2009 IndiaMart Hardware & Tools Expo Prove to be Versatile Event

Three-day show draws 5,000 busines

Being one of the emerging economies that has shown robust post-meltdown recovery is just one reason to visit The IndiaMart Hardware & Tools Expo (IHTE). Another motivation is that the IHTE is the largest, hardware-and-tools exclusive show in India, one that consistently attracts many manufacturers, exporters and buyers all around the world to reinforce contacts and discover new business opportunities.

According to the economic report issued by India's Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in July 2009, the country's 2008-2009 GDP reached US$1.29 trillion as of March 31, 2009, for a growth of 6.7% from a year earlier, still highly coveted relative to the lackluster figures posted by advanced countries.

Without over-hyping Indian economic performance, the country still saw slowdowns: its production value from manufacturing, electricity and construction sectors grew only 2.4%, 3.4% and 7.2%, less than 8.2%, 5.3% and 10.1% for the fiscal year 2007-2008, mainly due to the global meltdown, rising raw material prices and interest rates.

Trying to counter such impacts, India has implemented the US$25-billion stimulus program and reduced interest rates and goods and services taxes, resulting in the country's overall industrial output growth of 10.03% in October and 11.7% in November, surging past the 2.53% posted a year earlier. The growing industrial output, including a 37.3% increase in production of consumer products, rings a promising future for foreign investors in that the BRIC country is gradually returning from the doldrums, and is very likely to achieve its GDP growth projection of 7.75% for fiscal 2009-2010.

Easy Access to Indian Market

The IndiaMart Hardware and Tool Expo is seen as the gateway to the Indian market for industrial and DIY hardware and tools, having carved out a solid niche since its establishment in 2002. The two-in-one event, held alongside IndiaMart Fastener Expo, celebrated its 8th anniversary on December 20-22, 2009. The Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai venue attracted 128 exhibitors from India, 52 of which from China and 12 from Taiwan, according to the show organizer Unitech Exhibition Pvt., Ltd.

Versatile Event

Certainly a versatile event, the three-day show drew some 5,000 business visitors of all stripes, including traders, distributors, retailers, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), suppliers, automakers, builders, furniture makers, interior designers, carpenters, locksmiths, plumbers and garden service providers. According to the organizer, heavy demand was seen for industrial fasteners, auto repair tools, and professional hand tools for production and maintenance of heavy machinery.

Meeting plentiful demands for building, industrial and automotive products and services in a developing economy, the two shows presented wide-ranging lines, including hand tools, power tools, DIY tools, pneumatic tools, hydraulic tools, scissors and knives, gardening tools, electrician's tools, packaging tools and supplies, auto repair and garage tools, handling and conveying tools, craftsmen tools, builders, hardware, furniture hardware, fasteners and nails, locks and keys, rollers, castors and guides, tapes and adhesives, ladders, rust prevention and lubrication aerosols and paints and painting supplies.

About a dozen Taiwanese exhibitors reported promising possibilities. Ann-Chain Enterprise (pneumatic clip ring tools), Chi Zong Machine (hoists and winches), Hui Bao Enterprise (regulators and couplers), King Tony Tools (hand tools) and Tai Tong Metal Industrial (car locks) also attracted ample buyer interest by offering products striking a good balance between quality and price.

Also supplying a useful product and service, especially to buyers who prefer not to locate suppliers personally or spend time browsing, CENS, a veteran publisher and promoter of trade in Taipei, was a designated media for IHTE and IF Expo. In such role, CENS circulated the CENS Hardware, Guide Book to Taiwan Hand Tools and TTG (Taiwan Transportation Equipment Guide), which helped to familiarize global buyers with Taiwan-based suppliers, many of whom are well-known for offering world-class manufacturing know-how and flexibility.

Fueling heavy growths in building, industry and automotive segments in a successful developing economy, IHTE and IF Expo again ended with many deals having been signed, fully living up to its reputation as an excellent business platform. The next IHTE and IF Expo are scheduled for December 17 to 19, 2010 at the Chennai Trade Center in Chennai.

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