The seventh Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) has been an unqualified success with many exhibitors concluding contracts, said a report.

Billed as the regional industrial showcase for the Northern Gulf, GIF 2014 was held last week at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC), in which more than 120 exhibitors took part, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

At the event, Bahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering Company (Basrec) said it has embarked on a major expansion programme, which includes a significant upgrade of its power supply as well as extension of berthing facilities.

This expansion plan will boost its already substantial capabilities at a leading ship repair as well as an electrical engineering facility.

Bahrain-based Garmco said it used the fair to feature its credentials as a world-class supplier of flat-rolled aluminium and the largest downstream aluminium facility in the Arabian Gulf region.

"There was good movement at the event helping us boost our presence in the aluminium industry spectrum," said Garmco marketing and sales executive Khalid Abdulla Hashim.

"There was a serious enquiry from an Algerian company in addition to enquiries from three Gulf companies," he said, adding, "Our aluminium sheets and coils drew a lot of interest."

As the first and the only manufacturer of a wide range of thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermowells and accessories in Bahrain, Gulf Temperature Sensor (GTS) showcased its expertise as a specialist in temperature sensors at the fair.

International Technical Supplies and Services (ITSS) said it was on the verge of striking a deal with Volvo.

"ITSS will sign a deal to buy the FM model of the truck very soon," said ITSS executive director Ali Al Najjar.

"One of our new products Airco Saver launched at the fair got good response. The product supports air-conditioning systems in saving power by 30 per cent.

"The movement was reasonably good," Najjar said.

International Agencies Company (Intercol) highlighted a range of activities executed by its diverse divisions, chief among them being Marine and Technical Services (MATS).

Currently, MATS offers the only facility in the kingdom specialising in the repair of high-speed propellers of up to 42 inches in size.

MATS is also the sole distributor of Volvo trucks in Bahrain.

Bahrain-based Spatial Technology Solutions (STS) promoted telematics and geo-spatial technology solutions at the fair.

STS said through the solutions it was offering clients' higher operational efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced operational cost.

At the fair Universal Laboratories (Bahrain), a calibration and testing laboratory, unveiled expanded capabilities in metal testing, calibration of bio-medical instruments as well as sales and service of weighing scales and electrical instruments.

The firm is a specialist in the analysis of food, water and raw and finished goods for both microbiological and chemical quality. It is also a supplier of instrumentation and tools to different industries.

Uneeco Group said it is planning an additional 15,000 sqm facility at Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP), Hidd, where it will assemble low voltage (LV) panels for Schneider Electric France and L&T India.

"The new facility will comprise the first and the second storeys atop the existing facility," said the group's chief operating officer V Jayashankar.

Uneeco's smarthome automation showcased at the fair drew a lot of interest, company officials said.

Its multipurpose interactive board attracted enquiries from the Works Ministry and Ameeri Industries.

Saudi-based Pan Gulf showcased two prime CNC machines at the fair - the portable CNC cutting machine and the Dragon CNC gantry for bigger jobs.

"We have sold 18 of the portable CNC cutting machines in Bahrain in the past one-and-a-half years," Pan Gulf Welding Solutions general manager Ron Barker said.

The company promoted a range of its products under its own brand Metweld, which includes welders, inverters, automation and other accessories.

Pan Gulf International Trading branch manager Rajesh Kumar said the company is based in Askar and is planning to build a 5,000-sqm warehouse at BIIP in six to eight months.

BRC Weldmesh, specialising in the design, supply and installation of security fencing products in Bahrain, said it received many enquiries from Saudi Arabia.

"Our pioneering Concertina range of security fencing received a lot of response," general manager Harish G Thaker said.

First-time exhibitor Voltamp Switchgear Company said the response was very good and they plan to return next year on a bigger scale.

"We got some serious enquiries, which if translating into deals, will be worth BD50,000," said chief executive Reyadh K Al Shaibani.

E K Steel Works said it got good response for its fire-rated doors from companies across the region, especially Saudi Arabia.

"We got some enquiries from companies based in Saudi Arabia," the company's operations manager Ramesh Venkatesan said.

A A Bin Hindi Group's heavy vehicles and construction equipment division said it is expecting to bag key deals with construction and contracting companies and major fleet owners as a result of its participation.

"This year looks very promising with more and more development projects in the pipeline, and the adaptability of our product range," the division's general manager Amin Tahon said.-TradeArabia News Service