TiTE x IHT to welcome a record number of invited buyers

The "2026 Taiwan International Tools & Hardware Expo x International Hardware Expo Taiwan" (TiTE x IHT), Taiwan’s largest hardware trade fair, will take place from 20 to 22 October at the Taichung International Convention & Exhibition Centre (TICEC). Organised by the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers’ Association and Lanza International Co., Ltd., this year’s event brings together 450 exhibitors across more than 1,000 stands under the theme "Team Taiwan: From Manufacturing to Co-Creation | AI Empowerment & Smart Upgrading". TiTE x IHT takes place immediately after the autumn edition of the Canton Fair, enabling buyers who are already sourcing in Asia to include Taichung in their itinerary.

More than 100 invited international buyers – a record for the fair – will be in attendance, as will over 25 international trade media outlets. The invited buyers come from five continents, led by North America, followed by Germany, Japan and the emerging markets of South-East Asia, India, the Middle East and Latin America. This year’s invitations extend to the purchasing departments of global tool brands such as Stanley Black & Decker, Snap-on, Würth, KTC and Tone, as well as to DIY chains such as Leroy Merlin, Kingfisher, Obi, Hornbach, Ace Hardware and Home Pro. Last year, the trade fair attracted more than 500 international buyers from 70 countries. This year, the organisers expect the number of international visitors to reach a new record high.

The exhibition spans eight sectors covering tools and accessories, metalworking processes and equipment, fasteners, automotive repair and applications for electric vehicles, plant equipment and occupational safety, gardening, agricultural and outdoor products, construction and DIY supplies, as well as smart manufacturing and automation, thereby linking Taiwan’s entire hardware supply chain.

On 19 October, the day before the fair opens, a sourcing meeting organised by Taiwan’s International Trade Development Council and run by TAITRA will bring international buyers together with Taiwanese suppliers for one-to-one meetings.

The Global Hardware Summit, themed ‘Team Taiwan: From Resilient Manufacturing to Smart Co-creation’, will take place from 20 to 21 October and comprises six sessions focusing on three key industry questions:

Where is the next market? Vice Chairperson Takeda explains how Japanese home centers select products and partners. Professors Wu Kuang-Wen of Feng Chia University and Huang Shaio-Yan of National Chung Cheng University, together with Chen Hsien-Li, Chairman of Haoad Data, share how AI helps SMEs market globally and reach the right buyers.

How can products deliver more value? Dr. Hsu Hsiao-Hung of China Steel Corporation discusses supply chain co-creation from materials to processes, upgrading upstream steel and downstream tools together.

How can factories become smarter and lower-carbon? Dean Chi Hsin-Yi, Professor Yu Tsung-Lung of National Chung Hsing University and Dr. Hsieh Tsung-Hsun, General Manager of Taiwan Smart Green Technology, examine AI applications across Taiwanese industry. Professor Chang Wan-Jung of National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology addresses AI-driven digital and green transformation, while Yu Tun-Ming of the ASE verification center explains how companies can strengthen their carbon competitiveness.

From market demand and upstream materials to smart manufacturing and carbon management, the six sessions map a complete path for industrial upgrading.