In mid-April, the European Hardware Network (EHN) gathered in Turnhout, Belgium, for its annual meeting, hosted by Partner Supplier Soudal. The two-day event focused on international exchange, strategic perspectives, and the continued development of collaboration within the European network.

A Platform for Exchange and Insight

On April 15^th and 16^th representatives of the EHN came together to discuss current market developments, strategic priorities, and joint initiatives across Europe. The annual meeting once again proved to be a key platform for strengthening relationships and fostering collaboration among partners.  

The first day was dedicated to an intensive exchange between the Partner Supplier Soudal and the Competence Partners of EHN group. Participants gained valuable insights through a comprehensive presentation on Soudal’s history, its global business activities, and its product portfolio.

This was complemented by a guided tour of the logistics and production facilities, offering first-hand impressions of manufacturing processes and the production of Soudal’s high-quality products.

Strong Network Across Europe

The European Hardware Network – coordinated by EDE International – brings together several leading European organisations, including Aside, Cecofersa and Ehlis (Spain), CDU (Italy), e + h Service AG (Switzerland), Ferney (Netherlands), and E/D/E GmbH. Together, they pursue the common goal of strengthening cooperation with partner suppliers and expanding their activities across European markets.

Focus on Dialogue and Future Development

The meeting placed particular emphasis on the exchange of experiences and perspectives from different markets. Partners shared insights into their strategies, projects, and plans for the coming years, while also addressing operational topics such as digitalisation and varying market requirements.

Looking ahead, discussions also covered future initiatives and developments within the network, underlining the importance of continuous collaboration and joint progress.

Partnership in Practice

As part of the meeting, the EDE International delegation presented a special guest gift together with other partners – a visible sign of appreciation and the strong partnership within the network.

This year, there were also two “special guests”: the member company Bricks & Tools from Belgium and our recently acquired Partner Supplier, the supplier BOEHM S.A.S. from France.

Annegret Franzen CEO at EDE International, summarised the event:

“Meetings like this are more than an annual get-together – they are a strategic touchpoint for our European network. By sharing market insights, aligning priorities and strengthening the dialogue with partner suppliers, we create a stronger foundation for joint initiatives and sustainable growth across Europe.”

The EHN Annual Meeting once again highlighted the value of personal exchange within the network: learning from each other, sharing best practices, and jointly developing solutions. All with one clear objective – to further strengthen collaboration in the European market.

EDE International recently welcomed long-standing partner BTS Company d.o.o. to its headquarters in Wuppertal. The visit marked a special occasion, as representatives of BTS travelled to Wuppertal for the first time after many years of successful cooperation.

During their visit, Dragan Grgić and Maša Bitenc engaged in an intensive and constructive exchange with E/D/E colleagues. Key topics included logistics, digital services such as the eFactory and further optimisation of electronic data interchange (EDI). The discussions were characterised by a strong spirit of collaboration, mutual understanding and a shared ambition to continuously improve joint processes.

BTS Company d.o.o. is an established wholesale company headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with a branch in Maribor and operations in Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. With more than 35 years of experience in the market, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio ranging from cutting and measuring tools to CNC machine tools and equipment.

In addition, BTS provides extensive services including installation, maintenance and training, as well as consulting solutions in the fields of machining, robotics and production technologies.

Within the E/D/E network, BTS is a long-standing and trusted partner and plays a key role in the development and distribution of the FORMAT brand in Southeast Europe. The collaboration has grown steadily over the years, built on trust, transparency and a shared commitment to driving continuous improvement.

The visit in Wuppertal once again underlined the importance of personal exchange in international partnerships and strengthened the already close relationship between BTS Company and the E/D/E Group.

We look forward to continuing our close partnership with BTS and to further strengthening our collaboration and our excellent personal relationship in the years to come.

On 10^th March 2026, members of the FORMAT France Group came together in Lyon for their annual general meeting.

The event brought together key representatives of the French member companies as well as colleagues from EDE International, providing a valuable platform for exchange on current developments, strategic priorities and future activities within the French FORMAT network.

The agenda centred on the continued development of the FORMAT 3.0 sales concept, the exchange of market insights and the strengthening of collaboration within the group. In addition, overarching topics that are shaping many FORMAT markets across Europe were discussed – including the further digitalisation of sales processes and marketing, the growing importance of e-commerce and the increasing integration of digital tools into everyday business operations. Participants also exchanged views on how to further enhance the visibility and positioning of the FORMAT brand in the French market, eg. By modern marketing approaches, digital customer journeys and the use of innovative presentation formats for products.

Beyond the professional programme, the meeting once again highlighted the strength of the FORMAT network: the combination of entrepreneurial exchange, practical insights and personal interaction. A joint dinner on the evening of 9th March provided a relaxed setting for informal discussions and networking across companies and participants.

The meeting in Lyon once again underlined how important close cooperation and a shared understanding of market developments are for the continued success of the FORMAT sales concept in the French market.

On 25^th and 26^th September 2025, the Meet & Connect FORMATplus event in Lyon once again proved to be a strong platform for exchange, inspiration and collaboration within the network. Over the course of two intensive days, participants engaged in valuable discussions, shared ideas and strengthened their partnerships.

The event began on the evening prior to the official programme with an informal activity, offering an excellent opportunity for participants to connect and build relationships in a relaxed and dynamic atmosphere.

