EDE International recently welcomed José Manuel de la Paz, the newly appointed Commercial & Sales Director of CECOFERSA, to Wuppertal for his first introductory visit.

Following his appointment, the visit provided the perfect setting for getting to know each other personally and for exchanging ideas in an open and forward-looking atmosphere. From the very beginning, discussions were characterised by a strong sense of alignment, curiosity and a shared ambition to further develop the longstanding partnership with CECOFERSA in the Iberian market.

In his role as Commercial & Sales Director of CECOFERSA, José Manuel de la Paz is responsible for driving the commercial development of the organisation, strengthening member engagement and expanding common activities. A key focus lies on further intensifying cooperation with the E/D/E Group, increasing the use of logistics services and implementing joint initiatives such as FORTISplus within the CECOFERSA network.

During the visit, José Manuel de la Paz gained deeper insights into EDE’s organisation, services and strategic focus areas. Together with the teams on site, key topics such as sales concepts, logistics, the utilisation of the Wuppertal central warehouse, and digital services – including the eFactory and EDI optimisation – were discussed in a focused and constructive way.

The personal exchange in Wuppertal clearly demonstrated how valuable direct dialogue is for building strong international relationships. It also marked an important first step in shaping the future collaboration and identifying new opportunities together.

We look forward to a close and dynamic collaboration with José Manuel de la Paz and the whole CECOFERSA team to further developing our activities in the Iberian market.

EDE International and CDU – Growing Together

End of 2025, representatives of EDE International had the pleasure of meeting with their long-standing Italian partner, CDU (Consorzio Distributori Utensili), in Bologna. The meeting reflected decades of close collaboration and was marked by open dialogue, shared ideas, and a strong spirit of partnership.

The agenda covered a wide range of topics – from current market trends and shared private label strategies to forward-looking projects and strategic developments. Beyond the facts and figures, the event highlighted the mutual trust and deep understanding that have grown over many years of cooperation.

We would like to thank the CDU representatives for the warm hospitality and the inspiring exchange:

• Matteo Montanari, Lughese Utensileria e Macchine s.r.l.
• Fabio Pahor, FerroJulia s.r.l.
• Fabrizio Foi, Centro Distribuzione Utensili S.p.A.
• Marco Mattanza, Consorzio Distributori Utensili

“We truly value the personal exchange and the close, long-standing relationship with CDU,” says Annegret Franzen, CEO of EDE International. “Meetings like these are not only about strategy and planning – they’re about strengthening the human connections that make real partnership possible. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration and shaping the future together.”

Beginning of May 2025, a management meeting was held in Wuppertal, bringing together the top management of FERNEY Group, EDE Group and EDE International AG.

Ferney’s Managing Director Gert Rademaker attended a meeting with Dr. Andreas Trautwein (Chairman of the E/D/E Management Board), Annegret Franzen (CEO of EDE International AG) and Freek Dekkers (Sales Director EDE International) fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared vision.

The meeting took place in a constructive and collaborative atmosphere, focusing on the successful results and the future activities of our joint cooperation.

Key discussions centered on enhancing synergies and aligning strategies to drive growth and innovation across the companies.

This successful meeting further strengthened the partnership between the companies, paving the way for future collaboration and new ideas and projects. It is always a pleasure to welcome Gert Rademakers, and his valuable insights to the discussions, to Wuppertal, and we look forward to many more productive meetings together.

During a personal visit in April, Martin Ochelski (Sales Director EDE International) and Max Kriso (Country Manager EDE International) presented an anniversary certificate to Mr. Krisztián Svéda, Managing Director of Arzenál Szerszámáruház. The company has been a valued member of our EDE Group for an impressive 25 years – a milestone we are proud to celebrate.

Founded in 1990 and based in Székesfehérvár, Arzenál Szerszámáruház is one of Hungary’s leading specialist tool dealers. With over 15,000 tools available at all times and a 400 m² showroom, the company offers a wide range of high-quality products for industry and skilled trades.

