01 April 2012

THE Big 5 Saudi concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last month after providing a successful four-day showcase of the latest developments in building and construction products.

More than 500 exhibitors from across the world brought new products to the show and also made a number of announcements.

At the event, the UAE-based Emirates Steel celebrated the commissioning of its latest expansion, with the first heavy-section mill in the region at a cost of around $650 million. From the US, Global Business Alliance launched its new Mould Care products, including mould release waxes, polishing compounds, PVA, buffing pads, and moulding clay.

Closer home, Harsco Baroom showcased its brand new scaffold training academy. Located at Yanbu, the purpose-built premises of 1,800 sq m hosts a functioning scaffold yard, handling an average of 80 tonnes of product per day.

A significant part of this year’s event focused on sustainability and innovation within this sector, with almost 30 per cent of exhibitors classing their products within this category. The UK-based Dura Composites, a strong ‘green’ advocate, sees Saudi Arabia as a big market for such products, as managing director, Stuart Burns explained: “Sustainable products are hugely important to the industry. They shouldn’t be green at any cost, but if the specification can be met then the product chosen should be the greenest option.

“The important thing for those within the industry is to keep sharing information. Green criteria and credentials are evolving so quickly that unless we come together the sector will be littered with expensive products that don’t meet the right specification.”

Commenting on the success of The Big 5 Saudi, event director Andy White, said: “For the second consecutive year, this event has surpassed all expectations in terms of participation, quality of exhibitors and the interactive environment that we have seen between all exhibitors and visitors.

“The Saudi construction market is the largest in the GCC and will continue to be for a number of years to come. The show floor has been a constant hive of activity and we expect to hear of a number of agreements, partnerships and business deals that have resulted from this week.”

The Big 5 Saudi will return to Jeddah from March 9 to 12, 2013. Before that, The Big 5, Middle East’s largest event for the building and construction industry, will take place in Dubai from November 5 to 8, 2012.

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Gulf Construction is the undisputed leading trade journal for the building and construction industries of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. The magazine provides editorial coverage on a wide range of topics which are of interest to industry professionals. In addition, regular features highlight technological developments within specific industry fields. Launched 40 years ago, the magazine has established an enviable reputation as an authoritative, respected journal with unmatched coverage of the Gulf region. Gulf Construction is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the region’s building and construction industry.