The official programme continued the following day with a short catalogue training session, introducing the new FORMATplus catalogue 2025–2027 and highlighting its key features. This provided a strong foundation for the subsequent discussions and exchanges.

The main Meet & Connect FORMAT France took place at the Novotel Lyon Bron Eurexpo, offering an ideal setting for professional exchange, new impulses and product presentations. A particular highlight was the direct dialogue between FORMAT members and contract suppliers, representing a wide range of product categories included in the new catalogue. This interaction plays a key role in driving innovation and strengthening sales activities across the network.

With 27 brand / supplier stands presenting their products and concepts, and more than 90 participants from the French FORMATplus group, the event generated numerous ideas and insights. Together, partners are developing solutions for future challenges and further strengthening collaboration across markets.

The successful event once again demonstrated the importance of personal exchange, strong partnerships and a shared vision for sustainable growth.

We look forward to further strengthening our activities with our European suppliers and continuing to drive collaboration within the French FORMATplus network together with our partners.

Team Sonnenwagen Aachen has taken an important step forward in its latest project: the new solar race car Covestro Æthon has successfully completed its first test drives under real conditions in the Australian outback.

The vehicle represents the fifth generation of the Sonnenwagen and is the result of intensive development and optimisation efforts, aiming to achieve maximum efficiency and performance under extreme conditions.

The tests mark a key milestone on the road to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, one of the world’s most demanding solar car races, covering more than 3,000 kilometres across Australia powered solely by solar energy.

The project also highlights the importance of strong partnerships in turning innovative ideas into reality and underlines how high-quality components and reliable equipment play a crucial role in innovative projects. The E/D/E Group actively supports Team Sonnenwagen by equipping the team with a comprehensive range of tools and personal protective equipment from its private label FORMAT and FORTIS, contributing more than 600 products to the project.

These FORMAT tools and FORTIS PPE equipment are not only used during the construction of the vehicle but also accompany the team during preparation, testing and international races, providing reliable support even under extreme conditions.

With dedication, technical expertise and strong team spirit, Team Sonnenwagen continues to push the boundaries of sustainable mobility – turning solar energy into real performance on the road.

We look forward to following the team’s journey and to seeing the Covestro Æthon in action on its next challenges.

EDE International AG was honored to participate in the grand opening of the Van Stenis Group’s new location, alongside our member Luitec BV. The event brought together a diverse group of partners, customers, colleagues, and friends, marking an important milestone and opening new avenues for collaboration.

While many attendees enjoyed a boat tour through Rotterdam, taking in the city’s culture and scenery, the event also offered ample opportunity for networking, exchanging ideas, and engaging in meaningful discussions over an excellent dinner. Additionally, the FORUM private label concept was showcased, providing a platform to foster valuable connections.

The event was a remarkable success with over 400 participants, including partners and suppliers, customers and colleagues, friends, and family members.

Thorsten Scheffler (Representative Benelux EDE International) expressed his appreciation: “The positive and energetic atmosphere reflected the strength and potential of effective partnerships. The Van Stenis Group clearly demonstrated what can be achieved through collaborative effort and shared commitment.”

On May 14^th  and 15^th, the third edition of the FORMATplus Marketplace took place in Trnava, Slovakia — for the first time under the new name Meet & Connect. The event brought together around 200 participants, including representatives from 13 member companies in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as their professional end customers.

The evening before the event began with a relaxed get-together, providing plenty of space for networking. The following day, the focus shifted to direct dialogue with suppliers: 25 selected manufacturers from the fields of hand tools, precision tools, workshop equipment, and occupational safety were on site to present innovations and answer questions.

A highlight of the event was the FORMAT booth, where the EDE International team presented the brand strategy FORMAT 3.0 and unveiled a new, modern exhibition stand featuring a large LED wall. Special attention was given to the live launch of the FORMAT Brand Space – an immersive 360° virtual experience that allows users to explore the full FORMAT range via VR glasses. The Brand Space will soon be integrated into partner websites to offer even broader access.

As an added incentive, visitors who engaged with all supplier booths had the chance to enter a prize draw with attractive giveaways.

“Meet & Connect in Trnava proved to be a valuable platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and cross-border collaboration, “says Martin Ochelski, Sales Director Eastern Europe at EDE International. “It brought valuable face-to-face interaction, exciting innovations, and a new level of FORMAT brand experience.”

Upcoming FORMAT Meet & Connect events:

Spain: September 4^th & 5^th September 2025
France: September 18^th & 19^th September 2025
Poland: October 28^th & 29^th October 2025.

If you are interested in participating or would like to learn more, feel free to contact your contact persona at EDE International. We look forward to connecting with you!

On May 7, 2025, this year’s Europe Day took place at the parent company’s EDE Group headquarter in Wuppertal  – a day dedicated to exchange, strategy, and joint progress. A total of roundabout 40 dedicated colleagues from all over Europe, participated in the event.

The agenda offered a comprehensive overview of the current business situation and future developments. In addition to the presentation of activities and results, strategic topics were a key focus. Participants gained insights into the key activities planned for the next years and had the opportunity to discuss current issues in an open Q&A session.

A particular highlight was the interactive workshop, where concrete actions were developed and joint initiatives for the coming months were defined. The event concluded with an update on the EDE Group and the current status of the “Evolution” initiative.

Europe Day 2025 was marked by constructive discussions, fresh impulses, and a strong sense of unity – a successful contribution to further strengthening EDE International.