The Technical Trade sector is the union of independent specialist traders throughout the whole of Germany. In 1995, the Technical Trade expert group was founded with 19 members. The main objective was collective procurement marketing and the creation of a trade catalogue for industrial requirements with high-quality branded ranges for hoses, fittings, vibration technology, seals, profiles, panels, chemical technical products, semi-finished plastic products, compressed air fixtures, machine operating equipment and industrial requirements. This first catalogue was published in 1996. The current edition is about 800 pages. Today, over 30 technical traders with a total of over 60 sites are members of the expert group.

www.technischerhandel.de

The continual specialisation in goods sectors which are demanding in their content has led to better and better solutions for users both in the manufacturing trade and specialist trade. To do justice to this development, highly-specialised traders have formed competence groups within the Technical Trade expert group. For more intensive knowledge transfer among one another and to the industry. At the moment, there are competence groups in the sectors of seals and profiles together with hoses and fittings.

The objectives of the competence group work are versatile:

• Further development of products
• Implementation of requirements of the market
• Development of solutions to problems
• Service concepts
• Logistics systems
• Continual improvement of the quality of consultation

With E-COLL, we offer an extensive and specialised range of chemical and technical products. The high level of quality is tailored to use in industry, trade and craft. All E-COLL products are produced exclusively on our assignment and in accordance with our guidelines by leading manufacturers. We guarantee an optimal price-performance ratio and quality on which you can rely.

In the sales partner group, about 40 traders develop the fundamental strategies concerning the goods range of the trade brand E-COLL. As a distribution partner, you will receive extensive support in marketing and in the procurement of specialist knowledge.

The Technical Trade sector currently works with two trade brands (FORMAT and E-COLL). The FORMAT Industrietechnik brand is only available to the Technical Trade expert group. With E-COLL (chemical and technical products), we offer an extensive and professional range of chemical and technical products. The E-COLL range is available to all member establishments without restrictions. The entire range of the E-COLL brand is managed from the Wuppertal warehouse. All products can be purchased in individual shipments. At the moment, the E-COLL range includes approximately 400 products from the fields of maintenance, lubricants, cleaning, adhesives and sealants. Furthermore, technical and safety datasheets are available for all products.

As well as own trade brands, the Technical Trade sector also offers the opportunity of managing individualised trade brands for individual trading companies. The sector offers an extensive approach for the relevant users.

www.e-coll.de

The Industrial Technology catalogue is only available to traders from the Technical Trade expert group. The catalogue edition has a shelf life of 2 1/2 years. With a circulation of approximately 90,000 copies, the reference book enjoys a significant position on the market. Over about 800 pages, you can view high-quality brand products from over 100 manufacturers. The ranges are intended for professional users in trade and industry. Due to the diversity of the Technical Trade industry, the catalogue is offered with various alternate versions.

The catalogue of the E-COLL trade brand is available to all members and can be ordered from, even with minimal quantities. The E-COLL catalogue is published every two years with a circulation of approximately 50,000 copies. Products from the sectors of maintenance, lubrication, cleaning, adhesives and sealants are shown on about 100 pages.

The entire stock range from the Technical Trade sector is also available to all members in a relevant catalogue module. As well as the E-COLL brand, selected first brands are also depicted in this catalogue.

All members have the opportunity to compile their own individual sales tool from the various catalogues of all sectors.   

A total of 1500 products are managed in stock at the warehouse in the Technical Trade sector. The focal point of this stocked range is the Workshop Parts sector. As well as products from the E-COLL brand, the range is also made up of first brand products from renowned manufacturers. In the business year of 2009, the Technical Trade sector achieved a stock turnover of approximately €12 million.