THE HARDWARE AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CLUSTER CONTINUED TO GROW IN 2025, REACHING AN ALL-TIME HIGH TURNOVER OF 515 MILLION EUROS

TURNOVER AND EXPORTS

The companies that are members of ESKUIN, the Hardware and Industrial Supply Cluster, which comprises hand tool and metalwork manufacturers, recorded a joint turnover of 515 million euros at the close of 2025, a record-breaking increase of 7.15% over 2024.

“2025 ended on a positive note, with turnover exceeding €500 million. Following a very dynamic start to the year, growth slowed in the second half due to a climate of greater uncertainty; nevertheless, both the domestic and export markets performed strongly throughout the year,” says Pablo Izeta, president of ESKUIN.

Growth in domestic sales was 8.69%, totalling 246 million euros. Exports recorded a more moderate increase, rising by 5.78% to 269 million euros.

In the analysis by customer sector within the domestic market, the industrial sector - which represents 48.5% of sales - has experienced the greatest growth, with an increase of 10.95% over the previous year. Construction, which concentrates 44.5% of the total, has also recorded an upward trend, although more moderately, with a rise of 6.91%. Lastly, the farming sector, the third-largest sector with a 7% share, has recorded a 4.88% increase compared with the previous financial year.

The distribution of sales abroad continues the trend of recent years: the European Union is still our main export market, representing 78% of all exports—of which 2% was Eastern Europe— followed by America with 11%, Africa with 6%, the Middle East with 3%, and Asia and Oceania with 2%.

France headed the list of main export destinations in 2025, with 11% of total sales abroad, followed by Portugal with 8%, the United States with 5.5% and Germany with 5%.

Jobs remain very stable in the sector with an overall figure close to 1,800 persons employed, in line with recent years.



EISENWARENMESSE: THE SECTOR’S MOST EMBLEMATIC TRADE SHOW WORLDWIDE


The world’s most emblematic trade show for the hand tool and industrial supply sector, known as the Eisenwarenmesse, was held at Cologne, Germany from March 3-6. ESKUIN was present with a group participation of 8 associated companies.


According to the Chairman of ESKUIN: “The fair is notable for its distinctly international character and remains a key meeting place for our companies. It gives us the opportunity to demonstrate to the market our full potential and the exceptional quality of our capabilities.


The Cologne trade show brought together 2,500 exhibitors and nearly 33,000 visitors, 90% and 72% of which were international, respectively.


Regarding the growing presence of Chinese exhibitors, Pablo Izeta notes: “The presence at the trade fair of Chinese manufacturers offering products with higher added value confirms that competition is no longer limited to price. In recent years, these companies have made significant progress in developing their own brand identity and have succeeded in establishing a strong foothold in key markets, such as Latin America, which has traditionally been important for our companies.


For our companies, the answer lies in strengthening differentiation, personalisation, product range and operational efficiency.”




FORECAST FOR 2026


Overall, business activity in the sector has remained stable throughout the early part of the year, in line with the trend observed in recent months. However, the current geopolitical climate, characterised by increasing uncertainty, is creating a complex environment that makes it difficult to accurately forecast what the market evolution will be over the year.


In this regard, Pablo Izeta highlights: “The year has got off to a normal start, without any major upsets, reflecting a degree of continuity from the end of last year. However, we are concerned about the impact that rising raw material costs and logistics expenses will have in the coming months, as well as fluctuations in the dollar-yuan exchange rate, as these factors could have a significant impact on the sector’s competitiveness and profit margins.”