Kuwait set for biggest construction expo 

Leading players from the building and construction sector will showcase their new and innovative products and services at The Big 5 Kuwait 2015, the country’s largest industry expo, which opens tomorrow (September 14).

The event, which runs till September 16 at the Kuwait International Fair grounds, will witness more exhibition space exclusively for building interior products and a bigger open-air plant, machinery and vehicle (PMV) Product Zone.

In addition, the expo will feature over 20 free-to-attend CPD (continuing professional development)-accredited workshops delivered by industry experts on current topics beneficial for professionals such as architects, interior designers, consultants, procurement managers, contractors, real estate developers, engineers, and government sector personnel.

Following overwhelming response to its educational feature during last year’s show, The Big 5 Kuwait 2015 has tripled the number of workshops that will empower industry professionals with deeper market insight and current trends and expertise.

Some of the top-line speakers at the workshops include Dr Ioannis ‘Yianni’ Spanos, senior sustainability manager at KEO International Consultants; Stewart Cripps, HSE (health, safety and environment) co-ordinator at SSH; Mike Wood, consultant for Ministry of Electricity and Water; Mohammed Abdulrazzak, the vice-chairman (technical committee) at Kuwait Green Building Council; Zack Abdi, the managing director, Provectus Consulting; and Dr Moetaz Al Hawary, the president, American Concrete Institute Kuwait Chapter.

Ashley Roberts, the events director of The Big 5 Kuwait, said: “Currently, there are almost $188 billion worth of projects in Kuwait under various stages of planning and construction and the allocation of $7.2 billion in the 2015-2016 budget for the construction sector provides further stimulus to the industry.”

“The Big 5 Kuwait complements the dynamics of the country’s burgeoning building and construction industry that is on the lookout for new and innovative products and services from international suppliers and manufacturers under one roof,” stated Roberts.

“In response to a survey conducted during last year’s edition of the show, 41 per cent of visitors had sought more variety in building interiors products, The Big 5 Kuwait 2015 has opened a new zone specially dedicated to building interiors products,” he added.

The third edition of The Big 5 Kuwait will attract potential visitors from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE. It will source the latest and most innovative products and services from around the world to cater to the demands of the thriving GCC’s construction sector.

Mark Westermayer, the director for marketing at Kimmco, said: “We are delighted to once again be part of The Big 5 Kuwait, locally the foremost annual construction event. As the leading insulation solution provider across the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) and South East Asian region, we look for specific events that will help us showcase our unique portfolio of solutions and superior technical services to our clientele.”

“The Big 5 attracts the required audience and creates a platform for us to do just that – allows us to meet and interact with a broad group of stakeholders, including existing and potential customers, key decision makers and government officials,” he added.

The open-air (PMV) Product Zone will draw visitors to a huge display of hitech plants, modern machinery and the latest vehicles from an array of international manufacturers such as JCB, Mercedes Benz, Bobcat and XCMG.

Visitors will have the chance to source the widest section of heavy machinery and construction vehicles in one place, saving time and money.

JCB Middle East, the leader in construction machinery, along with local partner Riham General Trading, will be out in force at the expo.

The company will also showcase for the first time in Kuwait the performance of its diggers (backhoes) famous throughout the world as ‘Dancing Digger Show.’

During the show, a team of expert backhoe operators will perform synchronised routines in which their diggers dance to music. The stunts will also include driving a machine under a machine raised up on its hydraulic arms, showing the versatility and performance of the JCB machines.

The tradition of JCB stunts using elaborated machines manoeuvres performed for the TV cameras began by Joseph Cyril Bamford in 1960.

David Peterson, the general manager, Riham JCB-Kuwait, said: “JCB is equally renowned for its ‘Dancing Digger Show’ along with its construction machinery. We are looking forward to showcase an exemplary display of agility, precision and strength during our participation at The Big 5 Kuwait 2015 to entertain the audience as well as showcase the power of our equipment. The thrilling act promises to amaze and impress visitors while highlighting the efforts of our expert performers.”

Another major player at the expo will be AR Albisher & Z Alkazemi Company, the authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait.

The company will display its fuel-efficient “Actros made for ME” with PowerShift gearshift technology, FleetBoard and other Actros market-leading models, featuring the latest technology enhancements for construction applications such as concrete mixer and wear-resistant steel tipper.

“We will introduce the special and thoroughbred off-road truck “Zetros” for the first time in Kuwait at Big 5. The display area for the PMV Zone will enable us to comfortably showcase the new vehicles and also give demonstration to our clients,” stated Ralph Geyer, the general manager (commercial vehicles and Daimler buses) at AR Albisher & Z Alkazemi Company.

“We are pleased that the organisers have increased the exhibition space to accommodate more exhibitors in 2015 and are confident for a further boost in the number of visitors in this occasion,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service