Middle East conflict impacts Asian manufacturers at Global Industrie Expo

The ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel is affecting Asian manufacturers participating in the Global Industrie exhibition in Villepinte, a suburb of Paris. However, most companies report that their business operations remain stable, according to BFM.

Saudi company Bahra Electric was the sole representative from the Gulf at the exhibition. Vice President  Tamim Mustafa Burghul said the company, which exports to around 50 countries, continues to operate. Its production facilities, located between Mecca and Jeddah, are functioning normally, though raw material costs may rise slightly.

Other companies are facing challenges. Taiwan’s Chang Way Industries reports increased prices for plastics and metals, while Indian metallurgical firm Ashwani Metals has temporarily suspended some energy-intensive operations, as liquefied natural gas is now prioritised for domestic use. This could delay European deliveries by 2–4 weeks.

Some manufacturers, like STT Bearings in Suzhou, are largely unaffected thanks to diversified energy and material sources. They produce small components for drones, electric vehicles, and data centres using electricity from hydropower, wind, solar, and nuclear sources.

Overall, the effects of the Middle East conflict vary across industries: some face rising costs and delays, while others maintain normal operations.