A welding competition along with a conference on 3D printing and additive manufacturing are among the new features lined up for the 20th edition of the Hardware + Tools Middle East, to be held in Dubai, UAE, this June.

The event is the Middle East and Africa’s (MEA) dedicated trade fair for hardware, tools, construction materials and machinery. It will take place from June 10 to 12, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East has confirmed new highlights for the benefit of thousands of regional construction contractors, fit-out firms, steel fabricators, traders, importers and distributors.

This year, the Middle East’s Best Welder competition is the first of its kind in the region, inviting technical professionals in steel fabrication and welding to three days of intense competition held in partnership with the Middle East Industrial Training Institute (MEITI), said a statement from the organiser.

The two-day Additive Manufacturing Middle East Conference is another new highlight this year. That’s in addition to the exhibition itself, where more than 115 exhibitors from across the globe will present their latest tools, hardware, materials and machinery for regional business owners, and professionals in the construction, fabrication and technical industries, it said.

The likes of Tata Agrico, Murata Machinery, Schunk Group, and Scherer Group are among the more than 100 manufacturers and suppliers, eager to tap into Dubai’s status as a key importer and exporter of hardware, tools, and machinery. According to Dubai Customs, the emirate’s trade for hardware and tools in 2017 was worth $1.3 billion. That includes imports ($925 million), along with exports and re-exports ($378 million), into neighbouring countries of items such as rock drilling or earth boring interchangeable hand tools, mountings, fittings and non-household hand tools.

Dishan Isaac, show director for Hardware + Tools Middle East, said: “Industry  professionals understand the importance of keeping up to date with new products, services and technology in the field. The event is the perfect platform to meet new contacts, discuss trends and technological developments, and source new products and solutions.  As is customary, we’ve added new highlights this year,” Isaac concluded.