The Big 5, as the name suggests, is the largest trade
event for the building and construction sector in the UAE
The Big 5 trade show taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) from November 25 to 29 is a unique event, combining seven major exhibitions under one roof, and featuring more than 2,000 companies from 67 countries.
It is the largest showcase of the latest products and services for the building and construction sector, including air conditioning and refrigeration, water technology and the environment, marble, stone and ceramics. Last year's show attracted more than 2,000 exhibitors.
Being the most comprehensive event of the year for contractors, specifiers, architects, engineers and buyers throughout the GCC countries, the Big 5 is also the annual meeting place for all industry professionals.
About 41,058 key buyers and decision-makers from the public and private sectors attended the 2006 event, including architects, engineers, contractors and other specifiers.
"The Big 5's success is based on its unique combination of all seven key sectors related to building and construction displayed under one roof," says Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai, organisers of The Big 5.
"This makes it a vital sourcing point for the region's key decision-makers. The Middle East is one of the busiest markets anywhere in the world and exhibitors recognise that as well as attracting orders during the show, they can also make invaluable long-term contacts that will help grow their business throughout the region and beyond."
Each section of the show is the ideal venue to see and to be seen. Building and construction section is the largest event for suppliers of systems, components, materials, fittings and services to the buoyant building sector in the Middle East.
Water Technology and Environment is the only specialist event of its kind in the Middle East. Over the next 25 years, the UAE alone will spend more than $7 billion (about Dh25.69 billion) to develop its water resources.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Cleaning and Maintenance, Glass and Metal Bathrooms and Ceramics and Marble and Stone are all important sectors contributing to the success of the construction industry.
All these complementary sectors can find not only new products and services related to their businesses but also interact with players from across the region and forge new relationships.
Industry platform
Arminox Gulf is participating in The Big Five. Its contribution to the construction industry has been valuable as it provides stainless steel reinforcement, which enables the designers to operate with an expected maintenance-free lifetime of 100 years or more.
"Since structures are becoming larger and complex and require enormous investments, the durability of these structures is becoming the most important factor.
"Arminox's stainless steel reinforcement is not only long lasting but also one of the most environment-friendly construction materials, as it is a recycled product and there is minimal waste of resources for production, installation, maintenance and repair, and these savings can be invested in new environment-friendly projects instead," says Torben Krebs, General Manager of Arminox Gulf.
He believes that the latest decision to make Dubai buildings go 'green' is a giant leap forward, as it will do away with a lot of wastage, such as the enormous waste of cooling in non-insulated buildings with excessive use of glass cladding.
BFS Industries of Dubai are specialists of formwork and shoring systems.
"During The Big Five, we are launching a brand new formwork system, which is sure to find a lot of interest in this market. We think the show is the ideal platform to launch such a fantastic and new product," says Christy Johanna, Administration Manager of BFS Industries.
Jengen Establishment is introducing different types of pumps and pump sets during the show.
"We have participated in The Big Five for the last few years and have received good response from visitors and other industry professionals for our products," says Suhas Ruikar, Manager, Marketing and Sales at Jengen.
Joseph Jose, Product Manager at Middle East Insulation LLC says, "We are the leaders in the Middle East for different types of doors and roof cladding. We will also introduce new types of doors in this market during The Big Five. This is a prestigious show for us and gives us maximum exposure to the region. Bin Ghurair Trading LLC is our sister concern working with us at the show."
Ebey Elias of Dutco Tennant and BCL, which deals with infrastructure and water works, says, "We will be displaying our product range including valves, miscellaneous accessories and products related to our business during the show. We have been participating in The Big Five for a long time."
MAHY Khoory, one of the well-known companies of the UAE has been participating regularly in the event.
Showcasing the best
"We exhibit all our products during the show as we get to be known throughout the region and beyond. This year, a new range of water heaters, including solar water heaters, will take pride of place at the event.
"There will also be a wide range of motors and pumps from world-renowned companies at our stall," says John Raymond, Marketing Manager.
"As world leaders in bathrooms and offering complete bathroom solutions, Roca wants to innovate and work together with the developers in the UAE and the region on a sustainable design future.
"The Roca group has been trying to save water and energy in all our designs. This year will be the first time that Roca is participating in The Big Five as Roca even though we have always been there as part of our exclusive distributor, Al Shamsi.
"We consider the show as the most important trade show in the Middle East," says Victor Schoone, Regional Manager for the Middle East, Roca Group.
Exclusive products
"In the last 16 years, RAK Ceramics has created the largest and most exclusive product lines in the ceramic world with new styles offered every month, appealing to all market segments, such as interior designers and architects, engineers, major retail chains, corporate organisation, do-it-yourself retailers and home owners," says Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah-based company.
RAK Ceramics is displaying the latest sanitaryware suites at The Big 5.
One of the most commercially successful trade fairs in Dubai, The Big 5 features national pavilions from major exporting countries of the world, alongside important local developers, contractors, importers, manufacturers and distributors.
Among the national pavilions, the biggest and most visible is the German pavilion, which covers about 6,500 square metres in the Zabeel hall.
The Big 5 PMV
This year, another exhibition connected to the construction industry, The Big 5 PMV exhibition, featuring the latest in plant, construction vehicles, machinery and equipment, is taking place simultaneously at the Airport Expo.
"More than 2,100 existing and planned projects, valued at $1.2 trillion (about Dh4.4 trillion), are already underway in the GCC, and investment will rise even further as the Middle East countries continue with their essential infrastructure development and expansion plans," says Walsh.
"This has seen the region become the world's largest market for plant, construction vehicles, machinery and equipment - having recognised this, we decided that a dedicated exhibition for this sector of the market was essential, hence the creation of The Big 5 PMV exhibition, organised in conjunction with the Streamline Marketing Group."
As usual, on all days of the show, there will be seminars on various topics related to the industries represented at The Big Five and The Big 5 PMV. Industry experts will speak at these seminars held in rooms A and B above the Al Maktoum Hall at the DIEC.
"We're looking forward to highly successful shows this year. Our overriding objective has always been to provide the best ever platform for the regional industry - the continued expansion of The Big 5 and the creation of The Big 5 PMV clearly demonstrates our commitment to look at additions and enhancements that will achieve this," says Walsh.
