Hardware takes a global stage

Cologne, Germany -- Returning after a two-year intermission, the International Hardware Fair is scaled back, but continues to deliver trends and innovations.

The event is taking place against the backdrop of a European economic downturn. A report released here by Zentralveband Hartwarenhandel forecasts "additional burdens and pressures" in 2010. The report said the business-to-business trade was affected more significantly than the hardware retail side.

In the USA Pavilion, a group of suppliers organized and exhibited together in an effort led by the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA); about 30 companies gave an American accent to the proceedings.

Business looked brisk. At the General Pipe Cleaners booth in the USA Pavilion, David Silverman presided over a steady stream of what he called productive conversations. "The meetings we have right here in our booth are the kinds of meetings you'd expect when you make a special trip to Europe," he said. "This is a great show for us."

In addition to General Pipe's digital-video enhanced pipe cleaning unit, USA Pavilion companies were promoting a sheet metal cutter attachment (Malco Products), wet/dry vacs (Shop-Vac Corp.) and LubriMatic Green lubrication (Plews/Edelmann), among many others products.

Some of the other products gaining attention were a multi-function ratchet tool from Wera that doubles as a hammer and uses the Colossus of Rhodes as a marketing icon. American companies Cosco and Little Giant were among many names displaying ladder innovations of many varieties. Show organizers pointed to multi-functional tools, dampening techniques for locks and fittings, and new retailer-friendly concepts in DIY product packaging.

Dean Hardwick of Seattle-based Hardwick & Sons Wholesale Tools and Hardware was among those walking the aisles. One of the areas where he took particular interest was the high-quality vise manufacturers. He also used the show to reconnect with existing suppliers.

This year's event here at the sprawling Koelnmesse convention facility had a definite Asian influence -- of the 2,692 companies exhibiting, 884 were from China. The second-largest contingent was Taiwan, with 410 companies exhibiting. The United States was represented by 62 companies. In 2008, the exhibitor count was 3,375, and the show was combined with consumer-oriented Practical World. This year, the event is all business.

"Our sector finds itself in a subdued economic environment, but is approaching the four days in Cologne with optimism and confidence," said Rainer Langeluddecke, director of the German Tool Manufacturers Association.