Major construction equipment supplier defies credit crisis with regional expansion

UAE-based Kanoo Machinery, part of the Kanoo Group, is strengthening its presence in the Emirates by building two new purpose built office, warehouse and product support facilities in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone and Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi.

This follows the recent opening of new branches in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah to cater to growing economic activity in the northern emirates.

Kannan Chandrasekaran, Group Product Manager of Kanoo Machinery, said while the effects of the global economy crisis are being felt everywhere, the Big 5 PMV exhibition in Dubai later this month will highlight the way the Gulf region is riding the storm, and still representing fertile territory for construction companies.

Organised by Streamline Marketing Group and taking place at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 23-27 November, the Big 5 PMV is dedicated to manufacturers and suppliers of plant, machinery and construction vehicles.

For the first time this year it has joined the region's largest construction exhibition, The Big 5, to create a mega trade exhibition attracting more than 50,000 visitors, and Kanoo Machinery joins a line-up of more than 350 PMV exhibitors, a 70% increase on last year.

Chandrasekaran said:

"With the recent economical crisis hitting the world hard, the only solace for most companies is the Gulf region, because of its committed long term project investments. Our recent expansion proves we are keeping pace with UAE's and other GCC countries construction boom, and we want to make sure this continues."

"Within the last year, we have signed distribution agreements with GEDA, a German manufacturer of Personnel and Material Hoists. This allows us to offer a full range of Hoisting options from 250kg Ladder Lifts - well suited to Villa developments - up to 3 tonne Twin cage machines for high rise buildings of up to 450 metres.

Kanoo Machinery, which represents many of the world's leading manufacturers, will use the Big 5 PMV to demonstrate its latest range of high-tech construction, material handling and welding equipment, including Bobcat's Skid Steer loaders and Mini Excavators.

"The exhibition provides the perfect platform to showcase our product range to a vast construction sector, and it's a great opportunity to introduce several innovative and advanced products," said Chandrasekaran.

A huge wave of projects in the Middle East has turned the region into the world's biggest market for plant, construction machinery, vehicles and equipment, demand for which is expected to grow by up to 20% over the next four years.

"Despite fears of a global recession, the regional construction industry continues to grow, and the Big 5 PMV will help local companies capitalise on the boom by bringing them face to face with foreign buyers," said Nick Webb, Director, Streamline Marketing Group.

"We've also attracted many international exhibitors who are looking to enter this market, at a time when their own construction sectors are suffering."