Innovative manufacturers in packaging machines sign up for Gulf Pack 2004

Gulf Pack 2004 to be held in Dubai, UAE, in September, already has exhibitors from 20 different countries, some coming to Dubai for the first time.

Fairs and Exhibitions' Sharla Hancock, International Project Manager for Gulf Pack, attributes this early success to the show's rebranding last year and changing the name from Packtech to Gulf Pack. 'Feedback from the show held in January 2003 indicated 3 significant opportunities to build upon the established format. Firstly to identify Gulf Pack as the number one event in the region, secondly to add value by bringing new events such as seminars & work shops, and finally by providing the Packaging sector with a clearly defined exhibition'.

'The response to the changes from the industry has been excellent. With eight months to go, we already have 80% of the space reserved and 70 companies signed up. We are working towards growing the show to double the size from last year's event - and we are well on our way to achieving this target.'

A main comeback this year will be strapping machines which were absent at last year's show. German strapping system manufacturer, MOSCA, is exhibiting at Gulf Pack for the first time this year.

'We have booked 12 sqm at this year's show and will be exhibiting a MOSCA strapping machine. We already do business with a variety of companies in the Gulf Region but Gulf Pack will offer us an opportunity to reach a wider range of possible customers,' said Frank Mutschler from Mosca.

The MOSCA machine range includes everything from a small stand-alone semi automatic through to fully automated operatorless in-line pallet strapping systems including the manufacturing of both polyester & polypropylene strapping material.

Another strapping exhibitor is a leading manufacturer of corded polyester strapping and load restraint systems, Cordstrap. Based in the Netherlands with offices in the Jebel Ali Freezone, Cordstrap has been supplying distributors all over the GCC, Levant and parts of Asia.

'We visited Gulf Pack last year (Packtech) and decided then that the exhibition would provide an ideal platform to promote our new distributor locations in the Middle East as well as attract new customers who may be visiting the show for the first time,' said Mr Mark Gordon from Cordstrap UAE.

Mr Gordon went on to say 'we also look forward to an open forum at Gulf Pack with many of our existing customers and fellow exhibitors with whom we have close contact to help promote and demonstrate the increased professionalism of the packaging industry in the U.A.E.'

Another local company which has signed up for Gulf Pack is Techno Middle East, a Sharjah based company. Founded in 1963, Techno ME conducts business throughout the Middle East, mainly in the fields of food processing, bottling, canning and related activities.

'We wanted to take advantage of Gulf Pack's reputation as one of the most prestigious exhibitions in the region. We booked a 60sqm space and will be representing several international companies such as Soudronic, KHS, Sipa, VideoJet, Dimac among others,' said Mr Fadi sawaya Techno Middle East Co.

'We are very happy at the customer response to the Gulf Pack 2004 as we are attracting 'A' grade companies who feel that Gulf Pack is the leading exhibition in the Middle East and this is the place for them to strengthen and expand on their contacts,' said Hancock.