Dubai, UAE: The 18th edition of Hardware + Tools Middle East completed a successful three-day run at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, with both exhibitors and trade visitors expressing excitement at the potential of future business in the region.

The annual event, which concluded on 24th May 2017, is the only dedicated trade and business networking showcase for hardware, tools, materials and machinery in the wider Middle East. It featured 166 exhibitors showcasing more than 250 brands, while attracting 2,988 visitors from 67 countries – a steady four per cent increase over 2016.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Hardware + Tools Middle East 2017 featured a wide range of product launches by international exhibitors looking to widen their market reach by leveraging the strengths of the show.

“The expansion in scope points to the demand that exists in this region for tools, materials and machinery of the highest quality, while we’re witnessing an increase in demand for DIY solutions as well.”

Hardware + Tools Middle East 2017 featured the inaugural Tool It! Challenge, inviting 48 of the UAE’s finest carpenters, technicians, and expert operators to a live competition.

Armed with tools provided by sponsors Bosch, 3M, Hitachi, and Nitto Khoki, the skilled craftsmen drilled, cut, and ground their way to ultimate glory among industry peers in five categories: drilling and screwing for both wood and metal, and measuring.

It came down to the top three craftsmen for each category, with the final winners celebrated by their colleagues and professionals from the construction, technical, and fabrication industries.

Taking home the spoils was Khalil Miah from Sarco Building Contracting Company, who won two categories: the Metal Drilling category by Nitto Khoki, and the Measuring Tools category sponsored by Bosch.

Other winners were Jagan Sekar from Al Fajer Contracting, who won the Metal Grinding by 3M category; Inderjit Singh from Divine Creations for Metal Screwing by Hitachi, and Nathu Sharma from Al Fajer, who took home the Wood Screwing Gold Medal, also sponsored by Bosch.

Meanwhile, exhibitors were highly enthused by the business generated and positive contacts with trade buyers made and the likelihood of future deals made possible by interactions during the show.

According to Imad Abu Hadwan, Area Sales Manager of Hitachi: “Hardware and Tools 2017 has been a great show for us. This is our first year participating at a focused show like this and it has impressed us so much that we already look forward to returning next year.

“We are pleased to have been part of the new feature, Tool It! Challenge, which allowed us to showcase the quality of our products and their uses, in a better way to the audience. Overall in terms of business, the show is one of its kind and is different from other shows that don’t consider the satisfaction of exhibitors.”

Tamer Khalil, Production and Service Manager of Central Motors and Equipment, which debuted a wide range of Bosch products at the show added: “The show was great, not only for us, but also for the other participants. It gives us the exposure that is needed for a big brand like us and it helps us reach out to untapped regions in the market.

“The new competition that was organised was indeed great exposure for our products and also gave us a chance to interact with the industry specialists, construction workers and others. We are glad to have been part of this show and look forward to its upcoming editions.”

Also looking forward to returning for the next edition following an encouraging outing was Sumit Kumar Chordia, Managing Director of Dar Al Mas Tools and Equipment, who said: “We’ve been part of the show last year too and we can without doubt say that this year has been busier.



“We’ve had visitors from all over the region that are keen on doing long term business with us. To our surprise, we’ve also had visitors from different segments of the market that were unknown to us. Hardware + Tools Middle East has all our support and we look forward to the next editions and the new features that will come along with it.”

Hardware + Tools Middle East 2017 also featured the Expert Zone, a dedicated showcase of the latest innovative products and cutting-edge solutions developed by global hardware and tools manufacturers, which are earmarked to shape the future of the industry. More information is available at www.hardwaretoolsme.com.