Business boom for Saudi firm tipped for PackTech expo

The Dammam-based firm, which last year generated revenue of US $2.7 million, says it's signed a number of major deals and more are on the way.

The company has made the optimistic prediction in the run-up to PackTech 2003, the Middle East's premier exhibition for the packaging industry which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from January 12-15.

HEET is to take part in PackTech for the second time, it had a highly successful appearance in 2000, which resulted in considerable new business and heightened awareness.

"We generated a lot of business from Gulf countries as well as the local UAE market," said HEET's General Manager, Rafee Al Kharbat.

HEET racking, handling, packing and storage aims to introduce substantial savings into commercial operations.

"Our goal is to build systems that are ideally suited to the needs of customers," said Kharbat. "These heavy-duty systems are designed to strict specifications.

"A particularly important benefit of HEET systems is that they can be custom-made. Our company has the engineering department that can study requirements and customise a solution."

Multi-use cages produced by HEET can be used as packing to replace cartons, a major saving of space and money, according to Al Kharbat. "These cages can save 75% more space compared to cartons due to more efficient stacking capabilities," he said.

HEET is one of two Saudi Arabian exhibitors to sign up for PackTech International, the other is Arnon Plastic Industries Company, also of Dammam.

According to Al Kharbat, HEET For Industry is on the crest of a wave. Earlier this year it signed a US $548,000 deal to supply Sharjah-based InterGulf with racking systems.

HEET has also implemented phase one of a US $1 million storage system for DNATA and is negotiating for the second stage, according to Al Kharbat.

HEET For Industry operates a 16,000 square metre factory which has been upgraded with even more state-of-the-art equipment to cope with demand.

Exhibitors from the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Sub-continent and Europe have contracted for PackTech International, which is organised by Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) and staged biennially. The 2003 event will also host official pavilions representing the Chinese and Turkish packaging industries.

PackTech International is the Middle East's only B2B trade show for the packaging industry. It has the backing of the UK-based Confederation of Organisers of Packaging Exhibitions (COPE).

A sister exhibition, PrinTech/PubliTech, the region's leading event for the international printing and publishing industries, will be staged alongside PackTech. It will feature a pavilion representing the Iranian printing industry.

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