Dubai, UAE --( ASIATODAY )-- Growing vehicle ownership and increasing industrial development are bringing about a sea of change in the global marketplace for lubricating oils and greases. While demand in the developed countries has either slowed down or remained relatively unchanged, the emerging economies are leading the growth surge according to industry research by Global industry Analysts.
According to the report, the global market for lubricating oils and greases, which includes both commercial automotive and industrial lubricants, is expected to be 10.5 billion gallons annually by 2015.
Growing demand from BRIC countries, Central Asia and Africa is anchoring the increase in the lube market*, which has led to a spurt of interest in the upcoming Automechanika Middle East in Dubai, the region’s premier trade and networking event for the automotive aftermarket.
“Global suppliers and buyers from around North and East Africa, the countries of the former CIS (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgystan and Tajikistan), Iran, Pakistan, India and others are expressing interest in sourcing out of the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,” said Mr. Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of organiser Epoc Messe Frankfurt.
“The UAE especially has grown in significance as a major re-exporter and supplier of automotive and industrial lubricants, with reports indicating that the volume of exports has increased by 100 % over the past few years**. Automechanika Middle East is expecting to attract a large part of this growing interest, thanks to its extensive line-up of leading manufacturers and suppliers of lubricants,” Pauwels added.
Mr. Jimmy Horriatt, BG Middle East, exhibitor at Automechanika Middle East 2011, said: “Due to qualities of fuel and lubricants in the Middle East market, the region is an extremely important market to BG. The opportunity here for growth and maintaining market share for BG products is tremendous. Brand awareness, the introduction of new products, attracting new customers from dealerships and supporting our existing regional distributors are amongst our key aims for participating.” The BG products are used by removing and cleaning
harmful deposits which solve drivability and problems associated with engine performance, transmission, fuel and air inducation, power steering systems, colling and brake systems.
Nicolas Scholler, Sales & Business Development Manager Trademarks, Wolf Oil Corporation NV, who has an annual production of 83,000 MT of automotive lubricants, said: “The Middle East represents in our sales a total share of 12% in 2010 and we feel there are strong growth opportunities. We have been exhibiting at Automechaniaka Middle East for three years and want to confirm our presence in these markets. The aim of our participation is to reinforce existing relationships or to meet new potential distributors for countries in this
region. We are looking for strong partners interested in a long term relationship.” Wolf Oil Corporation will be showcasing its two main brands Wolf and Champion and its ESP range of products, which cover the latest developments in the lubricants industry.
Mr Salvatore Coniglio, Regional Area Manager for German-based company, LIQUI MOLY, commented on their participation at Automechanika Middle East: “We want to increase brand awareness in the region as in the Middle East we are not as famous as we are in Europe yet. The Middle East is a prospering region with fantastic potential. Automechanika is a good opportunity to get in touch with other business people. For example, we are looking for an importer in Oman. We see that car owners’ buying behaviour is changing to using more and more high quality products. This is a great opportunity for us because we offer those high quality products with everything manufactured in Germany.”
During the event LIQUI MOLY will be exhibiting its range of motor oils as well as its revamped car care series which it is introducing for the first time to the region. The entire product portfolio including the car chemical sector will be on display at the event and LIQUI MOLY will demonstrate how car drivers can reduce their ecological footprint by using their products.
A recent market trend is that lubricants from the UAE are gaining popularity and market share in the rising markets around the immediate region and beyond. Today, a significant part of the demand from CIS, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Africa is being fulfilled by UAE suppliers.
Amongst exhibitors featuring at this year’s edition of Automechanika Middle East within the lubricants sector include: LIQUI MOLY, Wolf Oil, Eurol BV, Lubplus, Lubrex, Lucas Oil, BG Products, Accor Lubrifiants, Axxon Oil, CEPSA and Iyad Odeh Trading LLC to name a few.
Automechanika Middle East 2011, which will run from June 7th to 9th at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will also feature exhibitors from the tyres & tubes, workshop equipment, batteries, parts & systems, repair & maintence and accessories & tuning industries.
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* Lubricating Oils and Greases: A Global Strategic Business Report – Global Industry Analysts
**The Lubricants Industry – Dubai Business Pages
