Initial reaction: InterMat Middle East 2012. All quiet near the Western region?
Does the region’s very own InterMat-lite prove that there is a need for a second heavy machinery show in the UAE? If you’re looking to re-new your fleet and you are around Abu Dhabi this week go to InterMat Middle East. And wear a hat. For years Big-5 was the only show in town when […]
InterMat Middle East has got attracted high level support
Does the region’s very own InterMat-lite prove that there is a need for a second heavy machinery show in the UAE?
If you’re looking to re-new your fleet and you are around Abu Dhabi this week go to InterMat Middle East. And wear a hat.
For years Big-5 was the only show in town when it came to showcases for machinery and equipment in the UAE. The archetypal construction event, Big-5 encompasses the complete chain from drawing board to foundation to construction and fit out. However as it grew on the back of the boom at the end of the last decade, the machinery side of the event found itself increasingly marginalised.
The launch of PMV Live, an event within event, has helped divert attention back from the halls of taps and tiles but just as that started to gain momentum on the back of a busy 2011 event, it now faces a new challenge from upstart InterMat Middle East.
That event opened for its second run at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi’s exhibition venue on Monday, wisely ditching some of the general construction fare of last year’s event to focus on construction equipment and machinery.
Whether the resulting show is for you will depend on how much money you’ve got to play with.
The Chinese exhibitors that filled the central outdoor area last time around seemed to have got lost on the way (with the exception of LiuGong) to its new location at the other side of ADNEC. The remaining line-up is dominated by Western manufacturers and some local heavy hitters such as Manitowoc, Putzmeister, Sennebogen, JCB alongside partners and UAE names Kanoo, NFT and Al Faris. Throw in LiuGong, Doosan and Kobelco and you have got a fairly strong selection of kit – much of it new – to look at if you’re not a bargain basement shopper.
It is a shame then that the lack of shade with the mercury topping 40-degrees plus put a lot of visitors off spending much time outside. And indoors an early morning surge saw a drop off in the afternoon that made the 100 exhibitor event desperately quiet during and after lunch.
The exhibitor list may be short but it is pretty varied. It also seems to have attracted some of the higher brass from many companies to Abu Dhabi. Wander on a stand and you may find yourself having a chat with the man that could make a real difference to your existing partnership or open doors to a new one.
Anyone on the contracting side should also benefit from the fine conference that is underway as well as the show floor governmental representation.
It may lack the spectacle and buzz of Paris but the fact that it has genuinely new equipment and high level attendance makes it deserving of your attention. With many exhibitors opting to choose InterMat Middle East over Big-5 it may be the only chance to see some of this kit side by side for some time (where else will you be able to look at both JCB and Bobcat compacts at the same time and metres apart?).
If you’re looking to re-new your fleet and you are around Abu Dhabi this week you really ought to be going to InterMat Middle East. But also make sure you go to Big-5 in November and then decide whether the region needs two shows.
