Koelnmesse Expands Hardware Trading Presence to Colombia
A new joint venture with proven and established partners Corferias and Concept2b paves the way for the expansion of EISENWARENMESSE to Latin America and the Caribbean. The established event “El Gran Salón Ferretero” brings suppliers, distributors, and retailers together to present an outstanding selection of products, technologies and services. The latest edition of the successful Cologne trade fair format in Colombia ensures dynamic growth for Koelnmesse and its partners and new business opportunities for hardware vendors.
With a strategic movement that enriches the panorama of industrial trade fairs in Latin America, Koelnmesse, in collaboration with Corferias and Concept2b, is now part of “El Gran Salón Ferretero”, a premier event in the hardware sector, which recently took place in Corferias, Bogotá on July 12-13, 2024. The event was held for the first time under this new alliance and welcomed more than 230 exhibitors and around 9,000 visitors.
EISENWARENMESSE: Strategic Boost for the International Reach of “El Gran Salón Ferretero”
This new chapter for the hardware industry in the region reinforces Koelnmesse’s leadership in the organization of international trade fairs. “I am delighted to invest the expertise we have acquired with our successful Cologne model EISENWARENMESSE in this promising joint venture in Colombia,” says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse. “This will enable us to support our customers in the Latin American market and create synergies between our events in Cologne and abroad. An absolute win-win situation for everyone involved.”
Some of the EISENWARENMESSE customers have already expressed their interest in the market. In addition to EISENWARENMESSE since 1971 and Asia-Pacific Sourcing since 2005 in Cologne, Germany, as well as the China International Hardware Show in Shanghai, China. Koelnmesse is now expanding its presence to the Americas. In 2023, the International Hardware Fair Italy, in Bergamo, Italy and the International Hardware Fair India in New Delhi, India, also debuted as two satellite events.
“The new joint venture is the sixth hardware event in our portfolio and an important milestone in our internationalization strategy,” says Böse.
Andrés López, CEO of Corferias, adds: “We are delighted, to further strengthen the already established event by Concept2B together with Koelnmesse. Our many years of intensive cooperation with Koelnmesse serve as the foundation for our common vision of consolidating the trade fair in the Colombian market and taking its internationality to a new level.”
Dario Bastidas, co-founding partner of Concept2b, says: “We are an innovative company, specialized in B2B marketing dedicated exclusively to the hardware and construction sector, with more than 12 years of experience in the market, in which we have created a unique portfolio based on 360 strategies for each company, which allows us to be an important ally in the area of marketing, innovation and effective creativity in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru”.
The participation of the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Cologne, managed by Koelnmesse, acts as a driver for “El Gran Salón Ferretero.” The collaboration with the leading trade fair in Cologne will help position the event on the global scene, facilitating the acquisition of partners, exhibitors and international businesses. In addition, “El Gran Salón Ferretero” perfectly complements the EISENWARENMESSE brand in terms of content and geography. EISENWARENMESSE will bring its vast network and experience to expand the reach of “El Gran Salón Ferretero,” marking a turning point in its history. The goal is clear: to turn the event into an indispensable reference within the hardware industry, creating a point of convergence for innovation, commerce and trends in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Strong partnerships will lead to joint success
“El Gran Salón Ferretero” will benefit from the combined international Koelnmesse industry know-how and regional expertise. It will be the fourth event concept jointly organized and implemented by Koelnmesse and Corferias. Corferias aims to connect Colombia with the business world. Concept2b as another strong partner has great experience in creating marketing strategies and effective events for the Colombian hardware industry.
Colombia and the region as strategic players in the market
Colombia stands out on the world stage as one of the 30 most attractive countries for foreign investment and is among the five largest economies in Latin America. In this position, it can offer privileged access to the Latin American and Caribbean markets. The country benefits from a complex port system that optimizes connectivity and access to a variety of operators and services. This environment is ideal for “El Gran Salón Ferretero” to capitalize on these geographical and economic advantages, serving as a vital meeting point for the sector.
According to Statista, the Colombian tool and hardware store market projects revenues that will reach 12.66 billion euros in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 2.68 percent until 2028. This sustained growth shows a clear trend: the growing interest of Colombian consumers in home improvement and building projects, which in turn drives demand for construction tools and materials. “El Gran Salón Ferretero” responds to trends, offering a platform for suppliers, distributors, and retailers to explore new opportunities, discover innovations, and expand their commercial networks.
Against this backdrop, “El Gran Salón Ferretero” aims to be the leading trade fair in the Latin American and Caribbean region, offering the perfect space for suppliers, distributors, hardware merchants, contractors and other professionals in the sector to connect and collaborate.
“El Gran Salón Ferretero” goes beyond being a commercial platform to become a space for interaction, learning, and significant business for the hardware community in Latin America. At this event, participants will find a setting with opportunities and spaces dedicated to negotiation as well as areas for training and recognition.
In its ongoing journey of growth and expansion, El Gran Salón Ferretero will extend to three days in its next edition, to be held from November 6-8, 2025. This edition aims to create more opportunities for exhibitors and visitors, offering innovations and trends that will continue to pave the way for the hardware sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
To learn more about Koelnmesse, visit www.koelnmesse.com.
