Plant, Machinery and Vehicles bulldoze over rising construction industry threats
Big 5 PMV expands to meet growing demand for innovation in the construction industry
As the region’s construction industry faces rising costs of materials and labour shortages, the plant, machinery and vehicles sector is poised for unprecedented success, according to an industry leader.
Simon Jevons, Construction Products Manager of Sigma PMV, a Dubai-based construction equipment supplier said that the current market conditions will force contractors to look for more efficient practices, such as mechanisation and labour saving tools.
“Investment in the right type of machinery to undertake labour intensive processes is an obvious choice for contractors as workforce and material costs increase. Modern construction methods can reduce labour costs by as much as a factor of ten,” explained Jevons.
The cost of materials increased dramatically over the last year, as the prices of cement and steel have surged by 50 and 70 percent respectively. Steel reinforcement bar (rebar) saw a 35 per cent price hike and cement a 15 per cent rise just between the months of May and July, according to mesteel.com.
Rising material costs are compounded by increasing labour shortages in the UAE, after approximately 250,000 illegal labourers took advantage of the Government’s amnesty programme last year and left the country, having a huge impact on the local construction sector.
As the construction industry grapples to find solutions to stay competitive and profitable, over 300 leading PMV suppliers will flock to this year’s Big 5 PMV from 23-27 November at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre to showcase the latest innovations in this sector.
The Big 5 PMV exhibition is the region’s premier event dedicated to plant, machinery and construction vehicles. The event has grown in size and prominence, as contractors look for new ways to save time and money.
Event organisers Streamline Marketing Group said today that this year’s Big 5 PMV event is set to grow by 35 per cent over last year, as worldwide manufacturers and suppliers of plant, construction machinery, and vehicles seek to capitalise on this growing sector.
Nick Webb, Director, Streamline Marketing Group said: “The issue of labour shortages and material costs are having devastating effects on the UAE’s construction industry, and many contractors are facing smaller profit margins than ever before.
“However, the PMV sector is not only addressing these challenges, it is also providing solutions. The Big 5 PMV comes at a time when developers will be looking seriously at how to become more efficient and cost effective. The machines offered at this event will help them do that.”
Simon Jevons of Sigma PMV added, “Products such as our Diamatic planetary grinders can reduce material application as much as 50 per cent and our concrete screeding systems can reduce the need for skilled masons during a concrete pour, a welcome relief to contractors struggling to find skilled employees.”
The exhibition space at this year’s Big 5 PMV event is expected to top 40,000 sqm, compared with 30,000 sqm in 2007. Sigma Enterprises, the parent company of Sigma PMV will exhibit at the show for the second time and has a stand that is over two and a half times bigger than 2007.
“Now that the Big 5 PMV has relocated to the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, at the same venue as the Big 5, developers and contractors will find a wide selection of construction products and services that can increase their profits and productivity,” Webb said.
“Despite the current difficulties, the region’s construction boom is ongoing and more innovation in the PMV sector will help to sustain it.”
