day Big 5 Saudi exhibition ended Tuesday with record success, where more than 500 exhibitors from across the world showcased the latest developments in building and construction. Many of the exhibitors brought new products to the show, and there were a number of announcements made. Andy White, event director for The Big 5 Saudi, said: “For the second consecutive year, this event has surpassed all expectations in terms of participation, quality of exhibitors and the interactive environment that we have see between all exhibitors and visitors.” He further said “the Saudi construction market is the largest in the GCC and will continue to be for a number of years to come. The show floor has been a constant hive of activity and we expect to hear of a number of agreements, partnerships and business deals that have resulted from this week.” A significant part of this year's event focused on sustainability and innovation within this sector, with almost 30 percent of exhibitors classing their products within this category. UK company Dura Composites is a strong advocate for this and sees Saudi Arabia as a big market for such products. “Sustainable products are hugely important to the industry. They shouldn't be green at any cost, but if the specification can be met then the product chosen should be the greenest option,” its managing director Stuart Burns said. “The important thing for those within the industry is to keep sharing information. Green criteria and credentials are evolving so quickly that unless we come together the sector will be littered with expensive products that don't meet the right specification,” he added. The UAE's Emirates Steel was celebrating the commissioning of its latest expansion, with the first Heavy Section Mill in the region at a cost of around $650 million. From the US, Global Business Alliance launched its new Mould Care Products, including mould release waxes, polishing compounds, PVA, buffing pads, and molding clay. Closer to home, Hascro Baroom showcased its brand new scaffold training academy. Located at Yanbu, the purpose-built premises of 1,800m2 host a functioning scaffold yard, handling an average of 80 tons of product per day. The Big 5 Saudi will return to Jeddah on March 9-12, 2013. Before that, The Big 5, Middle East's largest event for the building and construction industry will take place in Dubai Nov. 5-8, 2012.With a legacy dating back more than 30 years, The Big 5 2012 will host more than 2,500 exhibitors from across the globe, with on site seminars, workshops and a full conference program.
