THE 10th edition of the region’s premier exhibition for the metal working, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry SteelFab 2014 is set to be a landmark event, with the show on track to register a 50 per cent surge in exhibition space and a 25 per cent rise in the number of exhibitors.

The rising demand for fabricated steel on the back of continuing infrastructure investments, real estate and construction sector growth is encouraging regional players to increase capacity, thus making the event a much-antici-pated one.

“The region is heavily reliant on imports for all its machinery needs. Recently there has been some machinery building in the region, but it is very small and largely limited to assembly. Overall more than 98 per cent of all machinery requirements are met from imports,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

“It is important for machinery and equipment suppliers to showcase and demonstrate their products, and SteelFab provides the annual platform for the worldwide manufacturers to do just that. Apart from direct sales orders, it is an important stage for the industry to view the latest technology on offer” he added.

Market players say local steel traders may increase purchases of import products if the UAE continues to carry on with its infrastructure projects.

“Responding to a surge in demand for equipment from regional players, we have expanded our offerings to the industry in terms of number of exhibitors, special focus areas and exhibition area,” said Al Midfa.

To be held from January 20 to 23, SteelFab 2014 will fully utilise the newly constructed additional hall at Expo Centre Sharjah, adding 8,000 sq m to the show. Thus, the show size is set to increase by 50 per cent to 24,000 sq m. Going by the bookings till now, exhibitors are also expected to increase by about 25 per cent to about 300 for the upcoming edition.

“SteelFab has achieved new benchmarks with every edition of the show, starting with 48 exhibitors in 2004 and reaching 242 direct participants representing 600 brands at the 2013 show. Actual floor space has increased from 1,200 sq m (2004) to 16,000 (2013). Direct exhibitor numbers from Italy, Germany and other European countries have also increased,” said Al Midfa.

Germany and Taiwan have confirmed special pavilions for SteelFab 2014, while Italy and Turkey are facilitating the participation of large contingents.

Aimed at making SteelFab 2014 a complete steel industry event, three new segments have been added to the show – Steel-Tech, Fabricators Pavilion and Steel Showcase. This is apart from regular focus areas like Welding & Cutting, Material Handling, Machine Tools and Pipe & Tube Machinery, as well as a special section on Used and Re-Conditioned Machinery.

With the regular exhibitors will be new exhibitors including Amada, Bystronic, DMG Mori Seiki, Durmazlar, Eckert, ESP Machinery, Fagor Automation, Faspar, Galagar Welding, Hyundai Machine Tools, Kuhtreiber, OMSG, Promotech, Python-X, Salvagnini, Sarcoil and Techniweld.

International and regional industry bodies that have thrown their weight behind the show include UCIMU Sistemi Per Produrre – The Association Of Italian Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots, Automation Systems and Ancillary Products; Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA); the German Engineering Federation (VDMA); the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI); Machinery Trade International (MTI); UAE Contractors Association.