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PRESS RELEASES

Hardex 2009 DIY PARADISE

Time is fast approaching for South Africa`s only international hardware and allied products exhibition, Hardex 2009, which takes place at the MTN Expo Centre from 02 -04 August 2009, in close proximity to the world-class 2010 Calabash stadium, Soccer City.

Taking up this valuable marketing opportunity will be Merchandising Control cc, a family-owned and run local supplier to the hardware industry since 1981, who will launch its all new Feature Wall range of wallpaper products with daily wallpaper hanging demonstration taking place.

Said Kai Hess, marketing manager of Merchandising Control cc: “We will exhibit a unique collection of expressive wallpaper designs, ideal for making a showpiece of a particular chosen wall. We have called our concept the wallpaper explorer believing that consumers curiosity towards wallpaper will be awakened by the growing media awareness.”

Now celebrating 20 years in business, Hardex 2009 will once again focus its attention on providing a platform for suppliers of hardware and allied products to showcase and market their products to key decision makers.

The only trade exhibition of this kind in South Africa, visitors will be exposed to the latest in innovative hardware products while exhibitors will once again be able to form valuable network relationships, across a diverse spectrum of suppliers.

DIY products, general hardware, power tools , shop fittings , timber and woodwork , metal and welding , ladders and trolleys, plumbing and bathroom accessories, security and locksmith products and services will all be there!

Commented Sandra Galbraith, exhibition director, Specialised Exhibitions: “The last Hardex show, which took place in 2007, attracted over 4400 visitors to the three day event. That number is expected to increase this year.”

For more information on the Feature Wall range contact email kh@yhc.co.za or visit the Merchandising Control cc website on www.yhc.co.za

Refurbishment Market in full swing for 2010 FIFA World Cup

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, Hardex 2009, South Africa’s international hardware and allied products exhibition, is providing the perfect platform and timing for exhibitors to showcase their products and services.

The latest economic impact study on the 2010 FIFA World Cup shows that the number of tourists entering the country during the hosting of the event will increase by 4.1% and estimates that 483 000 foreign tourists will enter the country for the event alone.

The event is a catalyst for growth and improvement in the country, especially for one sector, the bed and breakfast (B&B) sector. For the first time in this event’s history, the 2010 South African event will provide non--hotel accommodation providers as official accommodation providers for the world football championship.

Approximately 10 000 non-hotel rooms will be needed for 2010. To take advantage of this, however B&Bs need to be graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa to ensure they meet the World Cup's minimum requirements.

Refurbishing is thus playing a major role in meeting these requirements and it is not only B&Bs that have been following this path, but major hotels, such as the Rosebank Hotel, in Rosebank, Gauteng which completely renovated and modernised itself, inside and out, at a cost of R160 billion.

Willem Marais, of Eureka DIY Solutions, one of the largest fasteners suppliers in Southern Africa and a long-standing exhibitor at Hardex, explains: “The refurbishing market is already in full swing, and set to continue into next year, up to at least the World Cup event. Hardex will provide a platform for this market as the change of season kicks in as well as the realisation that the 2010 World Cup is closer than anticipated. We will definitely be there - and with a bang.”

Eureka DIY Solutions has over 1 500 pre-packed products and is represented in over 80% of the hardware stores in Southern Africa.

The refurbishing trend is also expected to continue past the event itself, as previous World Cup hosts have shown that many fans return to the host country afterwards for a holiday with their family for as long as two years following the event.

With Hardware playing a major role for downstream products to the construction industry, Hardex 2009 will be taking place at the MTN Expo Centre (formerly Nasrec) from 02 – 04 August 2009. The exhibition will highlight and display hardware products and services, from plumbing and bathroom accessories, abrasives and power tools to shop fittings, sanitary ware, delivery vehicles, building products and pet accessories. Hardware retailers, buyers, building contractors and SMME’s will be afforded the opportunity to meet, and interact with a global network of hardware and allied products suppliers.

Hardware industry shows continuous growth... not all doom and gloom

Hardex 2009, South Africa’s international hardware and allied products exhibition, has been the meeting place for the local sector since 1987, and has a proven track record of bringing top class exhibitors together with high level decision makers.

It is interesting to note that, given the current economic climate, Evan Walker from RMB Asset Management (Pty) Limited says the hardware market has shown growth over the past few years.

From August to October 2007 retailers in hardware, paint and glass increased by 10.7% from 2006 for the same period (Retail trade sales (preliminary) October 2007, Statistics South Africa).

