Big 5 Show in Dubai Great Success for Wisconsin Companies

Four Wisconsin companies joined more than 30 other American companies exhibiting in the USA Pavilion of the Big 5 PMV trade show, the Middle East's largest show for the construction and building industries, which was held in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates November 23-27, 2008.

With nearly 3,000 exhibiting companies, over 50,000 visitors, and more than 130 nations represented, the Big 5 is truly a showcase for the leaders in building and construction. The Wisconsin companies attending the show ranged from larger, returning exhibitors like Spancrete Machinery Corporation to new-to-market companies like Voeller Inc., RexCon, and Custom Equipment, Inc. "Based on the tremendous success we have had in the Gulf Region with our production systems, we returned to the Big 5 for our 7th year," said Joe Dugan, Vice President of Spancrete. Joe Fisher of Voeller said, "The Big 5 is a great venue and our continued participation will be a key strategy in helping us grow our business in the region. The firm is working on two deals as a direct result of the show that it hopes to close in the next 60 days."

Current and planned construction projects in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E., the countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), are valued at a staggering US$2.8 trillion and are expected to increase as the region forges ahead with essential infrastructure development and expansion plans. This has a direct impact on the already lucrative construction machinery market, which is expected to grow by a further 20 percent over the next 5 years, according to show organizers. While several GCC countries have earned substantial oil revenue, they are all seeking to diversify their economies to limit their dependence upon hydrocarbons. Mr. George Abed, of the Institute of International Finance (IIF), was quoted earlier this month in Emirates 24/7, the UAE's leading business newspaper, as saying that the combined gross domestic product of the GCC would slow down in 2009 but would still record positive growth of around 2.5 percent.

"The region is booming, construction and investments are all up and clearly this is the place for companies to expand their businesses. They love American companies and our quality products, and price is not really an issue," said Kate Clarke, U.S. agent for the show and organizer of the USA Pavilion.

Reservations are now being accepted for the Big 5 2009, which takes place in Dubai November 23-26, 2009. Organizers caution that space is extremely limited due to the number of returning companies, and they suggest booking by February. For further details, please contact Kara Smith or Kate Clarke, Big 5 U.S. agents, kara@sanddrivers.com, kate@sanddrivers.com, (608) 554-2210, or visit www.thebig5exhibition.com.

-- Tony Hozeny