Logistics trade fair gateway to Gulf's booming freight markets

Materials Handling & Logistics is an exclusive trade event for freight, cargo, logistics, distribution, warehousing, airport, ports, construction and manufacturing, and is scheduled to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 15-17 May.

The Show, being organised by Epoc Messe Frankfurt, has already attracted over 80 exhibitors from 20 countries including UK, Holland, Italy, USA, Germany, France, Sweden, Germany as well as a very strong showing from the UAE. Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority and Dubai Ports Authority top the list together with other exhibitors such as Airlink, Schenker, FAMCO, Al Futtaim, Arcoma, Bin Brook Motors, Caterpillar, Dahbashi Engineering, and many more. The show which runs every two years, is already 30% bigger than its last edition held in 2003.

According to Amanda Westerman, Group Exhibitions Manager at Epoc Messe Frankfurt, "Dubai is globally recognised as the Middle East's fastest growing import and re-export market, making it the regional centre for trade fairs and commerce with its commercial ties covering virtually all five continents and nearly 190 countries".

The U.A.E's economy has been distinguished by vigorous growth rates as a result of government policies promoting businesses, a private sector with far-reaching overseas trade connections and a state of the art infrastructure.

"According to a study conducted by FEM/JIVA in 2004, the number of forklift trucks imported in the UAE went from a mere handful 10 years ago to 255 units," Ms Westerman explained. "This is just a glimpse of how much the materials handling and logistics industry in the UAE has grown."

The same study also showed that IC_engine powered forklift trucks has grown from 300 units ten years ago, to more than 1,000 units in 2004.

Materials Handling and Logistics Exhibition has also grown in line with industry. Visitors to the show will have a choice of 30% more exhibitors than last time with categories and services covering the entire trade.

"Visitors looking for the latest in Fork Lift Trucks, will, for the first time, be able to see how they work at the exhibition, before they buy. This will make the buying process a lot easier than sifting through brochures," explained Ms Westerman. "Many of our exhibitors have taken really large stands in order to bring in the equipments and machinery to show to prospective buyers."

Exhibitors showcasing fork lift trucks include, Al Shirawi Enterprises STILL; Caterpillar; Jungheinrich; Linde Material Handling SARL; Daewoo; Yale; Godrej; and BT; and many others.
For racking and shelving systems, visitors have a choice between many different products being exhibited by Al Mawakeb Trading Est; Compatta Italy Mobile shelving/racking; Dexion; Kardex Storage; ARCOMA; Span Trading Est; Stor-Mat.; and Intermetal, manufacturers from the UAE.

For IT solutions which cover software and hardware for running a warehouse business very smoothly, visitors can see Psion Teklogix (Middle East) who will be providing solutions for mobile computing, wireless data collection and RFID. Other companies providing IT solutions are Exe Technologies Software; LXE Middle East which offers data capture, wireless networking and RFID Solutions; Silo & Multiplo, Italy provides check-ups and warehouse management software and Teklogiks offers software solutions.

Total solution providers will be at the show to talk to prospective clients about the complete package of setting up a warehouse, logistics, machinery, shelving and racking, staffing, IT software and hardware. "We have attracted exhibitors who will be providing a one-stop-shop for prospective clients and some of the biggest names in industry will be at the show," said Ms Westerman.

"Some of these exhibitors include FAMCO, Siemens, Arcoma, Goodrej, Span and many more," she added.

"We have set out to make this show as the venue for the industry to be at - either for sellers or for buyers - it will also be the venue to get ideas, to network and to see what the world and the UAE have to offer in terms of materials handling and logistics. As it takes place every two years, this show is a must," concluded Ms Westerman.