USA signage giant plans Gulf base

VUTEK, which produces a range of digital systems capable of printing in up to eight colour modes, is to announce the selected office location at the Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East trade show, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 22-24.

The company says increasing Middle East demand from the outdoor advertising sector has driven its expansion decision.

"The region has seen a great increase in outdoor advertising over the past few years and this is especially true in demand for outdoor printing," said Abdallah Ghalayini, VUTEK's Middle East Sales Manager.

"VUTEK Middle East, for instance, has doubled its business every year for the past three years due to this growth trend."

The company says its new GCC office will be used as a customer relations and support base.

"It will complement our office and warehouse in Beirut and offices in Cairo and Casablanca and enable us to provide blanket coverage throughout the entire MENA region," said Ghalayini.

VUTEK is among exhibitors from 18 countries due to take part in Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East, the only event servicing the region's specialised signage and graphic imaging sector.

"The show has doubled in size compared to last year and has greater focus on the booming outdoor sector with displays of hoardings, unipoles etc.," said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice Chairman, International Expo-Consults (IEC), which organises the show.

"The event will now span two DWTC halls and its exhibitor profile is made up of 80% international participation two-thirds of which are show newcomers."