Co-organized by the China General Machine Components Industry Association, China Fastener Industry Association, Shanghai Afastener Exhibition Co., Ltd., and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., the International Fastener Show China 2026 (IFS China) will be held from May 20-22, 2026, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. Recognized as a barometer for China fastener industry, the growth trajectory of IFS China mirrors the development and integration into the global market of China fastener industry. Evolving from an early industrial fair meeting into a professional event with Asian influence and global connections, every step of IFS China has moved in lockstep with the upgrade of China fastener industry.

Germination: foundation of Industry Association and the early days of IFS China

The story begins in 1982, when Mr. Xiaoshan Li, the Director General of the First Ministry of Machine Building Basic Parts, leading a 5-person delegation to Japan, which fact spurred the establishment of “China Fastener Industry Association” and built the first national dialogue framework. In 1989, the China Fastener Industry Association transformed into the sub-association of China General Machine Components Industry Association since its establishment. In May of the same year, the first edition of “International Fastener Show China” was held in Shanghai, which eventually spawned a regular“national fastener industrial economy and technology trade fair”, which has been organized for 32 editions, creating an ecosystem for industry exchange centering on exhibition.

While this exhibition served as a primary platform for order placement and technical dialogue, it has not yet formed its international influence due to the limited scale and orientation. By 2017, recognizing the need for a higher-class platform to match the upgraded exhibition capabilities and industry pattern, the Chinese fastener industry associations and professional exhibition organizers decided to create a new and more influential event to meet the ambition of “globalization”.

Birth: gathering in Shanghai and turning to the new chapter of professional fair

In 2017, China General Machine Components Industry Association  and China Fastener Industry Association took the lead, selecting the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center as the venue for IFS China. Partnering with Shanghai Afastener Exhibition Co., Ltd. and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., they officially announced the preparation of the IFS China and positioned it as "the largest professional fastener event in China and even Asia".

In October, 2018, the first IFS China was held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. Other than traditional trade fairs, it not only gathered leading global fastener enterprises but also introduced supporting activities including cross-continental association exchanges, multinational procurement matching sessions, and technical forums, attracting attention from the global "fastener community". This marked the formal debut of IFS China as a new window for China fastener industry to showcase itself to the world.

Growth: from "Industry Event" to "Global Bellwether"

The success of the initial edition of IFS China solidified its position. By 2025, IFS China has successfully been held for six editions (suspended in 2021-2022 due to the Covid-19), with its scale and influence growing yearly. The 2025 edition set new records for exhibition scale, the number of domestic professional visitors and international visitors, and the coverage of countries and regions. The sophistication of exhibitor booths and exhibit technologies increasingly aligned with international standards.

The IFS China had evolved beyond a mere "product trade fair". It became the industrial barometer and bellwether: a place where companies launched new technologies, procurement managers secured supply chains, and industry associations analyzed trends, through which China fastener industry connected with the global market.

Next Chapter: in 2026, heading to a better industrial chapter

From May 20 to 22, 2026, the IFS China will be held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center with significant upgrades. Alongside the established Hall 1 (raw materials, equipment, molds, and consumables) and Hall 2 (finished fasteners), the introduction of Halls 3 --”high-end intelligent manufacturing brand pavilion” -- creates the only Chinese full-chain display platform covering "R&D - Production - Application - Upgrade". The total exhibition area reaches 60,000 square meters, attracting appr. 1,300+ exhibitors and 50,000+ visitors from over 70 countries and regions.

Growing from a local fair meeting to an international grand event focusing on high-end fasteners, intelligent manufacturing, and green solutions, the past 4 decades of IFS China vividly illustrates the steps of China fastener industry—from “follower” to “peer”, and now even “leader”.