Trade association Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten e.V. (BHB)

The trade association Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten e.V. (home improvement, building and gardening) (BHB) is a trade association representing the interests of DIY, building and gardening companies as well as other companies in the DIY sector in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH). On a national and European level the BHB functions thereby as the mouthpiece of the DIY industry and is continuously engaged in dialogues with politics and administrations, industry partners, media and the public for their concerns. Today, 22 trade organisations and around 200 supporting members of the BHB benefit from the active, practice- and service-oriented work of the association.

Founded in 1974 as the Bundesverband Deutscher Heimwerker und Baumärkte e.V., the BHB can now look back on more than four decades of successful association work for an important economic sector. The German DIY core market, consisting of DIY stores, home improvement centers, specialist stores and small businesses in the specialist trade, achieved a turnover of around 45 billion euros in 2017. The total gross turnover of the German DIY and home improvement stores amounted to around 18.5 billion euros. The sector (including services and supplies) employs around 480,000 people in Germany alone. Since its foundation, the association has not lost sight of its primary goal of promoting open dialogue between members of the DIY sector. Outwardly, it represents the industry as active and homogeneous, with companies that improve people's lives and living conditions and allow for affordable luxury. The spectrum of the industry is broad and ranges from trade associations and purchasing cooperatives to medium-sized chain stores with a specialty market character and franchise systems. In addition, there are supporting members from various sectors: Industrial companies, trade fair companies, service providers, logisticians, consultants and other organisations. The BHB is also active on an international level. Amongst others, it is a founding member of the European DIY Retail Association (EDRA). At the last INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR 2018, BHB was not only represented with a stand, but also assumed patronage for the EISEN CSR Award powered by BHB. The BHB Forum, which traditionally takes place on the second day of the fair and at which the BHB Customer Service Award is awarded, has also established itself as an important meeting place for the industry.

You can find out more about the Handelsverband Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten e.V. and its tasks on the association's website . Information about EDRA can be found on their website .

We look forward to the renewed co-operation with the trade association Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten e.V. and the next instalment of the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE from 1 to 4 March 2020.