Sustainability, multifunctionality and digitalization in vogue
After the special edition in fall 2022, the hardware fair returned to its familiar March date this year. More than 3200 exhibiting companies from 54 countries presented the latest trends and innovations, and 38,000 trade visitors from 133 countries came to Cologne. The next hardware fair will take place from March 3 to 6, 2026 – then not from Sunday to Wednesday, but from Tuesday to Friday.
“Our supporting program was very well received, and the exhibiting companies all praised the excellent visitor quality,” said Oliver Frese, Managing Director and COO of Koelnmesse GmbH, expressing his satisfaction with Eisenwarenmesse 2024. Product managers and executives from E/D/E visited the trade fair. Udo Thamm, Head of Supplier and Product Group Management Tools: “Through good discussions with various suppliers, we were not only able to discover new products and innovations, but also explore potential partnerships or business opportunities. The International Hardware Fair is a valuable opportunity for us to expand our international network and drive our business forward.”
In 2024, the focus increasingly shifted to sustainability, among other things. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on renewable energies in their production, optimizing supply chains and paying attention to recycling packaging and used tools. There is also an emerging trend towards multifunctional tools. The latest innovations such as multi-function pliers, multi-purpose ladders with rotating steps and mini circular saws are suitable for a wide range of applications. The topic of digitalization was also present in the exhibition halls – from digital features on spirit levels and protractors to “intelligent” compressors with Wi-Fi connection and smart door cylinders.
Iron Award 2024: three winners Trends and innovations were also the focus of the Iron Award 2024 powered by ZHH. A high-caliber jury selected this year’s three award winners from more than 50 submitted products. The winners included the Versamag from C. & E. Fein. The permanent magnet with vice enables tool-free clamping of components on magnetic surfaces and ensures a secure hold in a wide variety of work situations. Another award winner is the new cardboard cartridge from Pronova Dichtstoffe. In contrast to conventional plastic cartridges, their cartridge body is made entirely of paper, reducing plastic waste by 80 percent. Hazet was also among the winners with its 6004CT and 6005CT torque screwdrivers. These feature a large digital display, a unique freewheel and a ratchet function that can be switched between right, left and fixed.
