An anticipated 40,000 visitors are expected to arrive at the Big 5 to see first-hand the products and services of well over 2,500 local and international exhibitors at the five-day (October 28 to November 1) international construction showcase.

The Germans are once again out in force using the Big 5 platform to establish new contacts and bag more contracts with key regional decision-makers over the five-day event.

The Austrian pavilion continues to beat the records it has set at each successive Big 5 show. This year the number of participants at the pavilion has increased yet again to a total of 36. “Austria has been participating at the Big 5 exhibition for than more than 15 years.

The Italians made their connection this region many decades ago, first capturing the furniture market and then moving on to other varied products. Over the years, they have cemented link with the Gulf with trade with the region surging every year.

By global standards it may be a small country, but Wales is aiming to prove that it has the might to take on the world as it prepares for Big 5 show this year.

A significant decision taken last year by Dubai to allow international contractors without local contacts to bid for major projects, has triggered a wave of investors into the emirate. Among the international majors vying for a slice of the lucrative Dubai construction projects, is Portugal.

After a successful debut last year, leading European steel cladding systems specialist Trimo will be returning to the Big 5 show with a display designed to promote its wide range of fireproof sandwich panels and build-up containers in the Middle East.

The UK-based Creative Resins Distribution have always attracted an audience at the Big 5, thanks to the action at its stand, which feature innovative machinery creating works of art right in front of the visitors' eyes.

At the Big 5 exhibition this year, the UK-based Union Architectural Hardware intends to invite guests to “enter the city of designs” – an innovative concept offering complete hardware solutions for stylish buildings.

Reckli Chemierwerstoff will be making its debut at the Big 5 show to promote its wide range of products supported by Khansaheb Civil Engineering, the exclusive distributor of Reckli products in the UAE, Oman and Qatar. “We are here to tap more markets and further popularise our products in the region and beyond,” says a spokesman for Reckli.

Turkish manufacturer Panel Sistem Refrigeration returns to the Big 5 after a gap of three years, optimistic about a warm reception to its cool display.  On show at this year's event will be an array of new products that showcase the company as a pioneer in the design and production of refrigeration systems.

RAK Ceramics, the frontrunner in the ceramic industry boasting worldwide sales of more than $400 million, will once again be making its presence felt at the Big 5 exhibition, this time with its latest and exclusive Gres Porcellanato offering, the Techno-Chroma.

Spanish graphic software solutions Aplicaciones De Cad Cam (ApliCad) will be making a grand debut at the Big 5 with an innovative software programme ApliCad Interior, which is described as an integrated solution for designing rooms. “While showcasing our existing portfolio, we will be introducing the ApliCad Interior, release 4.

Swiss fastening systems manufacturer SFS intec will be participating in the Big 5 show once again with an extensive display of top-of-the-line metal and glass building fastening systems.

Turkish manufacturer Gocmaksan (GMS) will be launching its new range of hydraulic and mechanic steel cutting machines and mechanic steel bending machines on the Middle East market when it makes its debut at the Big 5 show this year.

UK-based manufacturer of concrete batching and mixing plant Steelfields marks its golden jubilee this year with a successful portfolio that includes sales to more than 50 countries worldwide.

Prompted by the feedback it has received from its customers and in an attempt to penetrate the Gulf market, Turkey-based Erku Foreign Trade and Marketing will be making its debut at this year’s Big 5 with an extensive range of malleable cast iron pipe fittings.

Swiss hardware specialist Hawa will once again make its presence felt at the Big 5 show this year while presenting its versatile range of sliding technology hardware for furniture and interiors.

Spanish manufacturer Groupos Gesan aims to create a powerful impact when it makes its debut at the Big 5 show. Teaming up with its recently-appointed partner Express Engineering, the power generator specialist will be launching its new rental series of diesel water-cooled generator sets at the expo this year.

Germany-based Gail Architek-tur Keramik, a manufacturer of high-quality ceramic tiles, aims to capture the attention of the Middle Eastern markets with its display of popular ceramic solutions as well as several innovative new products developed during the past year when it participates at the Big 5 in Dubai.

Nace Machinery Industry Corporation, a leading Turkish manufacturer of crushing and screening plant and concrete batching plant for the production of aggregates and concrete, will be making its debut at the Big 5 show this year in a bid to tap new markets in the region.

