S &B, a leading temporary fencing and hoarding manufacturer in the UK, says its participation at the Big 5 show has helped it gain a leap forward in its plans for the region.

"The Middle East is an as-yet untapped market for the temporary fencing and hoarding that is now used as standard throughout Europe and the rest of the world," comments Mark Bowman S&B's commercial director. "We see a great requirement for our products as, at present, timber is used - which is both environmentally unfriendly and does not endure the extremes of the climatic environment of the Middle East.

"Combined with the legal requirement to barricade construction sites, there is an opportunity for contractors to save money and time on erecting timber systems, and being able to rent or buy S&B's steel products which are constructed to fulfil the requirements both for fencing and health and safety and look good throughout the length of a project."

He continues: "This is the first time we have exhibited at the Big 5 and have found the response overwhelming. So much so, it has necessitated us accelerating our plans. We have, as a result of the show's response, established a company in the UAE to supply and distribute throughout the Middle East and the rest of the world.

"We view the manufacturing facilities and distribution network around Ajman, Sharjah and Dubai as being key to our success and expansion plans for the Middle East.

"The Big 5 show has enabled us to look at the other countries within the Middle East, ahead of our business plan projection, and the interest in our products has come from every country in the region.

"The Big 5 has given us the springboard we needed for our plans. We have gone from the idea and assessment of entering the Gulf market to trading all within four months, which we understand is a bit of an achievement in itself. This acceleration is in part due to the success of the Big 5.

"All our products are to be manufactured here in the UAE using ISO-accredited partners. This will enable us to maintain the highest standards of manufacture and innovation, which has led us to be the market leader in the UK.

"We are to provide both a hire service and also a sale arm to service business in the UAE. For other countries, we will supply a number of companies who will be able to offer a hire service for that particular country."

S&B supplies a full range of barriers, including pedestrian and anti-climb crowd control and pedestrian barriers and continuous or spaced hoarding. The hoarding can be made to either run along the ground such as in city centres, or be raised above the ground level to allow sand and wind to pass through. The systems have been extensively used and tested up to 160 kph wind loads, Bowman says.

The systems are quick to erect, which saves contractors time waiting for timber to be erected - which means they can gain days or weeks on projects, he points out.

"A team of two experienced erectors can do over 100 m of finished hoarding per day, compared to about 100 m a week for timber. The hoarding systems can be provided in corporate colours and logos to the client's requirement," he says.

"There are a large number of projects we are now quoting for and have geared up production facilities to cope with the demand," Bowman continues. "We anticipate being able to supply our UK business and also the US and Europe from the base we are establishing here in the UAE and are looking to make S&B International a renowned brand both in the Gulf and around the world, showing that the UAE is a great place to establish and expand from."

As well as fencing, S&B International also supplies security equipment for both retail, domestic and commercial users. The UAE will be S&B's distribution centre for these new products, both locally and internationally.

"Without exhibiting at the Big 5, it would have taken another six months to get to where we are now," he adds.