Industry News
The Pulse DIY Boulevard Returns for EISENWARENMESSE 2026
Anticipation is building for the EISENWARENMESSEINTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR 2026 to be held March 3-6, in Cologne, Germany. One feature that is already drawing significant attention is the DIY Boulevard in Hall 11.1, an industry showcase that has become a must-see destination for retailers and manufacturers alike. Organized and supported by the Haus & Garten Manufacturers Association (HHG), the DIY Boulevard offers exhibitors a unique opportunity to present new products and innovations in an environment that mirrors real retail shelf conditions. The format continues to resonate strongly with the market as the entire space for 2026 is already fully booked months in advance, underscoring the concept’s relevance and continued momentum. “Demand for the DIY Boulevard remains extremely high,” noted Dr. Marie-Charlotte Claßen, Deputy Managing Director of HHG. “Visitors can expect a compact but diverse presentation of our industry — from innovative product ideas and practical merchandising concepts to high-impact in-store displays. The variety of participating manufacturers and product segments will again offer a comprehensive overview of what the DIY industry is capable of.” Since its launch in 2016, the DIY Boulevard has grown from 45 participants to 58 exhibitors in 2024, with plans for expanded space in 2026. Exhibitors regularly represent a broad international mix, including companies from Italy, Belgium, the UK, France and Spain — all benefiting from a central, high-traffic location in Hall 11.
Gordon Brush Acquires Custom Brush Company
Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. announced in December that it had acquired the assets of Custom Brush Company in Cherry Hill, NJ, and that the company’s operations would be moved immediately to Gordon Brush’s 183,000 sq. ft. facility in City of Industry, California. Custom Brush Company Inc. was founded in 1968 by Arthur Levit, a veteran of the industrial and commercial brush industry. In 2000, Custom Brush was acquired by Robin Reisman, the daughter of Mr. Levit. Reisman says, “The goal was to supply high-quality American-made replacement brushes at reasonable prices. We felt that Gordon Brush was the best fit to take Custom Brush Company to the next level, to continue our family tradition of individualized customer service, and to best manufacture our American-made line of brushes.” Gordon Brush President Ken Rakusin says, “This is our 17th acquisition and Custom Brush will add to our group of amazing companies: Marx Brush, Milwaukee Dustless Brush, JEK, Redtree Industries, Brush Supply, StaticFaction, J. B. Ward, Kirschner Brush, Easy Reach Supply, Spectrum Paint Applicators, Parker Brush, Justman Brush and Mr. LongArm. The Custom Brush acquisition dramatically enhances our scale, product offerings and geographic reach — creating new synergies that better position us for future growth and investment in new and existing markets. As the demand for American-made products increases, we are proud to be leading the charge.” Learn more about Gordon Brush at www.gordonbrush.com.
National Hardware Show Evolves With Two New Events The National Hardware Show (NHS), an 80-year fixture in the home improvement and hardware industry, has announced a significant strategic shift. Beginning in 2026, NHS will transition into two separate events — each designed to better serve today’s rapidly changing product-innovation and sourcing landscape. The move reflects growing demand for earlier access to new products, expanding private-label opportunities and the rising influence of independent inventors and micro-brands.
NHS: Concept to Commerce — March 2026, Las Vegas The first new event, NHS: Concept to Commerce, will focus entirely on the modern productdevelopment pipeline—from early-stage design and emerging brands to retail buyers and investors searching for the next breakout item. With private-label programs growing across major retailers, the event aims to streamline procurement and introduce a direct path for entrepreneurs to accelerate market readiness and secure partnerships.
DIY CON — November 2026, Dallas Launching later in the year, DIY CON is an immersive, creator-driven event tailored to the booming community of DIYers, makers and hands-on home-project enthusiasts. The show will combine workshops, tool demonstrations, consumer exhibits and creator-led sessions that highlight one of the fastest-expanding segments in the home improvement category.
Industry Trends Driving the Split According to RX Global, producer of the National Hardware Show, the dual-event strategy is driven by several key shifts in the home improvement market. DIY participation continues to rise, especially among millennial homeowners and renters, helping push the U.S. DIY segment beyond $54 billion. At the same time, innovation has become far more decentralized, with more new product ideas emerging from independent inventors, hobbyists and micro-brands rather than traditional manufacturers alone. These trends have reshaped how products enter the market and how retailers source them, prompting NHS to evolve its format to better support both early-stage creators and the expanding community of hands-on consumers.
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