February 1 , 2001

More than 400 Taiwan manufacturers of hardware, hand tools and building materials are expected to participate in the International Hardware Fair to be held in Cologne, Germany, February 18-21.

In an interview, Melga Wang, assistant general manager of Kaigo Co., the representative firm of Koln Messe in Taiwan, said that 398 companies from Taiwan attended the show last year. That amount was the largest figure in terms of the number of exhibitors coming from abroad. In second place was Italy with 379 companies, and in third was mainland China with 343 exhibitors.

In fact, the number of Taiwan exhibitors at the world's biggest hardware show has been growing over the past three years. In 1998, there were 341 companies exhibiting their products at the Cologne show, according to Wang. In 1999, 45 more companies from Taiwan joined the International Hardware Fair, increasing the number to 386 companies.

Wang cited the final report from the trade organizer as stating that 70 percent of the exhibitors were satisfied with last year's fair, and only eight percent were not satisfied.

Chang Loon Ind. Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of DIY and professional hand tools and a regular exhibitor at the event, will not participate in the 2001 International Hardware Fair this year due to a delay in new product releases.

The past three years in a row the company took part in the show, according to Andy Chang, vice president of Chang Loon Ind. "Over the last three years, we displayed our new products at the Cologne hardware show. This year, as a result of delays in turning out new models in time, we will miss the event, which is deeply regretted on our part," commented Chang.

While most of Chang Loon's orders are received through trading companies, some big orders are handled by the company itself, according to the vice president. "The amounts of orders placed by these major accounts are usually bigger," said Chang.

Chang said that participating in the Cologne hardware shows has been helpful and result-oriented. "We found new customers each year we took part in the show," he said.

A leading maker of showerheads for export, Compex International Co., Ltd. this year will continue its routine of attending and exhibiting its latest products at the Cologne show.

For the past three years, Compex International participated in the event. "It has been a fruitful show for us. Three years ago, before we took part in the Cologne hardware fair, our export to the European market was zero. Now, our export of handheld showerheads to that region accounts for nearly 50 percent of our total exports. With these kinds of results, we will continue participating in the show this year and in the future," commented Kevin Tsai of the company's sales department. Prior to participating in the fair, Compex International exported most of its showerheads to the U.S. market, which favors wall-mounted types, Tsai said.

He disclosed that the company will display three new models of handheld showerheads at the upcoming hardware show in Cologne. Tsai claimed that Compex International produces the best-quality showerheads in Asia. "But our prices are only medium-range. Some of our shower heads are even better than those of our European competitors in terms of quality and design," commented Tsai.

Compex International places great emphasis on R&D. This part of the operation is handled by a team of specialists at the company's plant in Xiamen, southern China, which was established two years ago.

The China External Trade Development Council (CETRA), a semi-governmental trade promoter in Taipei, will lead about 50 Taiwan manufacturers of hardware and building materials to the Hardware Fair.

Wen Chao Liao, a specialist from CETRA's durable goods section, said Taiwan exhibitors come from all over Taiwan, and are mostly involved in the production of hand tools, bathroom hardware and fasteners.

"Comments on the show from Taiwan exhibitors have been favorable. The International Hardware Fair is the most 'international' and the world's biggest because buyers really do come from around the globe," commented Liao. "People involved in the hardware and building materials industry manage to take part in the show every year."

Frank Wang, general manager of Double Dynasty Co., Ltd., said he was not given a stand by the organizer of the Cologne show because "it was fully booked". Despite this, Wang said he will still visit the show, as in previous years. "I will continue to register with the trade organizer - but at an earlier date," added Wang.

The general manager said that in the past he has been very impressed with the grandeur and the wide selection of products on display at the exhibition. "Participating in such a big event, one should expect some good results," he concluded."

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