The International Hardware Fair planned in Cologne from 1 March 2020 has been postponed to a new date in February 2021.

In addition to the countries in Asia already hit by the virus, Italy has now become the first European state affected by cases of infection. The European ministers of health are also convening in Rome on 25 February 2020, to discuss the current situation and possible measures in response. Moreover, since the weekend, exhibitors from the tool industry have reiterated their great concern for the health of their employees.

In view of these current developments and the high share of Asian exhibitors at the Hardware Fair, the management team at Koelnmesse has reassessed the current situation and set the new date in consultation with the industry.

Some 3,000 exhibitors, including around 1,200 from China, had been expected to attend the International Hardware Fair.