Our long-standing collaboration with Arzenál Szerszámáruház has been marked by trust, consistency, and shared success. Particularly noteworthy is the open and cooperative relationship with Mr. Svéda and his dedicated team, who have contributed significantly to our mutual growth.

Our latest joint initiative is the successful integration of the Format Brand Space into the company’s website – another step toward a future-focused collaboration.

We sincerely thank them for their continued trust and look forward to many more years of successful partnership.

For further information: check out https://www.arzenal.hu/

25 Jahre erfolgreiche Partnerschaft: Jubiläumsurkunde für Arzenál Szerszámáruház

Im Rahmen eines persönlichen Besuchs vor Ort überreichten (Sales Director EDE International) und Max Kriso (Country Manager EDE International) eine Jubiläumsurkunde an Herrn Krisztián Svéda, den Geschäftsführer der Firma Arzenál Szerszámáruház. Das Unternehmen ist seit beeindruckenden 25 Jahren Mitglied in unserem Verbund – ein bedeutender Meilenstein, den wir mit großer Wertschätzung würdigen.

Die 1990 gegründete Arzenál Szerszámáruház mit Sitz in Székesfehérvár hat sich als einer der führenden Werkzug-Fachhändler Ungarns etabliert. Mit über 15.000 ständig verfügbaren Werkzeugen und einem 400 m² großen Showroom bietet das Unternehmen ein breites Sortiment an hochwertigen Produkten für Industrie und Handwerk.

Die langjährige Zusammenarbeit mit Arzenál Szerszámáruház in Ungarn ist geprägt von Vertrauen, Kontinuität und gemeinsamen Erfolgen. Besonders hervorzuheben ist die stets offene und partnerschaftliche Zusammenarbeit mit Herrn Svéda und seinem engagierten Team, die maßgeblich zum gemeinsamen Wachstum beigetragen haben.

Die neueste gemeinsame Aktivität ist die erfolgreiche Integration des Format Brand Spaces in die Homepage des Unternehmens – ein weiterer Schritt in der zukunftsorientierten Zusammenarbeit.

Wir bedanken uns herzlich für das entgegengebrachte Vertrauen und freuen uns auf viele weitere Jahre erfolgreicher Partnerschaft.

We were very pleased to extend our warm congratulations to VERSANI Herenthout on the occasion of its 50th anniversary – a truly exceptional milestone that reflects decades of strategic vision, innovation, and dedication in the Belgium home market.

To honor this special event, Thorsten Scheffler (EDE International AG Representative Belgium), visited the company to personally convey our congratulations. On behalf of our entire organization, he presented Mr. Ronny Meulemanns, CEO of VERSANI, with a formal letter of appreciation and a symbolic gift in recognition of this achievement.

Since it was founded in 1975, VERSANI has established itself as a leading wholesaler in the plumbing, heating, ventilation and heat pump sector. Its wide range includes high-quality products such as underfloor heating systems, boilers and installation materials. Particularly noteworthy is their exclusive selection of designer bathroom furniture and fittings, including many renowned brands.

As a valued and long-standing member of the EDE International network, VERSANI exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurial excellence.

We are proud to celebrate this milestone together and look forward to continued success in the years to come.

For more information: http://www.versani.be

Our cooperation partner Ferney, based in Heerhugowaard in the north of the Netherlands, invited us to its annual event in Utrecht this June and EDE International AG was delighted to accept the invitation.

As always, Ferney offered its 130 or so guests an interesting and informative programme. At the beginning, the well-known Dutch AI expert Remy Gieling gave an informative and entertaining presentation on the topic of digitalisation and data. Afterwards, visitors were able to compete in a golf tournament, among other things. The “Insperience Day 2024” was rounded off with a social evening, which Freek Dekkers, Sales Manager Benelux, France and Northern Europe at EDE International, also thoroughly enjoyed. “The Ferney Group and the E/D/E Group have enjoyed a trusting partnership since 2001, which also includes initiatives relating to digitalisation in particular. In this respect, it was good to be able to discuss these current topics in person and also to exchange ideas away from day-to-day business.”

