Introduction:A Landmark Event in Cologne
From June 22 to 24, 2026, the global gardening industry gathered at Koelnmesse in Cologne for spoga+gafa, an event that has firmly established itself as the world’s most important meeting place for the garden industry.
The atmosphere throughout the halls was marked by optimism and strategic resolve. With 1,350 exhibitors from 50 countries—an impressive 92% of them international—the fair provided a global stage for innovation. More than 23,500 trade visitors from 112 countries explored the vibrant displays in search of the tools and partnerships that will shape the 2027 season and beyond.
For DAIM, a leading Japanese manufacturer of high-quality horticultural materials, spoga+gafa 2026 was more than another trade show; it was a milestone in our global expansion. Rooted in more than 60 years of manufacturing excellence, we came to Cologne to demonstrate how Japanese engineering, DAIM supply chain with Chinese and Vietnamese subsidiaries and our manufacturing philosophy address the complexities of today’s international market.
Amid shifting supply cycles and economic headwinds, the positive outcome of the event underscored a clear market need: retailers and distributors are seeking stability, technical excellence, and products that make gardening easier. Our presence demonstrated DAIM’s commitment to serving as a trusted partner for quality-conscious customers across Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Aligning with the 2026 Spirit: The “Lemonading” Philosophy
The central theme of the 2026 Garden Trends Report is “Lemonading,” a philosophy that encourages gardeners to turn setbacks—such as unpredictable weather, limited urban space, and rising costs—into creative opportunities. It is a movement defined by curiosity and a “grow anywhere” mindset.
At DAIM, we immediately recognized that this philosophy aligns closely with our corporate purpose: “Making Life More Comfortable.” As part of our current five-year mid-term management plan, we have refined our focus to ensure that every product we bring to market serves as a science-based plant solution.
We believe that the joy of gardening should not be overshadowed by the work of maintenance. By providing low-maintenance, high-reward tools, we empower modern gardeners to make the most of their environment, turning a small balcony or a challenging patch of soil into a flourishing sanctuary.
DAIM Corporate Purpose, Mission, and Values
This alignment was evident throughout the fair. While the industry speaks of “growing forward,” DAIM provides the literal and figurative support structures that make this growth possible. Our 60-plus years of experience allow us to translate customer needs into ergonomic designs that reflect today’s values: sustainability, durability, and aesthetic harmony.
Showcasing Innovation: DAIM Booth Highlights
The DAIM booth remained a focal point for major importers and retail buyers throughout the three-day event. Interest was particularly strong in solutions offering knock-down (KD) efficiency—products that can be shipped in compact packaging without compromising structural integrity after assembly.
This is critical for both the growing e-commerce sector and traditional retailers seeking to optimize shelf space.
| Product Category | Key Features | Customer Value |
| Edging Solutions | FlexWall Edge, Stonelike Edge, and No-Dig Edging Rolls | Rapid installation with simple trenching; UV-resistant materials; customizable aesthetics for modern landscapes |
| Plant Supports | Multi-Link Trellis, Ring Support for Indoor Plants, and Butterfly Stakes | Modular designs that grow with the plant; KD formats that reduce shipping and storage costs |
| Specialty Items | Flip Washer Staples, Great Lock Pins, and Twist Catches | Solutions for specific issues such as fabric tearing and vine slipping; high-performance alternatives to standard pegs |
| Urban Gardening | Flat-pack/KD obelisks and rose fences | Space-saving designs suited to “grow anywhere” environments; easy to transport from stores to urban apartments |
The Multi-Link Trellis emerged as a clear best-seller, building on its strong success on Amazon in the United States. International distributors from Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, and other markets praised its modular design. Its ability to customize height and width on site makes it a future-ready solution for gardeners who want their supports to evolve alongside their plants.
Furthermore, its KD design was identified by partners as a key factor in improving logistics efficiency in a high-freight-cost environment.
Global Reach: A Hub for International Partnerships
Visitor engagement at spoga+gafa 2026 highlighted DAIM’s truly global reach. We held substantive discussions with representatives from Germany, Poland, Italy, the UK, the USA, Canada, Israel, Australia, Turkey, and other markets.
A recurring theme in these conversations was demand for “The DAIM Difference”: a combination of Japanese quality and localized service.
“Growing Forward”: Adapting to a Changing Market
The 2026 theme, “Growing Forward,” addressed the need for resilience in a volatile economic landscape. The global horticulture industry has been affected by international supply-chain disruptions, forcing changes in ordering cycles.
DAIM has remained ahead of this trend by utilizing its robust global production network. A major strategic advantage discussed with partners is our ability to combine products from our subsidiaries in Vietnam and China within a single container. This flexibility enables retailers to maintain lower inventory levels across a broader range of SKUs, helping them manage cash flow without risking stockouts.
Furthermore, we are actively filling the gap left by lower-quality alternatives. Market intelligence gathered at the fair indicated that some Chinese suppliers have raised prices significantly while continuing to offer substandard squash tunnels and stakes that fail under stress. In contrast, DAIM offers price stability and proven durability, helping to reduce the high return rates currently affecting the lower-priced segment of the market.
DAIM has also developed a variety of product display methods, including display stands and carton displays, to present our products effectively in customers’ stores.
The “DAIM Quality” Difference: Technical Excellence and Sustainability
“DAIM Quality” is not simply a marketing slogan; it is an engineering standard. Many visitors at spoga+gafa expressed frustration with the single-season lifespan of competing products. DAIM’s technical specifications demonstrate why our products represent a superior long-term investment.
- Plastic-Coated Steel Pipe vs. Powder Coating: Many standard stakes use a thin powder coating over metal, which can chip and eventually lead to rust. DAIM’s proprietary plastic-coated steel pipe is rust-resistant, lightweight, and thermally stable. It helps protect plants by avoiding excessive heat in summer and brittleness in winter. This reflects the essence of DAIM’s manufacturing philosophy.
- Recycled PP and Sustainability: In line with global sustainability trends, our edging rolls are manufactured using high-grade recycled polypropylene (PP). This commitment to the circular economy strongly resonated with European buyers, who face growing pressure to source environmentally responsible materials.
- Precision Engineering: We listen closely to the voice of the customer. Following customer feedback, we are exploring the option of replacing the flat caps on our Butterfly Stakes with decorative caps similar to those used on our Rose Fence, responding to growing aesthetic demand.
We also discussed technical details related to size customization for raised borders, confirming that our production lines are flexible enough to accommodate volume-based custom requests. Products such as the Flip Washer Staple and Great Lock Pin were praised as small but highly innovative solutions.
Although some visitors noted that the Flip Washer Staple has a premium price compared with simple pads, there was broad agreement that its design and quality—particularly its ability to prevent fabric tearing in high winds—justify the investment for serious gardeners and landscapers.
Looking Toward 2027 and Beyond
As spoga+gafa 2026 concluded, the organizers confirmed that the fair will remain in its June schedule for the foreseeable future, with the next edition planned for June 15–17, 2027. This decision provides valuable planning security for an industry that operates on long lead times.
DAIM’s commitment to the European and North American markets is stronger than ever. Following our success in Cologne, we are preparing to attend Glee 2026 in Birmingham to further strengthen our presence in the UK market.
We will continue to innovate, guided by our five-year plan, which places gardeners’ comfort at the center of everything we do. We are not simply selling stakes and fences; we are providing the confidence that a garden can be a source of joy rather than a source of labor.
We are building the future of the garden lifestyle, one innovative link at a time.