Q&A with Mutaz Al Mazari, Portfolio Director, dmg events
Now that Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo is into its third edition, what are you seeing on the exhibition floor this year that tells you how the market is evolving?
The exhibition took place under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Eng. Saleh Nasser Al-Jasser and the exhibition floor was extremely busy this year. What stood out was the level of engagement between exhibitors and visitors. Some of the leading stands, including Kaden, SAL Logistics, JAL, MS Logistics and Swisslog, among others, were particularly busy, with strong conversations throughout the day.
We also heard very positive feedback from exhibitors, offering us another perspective on how the market was developing. SSI Schaefer, for example, exhibited at Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo for the first time this year and was very positively impressed by the response. Their team met people with real projects, with conversations leading to requests for follow-up visits. Kaden was another good example of the scale of activity in the market, with the company working across residential, commercial, industrial and logistics developments and highlighting the continued expansion of its logistics and industrial interests. For international companies in particular, the exhibition also provided an opportunity to better understand the Saudi Arabian market and its specific requirements.
Across the floor, we witnessed a market that was becoming more connected and sophisticated. Businesses were looking at how warehousing, transport, technology and supply chain capabilities could work together to improve visibility, efficiency and resilience. That was reflected in both the solutions being showcased and the conversations taking place.
What are visitors and buyers coming to the Expo looking for this year? Have you noticed any particular areas generating stronger interest?
There was a clear focus on solutions that addressed practical operational requirements. Visitors were having detailed conversations around projects, requirements and how particular solutions could work within their operations.
We saw strong engagement across warehousing, automation, material handling, logistics services, transport and digital solutions. The level of activity at the major logistics providers and technology companies reflected that demand.
Exhibitors were speaking with serious buyers about active projects and discussing very specific requirements. This showed that there was a growing demand for solutions that matched the realities of operating in Saudi Arabia.
This edition of Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo gathers over 350 exhibitors and more than 4,000 products and services. What does that breadth tell you about the opportunities available to businesses operating in Saudi Arabia?
It showed how broad the opportunity had become across the logistics value chain. With more than 350 exhibitors and over 4,000 products and services, visitors could engage with logistics providers, technology companies, warehouse and material handling specialists, transport businesses and other solution providers in one place.
We also saw international companies leveraging the exhibition to establish relationships and better understand the regional market, as well as explore expansion opportunities within the Kingdom. That created opportunities in both directions: companies could identify new customers and partners, while Saudi Arabian businesses could access international technologies, expertise and potential investment.
We saw strong business activity translate into new collaborations, with 17 MoUs signed between companies across the warehousing and logistics ecosystem over the three days.
How important is it for an event like Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo to bring government, logistics providers, technology companies, warehouse operators and supply chain decision-makers into the same conversation?
It was essential because these parts of the logistics ecosystem were increasingly interconnected. Infrastructure decisions affected operators, technology affected how businesses managed their facilities and supply chains, and the requirements of end users ultimately influenced the solutions that companies developed and invested in.
Having these stakeholders together allowed those conversations to happen directly. We had government representatives discussing infrastructure and the direction of the sector alongside companies presenting solutions and businesses looking at how those solutions could address their requirements.
The exhibition and the content programme, which included Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Summit and Hala Chats, complemented each other in that respect. The exhibition created opportunities for commercial conversations, while the content programme gave the wider industry an opportunity to discuss strategic priorities affecting the market.
The Kingdom’s logistics ambitions are driving investment across infrastructure, multimodal connectivity, warehousing and digital capabilities. How is this translating into the conversations you’re hearing from exhibitors and visitors at the Expo?
We could see that development in the conversations happening across the exhibition floor. There was increasing interest in how different parts of the logistics network connected, from infrastructure and transport through to warehousing, distribution and digital capabilities.
During the summit, Eng. Rajih Al-Shareif from the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services outlined the Ministry’s logistics zones masterplan, including 59 logistics zones, of which 24 were currently activated. He also discussed specialized logistics zones at city entrances and micro-hubs being developed to support faster e-commerce fulfilment and more efficient last-mile operations. These developments are opening up opportunities across the private sector and we are seeing logistics operators, technology providers, warehouse specialists and transport companies actively engaging around these areas at the exhibition.
The summit also looked at what these capabilities needed to deliver in practice. The session on logistics behind major sporting events highlighted the importance of resilience, contingency planning, visibility and technology, while Hala Chats brought practical examples of how businesses could apply ideas such as reuse, local sourcing and greater supply chain visibility to their own operations. Across the programme, the conversation was increasingly about building a more connected and resilient logistics ecosystem and the capabilities businesses needed to support it.
Looking ahead to 2027, what would you like to see more of at Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo?
Our aim is to ensure the event continues to evolve alongside Saudi Arabia’s warehousing and logistics market, with growing participation from companies bringing capabilities that respond to the Kingdom’s changing requirements.
As the event returns for its 4th edition in 2027, we are collaborating with Messe München to launch transport logistic Middle East, air cargo Middle East and project cargo Middle East alongside it, giving us an opportunity to broaden the conversation across warehousing, logistics, freight and air cargo. That is particularly relevant as Saudi Arabia prepares for major developments such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, which will create sophisticated requirements across transport, warehousing, freight and supply chain management.
Our ambition is for Saudi Warehousing & Logistics Expo to remain a key annual meeting point for businesses looking to enter, expand and invest in the Kingdom’s logistics market, while continuing to bring the right mix of industry expertise, commercial opportunities as well as strategic and practical knowledge to Riyadh.
