CIHS SHANGHAI 2025
In the name of innovation
It's no exaggeration to say that we have entered a complex and delicate global economic and geopolitical period. Each day brings its share of news confirming this. China is not spared, even as it continues to assert its power. The 2025 edition, an acronym for China International Hardware Show (CIHS) confirmed its role as a strategic hub for the global hardware sector.
From October 10 to 12, the trade show was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, bringing together nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 16 countries and more than 23,000 trade visitors from 123 regions worldwide. It was jointly organized by the China National Hardware Association (CNHA) and Koelnmesse GmbH, The trade fair has established itself as an essential platform where the transformation of the tooling and hardware sector is taking shape, particularly through innovation, the key word of the overall offer presented by manufacturers and industrialists to buyers and players in a sector that is doing rather well.
Indeed, while tools and hardware may not be the most appealing products, they are essential in many highly strategic areas for the smooth functioning of the economy, starting with the most sensitive sectors of all: building, construction, and home improvement. Without them, nothing is possible. So, while they may not be aesthetically pleasing, they are indispensable. They reflect the health of these sectors. That is why this 2025 edition of CIHS was particularly anticipated and closely watched. Indeed, it hasn't escaped anyone's notice that the Chinese real estate market has been struggling since the Covid era, which triggered a crisis of confidence among potential buyers. This led to a sudden halt in construction starts, exacerbated by the collapse of major real estate groups. Nevertheless, the alarmist pronouncements from Western experts seem far too alarmist. While it's clear that the slowdown is a reality—one that government authorities are certainly not hiding—the situation is not catastrophic. Major cities continue to expand with the construction of new neighborhoods, living spaces, and ever-larger, ever-more-innovative shopping malls. A visitor would never imagine that the sector is in crisis. However, faced with this new situation caused by a relatively sluggish market, the government was quick to react vigorously, thanks to the other arm of its economy, namely exports, and it must be said that it went all out in all industrial sectors.
Exporting as a priority
Indeed, this is the strength, the ultimate weapon of the Middle Kingdom. Exports have always been the top priority. Thus, the country keeps two irons in the fire, and when the gigantic domestic market falters, as is currently the case, exports are there to compensate for the growth that allows China to maintain its position as the world's second-largest economy. However, its image has changed considerably. Today, it is the spearhead of expertise, and no longer the world's factory that was once viewed with a certain condescension. While subcontracting remains a firmly established reality in the smooth functioning of the country's economy, an essential element must now be added: the upgrading of industrial production across all sectors, supported by two factors. The first is unwavering support for exporting companies, accompanied by a substantial development plan for the creation of businesses dedicated to this sector. The second is the inexorable move upmarket thanks to the expertise of our Chinese friends in the field of technological innovation, where the country has become one of the two world leaders. They demonstrate this particularly through the speed at which they are developing AI, the cornerstone of the road to progress. Of course, all of this is accompanied by a mastery of sustainability in terms of products and rapid progress in the area of environmental protection. It is in this context that we must consider what the 2025 edition of the CIHS trade fair.
China International Hardware Show 2025
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Diversity and moving upmarket
To better showcase the expertise of the exhibitors who came to present their new products and innovations, the organizers gave it a name “Growing with Changes”. Behind this theme, the emphasis was placed on the sector's ability to adapt to the upheavals of digitalization and global supply chains. Alongside these two parallel events – the International Building, Fasteners and Hardware Exhibition, and the China Security Locks and Doors Exhibition – CIHS 2025 presented a comprehensive overview of products: hand tools, abrasives, fastening systems, locks, safety equipment, construction hardware, garden products, and outdoor items. Supported by the global network of trade fairs Koelnmesse, The event attracted a wide range of exhibitors from France, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom. "The CIHS remains a key pillar for strengthening economic ties between China and the rest of the world," said Sebastian Rosito, vice president of salon management at Koelnmesse GmbH. For Zhang Dongli, president of the CNHA, this edition illustrates the resilience of the Chinese market, the innovative spirit of its manufacturers and the growing openness to international collaborations.
