Al Aqili Furnishings bolsters relationship with USD 6.5 billion Shaw Industries

The deal sees Al Aqili Furnishings, which in just 10 years has grown into a multi-faceted group providing a complete range of products for any building interior from the ground up, have primary sale and distribution rights to Shaw's formidable stock of commercial, hospitality and residential flooring products.

'The regional network that we have in place provides the ideal hub for the sale and distribution of Shaw flooring products. Al Aqili Furnishings generates substantial returns in flooring alone, of which Shaw products represent an integral part of this turnover,'

said Rashid Yousif Al Aqili, General Manager, Al Aqili Furnishings Group - Flooring Division.

'This move is the culmination of 10 successful years of co-operation between us and Shaw Industries - a deal ensuring Al Aqili Furnishings dedication to provide superior products to this important sector.'

Al Aqili Furnishings will publicly announce its involvement and plans with the American flooring leader at the INDEX Exhibition 2006 - the Middle East's largest annual trade exhibition for the textile, furniture and interior design and manufacturing industries.

According to DMG World Media Dubai the organisers of the INDEX Exhibition - that runs from 7-11th November at the Dubai International Exhibition and Conference Centre - the Middle East imports of furnishings and interior design products increased by 18 per cent in 2006.

'The UAE alone accounts for 40 per cent of the furnishings imports into the region, and this year the market is expected to expand by a substantial 45 percent with an economic value of US$ 6.5 billion,' said Mansour Khodjasteh, Managing Director, Al Aqili Furnishings Group.

The group's 11,300 square foot stand will be the largest at INDEX, filling the entire Al Multaqua Ballroom.

'INDEX, as the largest exhibition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia, is the perfect springboard for us to announce this important business development and display Al Aqili Furnishings' unique but vast product offerings.

'Apart from the specialist flooring offerings, there will be other major furnishings brands at the stand. Francesco Molon, Bretz, i4 Mariani, Oriental Weavers, Nourison, SLV, Fabbian and many others will be displaying their world renowned interior products. From flooring to wall coverings, fabrics, lighting, home and office furniture.'

'We have always been the biggest exhibitor at INDEX, and this is evidence of how much Al Aqili Furnishings has to offer and relays the importance of demonstrating our scale of operations and range of products to the potential clients visiting the stand,' said Shahriar Khodjasteh, Group Marketing Director, Al Aqili Furnishings Group.'

Shaw Industries produces over 2 million square metres of carpet every day, with a strong presence in over 91 countries worldwide. Established in 1948, the company has evolved into a market leader in the flooring industry employing over 30,000 people.

'There is a pressing need for American companies and brands to enter emerging markets such as the Middle East. The demand for quality products is matched only by Shaw Industries' position to supply this demand. The decision to strengthen the relationship with Al Aqili Furnishings, by making it the primary agent and distributor for Shaw Industries complete portfolio of flooring is the result of many years of success Al Aqili Furnishings has experienced in the region. This move is an important step in both companies' business expansion plans,' said Wiley Jones, Sales Manager Middle East, Shaw Industries.

'Shaw Industries recognises that Al Aqili Furnishings is one of the leading regional flooring consultants, and by re-aligning our distribution channels and making Al Aqili Furnishing the flagship distributor for Shaw Industries, we will solidify our position at the top of this ever growing market.'

Al Aqili Furnishings now combines the distribution of Trust Mark, Shaw Contract and Shaw Hospitality flooring solutions - over 250 different styles of flooring products - with leading after-sales services. For 10 years Al Aqili Furnishings has provided the residential range of Shaw Industries flooring, and the relationship has recently evolved to incorporate the commercial and hospitality lines.

Another major feather in Al Aqili Furnishings cap comes in the form of a recent deal that has been made with the major German laminate flooring producer, Kronotex. The company - one of the biggest laminate flooring manufacturers in the world - will be displaying with Al Aqili Furnishings at Index 2006 for the first time.