INT. HARDWARE FAIR ITALY

Press Release

THE SECOND EDITION OF INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR ITALY WRAPS UP WITH RESULTS BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

• 320 exhibitors from 22 countries
• 5,600 visitors from Italy and across Europe
• Incoming of 300 international buyers
• Over 350 matchmaking meetings
• More than 16 conferences and workshops

International Hardware Fair Italy ended on Friday, 9 May, welcoming 320 exhibitors from 22 countries and over 5,600 visitors from 53 countries. In Bergamo, companies, buyers, and professionals from the hardware, building, DIY, industrial supplies, garden & outdoor, security, safety equipment, paints and colours, electrical, and automotive sectors gathered for two days of exhibitions, demonstrations, networking, and conferences.

Based on participation data, International Hardware Fair Italy reaffirms its position as the only trade fair in Italy dedicated to the European market for the sector, capable of creating strategic connections and expanding networks beyond borders. The event has provided a valuable opportunity to accelerate project development, enhance the exchange of knowledge and services, and offer opportunities for high-level professional training, thereby responding to the needs of a dynamic sector, rich in cross-industry influences and driven by a strong ambition for growth.

Gerald Bӧse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH, commented: “I am pleased to see that International Hardware Fair Italy has once again demonstrated its role as a key event for the European market. The success of the event strengthens Koelnmesse’s global reach, as well as the EISENWARENMESSE network andother international trade fairs in the hardware sector. This achievement highlights the importance of IHF Italy as a strategic platform for innovation andindustry growth.”

CONFERENCES AND MARKET DATA
The hardware sector in Italy has been analysed through a study conducted in collaboration with ASCOM Bergamo, examining a sample of businesses at a national level and then focusing on the Bergamo area. The study found that the sector employs 49,926 people in wholesale trade (24%) and retail trade (76%) across Italy. The key findings highlight an increase in revenue driven by service sales, a growth in the end-user segment for retailers, and an improvement in income generated by construction companies.

Thomas Rosolia, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Italy added: “With each new edition, International Hardware Fair Italy further strengthens its role as an essential event for the hardware sector in Italy and Europe. This year’s results — expected,yet always impressive — confirm the exhibition’s steady growth which has seen broader participation from international buyersas well as its strategic value within Koelnmesse’s global network. The success of this edition once again highlights the importance of International Hardware Fair Italy in fostering new business opportunities and innovation for Italian and international companies.”

PRODUCT OF THEYEAR AWARD IN COLLABORATION WITH ASSOFERMET FERRAMENTA
The trade fair was preceded by two major celebration and networking events incollaboration with leading industry associations.
Together with Assofermet Ferramenta, International Hardware Fair Italy presented the Product of the Year 2025 Award, dedicated to manufacturers, confirming the quality, commitment, and creative capabilities of the competing companies and those presentat the fair. The jury evaluated over 100 submissionsand selected the winners in three categories.

STORE TOUR
In collaboration with EDRA/GHIN, International Hardware Fair Italy organised the Store Tour as a day for members of the international association to visit a selection of stores within both the traditional supply chain and large-scale Italian distribution — a practical and immediate way to create connections and share experiences.

MATCHMAKING PROGRAMME – B2B MEETINGS AT THE FAIR
The presence of international distributors more than doubled in this second edition of International Hardware Fair Italy, leading to an increase in fair visits and, more importantly, in strategic meetings with industry professionals who made the most of their participation. The matchmaking initiative, actively supported through the buyer hosting programme, facilitated connections between participants with shared and specific interests, fostering collaborations and exchanges that made the event truly productive. The wide exhibition area showcased equipment, machinery, tools, and devices, reflecting the sector’s ability to innovate. Meanwhile, the outdoor area hosted engaging live demonstrations and presentations that captivated all visitors.

RELEVANT COLLABORATION
For this second edition, International Hardware Fair Italy benefited from the support of qualified partners such as EDRA/GHIN, the association that brings together DIY and home improvement retailers globally — covering both physical stores (over 34,000 in 78 countries) and major distributors and digital platforms. Also noteworthy are the confirmed collaborations with ZHH, the specialised trade association for the hardware sector in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland); with FWI (the German
association of tool manufacturers); Assofermet Ferramenta (the Italian wholesalers’ association); MADE4DIY (the Italian consortium of DIY and gardening manufacturers); ASCOM Bergamo; Assodimi/Assonolo; and Confartigianato Imprese Bergamo.

