The seventh Gulf Industry Fair has generated positive momentum with new products, brands, technologies and services being unveiled with exhibitors reporting solid prospects with some deals already signed.

The fair, at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, had an action-packed second day yesterday, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

A good number of Bahrain firms said they have enjoyed a fair degree of success at the event over the years and are looking to push their business frontiers further afield.

They view Gulf Industry Fair as a platform to present their goods and services and also to determine what the wider market is looking for and how they could re-organise and equip themselves to cater to new needs.

Falcon Trading, a leading industrial machinery and equipment supplier with a 25,000 product range, said it had sold two new products already and was showcasing the range of six new brands mainly from Europe.

"The brands being featured are German power tools maker AEG, Slovenian Uninor, Araldite industrial chemicals, Columbus McKinnon, Master Lock safety services, most inverters from Poland, Biko from Italy and Baker calibration tools from India," Falcon Trading managing director Yogesh Bhatia said.

"We have been coming to the fair for the last three years and have always had a good experience... We will surely be back next year," said the group chairman Manoj Bhatia.

The Diesel forklift from Banz Trading and Contracting drew a lot of interest at the fair. The 1.5 to three-tonne forklift, a product of India's Godrej, stood out for its engine power, superior acceleration and gradability, said head of trading and engineering Stephen Jayaray.

"It's capacity to handle indoor operations besides outdoor makes it suitable for warehouse jobs."

Banz Trading, agents for companies such as Loclite, Voltas, Briggs & Stratton to name a few, is a leading supplier of diesel engines, transmissions, belts, hose, industrial tools, shelving, chemicals lubricants and material handling equipment.

Among the other products showcased were Apollo Radial tyres and fire safety products like fire extinguishers and sprinklers.

A highlight at the show was the lawn tractor suitable for commercial purposes besides the regular lawn mowers, said the report.

Zayani Motors, celebrating its 80th anniversary, used the platform to launch Shantui, a Chinese construction equipment maker's entire range in Bahrain. This marks the Bahraini automotive dealer's foray into the segment.

"Shantui bulldozers, road machinery, concrete machinery, industrial vehicles, etc are 15-20 per cent cheaper than those of its competitors from Korea and Japan," remarked Zayani Motors commercial sales manager Samarth Dhond.

"We expect to sell 15-20 bulldozers this year and are targeting 15pc market share. Business enquiries at the fair have been very good and we will surely return next year," stated Dhond.

Kooheji Industrial Safety, a 50-year-old Bahrain-focused personnel protective equipment (PPE) supplier, announced its plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The company is showcasing a new range of protective glasses and gloves at the fair. "We are a leading player in the PPE market and have been supplying to Bapco, Alba, GPIC and Tatweer as well as many smaller firms," the company's director of marketing Abdulla Al Kooheji said.

"Taking part for the second time, we expect to interact with more visitors as the event seems much bigger."

He said the company would be returning to the event next year too.

First-time participants include Timsteel promoting new power products, Gulf Tissue showcasing Bahraini manufactured industrial tissue paper, Seasons International Trading and Industry offering packaging materials and adhesives to the shipping and logistics industry, Emcor providing facilities management services, Technip offering industrial training, High Mark bringing three Slovakian brands, Nan Technical Trading promoting industrial products and Alpha Fire System.

Other first-time participants include Jafcon providing consultancy to the industrial sector, Bokhammas providing tools to various industries, Intercare offering new industrial products, Al Shakar Machinery providing industrial machinery including power generators and welding machinery, and Source Mechanical Maintenance and Logic Institute offering training including specialised engineering courses.

The fair concludes today. It is open from 9am to 7pm for trade visitors.-TradeArabia News Service