Steel Guru : Update on the Big 5 Exhibition for construction industry

With innovative and exciting new products being exhibited by companies from over 50 countries, The Big 5 exhibition 2009 is set to provide a unique one stop shop for the international construction industry. Some 3,000 exhibitors from every major exporting nation will be showcasing everything from asbestos free cement to waterless urinals which incorporate a TV screen and fast build wooden buildings to state of the art sectional steel water tanks.

Research has shown that there are some USD 3.1 trillion construction projects in the Gulf and The Big 5 provides the ideal opportunity for engineers, architects and contractors to ensure they get a slice of the action. The importance of the event globally is demonstrated by the fact that exhibitors from 52 countries have chosen to attend 2009. All of the major continents of the world will be represented with a number of innovative product launches set to happen during the show:

1. Europe - With over 100 years experience, UK based Balmoral Sectional Tanks Limited is now a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of GRP and sectional steel water tanks. Recognizing the enormous potential of the region, it will be announcing the opening of its first Middle East base and along with its acquired partner Horsely Bridge Tanks will be showcasing its state of the art products. The team will be on hand to provide advice on the best way to store and transport water efficiently, effectively and economically. CINCA from Portugal has a new range of tiles which incorporates wood into ceramics and will also be announcing the opening of a new regional facility which will specialize in manufacturing these tiles. URIMAT DEUTSCHLAND AG will be launching Urimat Ecovision which has an integrated 7" LCD TV a green and entertaining product.

2. Asia - Hume Cemboard Industries from Malaysia will be launching a new type of environmentally friendly cement which is 100% asbestos free particularly topical given the recent debate in the UAE about introducing asbestos use regulations. In addition being asbestos free, the product is fire resistant, moisture resistance, weather resistant, sound insulated, thermal insulated and highest resistant to termite and rodent attack.

3. Middle East - Plastbau from the UAE has lightweight cement which helps to reduce construction time by 40% and costs by 30%. For the first time in the UAE, Dutch Digital Distributers will showcase its new solar powered air cooling and hot water products which provide effective ways for buildings to reduce their carbon emissions. Al Rajhi Holdings from Saudi Arabia will be bringing 6 of its brands to exhibit providing a spectrum of services across several sectors of the industry with Unipods, prefabricated bathroom pods; Cladtech, providing aluminum, glass, doors and windows; Romeo and interior design specialist; Pretech, manufacturing prefabricated concrete; Madagypsum fabricating plasterboards and plasters and Technobit which produces membranes.
4. North America - Canadian based Unicel Architecture will be showcasing its new product, Vision Control Mini which is a 1 airspace louvered insulating glass unit, ideal for door insertions. The unit is environmentally friendly as it helps reduce energy consumption, maximizes natural light, controls solar heat gain and reduces maintenance requirements. From the USA, Laser Products Industries will be bringing its state of the art LT-55 XL Precision Laser Templator which is used for the Granite/Marble & Solid Surfaces, Glass and Cabinet/Woodworking Industries and provides CAD ready dxf files directly on the job site.

5. South America - Opt for Wood Architecture from Chile creates prefabricated wooden buildings and will be showcasing a range of innovative construction systems which are created out of wood. With only 8 weeks construction time for commercial buildings and 3 to 4 weeks for residential all buildings can be dismantled and reassembled with ease and are the ideal solutions for anyone requiring immediate accommodation.

Mr Paula Al Chami show director for The Big 5 said that "Against the background of a global economic recession, there is a general feeling from our clients that the Middle East is starting to stabilize. This has been reflected in our previous clients re participating at the show with several new entrants from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, India and Egypt to name a few. The Big 5 is at a time when the industry will come together, network and put a considerable amount of the speculation to rest."

As the largest event of its kind in the Middle East, The Big 5 provides an unrivalled platform for architects, engineers, contractors and developers from the public and private sectors to network, source and specify the latest building and construction products and services. It will also feature an impressive line-up of added value elements including a Key Buyers Program, Product Seminars, a Conference Program and the acclaimed Gaia Awards.