M.E.I.S - Steelfab 2004 concludes successfully

This includes both confirmed orders as well as deals that have a strong possibility of materializing in the near future.

The three-day event, organised by Expo Centre Sharjah in association with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), showcased some of the world's most well established brands in welding, cutting, bending, shearing and related machinery.

Several companies including ones from Iran, Taiwan, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Korea, Taiwan, India and China, as well as their regional distributors and agents, exhibited the latest equipment & consumables that are used in the steel working industry.

The exhibition evoked overwhelming response from the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), given the fact that the current demand for fabricated steel in the Middle East is an all time high of 750,000 tonnes and with infrastructure and industrial development placed high on the agenda of the region's respective governments, complemented by stabilized oil prices, this demand is expected to rise even higher.

The incorporation of Steelfab in to the Middle East Industrial Show was aimed at filling the hitherto void that existed due to the absence of an exclusive trade show for the region's steel fabrication industry.

A total of 2,859 trade visitors, mainly from GCC states, visited the event. Some of the other countries from which the exhibition attracted considerable number of visitors were India, Iran, Pakistan, UK, France, Egypt, Malaysia, and Germany among others.

Encouraged by the positive response received at the event, over 90% of the exhibitors have expressed their desire to participate in the next edition of the show.

"The event was a resounding success for our company. The show was focused and the attendees were market specific and well informed. It has generated quality leads for us and we look forward to participating in the next edition," said Mr. Peter Routeledge, from UK-based Acecad Software, a participant at the event.

Acecad's detailed presentations during the exhibition on StruCad 3D design, detailing system, and StruM.I.S fabrication system, were also a major success drawing qualified attendees.

Most of the exhibitors, on the conclusion of the show, felt that the exhibition, besides providing important business leads in the region, was also instrumental in establishing as well as reviving a large number of business contacts for them in the region. At the same, everyone admitted that the show provided focused and quality visitors, a must for the success for any trade event.

"Quality of attendees was very good and the leads we got were specific to our industry. All visitors were well informed and we met a mix of known and new people including quality overseas visitors," said Mr. Nick Smith, Airblast Middle East, another participant at the exhibition.

Several exhibitors felt that given the encouraging response received this time, the exhibition should be made bigger, both in terms of size as well as participation, in the next edition.

"The show is good, but must be made larger in terms of participation and size. The quality of the visitors must indeed be praised," said Mr. S P Singh, Tech International LLC.

Another exhibitor, Mr. Thomas Klein of Germany-based Hans Klein Werkemachinen gmbh, also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his company's participation in the event.

"We received quality and focused visitors. We have received some important leads and we are keen to participate in the next edition of the show," Mr. Klein said.