Dubai, UAE: Dubai will be the focal point of the latest global innovations in security, safety, and fire protection this week, with 1,290 exhibitors from 55 countries lining up an array of brand new products and solutions at Intersec 2016.
Taking place until 19 January at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Intersec 2016 was opened today (17 January) by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Spanning 50,000sqm, the 18th edition of the three-day event is 10 per cent larger than the previous edition, with more than 2,400 brands on show across seven focus areas of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Information Security, and for the first time in 2016 – Smart Home and Physical & Perimeter Security.
Fire and Rescue recorded the largest year-on-year growth, increasing in size by 27 per cent with 374 exhibitors on board, while 40 exhibitors in Information Security means the fast-growing section dedicated to combating cyber threats has doubled in size in both exhibitor numbers and exhibition space.
Commercial Security remains the largest individual section with 543 exhibitors, while Physical & Perimeter Security (49 exhibitors), Safety & Health (167 exhibitors), and Homeland Security & Policing (99 exhibitors) are also widely represented.
“Intersec sets the pace for the ever-evolving safety, security and fire protection needs of the Middle East, which has transformed exponentially over the years,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Intersec’s organiser, Messe Frankfurt Middle East.
“The show has grown to become not only the foremost business development and idea exchange platform for the global safety and security industry, but an ideal launchpad for innovative ideas and products.
“The widely-attended forums alongside the exhibition are also vital sounding boards where regional professionals interact with and learn from leading international experts about the latest trends and developments within the industry,” added Pauwels.
At least 100 new products will be launched over the three days at Intersec 2016, including the world’s first and only remote controlled firefighting support machine from Kuwaiti company TANKCO at the Fire & Rescue section.
Sheikh Mishal Yousef Soud Al Sabah, Chairman and Managing Director of TANKCO, said the two versions of the Austrian-made LUF 60 and LUF 120 machines have an output capacity of between 3,000 litres and 12,000 litres per minute, with a shooting range of 80-100 meters. Both systems can also be operated remotely from up to 300 metres away.
“LUF machines compactness, tremendous power, flexibility, mobility and safety makes them a game changer in big fire scenarios,” said Al Sabah. “The idea of controlling and extinguishing a fire from a distance while avoiding the risk and safeguarding the precious life of firefighters makes them unique. Usually features which are available with LUF 120 exist only on 40 ton trucks with four axles.
Al Sabah added: “LUF’s systems are a must where high value assets are involved and they are perfect for tunnels or metros where it’s difficult for conventional firefighting systems to reach. LUF machines can also be used in chemical plants, industrial buildings, production plants, parking houses, construction sites, petrol stations and so on.”
Elsewhere, the new Smart Home section at Intersec 2016 was buzzing with activity, where a live demonstration area in a simulated villa offered visitors a real-time showcase of smart home products in action, ranging from digital door locks and home video cameras, to roller shutters, door video phone panels, TV controllers, and monitors.
Among the exhibitors at the live demonstration area was CP Plus, which launched its EazyCam and Intrusion Alarm Systems. Gaurav Khemka, the Director of CP Plus, said the Middle East is waking up to the potential of smart home technology and its impact on security.
“The Middle East is one of the very lucrative markets for smart home and building automation technologies,” said Khemka. “Significant interest is being shown in adopting new security products and solutions that can make homes more cohesive and safer.
“Led by the UAE, this region has always been very enthusiastic about staying abreast with the latest technology, be it in building and construction, transportation, or safety and security. Our latest security and safety technologies have a lot to offer, and we believe that Middle East can be a great market for showcasing the same.”
Meanwhile, Commercial Security continues to be among the key drawcards at Intersec, and with 37 of the world’s top 50 commercial security solutions providers on board, 2016 is no different. That includes the entire top ten of Honeywell, Hikvision, Bosch, Safran, Dahua, Assa Abloy, Tyco, Flir Systems, Samsung Techwin, and Axis Communications.
Showcasing everything from video surveillance and access control solutions, to identification systems and intrusion alarms, the best known brands in the industry are eagerly capitalising on a fast-growing Middle East market for physical security equipment, which is estimated to grow 36 per cent in 2016, to be worth US$5.2 billion.
Among these are Sony Professional Solutions, which is showcasing its 4K and XI surveillance cameras used for wide area surveillance in maritime, port, border, and airports.
Aydin Tolani, Business Head of Visual Presentations Solutions at Sony Professional Solutions said: “The Middle East market has greatly evolved over the past few years. In terms of the regional security systems market, larger investments continue to be made in the region to ensure safety and security.
“We have also noticed 4K imaging is gaining importance in the security segment. The benefits of 4K and beyond will prove invaluable for outdoor city surveillance and transportation markets such as airport, railways, stadium entrances or the like where large coverage is essential for situational awareness.”
With 83 per cent international exhibitors, Intersec 2016 will be the most internationally representative ever, while UAE exhibitor participation is also at an all-time high, growing eight per cent over the previous year, with 217 exhibitors covering 10,400sqm of exhibition space
Other new additions this year at Intersec 2016 include a Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion in the Fire & Rescue section, along with a dedicated Jobs & Careers Pavilion, bringing thousands of professionals together with specialist security-related recruitment companies.
The three-day event also features a dedicated series of industry conferences being held in cooperation with the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defence; the Occupational Health & Safety Conference will take place on 17-18 January, while the Middle East Fire Conference and the Critical Infrastructure Security Conference will both take place on 18-19 January.
More than 28,000 trade buyers from 118 countries are expected to visit Intersec 2016, all of which will stop by the 14 country pavilions from Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, USA, and for the first time will see pavilions from France, the Czech Republic and India.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Intersec is the flagship event of Messe Frankfurt’s global network of 11 security and safety shows, including Secutech in Taiwan, Secutech India, Secutech Thailand, Secutech Vietnam, Intersec Buenos Aires, Seguriexpo Buenos Aires, TB Forum powered by Intersec in Moscow, SecProTec East Africa powered by Intersec in Nairobi, Innosecure in Germany and the new Intersec Forum – Smart Security Conference in Frankfurt am Main.