Competitions, innovations and e-commerce: the new dynamic of the trade show
Beyond the overall offering presented at the stands, the CIHS 2025 orchestrated more than 30 parallel events designed to stimulate exchanges between global manufacturers, distributors and buyers. Among them: the 6th competition “Golden Hook”, dedicated to the design of locks and technological equipment, the selection “CIHS Innovation Awards”rewarding outstanding products and the most promising innovations. Also noteworthy were two major workshops dedicated to the international expansion of Chinese brands and cross-border growth, bringing together experts from TEMU, eBay, Merit-Link, EDRA/GHIN, and other global trade players. These workshops perfectly illustrated the growing importance of the trade fair as a hub for information and support for the development of international trade, of which China is the undisputed world leader. However, this does not prevent the stakeholders involved from meeting to reflect together on future strategies in an increasingly complex and competitive world. CIHS facilitated these meetings during these days.
China opens its doors to the whole world
But the trade fair is also a vibrant and interactive platform. This was demonstrated through the organization of tailored B2B meetings, guided tours for foreign delegations, and even a highly successful DIY woodworking workshop. All these events allowed visitors to discover the Chinese supply chain from the inside. These direct exchanges solidified the trade fair's credibility as a driver of international business cooperation. In total, 163 foreign buyers participated in targeted sourcing missions, strengthening synergies between manufacturers and distributors in European, American, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets. These meetings were a resounding success and demonstrated the crucial importance of professional platforms, which remain more irreplaceable than ever. Nevertheless, the show attracted many newcomers, as evidenced by some comments heard here and there “This is my first visit to Shanghai. I discovered a multitude of suppliers and opportunities,” confides Jordi Snehider Caro Diaz (Ferreria Luis Penago, Spain). "We have found about ten potential partners here," adds Massimo Roncati (Elettronica Didattica, Italy). "The organization demonstrates exemplary professionalism." emphasizes Grégoire Maupas (Diager, France). For Max Kleinbongartz (KUKKO Werkzeugfabrik), “CIHS is a unique event. It brings together players you don’t meet anywhere else.” These impressions demonstrate, in any case, a very high overall satisfaction rate, much to the delight of the teams in charge of an organization that is perfect in every respect. For Michiel Kruse, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Beijing, “In 2025, we are not just observing the future of hardware, we are building it. CIHS is a community where manufacturers, distributors, and innovators co-create the solutions of tomorrow. The trade show thus illustrates China’s rise as an industrial hub and strategic partner in global value chains.”One couldn't have said it better.
China International Hardware Show 2025
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On the road to 2026 and beyond
A few words, however, about the offerings presented during these days. As we strolled through the aisles of the SNIEC trade show, we observed that the organizers' promise in this regard was kept. The move upmarket is striking, particularly in the portable tool, precision instrument, and locksmith sectors, which have seamlessly integrated as partners. Electronics, unsurprisingly, has also been incorporated, along with connectivity. Nevertheless, we were impressed by the efforts made by manufacturers and industrial companies in the sector regarding sustainability. The leap forward is spectacular and elevates the offerings to the pinnacle of expertise in this highly strategic sector, both now and in the years to come. On the other hand, while the gardening sector wasn't the most extensive, its offerings are almost entirely geared towards export. These pleasures are not yet among the interests of Chinese consumers, even though they are far from insensitive to the environment, the outdoors, nature, its protection and respect.
Une édition réussie en tous points
This 2025 edition is therefore a success. All the statistics prove it. But the teams Koelnmesse are already looking to the future and are preparing for the 2026 edition, already scheduled for September 28-30, 2026, which will unsurprisingly be held in the fascinating metropolis of Shanghai. It will be part of the series of international trade fairs organized by Koelnmesse : El Gran Salón Ferretero (Bogotá, November 6–8, 2025), International Hardware Fair India (New Delhi, December 11–13, 2025), and the unmissable EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair (Cologne, March 3–6, 2026), the origin of this great adventure. All of these events are consolidating a global network in which China now occupies a central position. Thanks to all these activities and meetings, this edition of the CIHS 2025 has demonstrated that trade shows are no longer simply about product presentations, but are becoming laboratories for exchange and innovation. Combining connectivity, sustainability, and expertise, the Shanghai trade show has established itself as the essential meeting place for the know-how of our Chinese friends and partners.