Gulf Construction Online - Top construction show sets new visitor records

Events

Visitors at the fair.

Top construction show sets new visitor records

01 January 2014

WITH thousands of deals finalised on site, business worth millions of dollars was generated at The Big 5, Middle East Concrete and PMV Live, held from November 25 to 28, 2013, in Dubai, UAE.

The region’s largest building and construction industry exhibition featured local, regional and international manufacturers and distributors across each subsector of the construction industry to facilitate partnerships. The four-day event registered a record breaking 25 per cent increase in visitor figures, subject to final audit.

“Throughout the four days, the show floor was consistently busy, with feedback highlighting the real positivity in the current and prospective market,” said Andy White, group event director, The Big 5. “There is a lot of confidence in the construction sector in the GCC and wider Middle East, and that confidence was converting into actual business on site. It was fantastic to see.

“A 25 per cent visitor attendance increase was a real boost for the event and, with the Expo 2020 announcement, we expect 2014’s event to grow even more.”

Some first-time exhibitors to the event saw such high levels of interest in their products that they have now made plans to open in Dubai for 2014.

Scotiamax, a Canadian manufacturer of wood flooring specifically designed to help increase the purity of air in a room by 85 per cent, was one such company exhibiting at The Big 5.

Sales manager George MacLeod said: “Having never been in the region before, initial research had indicated that there may be a market for a product like ours. The contacts we have made in our week at The Big 5 have surpassed all expectations. As a result, we will be establishing a permanent base in Dubai and looking to grow the business in the region throughout 2014.”

Other exhibitors experienced similar levels of business on site, with PMV Live exhibitor Genie by Terex selling several pieces of equipment, including its 43-m-high boom, and a greater number of expected orders to be confirmed within the coming weeks.

The company sold its Genie ZX-135 self-propelled articulating boom within hours of the show officially opening on day one. “This was a phenomenal start to the event for us,” commented Sharbel Kordhi, general manager, Middle East and Southern Africa, Terex.

UAE-based Conares, a steel products provider, signed deals worth $30 million during the event (see page 40).

UAE piping solutions company RAKtherm signed two distribution deals totalling $6 million during the event, which will see its products exported to Algeria and Egypt.

Working with an advisory board of architects, interior designers, contractors and developers prior to the event to develop a current and relevant programme of educational events, the show hosted more than 100 seminars, workshops and conferences that showcased the latest industry and product trends and techniques.

Attendees were made aware of regulatory updates by the Dubai Municipality on the green building codes due to be implemented from January 2014, best practice in project management, as well as arbitration in construction, a seminar conducted by the Society of Engineers.

Kamal Azayem, mechanical engineering expert at Dubai Municipality, in his presentation, took the audience through what they can expect from the codes and examples of how these are already being put into practice.

“The workshop was standing room only, highlighting the importance that the industry is placing on these regulations,” commented White. “Sustainable products and solutions have been a growing sector at the event for a number of years, and the new Green Building Codes have further propelled this market.”

Dubai Municipality has ensured that the public sector leads by example, with all 40 government buildings currently abiding by the new, mandatory regulations. The new guidelines enforce a number of construction and operational specifications that are meant to make buildings more sustainable and efficient.

“It is amazing to see The Big 5 progress year by year. This is my third year attending the event, and I can see how the exhibition has grown in terms of exhibitors, seminars, and visitors. The Big 5 2013 had a clearer layout, which made it very easy for us to find the products we are looking for,” said Ahmed Medhat, procurement manager, Emaar Misr.

The organisers also added a new feature – the mobile app that enabled visitors to find products, exhibitors and educational events and guide them to the events.

Meanwhile, the top environmentally-focused firms were honoured at the annual Gaia Awards. Launched in 2008, the Gaia awards have grown into the industry’s most respected awards honouring construction products which truly integrate the concept of ‘green.’

The winners included:

• Coatings, adhesives and sealants – 3M;

• Concrete – Ecocon Industries;

• General construction – Emirates Buildings;

• HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) – Smardt Chiller Group;

• Kitchens and bathrooms – Geberit International Sales;

• Marble, granite and flooring – Avant Holding;

• Plant, machinery and vehicles – House of Equipment;

• Water Technology – Globcom General Trading;

• Windows, doors and cladding – Mich Vakirtzis and Co-Glazetech;

• Other/innovations – Al Jaber Carpentry and Décor;

• Special recognition for carbon reduction – Smardt Chiller Group.

The 2013 edition attracted more than 2,500 exhibitors from 65 countries. The Big 5, Middle East Concrete and PMV Live will return to Dubai World Trade Centre from 17 to 20 November, 2014.

The next Big 5 event will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from March 9 to 12, 2014 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events.