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Dubai, UAE: With automation and digitization being the hot button issue that is increasingly driving innovation across industries globally, interest in building and industrial automation solutions are surging across the Middle East too.
This is reflected in growing interest being expressed from across industry groups in the inaugural SPS Automation Middle East 2018, the first dedicated conference, exhibition and interactive forum for implementing advanced automation solutions to streamline and optimize production processes across the region.
Industries across the Middle East are studying a range of automation and optimization options that not only increases the use of energy efficient technologies and processes, but also minimizes reliance on ever-increasing labour costs. The increasing use of robots, AI and automation across industrial and building operations also enhances efficiency, production quality and workplace safety standards.
According to a recent study by analysts TechSci Research, the GCC market for industrial and building automation is set to grow at a rapid 10.76% CAGR, to reach US$ 10.33 billion in 2023, from the 2017 figure of $ 6.2 billion.
This increase is driven by the shift towards building automation in the region with the growing construction of smart buildings and use of building automation and control systems. The surge in automation is reinforced by the emphasis on increasing automation applied across industries by regional governments, which are reflected in various vision statements made by the UAE, Saudi, Kuwait and Qatar governments.
Martin Palmer, General Manager of SICK Middle East, Launch Partner of SPS Automation Middle East 2018 said: “The UAE was an early adopter of automation technologies relative to the region.
“From large logistics projects for roads, ports and airports through to the establishment of regional distribution hubs for multinational consumer goods companies, the UAE has established itself firmly on the regional industrial automation map.
“Increasingly across the Middle East, we see automation becoming more relevant, especially as manufacturers seek to increase productivity and safety whilst the consumer demands higher quality and better value for money. We wanted to be involved in the SPS Automation Middle East since there has not been an automation specialised exhibition before this,” Palmer stated.
Meanwhile, Rami Al Ashqar, Business Development Manager, Bosch Rexroth, another Launch Partner said: “This region is our market and the SPS sector is the core of our business, so it’s important for us to take part in SPS Automation Middle East.
“We want to contribute but also to learn about the market since there has not been a focused automation event in the region yet. SPS Automation Middle East will be important to gauge the involvement of end users with automation.
“We’re also keen to scope the OEM market in the region and I see a lot of potential here, especially with manufacturing being such a key element of the UAE 2030 vision. Saudi Arabia also has ambitious manufacturing plans, and German organizations such as VDMA are already impressed by the level of technology in manufacturing in the Kingdom.
“The end users will drive the OEM business, and in some cases, it has already started with some companies integrating systems and putting manufacturing lines together. Just like the auto industry, which started slowly in the region, the OEM market will start as well,” Al Ashqar added.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of SPS Automation Middle East, said: “SPS Automation Middle East was designed as an interactive forum to engage with key players across industry sectors about how they are dealing with the progress of automation and digitization across their businesses.
“The future of industry will be governed by increasing process automation and consolidation. SPS Automation Middle East will provide key insights into the latest trends and developments in this key topic for stakeholders in the Middle East.”
The inaugural edition of SPS Automation Middle East in 2018 will be held on September 18-19, 2018 at the Festival Arena in Dubai and is designed to provide delegates with an in-depth understanding of how to implement advanced automation solutions to optimise production processes and enhance business performance.
The conference will also feature a high-powered panel of speakers and provide key insights into how the policies and regulations governing automation affect the future of industries. It will also provide a detailed look at how industries are adapting new technologies to enance production efficiency and explore areas of opportunity in the sector.
The exhibition meanwhile will provide a broad cross-section of the nuts and bolts of automated manufacturing and building infrastructure, from Drive Systems and Components, Software, IT, and Mechanical Infrastructure, to Interface Technology, Power Supplies, and Human-Machine Interface Devices.
The show aims to gather professionals of the Automation, IoT and Artificial Intelligence Industries under one roof, providing a dedicated platform for the latest innovations and solutions steering the region toward a smarter and high tech future.
