The appearance of major international names in hollowware glassmaking technology at the 2009 Gulf Glass exhibition (1618 March, Sharjah, UAE) reinforces the message that for this industry not everythi…
The appearance of major international names in hollowware glassmaking technology at the 2009 Gulf Glass exhibition (1618 March, Sharjah, UAE) reinforces the message that for this industry not everything is on the slide and, indeed, prospects in the Middle East are good for more growth in container glass, say the event organizers. Already confirmed at the show, the third in the series, are leaders such as Sklostroj Turnov (Turnov, Czech Republic), Lattimer (Southport, UK), Ernst Pennekamp (Ennepetal, Germany), and Gedevelop (Helsingborg, Sweden). With the enormous amount of building activity taking place in recent years in the Middle East, and particularly in the Emirates, much of the marketing emphasis by suppliers has been concentrated in the flat glass sector. Clearly there is going to be an easing off in demand for the end product following the postponement of many projects. The Gulf Glass event director, Kevin Hudson, has just returned from a special short tour in the UAE. While there, he spoke to representatives from glassmaking, glass processing and machinery supplier companies, both in order to get their views and to plan for the future. “Clearly there is a sense of nervousness in the business – it would be remarkable if there weren“t,” said Mr Hudson, “but underlying this I believe there is nevertheless a recognition that taking a global view, the GCC and wider Middle East still represent good markets for our exhibitors”. “Competition is bound under these circumstances to be somewhat tougher than before but at least this sort of atmosphere tends to be a very good driver for technical improvements. Of course, it should, conversely, also be good news for our visitors from all around the region. There will never be a better opportunity for them to hammer out a really good deal on the exhibition floor”. “I“ve certainly seen an indication that this is being picked up around the area – several Egyptian and Turkish manufacturers, for instance, have made enquiries just this week. We have the very best international machinery and materials groups out on parade in Sharjah next month and they are all very keen to secure the business they need to take them ahead”. The container side of the industry has been less affected by the global downturn, certainly compared to construction glass in the UAE, and the upswing in demand for container glass continues from the Maghreb across Egypt, Turkey, Iran and the rest of the Middle East, the GCC and neighbouring East Africa. This has evidently changed the thinking of a couple of other international suppliers that specialise in this sector and that are currently considering exhibiting at Gulf Glass for the very first time, the event organisers say. “Despite the economic climate, we already have other exhibitors this year who have never participated before and we would naturally welcome others who are contemplating dipping a toe in the water”, said Mr Hudson. “The continuing force of the event means everyone can maximise the chances that are out there and realise the potential that still makes this an attractive market”.