Worldbex 2003 shows off latest construction trends

Some 500 exhibits featuring the most innovative and functional construction products and services worldwide were showcased during the successful holding of the 8th Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition (Worldbex 2003) held in Pasay City recently.

Contractors from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the United States and the Philippines were given the chance to show off their most advanced lines of products and services during the trade show at the World Trade Center (WTC) and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

Over 40,000 persons, mostly architects, interior designers, engineers, and other construction professionals attended the five-day affair which carried the theme "Leading Global Construction Beyond Innovation."

Among the major exhibitors was James Hardie, makers of Hardi Flex and Hardi Plank products, who has been participating in the exhibit for the last seven years.

"Our participation in the Worldbex exhibits has given us the opportunity to showcase our products," said Rob Kidd, James Hardie’s vice president for sales and marketing. "Our major clients, composed mostly of architects, developers and contractors were exposed to what James Hardie is all about."

A direct result of this wider exposure was manifested when James Hardie was awarded the Asia Pacific Excellence Awards for Top Building Board Brand by the 10th Asia Pacific Excellence Awards.

Another exhibitor, Onda Ambient, has been a Worldbex participant for the last six years. A Japanese firm which specializes in synthetic granite and marble, solid surface materials and other indoor applications, Onda Ambient has been one of the mainstays in Worldbex trade shows.

"Worldbex is the perfect venue for companies in the building and construction industry to maximize exposure and thus open a bigger market for their products and services," explained Onda Ambient’s sales designer Auna Empleo.

Onda Ambient’s clients include a distinguished mix of food chains and like Greenwhich, Goldilocks, Jollibee, Chowking, Manhattan Place Condominium and Tagaytay Highland Condominium.

Yet another old timer in Worldbex shows is Industrial Surface Finishing Corp. (ISF), makers of Stone Age, which has been a Worldbex exhibitor since 1996.

"Since our participation in the Worldbex trade shows, we have experienced increased sales and have extended our customer baser," said ISF manager Richard Barria.

Over the years, Stone Age has supplied a selection of bricks, cobblestones, ledgestones, fieldstones, castlestones and rough earth to clients like Starbucks, Country Waffles, Teriyaki Boy, Leisure Farm, Canyon Woods Tagaytay, and other residential subdivision in the Alabang area.

Pacific Glass Corp. is a relatively newcomer to the Worldbex trade shows but its executives said the brand exposure the company acquired was worth the while.

"We have been an exhibitor for three years. Exhibiting with Worldbex has given us the opportunity to remind people of our presence, attract more potential customers, particularly architects and designers, and ultimately generate increased sales for the company," noted Pacific Glass president Jeffrey Keng.

With locally manufactured products containing quality materials imported from Australia and Italy. Pacific Glass Corporation specializes in the creation of glass innovations like Graphicote and Luminaro.

Keng explained that their products are created according to the specifications of their clients, and they have supplied quality materials for companies like Chikka Asia, McCann Ericsson, Informatics Computer Institute Philippines, Poveda Learning Center, Aruba Bars, Asian Hospital, and various clinics at the Makati Medical Center.

"Success stories like these emphasize the importance of trade shows like Worldbex," said Joseph L. Ang, WSI’s founding chair.

Trade Undersecretary Noel Quintanar, who delivered the opening address in behalf of Secretary Mar Roxas, said the government recognizes the local construction industry as an important sector that could trigger a jumpstart to boost the country’s national economic development.

Ang agreed, saying that "WSI, the organizer for the Worldbex trade shows, will always be committed to that objective."