Turkish formwork specialist company Canpas will be using the Big 5 show as the launch pad for introducing its innovatively-designed product range on the Middle East markets. The move comes as a prelude to setting up a new factory in Dubai and offices in Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, according to Z A Khan, spokesperson for the company.

Following the outstanding response Hesse Lignal received last year when it made its debut at the Big 5 show, the leading German manufacturer of wood surface products returns to the event this year with an impressive product portfolio that will include the some new effect-lacquers such as sanded metallic and a stain-card collection.

UAE-based Dubai Investments will field two leading players in their respective fields at the Big 5 as regular participant Thermoset Technologies Middle East (TTME) teams up with debutant Emirates Thermostone to put on an impressive stand at the event.

The high turnout and quality of visitors to its stand at the Big 5 has brought back Egyptian manufacturer and supplier of marble and granite products Techno Marble to the region’s largest construction event with its new range of finished marble products.

Major Turkish quarry owner and processor of marble and travertine products Reisoglu Mermer returns to the Big 5 with a variety of travertine and marble branded as Efesus Stone, which it intends to launch in the Middle East market.

Leading international access manufacturer Genie Industries will be making its debut at the Big 5 Show in Dubai this year with its eye-catching range of self-propelled booms and scissors, trailer-mounted booms, portable lifts, telehandlers and light towers, its spotlight being on the smallest and most compact.

At this year’s Big 5 show, Ramesh Hira, which specialises in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) supplies for the Middle East, will be introducing Kingspan Access Floors and Thermoscreen Air Curtains, which are expected to be a big draw at the exhibition.

Al Bakhit Construction Equipment, a frontrunner in equipment supply to the UAE market, will be showcasing the all-new static pump and the mobile static pump when it makes its debut at the Big 5 show this year.

The heat will be on at Byworth Boilers’ stand at the Big 5 as the UK’s independent manufacturer of industrial steam and hot water boilers makes concerted efforts to penetrate the market with its leading product lines during its maiden appearance at the show.

Elumatec, considered to be the world’s biggest profile machinery manufacturer, is displaying its latest products at the German pavilion, which is one of the largest ones at the Big 5 exhibition.

The UAE-based Leminar Air Conditioning Company intends to provide consultants, contractors, specifiers and clients a “snap shot” of its entire range of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) equipment, when it makes its seventh appearance at the Big 5 show this year.

Buoyed by the good response and the deals made during its participation at previous Big 5 shows, Turkish bath cabinets and kitchen furniture manufacturer SRS Mobilya Dekorasyon returns to the expo this year with a new range of top-of-the-line teak and stone products targeted at interior designers, specifiers and contractors from the Middle East and

Following a major structural reorganisation, leading UK-based tiling accessories maker Homelux Nenplas is looking at making a dynamic entry into the Gulf markets where it has a small presence.

Supporting its new Cut Line cutting-and-shaping plant in Dubai, UAE, the Macchine Elettronich Piegatrici (MEP) group will once again exhibit at the Big 5 this year, showcasing a line of machines designed to meet the fast-paced construction industry’s requirements for speed and efficiency.

Vogue UK, a leading manufacturer of bathroom accessories, has embarked on an expansion programme which will boost its production capacity by a further 20 per cent by next April, having already completed a similar expansion this year.

Construction Products Solutions (CPS) intends to create a dramatic impact when it makes its debut at the Big 5 show this year: The UK-based company will introduce a revolutionary range of fixing and anchoring solutions that is designed to “bring dynamism to a market saturated with commonplace products that are distinguishable only by price,”

Oerlikon Kaynak Elektrodlari, a Turkish manufacturer of high-quality welding machines and consumables, will be promoting its Magmaweld brand of welding machines, electrodes, wires and TIG rods for the construction industry at this year’s Big 5 show.

Studor, a UK-based specialist in plumbing and drainage venting, will make its debut at the Big 5 show with a display designed to raise awareness of its products in the Middle East in a bid to support its regional distributors.

Company name Stand No 3M Gulf  Maktoum A423, UAE A Cimenteira Do Lour – Portugal 8 E369A M Al Omair Rubber Factory – Saudi Arabia 2 A82A S Exclusiv Germany – UAE 3 A108Adler – Germany Zabeel O31Azienda Servizi Anima – Italy 6 A250Ascot – Italy 6 B270Aakar Development – Canada 3 A131Abdull