As Messe Frankfurt’s biennial Materials Handling swings by this year, participants from the segment will be looking to capitalise on the $86bn worth of infrastructure investments underway in the GCC.
Projects in the Gulf, up 78% in 2014 on 2013, have dramatically increased the demand for material handling, and the upbeat sentiment is being reflected in a sell-out of exhibition space at the event.
Returning headline companies to the trade show include the UAE-based powerhouses: Kanoo Group, Al Futtaim Motors, GENAVCO, SPAN Group, and Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO).
“The continued growth in the sector can not only be attributed to the continued infrastructural development across the region but also to increasing demand for a streamlined supply chain and logistical framework from a growing number of regional businesses,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt.
Al Futtaim Motors’ commercial vehicles division will showcase its Hino Trucks and Toyota Material Handling equipment – including Toyota and Raymond Forklifts – and BT Warehouse Equipment.
Vladimir Knezevic, MD of Al Futtaim Motors Commercial Vehicles, said: “Thanks to the wide range of products offered by Hino Motors and Toyota Material Handling, our target customers varies from SMEs to large distribution companies, and from FMCG and logistic companies to construction and governmental institutions.
GENAVCO, will showcase some of the world’s leading brands in warehousing equipment, racking and shelving systems, including Crown, JLG, Weiro, and Flexi articulated trucks.
“Having a diversified product range improves a dealer’s ability to adapt. If one is not doing so well, the others can compensate and fill in those gaps. It makes our overall business more robust in the face of market fluctuations,” said Asif Khan, GM of GENAVCO’s equipment business unit.
Newcomers to this year’s show include Bulmor Industries from Austria and UAE-based Aikah Establishment, which is launching the Italian brand OMG boasting materials handling equipment for both warehouse and rough terrain applications.
Riaz Ahmed, GM of Engineering Products Division at Aikah Establishment for General Trading, said: “By taking part in this exhibition we will attain new customers and enhance our brand’s presence across the region. Currently we are focusing on the UAE, but are looking at expanding our footprint across the GCC.”
