China’s biggest manufacturer of construction machinery is to invest $15 million to build up a regional logistics centre in Dubai to boost support to its clients.

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG) is also forecasting earnings of $250 million from the Middle East this year.

The world’s No 1 hydraulic truck crane manufacturer which will produce 10,000 units this year, made the double announcement after confirming its place in an impressive international line-up of exhibitors for the Big5 PMV.

The Chinese construction machinery giant believes the new showcase event for plant, machinery, construction vehicles and equipment suppliers, taking place at Airport Expo Dubai from 25-29 November, can provide a platform towards more significant business gains.

“The Middle East is our most well established and fastest-growing overseas market,” said Qi Hong, XCMG’s regional director, who is also the standing director of the China Business Council of the UAE.

“We have sold more than $400 million worth of products in the Middle East over the last three years, and we’re hoping for earnings of $250 million in the region in 2007. The Big5 PMV is a very important event for us because it will allow us to promote our products from across the Middle East and other parts of the world.

“Supporting our regional offices in Dubai and Sharjah we have a network of dealers and service centres across the Middle East and Africa and the next step is to open a logistics centre in Dubai to boost service to our clients and grow our business more in the region.”

The company is seeking a 20,000 sq metre site in Dubai and hopes it will be in operation within a few months.

China is one of 18 countries represented in the Big5 PMV exhibitor line-up which is rapidly approaching the 100 mark with leading players like Al Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company, Frutiger, Teufulberger, Construction Machinery Centre and Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Bahar.

Giving a new dimension to the Big5, the Middle East’s most influential construction and contracting Expo, the event is being launched at a time when more than 2,100 existing and planned projects valued at US$1.2 trillion are under way in the region.

“Current forecasts say that Middle East demand for construction machinery will increase by up to 20 per cent over the next five years,” said Nick Webb, director of Streamline Marketing Group, which is organising the Big5 PMV in conjunction with dmg World Media.

“This will rise as more of the region’s enormous infrastructure and expansion plans unfold, and as well as established leading players like Xuzhou, we’re attracting companies that want to use the event to break into the lucrative Middle East market.”

In addition to cranes, XCMG’s product line includes wheel loaders, rollers, graders, excavators, Bulldozers, asphalt pavers, concrete pump, mixer and drilling rigs. The company’s main Middle East clients include leading construction companies and trading houses across the area.

The Big5 PMV (big5pmv.com) will provide the ideal platform for plant, machinery, construction vehicles and equipment suppliers to meet face to face with key buyers from across the region and overseas. 

Covering a minimum of 10,000 sq metres of exhibition space in its first year and expected to grow rapidly, the event has the support of key international organisations including UBIFRANCE - French Foreign Trade Council, Builders’ Association of India and the UK’s Construction Products Association.

The event will feature a series of seminars and interactive workshops covering Health & Safety, Specialist Construction Equipment and Techniques as well as Environmental issues.

The seminars are free of charge and available on a first come first served basis.

The Big 5 will take place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from November 25 to 29 and is o