Steelfab promises rebounding trend

With prevalent skepticism at the projected marginal growth trends, the recently concluded Steelfab exhibition helped harbor fears and suggested robust growth this year as stakeholders rooted for double digit growth in the region.

 
Affirmative economic development plans, infrastructure projects, expansions and a general support network by regional governments have helped steer the course for a rebound in the steel industry.

“The growth is facilitated by construction and infrastructure projects being initiated by regional economies that have benefitted from high oil prices over the past three years. The regional steel fabrication and metal working industry is a direct beneficiary of this growth, which was amply demonstrated at SteelFab 2013 through better than expected visitor turnout and sales leads,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

During its four day run, the exhibition at the Sharjah Expo Centre, hosted 250 direct exhibitors  from  24  countries, representing more than 600 brands of steel with approximately 7297 visitors. It was unanimously accepted by multiple exhibitors  that  Steelfab was the most successful regional show, attracting tons of exhibitors, customers and marketers from GCC markets such as Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Pascaline Carpen,  Sales Executive at Digi Matrix said that they intend to target the regional metal cutting industry. Exhibiting the new Digi laser-fiber laser cutting machines – applicable to stainless steel, carbon steel alloy, galvanised steel and other metal sheets at Steelfab - this was the company’s debut participation at the regional platform. Launched in 2007, Digi Matrix has most of its products imported from Korea and deals with different types of machines.

‘The market is becoming steady as we see a lot of business activities spurting. We are also keen to receive a lot of inquiries and business perspectives from the Gulf region,’ said Carpen.

Sharif Alqadi, Steel Division Manager at Mnafe Al Khaleej exhibited four types of machines at Steelfab – FIBERMAK; Fiber laser cutting machine, which can cut up to 20mm mild steel and 8mm aluminum and metal, Power band PRO. 3 Axes CNC press brake, IDROLINE and MILETONE; waterjet cutting systems and EKN – Iron worker.

Participating for the first time in Steelfab, the company is expecting a positive response in terms of inquiries and customers. Mnafe Al Khaleef, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with sale offices in Qatar and Kuwait, has been operating in the industry since 15 years. The company plans to launch the new Fiber Laser Machines next year which will be able to cut copper and bronze too.

‘Steel  projects in terms of  infrastructure and economic development are coming up here in Dubai, and also in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the biggest market in the Gulf region with Oman and UAE following suite. The region is growing but shows stability.’

Nassim Bouzid, Representative, Steel Projects said that the target application of its products was the steel construction sector. Dealing with building machines for the steel construction industry, the company has agents in Beirut and Sharjah.

The company exhibited CNC Coping and thermal cutting plates machines at Steelfab this year. Participating in the event for the 5th time, Steel Projects has always been satisfied with the show as Sharjah remains one of its strongest markets. The company has plans on lbalerínky