Hardware + Tools Mid-East Opens Gate to Huge Gulf Market

Serving as the only dedicated exhibition for the hardware and tool industries in the Middle East, the 2009 Hardware + Tools Middle East, held May 17 through 19 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, UAE, again opened the gate wider for global industry professionals to the huge construction market in the Gulf countries. Coupled with expected steadily rising oil prices, the Gulf states' economy looks set to stay buoyant for as long as most of the world relies on fossil fuels.

If iconic projects reflect the state of health of the construction industry, then the Middle East is one of the hotbeds, as well as known for being willing to offer capital and freehand to innovative designs and concepts. For example, the Burj Dubai, under construction, will be a reported 818 meters, far taller than any other skyscraper. Another is the Burj Al Arab is the second largest building used as a hotel globally. Located on a manmade isle, this sailboat-shaped hotel in the UAE is a one-of-a-kind luxury property. Furthermore, Dubai plans to build 200 artificial islands shaped like the world as part of a drive by the UAE emirate to become a regional tourism hub.

Dubai's Nakheel Corp. said they will build "The World," modeled on the outline of the five continents. The project will cover 5.574 million square meters about five km off Dubai's Gulf coast. "It will be the most exclusive and private water retreat in Dubai," the Gulf Today newspaper quoted Nakheel Executive Chairman Sultan Ahmed ibn Sulayem.

The new construction contracts in Saudi Arabia alone are expected to keep growing at a solid pace of 15.4% to US$60 billion in 2010 from US$52 billion in 2008, in spite of the global economic downturn. As result, the enormous scale of the construction sector will inevitably keep the positive atmosphere warm in the market for hardware, hand tool and power tools.

Enormous Scale

Elisabeth Brehl, managing director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the show organizer, said: "In the UAE, active construction projects are estimated to be worth AED2.5 trillion (around US$678.79 billion at US$1: AED3.6833), with deferred projects worth many billions of dirham more. The current downturn may have caused all around slowdown in business, but the Gulf countries' economy remains buoyant and presents opportunities to companies willing to look at emerging markets such as the Middle East."

With over 400 international and regional exhibitors on the show ground, Hardware + Tool Middle East celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Staged in tandem with Garden & Landscaping Middle East, the two exhibitions totally attracted 5,490 visitors from more than 70 countries, according to the statistics compiled by the show management.

Living up to its name, Hardware + Tool Middle East displayed virtually everything for construction and in three main categories: tools, hardware and machinery. Specific items included pneumatic tools and accessories, diamond drilling tools, DIY tools, glass cutters, hand riveters, machine tools, magnetic tools, manual spray guns, hand tools, woodworking tools, hydraulic tools, measuring tools, power tools, welding and soldering equipment and consumables, tool cases, building materials, furniture hardware, locksets, adhesives, fasteners, fittings, doors, windows, ladders, lifts, floorings, woodworking machines, molding machines, drilling machines, cutting machines, welding machines, and machine parts.

Showcase for Innovations

The show has also built a reputation for being a showcase for the world's innovative products, with a number of big-name brands, such as Bosch, Stanley, Makita, Cooper Tools, Milwaukee and 3M, opting to debut their newest products at the show.

Bosch of Germany launched its GOP 10.8V-Li Professional multi-cutter, highlighted with multi-functionality that is suitable for cutting wood, non-ferrous pipes, hard plastics and nails, and for sanding uneven coating. Meanwhile, the globally-famous tool brand's professional Combination Saw GTM12 was also a big hit, featuring a unique laser and high-quality milled angles for accurate cutting to length of wooden beams, and can be a table saw with a parallel guide for precision cutting.

Leica Geosystem of Switzerland also captured visitors' intense attention with its newest Dsta series measuring equipment, which is an innovative laser distance gauge that measures, without need for conventional measuring tape, up to 656 feet to a high accuracy of only a 0.04 inch deviation.

Awarding Practicality

Hardware + Tool Middle East also awarded 14 exhibitors for achievements in developing highly practical tools, including Al Habtoor Engineering's 3.6V Lithium-ion Cordless Screwdriver; Arabian Universal Group's 3.6V Li-ion Cordless Multi-cutter; Tafseer Contracting's Impact Drill with 114-pc Accessories; Alico Industries Co Ltd.'s Adjustable Ratchet Socket Wrench with jaw capacity from 6.35mm to 22.2mm; Arabian Mix's Wera Zyklop ratchet etc.

Green and Locally-sensitive

Not only eco-friendly but also particularly locally-sensitive, a few exhibitors demonstrated green products and technologies that are in tune to the current rising awareness for environmental protection. Lavaris Lake displayed a series of technologies to purify drinking water and clean swimming pool water organically without chlorine. Bark Enterprises showcased organic products and mulches to minimize water evaporation and improve soil. Clearly such technologies were especially popular with local buyers, considering the desert region is especially concerned with water purification and conservation.

Besides being a designated provider of export-oriented information and publications for the Hardware + Tool Middle East, CENS, a veteran media in Taiwan who has been bridging the gap between global buyers and local suppliers for decades, strongly supports the show. While circulating and promoting its Hardware and Kitchen Cabinet, Bath & Building Materials magazine, CENS, backed by the globally-recognized reputation of Taiwan-made hand tools and hardware, found ample international buyers who were very interested in looking for suppliers in such publication.