SteelFab

SteelFab 2018 vows a fabulous show

A throng of visitors at a previous SteelFab event

The upcoming trade event – SteelFab 2018 – is promising to end the search of steel fabricators, looking constantly for better efficiency, customised solutions and consistent quality that drives them to newer technology and high-tech machinery.

The annual trade event, which has won the trust of the regional metal working industry by providing them the best solutions, year after year, will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from January 15 to 18.

Leveraging on the success of the previous edition held in 2017, the 14th edition of SteelFab will look to strengthen its position as the region’s largest and longest running trade fair dedicated to the metal working industry, bringing global manufacturers, suppliers and industry experts at a single place for their convenience.

Besides, for the first time, SteelFab will be bringing the renowned German excellence in technology, engineering and innovation to the region through its tie-up with Messe Essen and International Tube Association (ITA).

“Foreign partnerships have always been the mainstay of SteelFab. In our latest endeavour, the tie-up with Messe Essen will see the launch of a special pavilion -- Essen Welding & Cutting Pavilion, while the partnership with ITA for the second consecutive year will help us focus more on pipes and tubes machinery and tools. Both the tie-ups are important to us since they underscore our commitment to introduce better technology and machinery to the region,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

SteelFab 2018 will be organised and hosted by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Messe Essen and ITA join the list of supporting foreign industry associations such as Ucimu Sistemi Per Produrre (Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots, Automation Systems and Ancillary Products), DVS and Auma from Germany, Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry and UAE Contractors Association.

“Messe Essen organises the Schweissen & Schneiden fair, one of Europe’s largest gatherings of welding, cutting, and finishing industry professionals, while the ITA is the world’s largest and most influential association for the tube and pipe industries. They are names to reckon with globally and add great value to SteelFab,” added Al Midfa.

The continuing tie-up with ITA will help the Association’s 900 members from more than 70 countries to present equipment, innovations, machines and technology for the regional tubes and pipes industry.

The regional metal working industry is embracing technological innovations to build better products, operate more efficiently, and satisfy the rising expectations of customers. The regional units also need the necessary know-how and expertise to fully leverage the new technology strategically. SteelFab 2018 will help visitors take the technological leap forward, he said.

With nearly a thousand brands from across the world on display, SteelFab 2018 will be a truly international event for all kinds of metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing requirements.

The increasing foreign support will also boost participation from countries such as Italy, Taiwan, Turkey, India and China, apart from Germany, which will have two pavilions this time – the regular German Pavilion and the inaugural Essen Welding & Cutting Pavilion.

Fasteners World ME, a dedicated trade fair for the fastener and fixing industry that will be held simultaneously with SteelFab, will offer the best sourcing point for industrial fasteners and fixings, construction fixings, assembly and installation systems and fastener manufacturing technology.

SteelFab 2018 will look to build on the impressive performance of its previous edition, which featured 342 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries and attracted 7,950 visitors from 83 countries during its four-day run.

Besides, the show has a lot to gain from strong economic tailwinds that include a projected jump of 14 per cent in non-oil contribution to the UAE’s GDP in four years due to rapid diversification of its economy, the UAE remaining the most competitive economy in the region and 17th most competitive economy globally, and increasing spending on mega events like the World Expo 2020.

According to the International Monetary Fund, the UAE’s economic growth is set accelerate to 4.4 per cent in 2018, driven by rebound in investment, manufacturing and trade, the fastest in the region.