Central Association of Hardware Trade

The Zentralverband Hartwarenhandel e.V. (ZHH), known in English as the Central Association of Hardware Trade, is a German trade association (Berufsverband) for the small and medium-sized specialist hardware trade. It is headquartered in Düsseldorf and has represented the interests of the Hartwaren sector for more than 125 years. Its membership is composed of specialised retailers (Facheinzelhandel) and production-connection wholesalers (Produktionsverbindungshandel, or PVH), with the boundary between the two sometimes fluid. The term "Hartwaren" (hardware goods) is a collective category covering a wide range of product groups: ironmongery, tools, fittings, screws, fastening technology, security technology, lawnmowers, household goods, glass, porcelain/ceramics, cutlery, DIY supplies, fitted kitchens, large and small household appliances, sanitary articles and occupational safety. These assortments are represented within the ZHH through working groups (Arbeitskreise) and member associations. The ZHH was founded in 1898 in Mainz as the Verband Deutscher Eisenwarenhändler (VDE), formed from the merger of three associations. It was renamed the Fachverband des Deutschen Eisenwaren- und Hausrathandels e.V. (FDE) in 1954 and adopted its current name, Zentralverband Hartwarenhandel, in 1995. In 1998 it left the Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels (HDE) and became a founding member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mittelständischer Fachverbände (AMF). As a sector association, the ZHH is committed to promoting the medium-sized trade and represents the professional interests of the hardware trade within the umbrella associations. Its organisational structure includes 16 regional groups (Landesgruppen) and eight working groups and member associations, including the Arbeitskreis Baubeschlag (AKB), Arbeitskreis Werkzeuge (AKW), Bundesverband Mittelständischer Küchenfachhandel (BMK), Fachverband des Deutschen Eisenwaren- und Hausrathandels (FDE), Fachkreis Hausrat/GPK (FHG), Bundesverband Produktionsverbindungshandel (multitec), Verband der Motoristen (VdM) and the Fachverband des Hartwarenhandels (FDE) Berlin and Brandenburg. The association's office building in Düsseldorf-Stockum, Eichendorffstr. 3, was built in 1950/51 and has served as its headquarters since then. The building also houses associated organisations including ZHH-Bildungswerk gGmbH, Eisenwarenzeitung GmbH and ZHH Dienstleistung GmbH. The ZHH publishes the Eisenwaren-Zeitung and runs the "Partnerwahl des Fachhandels" (specialist trade partner selection), an industry-recognised orientation guide for trade and industry that has been conducted since 1990.

