The 8th edition of the Hardware & Tools show will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13-15 May, 2007. The event is the only dedicated trade show across the region for hardware, tools and machinery. In an interview with the media Melanie Beese, Exhibition Manager for Messe Frankfurt, organisers of the show, underlined the trends of this fast growing industry.
Why is there a need for a Hardware and Tools Trade Fair in Dubai?
The market for hardware, tools and related construction industry equipment in the Middle East is growing at an unprecedented rate, fuelled by the construction boom that is clearly evident to even the most casual observer visiting the city.
Allied to this are the economic factors that have led to a period of ongoing prosperity across the region, in particular, within the Gulf States that are continuing the drive toward expansion and even better and bigger projects.
The substantial amount of retail, commercial and residential development taking place requires an enormous quantity of hardware tools and machinery and the demand for such equipment across the region is currently at an all time high. Add to this mix the recent changes in property ownership allowing foreigners to own their own homes, which in turn is driving a newly developing market in home improvements, it is not surprising that the demand for hardware and tools is growing at over 11% per year.
These factors that have led to such a phenomenal level of building work have created a demand for a local trade fair dedicated to the needs of the construction industry. Dubai is the natural choice for such an exhibition, as it is the recognized trading hub of the Gulf region and is therefore the ideal first stop for any potential exporter looking to access the markets here. The city is the leading business centre in the Middle East and the major entry port for exporting to the Indian subcontinent, the GCC, Iran, Africa and the CIS States.
What are the estimates for the current levels of construction across the region?
The construction industry in the Gulf region is estimated to be worth $750 billion with some media estimates putting the figure at around $1 trillion. The UAE alone accounts for $300 billion of this. The hardware and tools sector is estimated at comprising 20% of the total construction figure, which means that the value of this segment within the GCC is at least $150 billion.
The scale of new building work across the Gulf can be seen in projects such as Dubai’s vast Palm Islands and The World projects. These huge developments are responsible for creating new off-shore land masses and are posing unique challenges for the industry. Inland, the soon-to-be world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai, is about to become the next future iconic landmark and close by will be Dubai’s largest shopping mall, which is also slowly taking shape. These are just some of the better known projects currently in progress in Dubai and give an indication of the demands placed on the construction industry within the region. There are $23 billion worth Hotel & Holiday resort projects under way with an estimated 200 hotels to be constructed in the region.
Projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have doubled in the last 12 months to more than $200 billion; Kuwait currently has $211 billion worth of active construction program, with another $170 billion worth of projects in the remaining Gulf region; such as Bahrain’s Durat Resort and Doha’s Pearl enterprise. There are also currently $97 billion worth of projects underway in Iran and $27 billion in Iran.
What’s new for this year at the Hardware and Tools Trade Fair?
This year’s show will have a greater variety of exhibitors who will displaying their services and products from across all of the Hardware and Tools categories. There are numerous companies showcasing their products for the first time at the event.
There will be a greater representation in the MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) sector, along with an enhanced profile for woodworking equipment; reflecting the increased demand within the industry for timber, wood products and specialist woodworking machinery. In 2005, it was estimated that the wood imports to the UAE grew 34% to touch AED 5.2billion - figures that suggest that the country is now one of the world’s major wood consumers.
There will also be an emphasis on ecological concerns and conservation. The plumbing industry will be unveiling new water-saving devices for use in construction; as the level of water consumption in the UAE is one of the highest in the world. According to recent industry statistics, the UAE consumes more water per capita than any country in the world, with the exception of the US and Canada.
Figures from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority show that, during 2004, total water consumption in the city equalled 243.2 million m3 and this figure is thought to be rising year on year. The Middle East contains only 1% of the world’s fresh water and in an effort to reduce demand; Dubai Municipality is now calling on the construction industry to save water by specifying low water-usage plumbing devices during the design phase of building projects. Such devices include dual flush cisterns, which give the option of reducing the amount of water used in a single flush, electronic mixers, which ensure that taps only work when hands are placed underneath them and thermostatic mixers, which allow for the blocking of hot water and the avoidance of turning on the boiler. The plumbing sector has responded to the concerns from Dubai Municipality and will be displaying these and other inititives at this year’s show.
Who decides the direction that the show will take and oversees the planning?
We have an advisory board that meets regularly and comprises some of the leading figures within the industry. Our current board has marketing managers from some of the top names within the industry; such as 3M, Dewalt, Bosch, Milwaukee and Arwani Trading.
We also have the UAE Contractors’ Association as an important member to advice and offer guidance, particularly from the visitor angle. There have been some invaluable contributions from these members that have helped us to focus the direction of the exhibition through outlining the current key issues within the industry. One recent recommendation was for us to concentrate more on the small and medium buyers.
It was felt that companies at the exhibition have easy access to the big buyer names in the industry, but that the smaller operators tend to be spread further and wider and need a greater level of focus. Insights such as these have helped us to tailor the exhibition to everyone’s advantage, from the big industry players to the smaller concerns that make up such a significant sector of the construction market.
What is the format for this year’s show?
There are three broad product areas at Hardware & Tools Middle East, which reflect the demands of the market. Within these three sections there are a huge range of products and services that visitors to the exhibition are looking to source.
First, there is the tools section. This covers everything from hand and power tools to hydraulic tools and accessories, measuring equipment, welding and soldering equipment, consumables, cutting implements and air pneumatic tools.
The machinery segment incorporates workshop and woodworking machinery, such as lathes, grinding equipment, milling, moulding, drilling, punching and sawing machines, as well as machinery parts and components.
Building hardware covers everything from abrasives, anchors, fasteners, fittings, nuts and bolts, nails, adhesives, paints, varnishes and sealants, as well as windows and doors, furniture hardware, locks and their accessories, ladders, scaffolding and flooring. Also found in this section will be materials; such as metal, iron, steel, plastic, rubber and wood. In conclusion, there is an exhaustive list of products and services, all of which have their place at Hardware & Tools 2007.
Show Profile:
Hardware+Tools is the Middle East’s only dedicated event for power tools, hand tools, hardware, ironmongery, small machinery, paints, workshop and woodworking machinery. As an industry professional involved in the supply of equipment to or the design, construction, build or specification of commercial or residential developments, you understand the importance of staying updated with new products, services and technology in your field. Hardware+Tools is the perfect platform to meet new contacts, discuss new trends and technological developments, keep up to date with industry knowledge and source new products and solutions.
Company profile:
The Messe Frankfurt Middle East team has over 20 years experience of organising international trade fairs throughout the world. The successful portfolio of events they organise in Dubai include Intersec Middle East, Materials Handling & Logistics, Hardware + Tools Middle East, Garden & Landscaping Middle East, ISH – Kitchen + Bath, Light Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East, Wellness & Spas Middle East, Design Lifestyle Middle East, Hometech Middle East, Emirates Today Ideal Home Show, Automechanika Middle East and the Middle East Toy Fair. Messe Frankfurt is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, the world’s second largest trade fair organiser conducting over 100 events worldwide with 15 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East.
