A BD1.2 million ($3.1 million) CNC machining centre is the most expensive equipment on display at this year's Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) in Bahrain.

Made by Italian firm Emmegi, the machine has been brought to the fair by Anwar Al Karrar General Trading based in Salmabad, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The three-day GIF, being held in Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, will conclude today (Feb 5).

Anwar Al Karrar general manager Ebrahim Ahmed said two leading industrial players, Arcal and Suhem, had already expressed interest in purchasing the four-axis CNC machining centre with mobile gantry structure, designed for milling, drilling, thread-cutting and slotting operations, on bars or workpieces made of aluminium.

"CNC Machining is a process used in the manufacturing sector that involves the use of computers to control machine tools," he said.

This was the firm's first presence at GIF, said Mr Ahmed, and with the response it had seen so far, it would definitely be back next year.

Asry, the leading ship and rig repair yard in the Arabian Gulf, showcased at the fair its Project Jupiter, an initiative launched to make the ship yard the leader in onsite specialist contractors in the Middle East.

The company highlighted that several international names had lined up to boost their presence at the Bahrain-based shipyard.

"This new initiative will give Asry the highest quality mix of onsite specialist contractors in the Middle East to ensure that any global owners' needs are catered to specifically and efficiently," Asry chief executive Nils Kristian Berge said.

The shipyard took part in the fair in a positive and optimistic mood, having only recently signed a key deal to boost its business - a ship repair block agreement with Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, which will add to its revenues and raise its profile in the region's ship repair industry.

The agreement, which Asry said was the largest of its kind signed by a shipyard in the Arabian Gulf, is worth $33m and includes the exclusive maintenance rights to 19 vessels over the next two and-a-half years.

Ahmed Mansoor Al Aali (AMA), among the large companies participating in the fair this year, praised the event, describing it as "well-organised".

However, Muein Marji, general manager of the structural and mechanical division of AMA - which has its eyes set on large projects such as the Riyadh Metro and others - said it could have been bigger with more large companies participating in it.

Marji said the exhibition should not be limited to Bahrain.

"There should be companies from outside as well, such as the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This allows others to get a look at markets outside the country."

He further said there is dearth of projects in the kingdom.

AMA is currently working on a project by the Electricity and Water Authority worth BD19.3 million ($51.2 million) for the construction of strategic water distribution stations in two different locations in Bahrain.

One water distribution station is in the upcoming Northern Town having a storage capacity of 15m gallons and capability of distributing 10m gallons per day. The second station is in the Seef District with capability of distributing 5m gallons per day.

The contract includes additional pumping facilities at the existing water stations in Salmabad and Buquwah and modification works at the existing Seef blending station.

A forklift with a reduced turning radius and industrial storage racks was the star feature at Banz Trading and Contracting's stall.

Orbiter is a multi-location storage technology - a revolution in storage and retrieval, says Debasish Mitra, department head, contracting at the Bahrain-based company.

The multi-location storage system technology from Germany's SSI Schaefer, operates at high speed and has an easy-to-use docking station, according to Mr Mitra.

The forklift needs little space to operate due to the reduced turning radius feature, Mr Mitra added.

The company is also showcasing fire extinguishers and pumps.

Flagship companies of Eastern Asphalt and Mixed Concrete Company (Eamco) are showcasing their diverse range of services for the construction industry at the fair.

Among them is Eastern Precast - the largest company within the group - which has registered excellent business over the past year, according to general manager Erich Witzgall.

"We expect 2015-16 to be even better, given the uptrend in the Bahrain market," he added.

Eastern Precast is currently focusing on developing new products that offer thermal insulation in line with the company's goal of promoting eco-friendly construction.

Having produced thermal-insulated wall panels, it is now developing thermally-insulated lightweight panels.

At GIF, the company is showcasing the attributes of its latest product - jumbo slabs - which are available in a range of colours and surface finishes including with a nano protective coating.

Developed in response to market requirements for large slabs, they are available in sizes measuring 1,200mm by 1,200mm or 600mm by 1,200mm in thickness to suit client requirements.

Midal Cables has on display its key product line which includes extruded products, aluminium rods and wires, overhead line conductors and aluminium clad steel.

"We have received a fairly good response," said sales engineer Abdulla Shaikh, adding that he expects more enquiries tomorrow.

A highlight of Midal's product line is aluminium conductors, which are used for overhead medium-, high- and extra-high-voltage transmission lines.

Midal's all aluminium alloy conductors and aluminium conductor composite core meet international specifications, says sales engineer Peter Loranzo.

Midal supplies the market with high-quality rod cast from molten aluminium delivered directly to its manufacturing plant from the neighbouring Alba smelter, according to Mr Shaikh.

The company expects a good response for its continuous cast and rolled aluminium alloy rod and wire, which is used for mechanical purposes.

Tebodin Middle East-Bahrain, a multi-disciplinary consultancy and engineering firm, is showcasing its design, engineering and construction supervision capabilities at the exhibition.

The company, part of the Netherlands-based Tebodin BV, is currently working on a first-phase EPCm (engineering, procurement and construction management) contract with Mondelez International for the construction of a factory at the Bahrain International Investment Park to produce popular biscuit brands.

The EPCm scope of services for the biscuits factory includes detailed design, assistance in equipment procurement, tendering and construction management.

TURK Mechanical Industries Company, a Bahrain-based specialist in fabrication, casting, machining and engine rebuild, is expecting a positive response at the fair.

Heat shield, a high-pressure stainless boiler used in the energy sector, is among the machining, casting and fabrication tools being showcased at the fair.

The OHSAS (occupational health and safety)-certified company, which is supplying to leading engineering and construction companies such as Bechtel and SNC Lavalin, is on a major expansion spree.

"Our workshop at Askar will be expanded by 50 per cent to 30,000sqm," said administration manager J Jeganmogaan.

The company is enhancing its painting and blasting facilities, in addition to installing three more three-axis CNC (computerised numerical control) machines to meet its increasing business orders.

"We're close to completing a plant for fabrication, painting and foundry, where an overhead crane with 25-tonne lifting capacity has been installed," Jeganmogaan added. - TradeArabia News Service