A first-time exhibitor at the Big 5, Bafco Trading of the UAE will be using its stand as a showpiece for innovative products with value-added features from around the world.

Among these products will be relocatable partitions, access and laminate flooring and signage.

Established in 1992, Bafco has its main showroom and head office in Dubai, a 20,000 sq ft warehouse and workshop in Al Quoz, which is 10 minutes away from the main showroom and a branch office in Abu Dhabi, which was established in 1995.

"Bafco Contract Material Solutions provides the best products available globally," says general manager Sibtain Malik. "It aims to provide quality products with value-added features that can stand up to competition even from the local market."

Bafco offers relocatable partitions from Hoyez of France, doors from Barausse of Italy, raised access flooring from Maxcess of the US, signage from Flex of Italy and laminate flooring from Patt of Italy.

Additionally, Bafco Design and Contract provides an interior design facility for its clients.

Detailing the features of these products, Malik says: "The Hoyez system is the only fully relocatable partitioning system available in the UAE.

"Barausse doors are aesthetically elegant. These doors are competitive with the locally produced product yet provide all the technical advantages of an experienced European producer.

"Backed by Hitachi Maxco, the raised access flooring supplied by Maxcess is technically superior and economical. This also marks the first entry by Hitachi Maxco into the UAE flooring market.

"Flex provides a unique type of signage product. Bafco is introducing reusable and beautifully constructed, Flex displayers and posts to the UAE market. The Perspex construction of the sign holders makes them strong, durable and easy to use.

"Patt laminate flooring is one of the best available from Europe. The moisture resistance and fire retardancy properties of Patt products are among the highest available on the market. With applications ranging from domestic to heavy industrial, Patt has a model to suit every requirement."

Bafco's traditional business has been the import and supply of office furniture from the US, Italy, and Korea and the company says that it was the first to distribute system furniture in the UAE. It maintains stock of all its products and has a complete workshop for the fine-tuning and finishing of all imported material.

Commenting on the Big 5 show, Malik says: "The company is excited to join this exhibition for the first time. We will be introducing new and innovative products from around the globe.

"The inception of Bafco Contract Material Solutions is an exciting development and puts Bafco in a position to provide a complete solution for all interior project work. During the show, we want to exhibit our capabilities to a wider audience. Our stand will be constructed almost entirely from material supplied by our global partners. The base of the stand will be a Maxcess raised floor. Atop this will be a cabin constructed from Hoyez partitions incorporating doors from Barausse. Flex signage will be used to provide display information and to dispense literature. The floor of the stand will be partly covered with Patt laminate product."

Bafco has been pleased with its business this year. "It is in line with our expectations and exceeds last year's figures," says Malik. "Business in this sector of the economy in the UAE tends to develop in spurts. Often we see a short lull followed by successive periods of aggressive development."

He continues: "In the last six months, we have developed partnerships with new suppliers such as Flex, Maxcess, Barausse, Patt and Hoyez. We recently opened a new showroom for Bafco Design and Contract and we intend to open a third location in Dubai by early 2002. Investment in additional warehouse facilities has been agreed with a view to doubling capacity by early next year."

The company has undertaken several significant projects during the current year including for the Dubai Municipality, Eagle Star Insurance, Dubai Civil Aviation, Takreer and Acer.

Bafco's stand No is 5C271.