LONDON MULTI-TRADE SHOW GETS FULL INDUSTRY SUPPORT

The industry’s leading trade associations and wholesale groups have renewed their support and participation in the London multi-trade show that now consists of Totally Tools, Totally DIY and the recently launched Totally Secure.

The changes proposed for the 2009 shows by organiser Brintex have won the approval of long-term show supporters, the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), Decco, the Federation of British Hand Tool Manufacturers, the Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association (GIMA), Home Hardware Southwest, MICA Hardware and Toolbank who have all confirmed they will be exhibiting next January. In addition, the British Hardware Federation (BHF), which has had its own stand at the show for the past two years, has confirmed it will be back in 2009.

This year, many members and customers of the various organisations will be offered assistance with travel and refreshment costs, to help promote a visit to the show in January.
This activity, alongside a revamped floor plan which puts new products literally centre stage, the provision of free personalised invitation tickets for exhibitors to use, and a fresh approach to the idea of staging a ‘multi-trade’ show, with the introduction of Totally Secure has met with approval.

Paul Woolley, commercial director of the BHF Group, said, “With over 2,000 hardware members we see the show as a great opportunity to meet up with existing members and recruit for new ones! We’ll be offering new members a 25% discount on membership fees if they sign up at the show.

“In addition, our team from BHF Direct will be on the look out for new lines and products to offer our members – the show provides us with a great opportunity to get direct feedback on new products and our own services. We can cover a lot of ground in three days at the show!”
Simon Bicknell, sales director of Toolbank, whose support was important to the successful launch of Totally Tools four years ago, commented:

“Totally Tools continues to be an important part of our marketing programme and we welcome the initiatives being made by Brintex to add energy and impetus to the show.
“The show is a great platform to update customers on our latest initiatives and plans. We look forward to meeting potential new accounts, and spending time with many existing customers and are pleased to confirm Toolbank's participation in Totally Tools 2009.”

New exhibitors to sign up for the 2009 to date include Aisin Europe, AP Lifting Gear, GT 85, Isotronic Mezger, RKW Leisure, RCD and Tarax Technology. In addition, Brother UK, Saint Gobain Abrasives and Spectra Tool Company are returning to the show after a break last year and DK Tools and Tool Connection are both back at the show having doubled the size of their stands.

“More than ever, retail buyers have to be proactive in their search to find new products to sell on to their customers. Our multi-trade show will be a great sourcing platform for buyers – and should help to stimulate interest and retail sales, which the whole market needs,” said show director James Murray. “Now is the time to proactively sell and to get out and see what companies have to offer!”

This year, to mark the show’s 15th year, a high-level industry conference, addressing the key issues of DIY and home retailing, will take place on the morning of Monday, 19 January. Details of the conference theme and speakers are to be announced shortly.

Current exhibitors for Totally Tools include Abingdon King Dick, Arrow Fastener, Evolution Power Tools, Exakt Precision Tools, KS Tools KWB Tools / Ringwood Agencies, Ledco, Monument Tools, Nilfisk Alto, Northern Wholesale, Rolson Tools, SMC and Valley Industries.

In Totally DIY confirmed exhibitors include Agralan, Bulk Hardware, Centurion Europe, Coo-Var, Crown Paints, Draper Tools, Euro Showers, Everbuild Building Products, Fair & Square, Feed ‘n’ Leave, Gorilla Glue, Group 55, IBP Conex, Initial Monogram, King Cole, Liberon, London & Lancashire Rubber, Mueller Primaflow, Oracstar, Polyvine, Procter Brothers, RB UK, Route 1 Group, Sealey Power Products, STV International, Sycamore UK, Tembe DIY, Tor Coatings, Trollul and Unger Germany.

New show Totally Secure has attracted bookings from Yale Security Products, part of the Assa Abloy Group, Borg Locks, Codringtons, Davenport Burgess, Guardian Lock & Engineering, Henry Squire & Sons, Keyprint, M.A.C Solutions, Master Lock, Sentry Safes, Sterling Locks and Total Product Sales, with more names waiting to be confirmed.

Totally Tools, Totally DIY and Totally Secure will take place 18-20 January 2009 at Earls Court in London. For further details and a full list of current exhibitors please contact show organiser Brintex on 020 7973 6401.

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