Strong industry turnout at Middle East hardware expo

Dubai / Emirates Business

Dubai’s bustling US$1.5 billion dollar trade for hardware and tools in 2015 has been reinforced by the strong industry turnout at the 17th edition of Hardware+Tools Middle East, which concluded recently in Dubai. A total of 2,907 regional trade buyers and construction industry professionals attended Hardware+Tools Middle East 2016, as they sourced the latest solutions for their businesses from 184 exhibitors.
The wider region’s dedicated trade show for hardware, tools, machinery and materials was busy throughout its three-day run at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, as exhibitors and visitors alike expressed a positive market outlook on the back of steady demand in the construction and infrastructure sectors, along with home DIY.
Their enthusiasm comes as Dubai Customs released figures during the annual event showing that Dubai’s thriving import, export, and re-export market for hardware and
tools was valued at US$1.56 billion in 2015.
The USA was Dubai’s top trading partner for the year, with US$239 million worth
of trade, followed by China (US$203 million), Italy (US$131 million), Germany (US$94 million), and Saudi Arabia (US$67 million).
Manufacturers from these countries were also prominent at Hardware+Tools Middle East 2016, including American companies Channellock, FiberFix, and Ajustco; Italian brands Vipa and Tecnotubi Picena; and German manufacturers Bosch, Knipex, and Wiha.
Indraneel Bhattacharya, National Sales Manager of Power Tools at Central Motors & Equipment, the UAE’s licensed distributor for Bosch, said the company had achieved double-digit growth in sales revenue in the last 12 months.
“We’re 15 per cent up year-on-year in volume of business so we’re managing strong growth,” said Bhattacharya, who was showcasing the entire Bosch portfolio primarily for the construction sector, including hammer drills, measuring equipment, metal working tools such as cutters, and grinders, along with wood working tools.
“We’re quite optimistic about the market, in particular with the Dubai Expo 2020 still coming up. Starting from 2017, the whole construction and infrastructure development sector will surge ahead and that’s where we look for big growth in particular. We see huge
potential.
“The best part about what has happened lately is that people are demanding more and more quality products because if you have the right tool for the right job, your productivity goes up,” added Bhattacharya. “People realise that it’s an investment and this mind-shift has been taking place over the last 3-4 years.”