Materials Handling Middle East, the region’s dedicated trade show for warehousing, intralogistics and supply chain solutions, was opened on Monday by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA.

Taking place from 11th – 13th September at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event presents solutions to improve productivity and efficiency of multiple dynamic sectors including Logistics and Supply Chain, Retail, FMCG, Automotive, Oil and Gas, and Pharmaceuticals. The latest supply chain innovations, from 3D virtual reality warehouse mapping to automated sortation systems, are on display at the exhibition with over 126 participants from 20 countries.

"In today's competitive business environment, it is imperative for companies to update their offerings and keep pace with changing consumer needs by implementing fully integrated, effective, future-proof automation solutions, while also keeping their facilities modernised and boosting their productivity and profitability," said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of Materials Handling Middle East.

According to research by analysts Markets & Markets, the GCC market for automated materials handling equipment, which is estimated to be worth US$304.52 million in 2017, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.6 percent to reach $498.5 million by 2023. Most of the growth in the region is expected to be in automated guided vehicles, automated storage and retrieval systems, automated cranes, robots and automated conveyer and sorting systems.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the largest markets for automated material handling, AMH, equipment in the GCC region. In 2016, Saudi Arabia accounted for as much as 48 percent of the AMH equipment market in the GCC, emerging as an attractive destination for logistics and warehousing operations due to increasing investment in infrastructure.

These investments are fuelling the demand for providers of logistics, transportation systems, material handling equipment, and supply chain solutions. Further, Saudi is the largest producer and exporter of chemicals in the GCC. The chemicals industry creates demand for automated systems to shorten the lead time, minimise errors, and keep workers safe from the harsh environment in the plant.

The UAE accounted for a share of 27 percent of the AMH equipment market in GCC in 2016. The growth of the market is driven by the adoption of automation, advancements in manufacturing processes, and improvements in the plant productivity. Further, growing use of material handling equipment in various industries such as food and beverages, metals and heavy machinery, automotive, and aviation is also contributing to the growth of the market.