Hardware with a German accent

Cologne, Germany -- The usual giants of German hardware made a splash at the 2016 International Hardware Fair, but so did a contingent of American household home improvement names, along with brands from all over the world.

And symbolically in the middle of it all, set in the central area of the Kolnmesse convention center called the "E-commerce arena," there was the Google booth, radiating the global power of Silicon Valley.

Waving the "Made in Germany" flag were show regulars Pferd, Wera and Knipex, to name three that seemed to generate a steady flow of attendees. But also in the mix were U.S. companies including General Pipe Cleaners, Channellock, Dumond, Champion Global Power Equipment and Starrett -- all waving the American flag to some degree, as they seek to expand into Europe and beyond.

Some 3,000 companies exhibited their wares throughout the multiple halls on multiple levels here at the Koelnmesse convention center near the banks of the Rhine River.

One of the big stories at the 2016 show is the impact of digital commerce on the hardware consumer and the channel in general. That trend was reflected in the E-commerce arena, which included a presentation from Google's Agency Development Manager Stefanie Osdoba. The title of her speech was: "Fit for the future through digital competence -- set the course for your online business."

The list of other big digital brands participating in the event included Alibaba and nexmart And Zoro Europe.

Ralf Rahmede, general manager of the European Federation of DIY Manufactures (fediyma), said that the digital movement is on everyone's mind in 2016. "It's certainly a trend in home improvement, in Germany and everywhere," he said from his group's booth at the entrance to Hall 5.

Meanwhile, the International Hardware Fair (locally known as "Eisenwarenmesse") delivered innovations on the product front, as well.

"Once again, the trade fair offers new products and trends from the tool sector combined with a unique overview of the market," said Thomas Dammann, executive director of the Central Association of the Hardware Trade.

The duration of every-other-year event was scaled down in 2016 to three days. It was a four-day event in 2014. The move was "in line with the business behavior of the national and international trade visitors," according to Koelnmesse, organizers of the fair.