Finally, the dates for the next edition have been announced: The third International Hardware Fair Italy will take place on 5–6 May 2027 in Bergamo.

Milan, 12th May 2025

Press Release

THE SECOND EDITION OF INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR ITALY PROMISES TO BE A SUCCESS

With over 310 exhibitors from 21 Countries and 6,000 visitors from Italy and Europe expected, the event establishes itself as a benchmark for the hardware sector in the Italian and European markets

International Hardware Fair Italy, scheduled for Thursday 8 May and Friday 9 May 2025 at Bergamo’s trade fair centre, will be the stage for an event that, following the success of the first edition, establishes itself as an essential meeting point for professionals in the fields of hardware, building, DIY, industrial supplies, garden & outdoor supplies, safety, colours, and electrical and automotive supplies.

With over 310 exhibitors from 21 Countries and 6,000 visitors expected from across Italy and Europe, including key market players, the 2025 edition promises to be even richer and more dynamic, with a programme of meetings and content designed to provide new opportunities and inspiration for the sector.

“We are extremely pleased with the market’s response. The extraordinary participation of buyers and leading market companies unequivocally demonstrates that International Hardware Fair Italy has no rivals in Italy. With one month to go before the fair, we continue to receive registrations from both national and international buyers, thanks also to the strong inbound programme activated, which highlights the growing interest and importance of this event” reports Thomas Rosolia, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Italia.

“For this second edition, we are ready to take a step forward in quality: the conference programme will be even more engaging and of a higher standard. The participation of buyers in our Matchmaking programme will increase significantly, offering an unmissable opportunity to connect with industry professionals. Furthermore, in the Test & Demo Area, exhibitors will organise practical demonstrations of their product innovations,” emphasized Alice Brambilla, International Hardware Fair Italy Project Manager.

Highlights of the event:
The event will offer numerous networking opportunities, updates on the latest industry news, and chances for dialogue among key market players:
• Exhibition area: a vast exhibition showcasing innovative tools, machinery and products.
• Matchmaking: a free service promoting contact between companies and buyers, with more than 300 meetings already scheduled.
• Incoming buyers: an incoming programme for buyers from Italy, all over Europe and North Africa.
• Store check: an initiative organised in collaboration with EDRA/GHIN to visit a selection of traditional supply chain and large-scale retail stores on the day before the fair opens.
• Test & Demo Area: a large outdoor area dedicated to companies for live demonstrations of the latest innovations and showcasing products in action to an audience of highly qualified visitors. The area will also feature a food court

A focus on key themes of the market and a complete visitor experience

The conference programme will offer a wide-ranging overview of key trends of the market, with a special focus on:
• Digitalisation: how the new technologies are transforming the industry, and what opportunities this offers for enterprises.
• Sustainability: new models of consumption and the most innovative green construction solutions.
• Evolution of distribution formats: the new challenges facing retail today, and how distribution chains are adapting.
• The colour industry
• Manual and electrical tools
• International distribution
For more information on the programme, go to https://www.hardwarefair-italy.com/en/events-and-conferences/conferences/conference-second-edition/

The partnerships of International Hardware Fair Italy
The fair is supported by the leading sector associations at an international level. Among the partners that have renewed their commitment and support for the event is EDRA/GHIN, the association that brings together DIY and home improvement stores and retailers globally, covering both physical shops (over 34,000 in 78 countries) and major retailers and digital platforms. Also noteworthy is the confirmed collaboration with ZHH (the association for the specialised hardware trade operating in the DACH region); FWI, the association of tool manufacturers in Germany; Assofermet Ferramenta (the Italian wholesalers’ association); MADE4DIY (the Italian consortium of DIY and gardening manufacturers); ASCOM of Bergamo; Assodimi//Assonolo; and Confartigianato Imprese Bergamo.

The ideal location
Fiera di Bergamo, which will host the event, located behind Orio International Airport and at the crossroads of major motorway routes, confirms its central role in the success of the exhibition

The award
International Hardware Fair Italy will also host a new edition of the Product of the Year Award, a highly anticipated recognition for the exhibiting companies.

