GCC flooring sector set for four-fold annual growth, say industry experts

Speaking at DOMOTEX Middle East - the first specialized flooring and carpet trade show in the region, Ali Nikzad, CEO of the UAE's Walls & Floors Middle East, says the recent introduction of freehold property laws has transformed the flooring industry into one of the region's fastest growing sectors.

"The wood flooring sector in particular has grown substantially and the quality of products being purchased has also increased," he said.

"On the commercial front, new airport projects such as Dubai World Central and Doha International Airport and a regionwide increase in hospitals and office towers have also contributed to the boom in the flooring market."

Nikzad adds that with GCC markets opening up their tourism sectors, the industry will maintain its growth for many more years to come.

"Lots of mega-projects are just in their infancy and even when we get to a situation where they are all complete, there will still be demand from the refurbishment market," he explained.

"The facilities management sector across the region is also very strong and this will further spur growth in the industry."

Nikzad's prediction came as Dutch industry heavyweight T&G Wood International BV revealed it had clinched its first major project order in the Middle East with a Qatari contractor. The order, for the supply of 759 square metres of high quality burma teak, is to be installed in the business class lounge at the New Doha International Airport.

''This is a major breakthrough for us as it is the most expensive wood specifications in the world and will be a showcase project for us," said Gert-Jan Prins, Commercial Director, T&G.

"This show has been a real eye-opener to the region and we have had interest from contractors not just from the GCC but also Jordan and Iran. Last year we opened an office in the USA and now one in the Middle East is definitely an option. We will visit all the countries following the show. It is a good time to be here and to get into the market."

Dubai's Merinos said its order book could jump by millions of dollars by the end of the show.

"Most of the customers we deal with in this region have visited from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Malaysia, Indian, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Libya and Morocco. I can see this show really growing over the next two years and we expect to generate around US $ 2.7 million worth of business from it," said Sultan Salem Al-Qaiwani, General Manager, Merinos.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi National Carpet Factory reported signing up new wholesale customers at the show.

"These have come from Libya and Syria and have made participation worthwhile," said Sami Abdul-Nour, Sales Executive.

Austria's industry major Kaindl Flooring, one of the world's largest laminate flooring companies, has also identified major potential in the Middle East.

"There will be huge demand here particularly for hard wood and laminate flooring," explained Michael Edlinger, Kaindl Flooring.

Ernst Baur from Singapore's EBACO International agrees says the Middle East is waking up to wood flooring trends following its immense take up in Europe and America.

Over 240 exhibitors from 36 countries are exhibiting at DOMOTEX Middle East which runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Tuesday evening (30 May). Organised by Deutsche Messe Hannover AG, one of the world's top three trade fair organizers, the show is the fastest selling new-to-market trade event in the history of the DWTC.

"I expect this exhibition to grow in line with the industry and to become even more sophisticated," added Nikzad.

"It also educates architects, designers and project planners on latest industry achievements."