THE formidable manufacturing and industrial sector of the region is driving up demand for welding and cutting equipment in the UAE and the rest of Arabia.

According to the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting, the contribution of the industrial sector in GCC countries’ GDP ranged between 9.5 per cent and 10.5 per cent from 2001 to 2012, except for 2008 when it was reduced to 8.5 per cent because of the global financial crisis.

And, with the current fall in oil prices being seen as a wake-up call for Arabia to adopt better economic diversification strategies, the manufacturing sector is set to continue its robust growth.

The welding sector will thus be an essential component of the regional steel fabrication, metal working and metal manufacturing industry, highlighting the importance of the premier regional trade fair – SteelFab.

“SteelFab has been an important event for the region’s steel fabrication and metal working industry since the past decade. Now, with the introduction of a special segment for welding and cutting a couple of years ago, SteelFab has become a reliable sourcing platform for not just welding machines but a complete range of welding and cutting equipment and devices,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

Al Midfa was speaking ahead of the 11th SteelFab 2015, the region’s premier metal working, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication trade fair which will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from January 26 to 29.

“In Arabia, it is important to note that the regional industry consists of fabrication yards and engineering workshops and not welding shops, hence a complete show like SteelFab is the precise answer to the complete procurement needs of the regional industry,” added Al Midfa.

Scene at a previous SteelFab show

While the number of welding and cutting brands/exhibitors in the 2008 edition of SteelFab stood at 143, the number soared at the 2014 event to 294.

“This underscores the significance of the platform for welding and cutting equipment manufacturers to reach out to the Middle East and surrounding markets. SteelFab has also been a market-entry vehicle for numerous welding brands,” said Naveen Fernandes, group exhibition manager, Expo Centre Sharjah.

“Leading brands such as Miller, Lincoln Electric, Esab, Fronius, Kemppi, Lorch, Jackle and several others have chosen SteelFab as the exhibition of choice, which underlines the importance of the show.”

The fall in crude prices is set to encourage regional oil producers to focus more on the non-oil sector, with manufacturing and industrial segments primed to receive more attention in order to sustain the prevailing growth momentum.

SteelFab’s special focus areas include material handling, machine tools and pipe and tube machinery and welding and cutting. The new pavilions include Steel-Tech, Fabricators and Steel Showcase. There will be live displays, technical seminars and product presentations. The organisers said the forthcoming Steelfab would be a prominent event giving a shot in the arm for diversification efforts.

The special section on welding and cutting will showcase machines/power sources –conventional, arc, plasma, tig and mig/mag; consumables, electrodes, wire and flux; accessories, beam welding systems, seam welding lines and special purpose welding systems; cutting systems – CNC plasma, oxyfuel, laser and waterjet; pipe construction, orbital welding, cutting and beveling.

The event takes place at Expo Centre Sharjah from January 26 to 29 and exhibition timings are 10 am to 7 pm daily. Admission is free and strictly restricted to trade and professional visitors only.