GARDEN Trader (SPRING 2022)

in global trade. For foreign companies trading with domestic businesses already located in Kaohsiung, ease of operational logistics and transportation costs savings will also be corroborative considerations favoring the city as the preferred place to do business in Taiwan. Indicated by the World Bank Group’s Doing Business Taiwan 2020 Report; the Kaohsiung port which is the nation’s largest international harbor is the primary border entry for exports to and imports from foreign markets such as China and Germany. With the free trade zone and industrial parks connection to the port, delivery of Taiwan-made hardware, manufactured in Kaohsiung will be more easily accessible to consumers worldwide. Taiwan Hardware Show strategic move driven by exhibition’s expansion needs Sharing their confidence on THS timely move at a time when businesses are bouncing back from the disruptive impacts of the pandemic, Mr.Josh Chen, Chairman of the Taiwan Fastener Trading Association noted that, “Kaohsiung is ultimately where real business takes place and orders transact at the companies’ sales headquarters here, so THS move is particularly signifi- cant for those dealing with overseas partners. For the exhibition’s future growth, Kaohsiung is therefore the right place for THS to truly deliver itself as a worthy business platform for hardware industry market-drivers, fulfil its role in strengthening current global hardware supply chains, whilst also connecting new distribution channels established from within Taiwan at its show floor.” Anticipation to welcome back large international trade visitors after the long travel slowdown has also led THS organizer to identify a conducive venue with well-functioning facilities to accommodate more in-hall meeting areas, wider booth spaces and specially designated areas for seminars and other onsite activi- ties. Covering 13,500 sqm of hall space, THS 2022 is earmarked to host 500 exhibiting companies; compris- ing Taiwan’s leading OEM, ODM and OBM who are geared up to entice some targeted visiting retailers, import agents, channel distributors with their newly launched products. In this year Taiwan Hardware Show & International Metal Technology Taiwan will have 500 companies showcasing their products to 30,000 trade visitors from 80 different countries. Mr Keim added that, “As Taiwan’s only international hardware exhibition, THS has always been able to draw high quality visitors from all over the world and continues to attract new visitors from more countries each year. The exhibition has steadily grown in prominence and importance as the must-attend event in the business calendar of hardware traders seeking top-quality, Taiwan-made hardware that are highly sellable in export markets due to its competitive pricing and unmatched service delivery.” With numerous fastener manufacturers in its backyard - many of whom have been dedicated in joining THS through its past years at Taichung - Kaohsi- ung now bears strategic advantages that would further contribute to the diversity of THS 2022’s exhibitor mix and expanding the product spectrum across the 8 exhibit categories. While fasteners and fittings stand as its own category, the other seven categories; tools and accessories, locks and fittings, building supplies, garden and outdoor equipment, automotive supplies and accessories, machines and plant equipment and lastly safety equipment and products carry parts and components stemming from similar fastener manufactur- ing sources that are vastly native to Kaohsiung. The refreshed Taiwan Hardware Show is on course to achieve another successful edition in 2022 given the continued support secured from esteemed local as well as foreign industry organizations and associations such as the Kao Hsiung City Government, European DIY Retail Association (ERDA) / Global Home Improvement Network (EDRA/GHIN), Chang Hwa County Industrial Association (CHCIA), Taiwan Industry Fastener Institute (TIFI), Taiwan Fasteners Traders Association (TFTA), Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Associa- tion (TEEMA), Importers and Exporter Association of Taipei (IEAT), Plumbing Association, Taipei Hardware Dealers Association and the Metal Industries Research Development Center (MIRDC) for their twin support to THS’s co-locat- ed exhibition, the Internation- al Metal Technology Taiwan. w w w . I M B 2 B . c o m TRADE SHOW PREVIEW 31