Centered on fulfilling international buyers demand for Taiwan’s high quality hardware products, the annual Taiwan Hardware Show (THS) has heightened their overseas visitor programs and benefits this year. As the country’s largest hardware show and popular amongst industry players as Asia’s leading premium hardware sourcing event, THS specifically focuses on promoting Taiwan’s best hardware manufacturing capabilities to global markets. With a renewed focus, THS 2018 has been specially designed to match worldwide hardware brands, DIY retailers and finished-goods producers with the country’s leading OEM and ODM companies, contract manufacturers as well as material providers.

Based on the Industrial Technology Research Institute forecast for 2018, manufacturing output in Taiwan will reach 3.25% growth this year, depicting parallel increase in industrial demand from both domestic and export markets. Bringing together Taiwan’s homegrown companies, local subsidiaries of foreign-based companies and even multinational industry players that have penetrated the Taiwan and regional markets successfully via THS, the exhibition presents market leaders that have benefitted from Taiwan’s industrial capabilities and competitive advantage in hardware innovation.

Focus on meeting global demands for Taiwan’s hardware products

Taiwan manufacturers have increasingly become the preferred partners to buyers from emerging markets due to their excellent production and service flexibility in accepting smaller number of orders. With further strengthening of these emerging markets in recent years, THS has evidently matured to become a must-visit exhibition with a global audience appeal. THS 2018 will effectively promote sought-after products, launch new inventions and open partnership opportunities, making the exhibition a high-quality B2B platform for cross-continental trade cooperation.

Driven by continued demand growth in the hardware and DIY market, THS 2018 has scaled up innovatively to mirror export buyer needs. According to WorldsTopExports.com. analysis on ‘Taiwan’s Top 10 Exports’ in March 2017, Taiwan shipped US$280.5 billion worth of goods around the globe in 2016, where the country’s top 10 exports accounted for over four-fifths (82.6%) of the overall value of its global shipments. Ranked as the top export is electrical machinery, equipment worth at US$124.1 billion (44.3% of total exports) and in second spot is machinery including computers with a $30.2 billion value (10.8%).

Based on statistics from the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, Taiwan’s total Gross Domestic Product amounted to $1.125 trillion in 2016 with exports accounting for 24.9% of the country’s total economic output. 73.7% of Taiwanese exports by value are delivered to other Asian countries while 13.4% are sold to North American importers. Taiwan ships another 9.4% worth of goods to European clients with 0.7% going to Africa.

Wide product spectrum to meet diverse procurement priorities

THS’ organizer Kaigo Co., Ltd targets welcoming 450 exhibitors with a variety of product niche and manufacturing expertise this year. Participation from returning and popular ‘must-see’ exhibitors who are coming back with bigger booth to accommodate more products will be a major draw to hardware procurement specialists and DIY store purchasers. In order to facilitate a fruitful sourcing trip, dedicated visitor services including tailored business matching and corporate buyer incentive programs have been catered for international visitors. These programs will benefit those who are especially visiting the show to find ‘Made-in-Taiwan’ products and to meet homegrown manufacturers, many of whom have manufacturing facilities within close vicinity to the exhibition venue in Taichung itself.

With privileges of being able to source right in the center of Taiwan’s industrial cluster, buyers have long valued THS’s ‘ONE-STOP-SHOPPING’ experience. Combining opportunities to understand recent market developments upfront, the no-hassle visit to factories while directly seeking partners, and having face-to-face interaction with exhibitors, all these allow for an effective and win-win procurement process to buyers visiting the exhibition. THS also fosters the exchange of international industry experiences and knowledge through its array of industry forums, procurement conferences, new product launches and other concurrent informational events. Additionally, THS offers an attractive subsidy program for international visitors which amounts to NTD 15.000 (approx. EUR 360 / US D 500) that can be used for accommodation.

On the show floor, visitors can expect robust competition in terms of product quality range, price differentiation and customized production offerings. With a variety of products featured under eight main categories: tools and accessories, locks and fittings, fasteners and fittings, building supplies, garden and outdoor equipment, automotive supplies and accessories, plant equipment and machinery, lastly safety equipment and products, THS 2018 will showcase top range products with the best quality. In spotlight are products that have won international awards such as Red Dot, iF Design, Taiwan Excellence, Good Design and G-Mark as well as others that honored achievements in innovative design.

Last year, THS 2017 achieved strong visitorship by attracting top buyers and quality trade visitors representing 85 countries from around the world. Among the valued buyers include representatives from big brands such as Würth and Berner from Germany, Stanley black & Decker and Milwaukee from the United States, Rona from Canada, Astro, Konan, Lixil, Fujiwara and Grohe from Japan, and Facom from France. With 4,213 international visits recorded, the number of domestic and foreign professional visitors reached 30,889 in total. Compared to Taiwan Hardware Show 2016, the number of international visitors in 2017 increased by 3%. This hence pushed up the total visitor count that reach a record-breaking 15% growth overall. In its 17 years history, THS has consistently garnered more overseas participation both on exhibitor and visitor side. Each year, visitor turnout has reached newer success rates with more countries represented and wider buyer sector accounted for, especially from recognizable brands and leading companies in the industry.

Scheduled to be held over 3 days from October 17 to 19 at the Taichung International Exhibition Center, THS is truly an event not to be missed. Both local and international industry players are welcomed to be part of this leading premium show for the hardware industry. International companies can meet THS’ team at the International Hardware Fair Cologne in Hall 2.2 B035 to find out more about visitor privileges or to discuss exhibiting opportunities at THS. Exclusive to all THS’ prospective visitors, application for the corporate buyer incentive program will be available online starting in June.

For more information, please visit www.hardwareshow.com.tw or contact us at ths@kaigo.com.tw.