In July 2026, Kennen Steel travelled to Jakarta to attend IndoBuildTech Expo 2026.
It was our first time taking part in an exhibition in Indonesia, and a valuable opportunity to meet the local construction and building materials market in person.
During the exhibition, we met buyers, distributors, contractors and other industry professionals from Indonesia and beyond. We had conversations around steel products, sourcing from China, product specifications, certification requirements and the practical needs of the local market.
For us, an exhibition is never just about putting products on display. It is also a chance to listen, ask questions and understand a market from the people working in it every day.
Getting Closer to the Indonesian Market
One of the biggest benefits of being in Jakarta was getting a better feel for the market beyond what can be seen from a distance.
We found the Indonesian steel market to be highly practical and application-driven. Buyers have different requirements depending on their projects, and for many applications, the focus is on finding steel that meets the required specification and offers a sensible balance between performance, availability and cost.
At the same time, local requirements are an important part of the sourcing process.
Indonesia has its own standards and import-related requirements for a range of steel products. Depending on the product and application, SNI certification, import requirements, documentation and other local compliance considerations can all become important factors.
This was one of the areas we paid close attention to during the exhibition.
For an overseas supplier, having the right product is only one part of the job. Understanding whether that product can actually be supplied into a particular market - and what needs to be prepared before shipment - is equally important.
More Than a Few Days at an Exhibition
We also had the opportunity to introduce Kennen Steel, our product range and our sourcing capabilities to potential customers and partners.
More importantly, we came away with a better understanding of the questions buyers are asking and the challenges they face when sourcing steel internationally.
Some conversations may lead to business. Others may simply give us a better understanding of the market.
Both are valuable.
We are now back from Indonesia with new connections, new ideas and a clearer picture of the market.
The Jakarta trip was an important first step for Kennen Steel in Indonesia, and we look forward to continuing the conversations that started there.
We'll also be sharing more about what we learned from our recent visit to Vietnam, as well as the markets we'll be exploring next.
More stories, market observations and moments from the road are coming soon.