As in the past, the whole day with its perfect organisation was a highlight for everyone involved. We say “Hartelijk dank Ferney”!

Interested in more information about our cooperation partner Ferney and its activities?

https://www.ferney.nl

A very welcome visit from Milan: Matteo Montanari, Marco Mattanza and Fabrizio Foi, from Italian cooperation partner CDU, travelled to the EDE Group’s headquarters for a two-day management meeting in mid-May 2024.

The aim of the meeting, which takes place at least once a year, was to shed light on the joint economic and strategic development in Italy and to highlight the market trends and developments of the past year. In particular, perspectives for the future of the long-standing cooperation were on the agenda, including digital marketing and the development of joint sales concepts in Italy.

With a special highlight

Towards the end of the meeting, Annegret Franzen, CEO EDE International, was delighted to present an anniversary certificate for 25 years of successful cooperation within the E/D/E Group: “CDU has been an indispensable part of our group for a quarter of a century and has made a significant contribution to our joint successes. Thanks to their professionalism, dedication and continuous commitment, we have achieved a great deal together on the Italian market and beyond. Our relationship is extremely successful, constructive and characterised by great trust, both commercially and personally!”

We are very much looking forward to the next 25 years of successful and trusting co-operation and say “Mille grazie”!

Would you like to find out more about our cooperation partner and our collaboration in Italy and Europe?

https://www.cdu.net

https://ehn-info.com/

Michele Caterino and 6 other visitors from the TED Group travelled to E/D/E Wuppertal in mid-April 2024 for an intensive exchange with Martin Ochelski (Sales Director & Key Accounts, Cooperations Italy) and his team.

In addition to a tour of the warehouse and the presentation centre, the core business areas of E/D/E and building services, including sales concepts and the expansion of the joint cooperation, were discussed. Co-operation partner IGH (Interessensgemeinschaft Haustechnik) Einkaufs- und Marketing eG was also on board and used the TED group’s visit to discuss current projects.

The TED Group is an Italian purchasing group founded in 2022 by Michele Caterino and IGH. TED stands for Thermohydraulics, Electrics and Design and aims to offer its members a service that goes far beyond “the logic of the classic purchasing group” in a constantly evolving sector of building services. The co-operation with IGH and EDE International offers the advantage of being able to access European services (also beyond building services).

Thank you for a constructive exchange and a wonderful final event together. Grazie mille per la visita!

Are you interested in European building services?

https://www.tedgroupitalia.it/en

https://www.igh-eg.de

The annual members’ trip organised by our cooperation partner CECOFERSA took place in mid-May. This year’s destination was the charismatic city of Lisbon, Portugal. With about 135 participants, the trip was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved, including the participants from EDE International AG.

The event began on Thursday afternoon with a general meeting, which was the business kick-off. At this meeting, CECOFERSA Managing Director Javier Herrera and the staff presented, among other things, the cooperation partner’s strategic goals for the year and the wide range of services that CECOFERSA offers its members and suppliers in Spain and Portugal. The omnipresent topic of ‘growth’ took centre stage – as is well known, CECOFERSA’s company claim is ‘Crecemos Juntos’.

Herrera never tired of emphasising the strong bond with the stakeholders and shareholders, the Spanish EHLIS S.A. and EDE International AG: ‘This joint event in Lisbon is important to strengthen the loyalty of our team, our employees and our shareholders. It is an intangible value that we must continue to promote and, above all, it is a testimony to the power of teamwork, commitment and collaboration between people and companies.’

Annegret Franzen (CEO EDE International AG) was also enthusiastic: ‘As always, the organisation was first-class and we really enjoyed the days together with the entire CECOFERSA crew, our partner EHLIS and Delcredit España. In particular, the intensive exchange with the many members who travelled with us was an absolute highlight.’

Overall, the 4-day members’ trip to Lisbon was a great success. The participants returned home with many new impressions and unforgettable memories and are already looking forward to the next trip.

On behalf of EDE International, we would like to thank all participants, the management and the CECOFERSA organisation team for this wonderful time and look forward to many more shared experiences, new projects and joint growth in the future.