Hardware & Tools 2007 closes today, expands floor space by 30 per cent

The exhibition, now in its 8th edition was organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East and attracted over 300 exhibitors, demonstrating building related equipment, technology, machinery, materials, tools and showcasing the latest techniques and developments in the construction world.

"The Middle East Hardware and Tools trade fair goes from strength to strength each year," said Exhibition Manager, Ms. Melanie Beese. "This year, we have had to increase the floor space by 30% to accommodate the extra number of exhibitors," she added. "We have had also had a massive increase in visitor numbers, particularly from the wider Middle East and Africa," she added.

Demonstrating their range of power tools for the first time at Hardware and Tools 2007 was German company Bosch, who reported excellent projected figures for their first venture at the show. "We have had an overwhelming response to our products at this exhibition and have struck up good relationships with a number of dealers who were impressed with the layout of our stand and the interactive displays for our products," said Mr. Sumit Chordia, spokesperson for the brand. "We anticipate that once the initial contacts have been pursued, the show will have netted us well over Dhs 500,000," he added.

Another European company, Cooper Hand Tools Ltd. were keen to stress the ready-to-conduct-business attitude of the customers attending the event even welcomed the idea of more competition for next year's exhibition. "We are very happy with the quantity and quality of the visitors at the show," said Gerard Welling, Director of the company's European sales department. "We would like to come back next year and hope to see some more of our competitors here," he added.

Travelling from the UK for the trade fair was L.G. Harris and Co. Ltd; manufacturers of paint brushes and decorative products. The company has had an established presence at the event, having exhibited for the previous seven years with Al Fajer Establishment; a local concern with whom they conduct business with. This was the first year that L.G. Harris and Co. had an independent stand at the show and speaking on behalf of the firm, Mr. John Haynes recounted a very successful three days. "It has been a fantastic show for us, as Al Fajer Enterprises have confirmed the largest single export order ever with L.G. Harris," he said. "We have also received substantial, qualified leads from many companies across the Middle East, which should result in a great deal of further business," he continued.

Adnan Halai, partner of local company Halai Trading, supplies hand tools to the UAE, Oman, Bahrain Qatar and Kuwait and had last exhibited at Hardware and Tools in 2004. "There has been a lot of changes over the last three years and we can see how the construction boom has contributed to the growth of the show," he said. "We are extremely happy with this year's exhibition and have received a huge amount of interest from buyers. We will most definately be coming back next year," he added.

Hardware and Tools 2007 capitalised on an industry that is worth up to $1 trillion by some estimates; with the UAE alone accounting for $300 billion of this sum. "The UAE hardware and tools sector is estimated at comprising 20% of the total construction figure, which means that the value of this segment within the emirates is worth around $60 billion," says Ms. Beese. "The Hardware and Tools trade fair is therefore ideally placed to take advantage of the market for construction equipment and machinery, both in the UAE and across the wider Middle East," she added.