Three trade fair organizers – Messe Essen, Messe Dusseldorf and Al Fajer Information & Services – have joined hands to launch Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting 2013, a first-of-its-kind industry exhibition dedicated to welding machinery and technology for the Middle East. The formal launch took place at a well-attended press conference in Dubai on 21 March this year. The new show will be part of the established twin shows - Tekno Arabia and Tube Arabia – and will be held from 7 to 10 January, 2013, at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The welding show will complement the leading position of the Tekno and Tube trade fairs, which have established themselves as international events for industrial machinery, metal working, machine tools, tubes and pipes. All three exhibitions will offer an ideal platform for companies to gain inroads in the booming Middle East market, according to Dr. Ing. Klaus Middeldorf, General Manager of DVS - German Welding Society that is supporting the new welding exhibition.

Peter Byroslawsky, Executive Secretary, International Tube Association (ITA), which has supported Tube Arabia since 2007 said: "Tube and pipe manufacturers in the GCC look at the region as a very vibrant market where production of tubes and pipes is increasing every year. We are glad that Tube Arabia is occupying a leading position not only in the region but also worldwide." According to a recent report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., the global welding machinery market will reach US$ 12.8 billion by 2015. Dr. Middeldorf revealed that the Middle East constitutes 15 percent of this volume, due to extensive usage of welding in oil and gas, which is valued at US$ 2 Billion.

Frank Thorwirth, CEO, Messe Essen GmbH said: "The UAE and GCC are becoming a preferred production base for international welding technology as the region is executing several large scale construction projects and investments in infrastructure. This has encouraged us to launch this first of its kind industry expo in the region. International welding companies are hungry to grab a market share of the rapidly evolving welding industry in the MENA region." Werner M. Dornscheidt, CEO, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH said: “By bundling the expertise of three strong fair organizers as well as the knowledge and expertise of the DVS and the ITA, we aim to make the Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting, Tekno Arabia and Tube Arabia a significant industry component. In the last six years, we have been working with Al Fajer on many industry exhibitions, and we think that we can drive our success through this major exhibition.” Frank Thorwirth added: “Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting 2013 will focus on welding, cutting and laminating. Factors influencing the welding market in the Middle East include resurgence of global construction industry and the robust expansion of the energy sector. Further, the increased investments in the high speed rail networks are poised to drive market growth in the next few years.”

Speaking on why Dubai is the ideal place for holding the three shows, Dornscheidt said: “Dubai has successfully emerged as the regional hub of the Middle East markets. Potential overseas exhibitors are keen to be part of the three shows to build business relations with trade visitors from the Middle East in an effort to widen their business base.” Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services said: “We are happy to hold Arabia Essen Welding & Cutting in Dubai for the first time. The new fair is the result of successful collaboration between the fair companies in Essen and Düsseldorf and us. As in the case of all the fairs in the Schweissen & Schneiden family, DVS is the ideal and specialist cooperation partner of the event. We would like to thank ITA - International Tube Association for their support of Tube Arabia.”

Tekno and Tube Arabia 2013 have emerged as the largest and most important regional industry exhibitions and adding welding to these two vibrant industries offers an integrated solution to the rapidly growing needs of the industry. These three shows are considered the key gateway to the extremely important Gulf and Middle East markets by overseas exhibitors according to Werner Dornscheidt. The ITA will again be offering its excellent value Oasis exhibitor package for Tube Arabia 2013 and any organization interested in learning more about these should contact the Executive Secretary Peter Byroslawsky. Details will also be published soon on the ITA website.