Spanish Hardware Cluster ESKUIN Reaches Record €515 Million

San Sebastian, Spain – ESKUIN member companies, comprising hand tool and metalwork manufacturers within the Spanish Hardware and Industrial Supply Cluster, recorded a joint turnover of €515 million at the close of 2025, a record-breaking increase of 7.15 percent 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, ESKUIN.

Growth in domestic sales was 8.69 percent, totalling €246 million. Exports recorded a more moderate increase, rising by 5.78 percent to €269 million. In the analysis by customer sector within the domestic market, the industrial sector—which represents 48.5 percent of sales—has experienced the greatest growth, with an increase of 10.95 percent over the previous year. Construction, which concentrates 44.5 percent of the total, has also recorded an upward trend, although more moderately, with a rise of 6.91 percent. Lastly, the farming sector, the third-largest sector with a 7 percent share, has recorded a 4.88 percent 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 percent of all exports—of which 2 percent was Eastern Europe—followed by America with 11 percent, Africa with 6 percent, the Middle East with 3 percent, and Asia and Oceania with 2 percent,” continues Izeta. France headed the list of main export destinations in 2025, with 11 percent of total sales abroad, followed by Portugal with 8 percent, the United States with 5.5 percent and Germany with 5 percent, and Germany with 5 percent. 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 percent and 72 percent of which were international, respectively.”

Regarding the growing presence of Chinese exhibitors, 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, personalization, 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, characterized 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, 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.”

Image Source: AFM Cluster