Leading German specialist in the manufacture of production systems for the precast concrete Sommer Anlagentechnik will showcase its latest systems at the Big 5 show.

Cyprus-based G Neokleous – a manufacturer of wrought iron and stainless steel stairways, gates and interior ironworks – is all geared up to present its range of products when it makes its debut at this year’s Big 5 show.

This year’s Big 5 show promises to be the Middle East’s largest construction exhibition ever with around 1,600 exhibitors from around 50 countries worldwide presenting their innovative products and services in Dubai next month (November 20 to 24), to an audience which is expected to exceed 30,000.

Hundreds of leading construction experts will converge in Dubai for a series of international conferences that will examine four key sectors of the Middle East construction industry, this November.

German expertise and high-quality products from various sectors such as mechanical engineering, water technology and the building industry will be on display at Germany’s official pavilion at the Big 5 Show 2004.

The Portuguese Trade Commission (PTC) is pushing ahead with plans to boost the presence of Portuguese firms in the UAE and aims to double the country’s trade volumes within the region in the next five years, according to a top executive at the PTC.

Turkey is fast becoming the third major country in Europe for ceramic tiles and the fifth largest producer in the world, having produced over 190 million sq m last year. In ceramic sanitary ware (plumbing fixtures) – the second major ceramics sector – the country raised its production to over 120,000 tonnes last year.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) of the UK is poised to break all previous records as it plans to organise the largest-ever presence for a UK pavilion at the forthcoming Big 5 Show.

For close to five years now, Cyprus-based Suricom Consultants has been trying to help Cypriot manufacturers gain a firm foothold in the markets in the Gulf by making it easy for the companies to showcase their products and services in one of the leading construction fair in the region – the Big 5 show.

CBI Europe, a leading Italian manufacturer and distributor of interior finishing systems and accessories, has unveiled plans to expand its business in the region as it gears up to exhibit its products and services at the Big 5 show. Part of the expansion plans for the regional market is the setting up of manufacturing units within the emirates.

This year’s Big 5 exhibition will mark a milestone for Union Architectural Hardware as it unveils a plan for greater growth in the region, in conjunction with its sole distributor for the UAE, Abdulaziz & Sa’ad M Almoajil Company.

The Dubai office of Carl Stahl, a leading German manufacturer of wire ropes and lifting technology, will put on display the company’s range of SS cables with fittings and accessories (I-SYS), alongside other products such as the X-Tend, PosiLock, and Cable Concept at the Big 5 show.

Vitrulan, an innovative wall-covering that boasts the advantages of high-quality textured finishes, hygiene and ease of maintenance, is set to be launched at the Big 5 show. Produced by the Germany-based Vitrulan Textilglass, the product is a redevelopment of a glass fabric wall-covering that has been available on the market for a number of years.

Al Muhaidib Building Materials (MBM), a leading Saudi-based trader and importer/exporter in building and construction materials, has set its sights on expanding its horizons in the Middle East.

Dubai-based TEKM International, a leading supplier of top-of-the-line ceramic products, will exhibit its new product line, the Synora, at Dubai’s premier construction show – the Big 5. “The launch is part of the company’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the regional markets,” says a company spokesman.

Sharjah-based Interplast, a leader in cable management systems and wiring accessories, has expanded its Decoduct range with the addition of a new 127 mm coving trunking system in high-impact uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride).

Hilti – a world leader in the manufacture of quality precision tools for the construction industry – continues its efforts at providing innovative and customer-specific services and solutions that ensure accuracy, dependability and security, says Charles Daher, a spokesman for Hilti Regional Office (Middle East and South Asia).

Guinness Book of World Records record holder R K Marble Private Limited will promote its Wonder Marble – which is described as the world’s first branded natural coloured marble – at the Big 5 show. The Indian firm says it has an entry in the record book as the largest marble mining company in the world.

Jotun Paints, one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of sophisticated paints in the world, is currently pushing ahead for the timely completion of painting on the Al Khaleej sugar refinery in Jebel Ali, Dubai.

The partnership of Dubai-based Ahmed Ramadhan Juma Establishment (ARJ) and Italian pump manufacturer Lowara has come a long way as the duo have been busy providing innovative solutions in pumping technology at some of the tallest and largest buildings in the Gulf. ARJ is the authorised dealer for Lowara in the entire Middle East.

Ambi-Rad, the leading UK-based manufacturer of radiant tube heating systems and a major distributor of other energy efficient heating and ventilation products, will put on display its Airblock curtain systems at the Big 5 show – which the company claims offers substantial savings in energy costs.

Mammut Building Systems, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs) and polyurethane-injected sandwich panels, is on the path of expansion and diversification and is now making a sizeable investment in setting up a precast production facility in Dubai.

Overhead cranes are the most versatile mechanical handling systems available. They can handle a variety of loads, give access to the whole floor or yard area and do not occupy floor space or require roadways or parking areas.

Saudi Arabia-based Riyadh Furniture Industries (RFI), which has had a successful year in business, is looking forward to strengthen its position in the regional market through a phased modernisation of its manufacturing facilities.

The UK’s Haddonstone, which is exhibiting for the fourth time at the Big 5 show, will put on display of its unique cast limestone designs that include balustrading and landscape ornaments.

Company Name     Country121 Trading Co, Iran/UAE3E International, China3E International, China A & W Heute Maschinenfabrik, GermanyA M Al-Omair Rubber Factory, Saudi ArabiaA S  Exclusiv Germany, UAEABEL GmbH & Co, GermanyAbrasivos Penarrubia, SpainAbu Saeed Trading Co, UAEACC Silicones, UKAccorroni Climate Tech, It