area, a strategic move to address the increasing demand for digitalisation in the industry. This area will showcase innovative software solutions and their applications in industrial settings, providing a platform for manufacturers to find partners and promote industrial transformation and upgrade. With over 400 exhibitors expected to be taking part, the event is set to break records as the largest professional exhibition in Taiwan's related industries.

The exhibition will consist of seven exhibition areas, namely: 1) Tools & Related Accessories, 2) Automotive Parts, Repair Tools & Maintenance Equipment, 3) Fasteners & Fixings, 4) Garden, Outdoor, Agricultural, & DIY, 5) Metal Testing Equipment, Processing Equipment, & Industrial Safety, 6) Building & Locks, and 7) Industrial Software & Digital Transformation.  

For more information, please go to https://hardwareexpo-taiwan.com/en-us or contact Lanza International Co. Ltd. at 02-7746-2868 or tite@lanzaexpo.com.