Regional providers of logistics and supply chain solutions will line-up at the upcoming Materials Handling Middle East exhibition with a clear message that their end-to-end solutions are key for clients to stay profitable in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Rising costs, changing consumer habits, customisation, and increasing competition are pressing challenges faced by all businesses involved with the efficient storage and movement of goods, whether in retail, automotive, FMCG, F&B, oil & gas, or pharmaceuticals.
In response, materials handling equipment suppliers are moving away from the traditional trader business model, and instead offering end-to-end turn-key consultancy solutions to ensure long-term success.
Alshaya Racking & Refrigeration is a headline exhibitorparticipating at Materials Handling Middle East 2017, and will showcase its expertise in racking and shelving systems, automation, supermarket solutions, doors and docking equipment.
Farzan Rizvi, Alshaya Racking & Refrigeration’s General Manager in the GCC, said its ‘one-stop shop’ approach has helped it to be associated with prominent projects such as Nesto Hypermarket, Union Coop, ENOC, DP World, Halliburton, Lulu Hyper Market, and Safi Danone.
“Customers are looking for solution providers with a one-stop-shop solution against the traditional trading product approach,” said Rizvi. “Our turnkey solutions are supported by high-quality industrial and warehousing equipment from internationally renowned brands such as Mecalux, Gokcelik and Angel Mir.
“Our solutions are designed based on extensive research of a project’s particular requirement with efficient logistics, which in return increases ROI and maximises profitability of our clients,” he added.
SPAN Group is a returning UAE-headquartered company eager to be part of Materials Handling Middle East, which takes place from 11-13 September 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Platinum Sponsor of the biennial three-day event aims to provide its customers with a comprehensive solution to enhance their supply chain and optimise their entire business operations – whether it’s the first step of logistics consultancy, to storage systems and warehouse accessories or smart solutions, right through to the final and critical step of safety and maintenance. This year, they’ve collaborated with their partners to demonstrate and touch on these aspects of the supply chain process.
Walid Daniel, the Managing Director of SPAN, said that with the change in consumer behaviour and the fragmentation of business, companies are seeking new ways to stay competitive, be better and faster to satisfy consumers’ requirements.
“Rising competition across industries in the MENA region has encouraged businesses to evolve and optimise their warehouse logistics and supply chain to meet the ever-growing complexity of customer service,” said Daniel. “Utilisation of intelligent systems and IT solutions to create a smart warehouse, and warehouse automation are ways to meet these challenges.
“However, automation is sometimes misunderstood as an application that involves 40 metre high buildings and Automated Guided Vehicles moving pallets around, but automation is also the application of pick/put-to-light; which requires a much smaller investment and significantly enhances productivity and efficiency.
“This is where SPAN is engaged with our customers, from end-to-end – from the point of entry, to the distribution centre, to the point of exit. A successful automation project has to feature the right technology but it also has to have the right service. Our industry is becoming more talent and people-oriented, because to succeed in service, you have to have the right people, then tools, and then systems,” added Daniel.
LEPEQ Fabrication from Lebanon is anotherreturning exhibitor to Materials Handling Middle East 2017, and a leading regional supplier of conveyor solutions for containers, packs and pallets, as well as complete Intra-logistics solutions and Automatic Truck Loading Systems.
Tony Meghabghab, Managing Director of LEPEQ Fabrication is a strong advocate for automation in logistics and material handling: “The continuous business increase makes the traditional ways of intra-logistics handling complicated,” said Meghabghab.
“Automation is the continuing trend to reduce manpower due to unavailability and increasing cost. The recent political situation is slowing down some mega investment, nevertheless, the potential for the future is enormous.
Added Meghabghab: “Artificial Intelligence and Industry 4.0 is advancing in Europe and no doubt the Middle East will be asking for the same. We are preparing the groundwork and our entire system infrastructure will integrate toindustry 4.0 in the coming years.”
Materials Handling Middle East is the region’s dedicated trade fair for intralogistics, supply chain management, freight and cargo,featuring 113 exhibitors from 20 countries and showcasing more than 200 brands.
Six of the world’s top 20 materials handling systems will take part this year, including Daifuku, SSI Schaefer, Dematic, Beumer Group, Swisslog, and Kardex, while leading local companies include GENAVCO, Acme, and Al Mawakeb Trading.
It will also feature the 2nd edition of the Supply Chain and Logistics Forum, an interactive summitbringing together regional industry professionals along with their international counterparts, government bodies, and policy makers to discuss key challenges and growth opportunities for logistics in the Middle East.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of Materials Handling Middle East, said: “The Middle East is known for adapting innovative new technologies and solutions, which is what draws leading industry players to Materials Handling Middle East.
“This year we’ve added a new Transport and Logistics section to the show floor, putting the spotlight on commercial vehicles and adding more focus on a sector that is poised to experience significant growth in the region.We’re also delighted to return with the Forklift Operator of the Year, where the UAE’s expert forklift jockeys go head to head to be crowned the country’s most skilled, safest, and efficient forklift operator.”
Show Profile
Materials Handling Middle East is the region’s only exhibition for the Materials Handling industry, covering products and services in intralogistics, warehousing, supply chain, freight and cargo. The biennial three-day event focuses on solutions for the six main sectors that are impacted by the materials handling industry, including logistics, FMCG, Automotive, Retail, Pharmaceuticals, and the Oil & Gas industries. Materials Handling Middle East 2015 featured 250 brands from 21 countries, and welcomed 4,498 visitors from 62 countries. The 2017 edition will put a spotlight on the latest international materials handling solutions, with a strong emphasis on automation, Industry 4.0 and information & communication technology.
Show website – www.materialshandlingme.com
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With some 2,400 employees at 30 locations, the company generates annual sales of over €640 million. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 30 subsidiaries and 55 international sales partners, allowing it to serve its customers on location in 175 countries. Messe Frankfurt events take place at approx. 50 locations around the globe. In 2016, a total of 138 trade fairs were held under the Messe Frankfurt umbrella, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Thanks to its far-reaching ties with the relevant sectors and to its international sales network, the Group looks after the business interests of its customers effectively. A comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
About Messe Frankfurt Middle East GmbH
The portfolio of events for Messe Frankfurt Middle East includes Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Jeddah, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Hardware+Tools Middle East, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Leatherworld Middle East, Light Middle East, Materials Handling Middle East, Materials Handling Saudi Arabia, Paperworld Middle East, and Prolight + Sound Middle East. The subsidiary also organises a series of conferences and seminars including the BOHS Worker Health Protection Conference, the Business in Beauty Summit, the Light Middle East Conference, Smart Traffic Middle East, and Future Mobility. For more information, please visit our website at www.messefrankfurtme.com
For more information, please contact:
Gareth Wright, Samah Mousa
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 3894 573
Gareth.wright@uae.messefrankfurt.com
Samah.mousa@uae.messefrankfurt.com