Visitor portal registration
For more information about the event and to register for free admission, visit https://www.hardwarefair-italy.com/en/ticket-shop/get-your-free-ticket-now/

So, the event is set to return to Bergamo on Thursday, 8 May, and Friday, 9 May 2025.

Milan, 31 March 2025

Press Release

DIGITALISATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND NEW CONSUMERS: THE CHALLENGES OF HOME IMPROVEMENT AT INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR ITALY 2025

There are, fortunately, a number of unchanging focal points in the complex, ever-changing macroeconomic scenario surrounding Italy’s and Europe’s dynamic hardware and DIY industry. One of these is International Hardware Fair Italy, back in 2025 with important confirmations of participation from the biggest names in the industry and a packed programme of events focusing on the most important issues and the most interesting opportunities in the Italian and European hardware market.

Thomas Rosolia, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Italia, reports less than 6 months after the second edition of the fair: “We have more than 250 exhibitors on board who have already confirmed their participation and working with us to make the most of the trade fair coming up on 8-9 May 2025. They include home improvements’s most prominent and recognised brands, with the support of the biggest international trade associations”.

Alice Brambilla, Project Manager for International Hardware Fair Italy, comments: “The participation of major Italian and international companies confirms that the event responds to a need for profitable in-person networking, in a streamlined two-day format packed with initiatives and proposals for the market. The next edition will interpret crucial issues in the industry, offering a broad overview of possible solutions.”

While home improvement, like all industries, has felt the effects of the digital and climate transition, it continues to be a sector of great interest for the development of retail chains, e-commerce projects and diversification of products and proposals. In this context, the International Hardware Fair Italy committee is working on the completion of a conference programme offering plenty of food for thought and in-depth analysis to guide its strategies and promote its growth.

Two days of conferences and matchmaking, an incoming programme for buyers from all over Europe, and an outdoor area for exhibiting tools and machinery are among the highlights of the event. Service, the evolution of formats, and sustainability will be among the key themes of the fair, coming up 8-9 May 2025 in Bergamo and inspired by EISENWARENMESSE, the world’s leading hardware and DIY trade fair, held in Cologne in even-numbered years.

Bergamo’s fairground is strategically located near Orio al Serio international airport, making it easy for visitors to come from all over Europe, and close to the A4 motorway serving all of northern Italy. This location and plentiful parking make it the ideal place for concentrating on doing business without wasting time. The International Hardware Fair Italy format, taking place on Thursday and Friday in this second edition, makes it concretely possible to get the most out of a visit on one or both days of the event.

The Bergamo area is also a lively financial centre, with plenty of enterprises, logistics centres and retail space. International Hardware Fair Italy has signed a partnership with ASCOM Bergamo to optimise relations with the local community and offer more business opportunities.

Oscar Fusini, Director of Confcommercio Bergamo, welcomes the partnership with enthusiasm, commenting that “International Hardware Fair Italy, organised by Koelnmesse Italia, offers not only easy logistics for local distributors, but an extraordinary opportunity for professional growth and development encouraging innovation among local retailers. The hardware sector plays a key role in the province of Bergamo, in both quantitative and qualitative terms. The majority of local stores are specialised, offering innovative products and solutions responding to the needs of an increasingly demanding clientele. And the sector’s dynamism stands to benefit from the power of Bergamo’s manufacturing industry and trades, an additional lever for the development of advanced solutions”.

For more information on the programme, go to https://www.hardwarefair-italy.com/en/events-and-conferences/conferences/conference-second-edition/

Partners who have confirmed their commitment to support the event include EDRA/GHIN, a global association of DIY and home improvement retailers representing more than 34,000 stores in 78 countries as well as large-scale resellers and digital platforms. Other partners who have confirmed their participation include ZHH, a trade association specialising in hardware in the DACH countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland); FWI, a German association of machine tool manufacturers; Assofermet Ferramenta, an association of Italian hardware wholesalers, MADE4DIY, an Italian consortium of DIY and Gardening manufacturers; ASCOM of Bergamo; and capital goods distribution and rental association Assodimi/Assonolo.

International Hardware Fair Italy will also include the annual Product of the Year Award, a prestigious prize for exhibitors.

See you in Bergamo on Thursday, 8 May and Friday, 9 May 2025!

Milan, 2 December 2024

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