Building sector should prepare for economic recovery now

With the world waiting for the upswing of the recession to pick up speed, the building and construction, hardware and allied products industries should prepare themselves in the meantime, so as to capitalise on the recovery when it happens.

So says Specialised Exhibitions, organisers of the Star Interbuild Africa 2010 show, the largest and most comprehensive building and construction, hardware and allied products exhibition on the continent.

Economists are predicting that the first sub-sector to recover will be commercial property, while there are also excellent opportunities this year for suppliers and installers of energy-saving, solar-powered products, in light of the pending electricity tariff hikes. Eskom has recently increased its solar water heater rebates by up to 120 percent, so more South Africans will now be able to afford solar-powered geysers, geyser-insulation and so on.

There are also many opportunities for the pipeline industry as infrastructure always requires maintenance, upgrading and replacement, while statistics now illustrate that  glass, paint and hardware make up seven to eight percent of retail trade in South Africa - also welcome news to the building and construction sector.

In the housing market, the recession has prompted people to renovate their homes, rather than buy and, as a result, the DIY/hardware sector looks positive. In rural areas, too, this market is thriving.

Industry players need to stay on top of their game in 2010 by keeping abreast of new technologies and products, purchasing quality brands and finding cost-saving deals – Interbuild Africa 2010 is a one-stop-shop in this regard, explains Specialised Exhibitions' chief executive officer, Gary Corin. "The event also gives exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products and services to some 8,000 visitors from all over the African continent, as well as Europe, Asia and Australia, including top decision-makers in building-related industries," he says.

Taking place from 8 to 11 September at the MTN Expo Centre, NASREC in Gauteng, Interbuild Africa 2010 includes co-locating shows Plumbdrain Africa, Sani'ter, Frigair, Glass Expo Africa, Hardex and Woodpro Africa.

About Specialised Exhibitions

Specialised Exhibitions offers South Africa’s largest portfolio of exhibitions, servicing business to business sectors of the Southern African economy, and backed by over 40 years of experience. Specialised Exhibitions is a member of the prestigious Montgomery Group and is recognised locally and internationally as an organiser of innovative, inspiring and highly effective exhibitions that meet the needs of the industries it serves.
The acquisition of Exhibitions for Africa (EFA) in late 2007 by Specialised Exhibitions Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Andry Montgomery Ltd, has created a major force in the B2B trade exhibition market in Southern Africa. Both companies had built extremely strong company brands with equally strong partner brand identification within their exhibition portfolios.

CONTACTS:
Specialised Exhibitions, Roz Nash, tel: +27 (0) 11 835-1565, e-mail: roz@specialised.com