Gulf Construction Online - Big 5 gets bigger with $1.6m orders

Regional News

Big 5 gets bigger with $1.6m orders

01 December 2001

The Big 5 construction and contracting exhibition reported a rise in the number of exhibitors and visitors over last year and an initial declared order intake nearing Dh6 million ($1.6 million), the organiser said.

The event drew over 1,000 companies from 39 countries and 17 national pavilions, with visitors up seven per cent compared with last year's show, dmg Index Exhibitions reported.

This includes orders worth Dh2 million each received by Skako and Elumatec, Dh1 million by Flexiduct, and Dh800,000 by the Saudi company, Nudrah Industrial Equipment.

Skako, the Danish leader in turnkey design to commissioning concrete plants, has taken orders worth Dh2 million for three mobile concrete mixers.

"These have come from UAE buyers. The show has led to some good contracts and, realistically, we think we are now looking at Dh10 million in annual exports to the Middle East," said Jacob Niclassen, sales manager.

Germany's aluminium profile processing machinery manufacturer Elumatec, which operates a base in Jebel Ali, reported selling all its stand exhibits worth Dh2 million.

"It is our third time at the Big 5 and has proved very successful. In the near future, we are planning a Dh2-Dh3 million warehouse in Jafza," said Moez Mohamedali, UAE sales manager.

Simco Industrial Machinery Trading Company announced it had sold Dh288,000 worth of wood turning and boring machinery to Dubai's Saeed Saif DŽcor.

Two Sharjah-based companies have announced multi-million dirham expansion plans at the show.

The announcements by Tekab and SKM Airconditioning Equipment are among several new projects unveiled by companies taking part in the show.

Tekab, part of the Gibca Group, is investing Dh80 million ($21.7 million) in relocating its cable factory in industrial area 13 as part of plans to double its 3,000 tonnes annual production.

The company's 18,500 sq m factory, due to open by June 2002, will meet growing demand from the UAE, Gulf, European, African and Middle East customers, said Mohammed Alawneh, sales executive of Tekab.

The workforce of 250 employees is expected to increase by up to 35 per cent.

SKM is to move to new premises in January in industrial area 13, tripling its factory size. The company claims the 45,000 sq m building will be the Gulf's largest single factory unit.

Another UAE general trading and building materials company, Modern Noor, revealed plans to open a Dh1.4 million fabrication and assembly plant in the Jebel Ali Free Zone.

The factory, that will open in January, will make kitchen sinks, mainly for re-export to neighbouring Gulf countries, East Africa and Jordan.

Meanwhile, Greece is set to double its presence at next year's Big 5, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 26 to 30.

"We are receiving increasing demand from Greek companies to be at this show," said Harry Sgourakis of the government-run Hellenic Foreign Trade Board.

"All 27 exhibitors at this year's show have also requested more space next year. We are looking at a 450 sq m pavilion for 2002."

Italy is also set to have a bigger presence at next year's show. Italy had the second largest number of exhibitors at this year's event.

Cyprus has expressed interest in participating at next year's Big 5 exhibition.

"The increase in visitor numbers, a trend we saw at Index 2001, reflects continued business confidence in the region. This is underlined by the number of exhibitors who have confirmed they will be back next year, with a significant number saying they will take more space," said Bernard Walsh, managing director, dmg Index Exhibitions.