Hardware+Tools Middle East 2015 signs off on a high as global brands engage with buyers from AED 10 billion regional market

Exhibitors pleased with business generated and robust turnout of more than 3,500 trade visitors

Dubai, UAE: The 16th edition of Hardware+Tools Middle East has concluded on a high note in Dubai, as more than 3,500 visitors engaged with 214 exhibitors at the region’s only dedicated trade show for hardware, tools, materials and machinery.

Held under the patronage of His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Hardware+Tools Middle East 2015 took place from 2-4 June 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The show welcomed a full spectrum of trade buyers from the Middle East and North Africa, including distributors, retailers, exporters, importers, contractors, fabricators, consultants and industry professionals involved in the booming regional construction sector.

They were presented with more than 250 brands at the three-day event, many of which took centre-stage at the new Expert Zone – a dedicated display of innovative tools and machinery from leading internationals brands such as Bosch Power Tools, Rhodius, Sparky, Rothenberger, KNIPEX, and Milwaukee.

Exhibitors and trade buyers alike expressed satisfaction with the amount of business leads and footfall generated at the show and expected favourable outcomes from their participation.

The keen interest in the Middle East from international manufacturers is driven by the strong regional demand for hardware, tools, materials and machinery, which according to industry sources, is estimated to be worth AED 10 billion.

“We are extremely pleased with the success of this edition of Hardware+Tools Middle East, which generated a large number of business enquiries and deals for our exhibiting partners and attracted robust trade visitor numbers,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Hardware+Tools Middle East.

“This encouraging showing underlines the tremendous potential of the region as a major market for machinery, hardware and tools and demonstrates the effectiveness of Hardware+Tools Middle East as a viable business development platform.”

Exceptionally pleased with their participation at Hardware+Tools Middle East 2015 was UK manufacturer Milwaukee. “This show is great and growing in size,” said Vijesh Kumar Padmanabhan, Service Manager at Milwaukee.  “The way it has been organised in order to meet varying exhibitors' needs is excellent. We are excited to be returning next year when we plan to launch a few new products.”
 
Aghil Chris, Sales Executive at UAE-based Arwani Trading, which was representing the Sparky and Rhodius brands, added: “The exhibition has been busy, and we have met many potential customers and distributors. We were focused on the professional end users and we were successful in reaching many of them. We’ve been able to have a successful presence at the show because of the quality of our products.”

German brand KNIPEX was making a debut at Hardware+Tools Middle East 2015, and left encouraged by its first impression. “This is our first year at Hardware+Tools Middle East and it has been very good,” said Manuel Pawlak, Product Manager at KNIPEX.

“To my surprise the show has been better than we expected and we’ve been very busy throughout. We have a base in the UAE and we’re looking for distributors, though we already have a very good network regionally.”
Hardware+Tools Middle East 2015 witnessed a score of regional launches by a vast range of international brands including Companion Brands from Australia, Italian companies VIPA and Tecnotubi Picena, and Japanese companies BIC Tool and Nitto Kohki.

“This is our first year at Hardware+Tools Middle East and we’ve been very busy meeting potential customers and clients,” said Peter Littlewood, International Sales Manager at Companion Brands.  “We look forward to extending our products across the MENA region through our distributors.”

Claudio Pasquino, Export Manager of VIPA, added: “We’re tremendously happy with the exhibition, and our stand has always been busy. The show is far better than others that we’ve attended in Europe or other countries. We’ve had many more visitors at Hardware+Tools Middle East than what we would’ve met in five days at other exhibitions. We’ve met many potentials clients and distributors and certainly look forward to returning next year.

Hardware+Tools Middle East 2015 showcased a full spectrum of hand and power tools, construction and building material and accessories, and featured country pavilions from China, Taiwan, and Thailand.