Intersec Saudi Arabia 2018 opens for business featuring 150 exhibitors from 20 countries

Intersec Saudi Arabia 2018 opened (24 April) in Jeddah, with 150 exhibitors from 20 countries looking to network and generate fresh business opportunities in the Kingdom’s US$6.02 billion security, safety and fire protection market. 

The 2ndedition of the annual showcase runs until 26thApril at the Jeddah Center for Forums & Events, with 500 brands enticing an expected turnout of 5,000-plus Saudi trade visitors across its three-day run.  

The 69 percent international representation is underlined by the world’s top security companies on board in 2018, including the show’s official launch partners comprising Hikvision, Dahua Technologies, Axis Communications, Nedap, and Milestone Systems. 

Other Launch Partners returning this year include Bristol, Dormakaba, Genetec, Harco Group, HID, NAFFCO, Promise Technology, BSIA, Al-Alameya Group and ZMR Technology Distribution, while headline debut exhibitors include 3M, Huawei, Mobotix, Virdi, Gatekeeper Security, Gallagher, and Saudi-based SFFECO (Saudi Factory for Fire Equipment). 

Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East in partnership with Saudi-based and ACE Group, Intersec Saudi Arabia 2018 is officially backed by the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Saudi Safety & Security Department.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “The launch edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia last year was an unprecedented success, and we’re delighted with the response from returning exhibitors participating this week, spearheaded by our 15 launch partners along with other big industry names.  

“It’s estimated that the combined value of the Kingdom’s commercial security, fire and safety and homeland security markets was US$6.02 billion in 2017, while the Saudi Vision 2030, stabilisation of oil prices, and economic pickup will all play a positive role in industry growth over the next few years.”

Hadi Al-Harith, CEO of ACE Exhibitions, added: “Intersec Saudi Arabia is organised in the backdrop of the huge demand in the Western Region for infrastructure security for various government and private sector establishments covering the cities of Makkah, Madinah, Taif, and the industrial city-port of Yanbu. 

“Added to this is a new market segment that is opening-up in the Kingdom – the entertainment industry. Around 5,000 entertainment events are planned to be organised in 2018 and these events being of public nature would require a whole plethora of safety, security and fire prevention services for the new venues that will host these events,” added Al-Harith.

Among the many exhibitors this week eagerly seeking more business is Mobotix, which is showcasing its German-made intelligent IP video systems.  Phillip Antoniou, Sales Director for Mobotix in the Middle East, Africa, and South East Europe, said he expects the company’s business volume in Saudi Arabia to grow year-on-year by 25-30 percent.

“Intersec Saudi Arabia is the most important security show in the Kingdom and we’re proud to exhibit and showcase our solutions to new prospects and to meet with our current channel partners,” said Antoniou.  “We’ve our complete range of products including our Award winning M16 series of 6MP and Thermal solutions as well as a few surprises for the market.

“As a company focused on quality and innovation, our emphasis is on applications where the typical basic CCTV is not enough. You can always offer more especially in an opportunity where added features, analytics and ROI are key,” added Antoniou.

Returning exhibitor JENSEN HUGHES is shining the spotlight on its safety, security and risk-based engineering and consulting services at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2018. 

“We’ve an established presence with several Saudi-based clients and are committed to providing them with better, more localised services and a broader range of solutions for each of their challenges,” said Aaron Vanney, Vice-President for JENSEN HUGHES in the Middle East.  “Intersec Saudi Arabia is an opportunity to expand our network, build relationships and understand even more about the local security and safety needs. 

“We’re showcasing our broad range of fire protection, cladding analysis, security, emergency management, and environmental consulting services along with our other safety, security and risk-based engineering expertise. 

“We’re also highlighting our knowledge depth in local growth markets such as petrochemical, oil and gas, hospitality and healthcare,” said Vanney, adding the company will shortly open a new office in the Kingdom, to bring JENSEN HUGHES’ expertise closer to clients and partners.

Meanwhile, March Networks is looking to build on its impressive showing at Intersec Saudi Arabia’s debut run in 2017, where the end-to-end IP video solutions provider built up a strong network of potential clients.

Trevor Sinden, Sales Director of March Networks for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We left Intersec Saudi Arabia 2017 with a number of excellent prospects which we’ve continued to engage with in the past year, and we look forward to meeting with new prospects and existing customers and partners at Intersec Saudi Arabia this year.”

“The Saudi market represents a great opportunity for March Networks, particularly as we offer flexible, cost-effective options to help customers transition from analog to high-definition video capture.

“March Networks was among the first manufacturers in the industry to offer integrated video and data solutions to the banking and retail markets. Today, our solutions are used by more than 500 financial institutions and 300 retailers worldwide to run their businesses more successfully while safeguarding their customers, employees and assets,” added Sinden. 

Nedap from the Netherlands is a returning Launch Partner to Intersec Saudi Arabia 2018, where it will introduce in the Kingdom for the first time its MACE Smart mobile access control reader, along with its portfolio of identification systems and security management solutions.  

Jochem van Ruijven, Managing Director for Nedap Middle East, said the MACE Smart mobile access control reader supports Bluetooth, NFC and smartcards:  “This elegant reader enables the usage of smartphones in any access control system, while continuing to support existing credentials that contain smartcard technology,” said van Ruijven.

“Saudi is one of the top performing markets with enormous growth potential. Previously being introduced to the security market here would take research and cold calls, however with Intersec Saudi Arabia, cracking the market becomes a lot easier.”

Intersec Saudi Arabia 2018 covers the key product groups of Commercial Security, Information Security, Perimeter & Physical Security, Homeland Security& Policing, Fire & Rescue, and Safety & Health.

It also features a three-day security and fire safety conference programme, bringing together key stakeholders, regulators, government authorities, solution providers and end-users to discuss strategies and collaborative approaches for the Kingdom’s security, safety and fire protection industries.  

The annual three-day event is one of nine Messe Frankfurt-organised trade fairs and events dedicated to the worldwide safety and security sector, and the second in the Middle East after the Group’s flagship show, Intersec in Dubai, UAE.