FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EXHIBITORS EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM STRONG DEMAND DURING INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR IN COLOGNE, GERMANY

Chicago, Cologne – August 2011

Strong industry growth has been noted in the hand held power tool industry around the world. 2010 growth rates in Europe matched the ones in Asia with 8%. Europe is currently the world’s largest market for handheld power tools (EUR 3.2 Billion) followed by North America (EUR 1.9 Billion) and the Asia Pacific region (EUR 1.5 Billion).

The underlying optimism is reflected in strong and early commitments by exhibitors to the INTERNATIONALE EISENWARENMESSE KÖLN (International Hardware Fair) in Cologne scheduled from March 4-7, 2012 at the Koelnmesse Convention Center in Cologne, Germany.

The 2012 hardware fair offerings will be divided into the product segments Tools, Industrial Supply, Fasteners and Fixings, Fittings, and Home Improvement. The “Industrial Supply Segment” will feature companies such as Hailo, Keter Plastic, Annovi Reverberi and Telwin, prominent names in the Fasteners, Fixings & Fittings segment will be AS Schellenberg, GAH Alberts, Heco, Hettich, HSI Schwerter and Schäfers & Peters. Most prominent hand tool exhibitors will be Apex, Gedore, Hazet, Ega Master, Knipex, Rothenberger, Tyrolit and Unior.

A wide range of products organized by applications throughout 11 halls at the Koelnmesse fairgrounds will make this event a “one-stop shopping platform” for more than 50,000 anticipated international buyers. The event is regularly attended by buying teams from retailer chains such as OBI, Praktiker, Bauhaus, Toom and Hagebau from Germany; BricoMarche, Castorama, Leroy Merlin from France; Focus DIY, Kingfisher, Wickes from the UK; BauMaxx from Austria, Jumbo from Switzerland and Woodie’s from Ireland.

Products will include hand tools, power tools, machine tools, compressed air tools, high-pressure cleaners, welding and soldering equipment, workshop fittings, shop and storeroom fittings, ladders and scaffolding, industrial safety, fastening technology, fixing technology, building fittings, furniture fittings, small fittings, decorative metal wares, construction chemistry, interiors and furnishings, sanitary ware, building materials, outdoor products, automotive supplies and two-wheeler accessories.

More than 70 North American companies will look to expand their export business by exhibiting at this event. Many of them will take space in Hall 4.2 where U.S. companies will exhibit either in the group exhibits provided by the AHMA (American Hardware Manufacturers Association), the Worldwide DYI Council or with Koelnmesse Inc. offering a highly visible area for U.S. and Canadian turnkey displays.

Companies interested in exhibiting at or attending this event should contact Darrin Stern, North American Project Manager at 773-326-9925 or d.stern koelnmesse.us

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Websites: www.hardwarefair.com / www.koelnmessenafta.com

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