The Zentralverband Hartwarenhandel e.V. (ZHH) traces its origins to 1898, when the Verband Deutscher Eisenwarenhändler (VDE) was founded in Mainz through the merger of three associations: the Mainzer Süddeutscher Eisenhändlerverband, whose president Carl Schmahl became the first president of the VDE; the Verband Westdeutscher Kaufleute der Haus- und Küchengeräte und Eisenwarenbranche in Cologne; and the Verband der Interessenten der Haushaltungs- und Eisenwarenbranche Norddeutschland. Carl Schmahl served as president from 1898 to 1922, followed by Senator Franz May (1922–1932), Hermann Krücken (1933–1940), Dr. Anton Mettenheimer (1940–1945), Heinrich Gahrns (1946–1955), Karl Wirth (1956–1970), Georg Dengel (1970–1981), Dr. Georg Hungerkamp (1981–1998) and, since 1998, Dr. Paul Kellerwessel. In 1935, under political pressure, the association was transformed into the Vertragsverband deutscher Eisenwarenhändler. It was not until 1946 that the VDE was re-established as a legally independent organisation. In the post-war years, the association addressed practical challenges: in 1946, the VDE advisory council for the British zone debated the admission of mail-order companies, department stores and consumer cooperatives, deciding 4:1 in favour of admission if the professional requirements were met. The formation of specialist committees was initiated, and the reopening of the technical school was discussed for the first time after the war. In 1947, given the difficult transport and hotel situation, it was decided that the board and advisory council meetings of 1946 and 1947 would count as general meetings. Regional general meetings were strengthened. Karstadt was considered for VDE membership, while Kepa and Köster AG were rejected. Contacts with trade unions were sought. A service office in Selb was established to support the glass and porcelain trade, with a similar step planned for the electrical appliance trade. A support fund for price formation, financed by voluntary donations, raised over 25,000 Reichsmark within 14 days. In 1950/51, the association's own building at Eichendorffstr. 3 in Düsseldorf-Stockum was constructed, allowing the association to move from provisional accommodation after years of war-related disruption. It has remained the headquarters since then. In 1954, the association was renamed Fachverband des Deutschen Eisenwaren- und Hausrathandels e.V. (FDE). In 1995, it adopted its current name, Zentralverband Hartwarenhandel (ZHH). In 1998, the ZHH left the Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels (HDE) and became a founding member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mittelständischer Fachverbände (AMF). Membership figures illustrate the association's reach: around 600 member businesses in 1899, 2,467 in 1904 and approximately 4,500 in 1959. Unlike many trade associations, the ZHH admits hardware trade businesses directly as members, rather than through regional retail associations. Since 1990, the ZHH has conducted the "Partnerwahl des Fachhandels" (specialist trade partner selection), which serves as an industry-recognised orientation guide for trade and industry. Manufacturers and suppliers are assessed in the categories of specialist trade loyalty, pricing policy, product currency and complaint handling, and the winners are honoured on special occasions such as the Ambiente fair or the International Hardware Fair. The ZHH is organised into 16 regional groups and eight working groups and member associations: Arbeitskreis Baubeschlag (AKB), Arbeitskreis Werkzeuge (AKW), Bundesverband Mittelständischer Küchenfachhandel (BMK), Fachverband des Deutschen Eisenwaren- und Hausrathandels (FDE), Fachkreis Hausrat/GPK (FHG), Bundesverband Produktionsverbindungshandel (multitec), Verband der Motoristen (VdM) and the Fachverband des Hartwarenhandels (FDE) Berlin and Brandenburg. The association's group includes Akademie Bauen & Wohnen, ZHH Bildungswerk gemeinnützige GmbH, Eisenwaren-Zeitung GmbH, AGM-Zert GmbH and ZHH Dienstleistung GmbH. The ZHH publishes the Eisenwaren-Zeitung and provides a range of services including advice on tariff and legal questions, information services, seminars and training, and business management support.

• 1998

  Left the Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels (HDE) and became a founding member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mittelständischer Fachverbände (AMF).

• 1998

  Dr. Paul Kellerwessel becomes president.

• 1995

  Adopted the current name Zentralverband Hartwarenhandel (ZHH).

• 1990

  First conducted the Partnerwahl des Fachhandels (specialist trade partner selection).

• 1959

  Membership reaches approximately 4,500 businesses.

• 1954

  Renamed Fachverband des Deutschen Eisenwaren- und Hausrathandels e.V. (FDE).

• 1950

  Construction of the association's own building at Eichendorffstr. 3 in Düsseldorf-Stockum (completed 1950/51).

• 1946

  VDE re-established as a legally independent organisation.

• 1935

  Under political pressure, transformed into the Vertragsverband deutscher Eisenwarenhändler.

• 1904

  Membership grows to 2,467 businesses.

• 1899

  Membership reaches approximately 600 businesses.

• 1898

  Founded in Mainz as Verband Deutscher Eisenwarenhändler (VDE) through the merger of three associations.

Sector trade association promoting the interests of the medium-sized hardware trade in Germany, representing specialised retailers and production-connection wholesalers within umbrella associations.

• Partnerwahl des Fachhandels

  Industry-recognised orientation guide for trade and industry, assessing manufacturers and suppliers on specialist trade loyalty, pricing policy, product currency and complaint handling.

• Eisenwaren-Zeitung

  Trade newspaper published by the ZHH group.

• ZHH Bildungswerk gGmbH

  Non-profit training organisation.

• ZHH Dienstleistung GmbH

  Services company.

• AGM-Zert GmbH

  Certification company.

• Akademie Bauen & Wohnen

  Academy for building and living.

• Partnerwahl des Fachhandels

1. 1Zentralverband Hartwarenhandel e.V. - ZHHzhh.de
2. 2Geschichte des Handelsverbandes ZHHzhh.de
3. 3Über uns - hier erfahren Sie mehr über den ZHHzhh.de
4. 4FDE Berlin u. Brandenburg - Fachverband des Hartwarenhandels (FDE) Berlin u. Brandenburg e.V.zhh.de
5. 5Zentralverband Hartwarenhandel - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
6. 6Central Association of Hardware Trade - Wikidatawikidata.org