According to Statistics South Africa, Retail trade sales (preliminary) December 2008, from October to December 2008 retail in hardware, paint and glass increased by 9.4% when compared to the same period in 2007.

Last year the first half of the year dominated this growth, says Walker. “The second half of the year was not as buoyant, but if we look to 2009 it is not all doom and gloom.

“Economists are forecasting a 3 to 4% interest cut rate this year and already we have seen a one and a half percentage drop. This will provide relief for the consumer.

“This, together with a continued deflationary trend, means prospects will turn up as we head towards 2010.”

For the hardware sector this signals the start of an exaggerated refurbishment period. “I believe that this refurbishment cycle will continue for longer than expected as people look to use that saving on their bond brought about by the drop in interest rates to re-do their bathrooms, paint their homes and other refurbishment they would not have otherwise embarked upon.”

“Viewed in terms of 2010, we have already seen the hotel and B&B sector refurbishing and this will continue into next year.”

The exhibition has been scheduled for early August, the commencement of the summer retail season for the hardware sector. This will prove valuable for exhibitors, as it is when clients are sourcing the latest hardware products, multipurpose tools and products, creative ideas and services, and inventive equipment.

A long standing exhibitor at Hardex, is Ruwag, which provides a comprehensive range of power tool accessories to the market. Michael Fellendorf, general manager, says it is especially important to be at 2009 Hardex, given this economic climate. “It is important for us to be at Hardex to show our customers that we are confident in our products and our company, regardless of economic conditions.”

However that is not the only reason Fellendorf will be at this year’s Hardex. “We have been at Hardex since 2003. It is a valuable platform as it brings a captive audience to you, instead of your representatives having to find them.

Research conducted by Green Exhibitions Services for Hardex 2007 shows that the show’s visitors represent the whole country, as well as international visitors. These visitors represent independent hardware retailer, industrial suppliers, mass merchants, paint and garden and outdoor retailers, amongst others. Of these visitors the majority (over 60%) can make a purchasing decision.

With a new world class venue and timing, Hardex 2009 is looking very positive and already exhibitor space is set to increase from the last show.

Hardex 2009 will continue to highlight and display hardware products and services, from plumbing and bathroom accessories, abrasives and power tools to shop fittings, sanitary ware, delivery vehicles, building products and pet accessories.

Hardex Gears Up for 2010

Hardex, South Africa’s international hardware and allied products exhibition, will take place from 02 to 04 August 2009 at the Nasrec Expo Centre. The exhibition will be held at a new, improved venue, providing visitors and exhibitors with excellent access and security.

Explains Sandra Galbraith, Exhibition Director at Specialised Exhibitions, organisers of the showcase: “We believe that the positive benefits of the venue, date and timing of Hardex 2009, in conjunction with the country gearing up for 2010 and homeowners choosing to renovate existing homes instead of buying new, will all contribute to the success of the exhibition.”

“A venue change was requested by our exhibitors and visitors, and after investigating a number of suitable venues around Gauteng, Nasrec came out tops,” advised Galbraith.

This expo centre, which houses some of the biggest international exhibitions in the southern hemisphere such as Interbuild and Electra Mining Africa, is highly accessible from a number of major routes in Gauteng.

Nasrec forms an integral part of the City of Johannesburg’s Nasrec Development Urban Design Framework. The development of High Street Square, a focal point in the area, will effectively link the new entrance of the Expo Centre with Nasrec Road, creating a buzz of commercial activity around the centre.

However, a new location is not the only significant change that has been brought about. “The exhibition will no longer run on a Saturday, as post show research conducted in 2007 showed that exhibitors and visitors would prefer the exhibition be run from Sunday to Tuesday. We believe that the revised timing will allow us to attract more visitors than previously.”

“We have scheduled the exhibition for early August, the commencement of the summer retail season for the hardware sector. This will prove fruitful for the exhibitors, as it is when their clients are sourcing the latest hardware products, multipurpose tools and products, creative ideas and services, and inventive equipment,” comments Galbraith.

What will not change, but rather grow from strength-to-strength, is that Hardex 2009 will continue to highlight and display hardware products and services, from plumbing and bathroom accessories, abrasives and power tools to shop fittings, sanitary ware, delivery vehicles, building products and pet accessories.

Concludes Galbraith: “Hardware retailers, buyers, building contractors and SMME’s will be afforded the opportunity to meet, and interact with a global network of hardware and allied products suppliers.”