Construction Business News ME - October 2017

OCTOBER 2017

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REGION'S CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS

Road to

Prosperity Eng Ahmed al Hammadi discusses the importance of the Ministry's road projects for the better future of the UAE We design.. we construct.. we build..

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// contents 8 10 18 20

October 2017 // Issue #32

Ed Note News Appointments Comment

DSI’s Sameer Daoud talks about maintaining right job discipline

22 Comment

Cundall’s Hala Yousef stresses on quality, not quantity

24 Cover Story

Eng Ahmed Al Hammadi highlights the ministry’s road projects

28 Site Visit

A tour of Select Group’s Marina Gate in Dubai Marina

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Editor Paromita Dey paromita@bncpublishing.net Photography Dhananjay Sekhar Poojoori Art Director Aaron Sutton aaron@bncpublishing.net Marketing Executive Mark Anthony Monzon mark@bncpublishing.net

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32 Roundtable

Five marketing women from Construction giants talk about their success journey

38 Event Review

The highlights from Cityscape Global 2017

42 CIA 2017

Shortlist revealed for Construction Innovation Awards 2017

74 Supplier News 76 Editor’s Pick

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// Editor's note

editor’s note

It’s time for the big night!

I

t is that time of the year when Construction Business News will hold its second annual Construction Innovation Awards. This year, the awards have received an overwhelming response from the construction sector.

With an 80% surge in the number of nominations across 18 categories this year, the awards definitely look to become bigger and better.

The October issue also features highlights from one of the region’s biggest real estate and property trade fairs, Cityscape Global.

The exhibition hosted hundreds of prominent local and international companies offering an array of exclusive deals on projects within the UAE. In addition to transactions onsite, up to 40 new project launches were announced during the show from developers such as Aldar Properties, Deyaar, Dubai Properties, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Nakheel, and Meydan.

According to Cityscape global data partner, Property Monitor, offered by Cavendish Maxwell, when comparing the number of transactions for off-plan properties during the first

8

day of Cityscape Global in 2016 and 2017, the figure has grown to almost three times the size, jumping from 37 to 106.

Lynnette Abad, partner and head of Property Monitor, said: “Looking back at the opening day for 2016’s edition compared to 2017’s, we can see a dramatic leap in the number of registered Dubai Land Department transactions made for off-plan units. Permission to sell during the show has seemed to catalyse investor and buyers in the region, and has resulted in a noticeable increase of activity.

“One of the reasons why off-plan has been so successful this year is because developers have found that winning combination of a very good final price point coupled with attractive payment plans. This has lured investors back into the market and opened an opportunity for end-users who couldn't afford to get on the property ladder before.”

There is still four months left for the year to end. The busiest quarter of 2017 is here and we have all pulled up our socks to end the year on a positive note.

// construction business news me // October 2017

Paromita Dey Editor paromita@bncpublishing.net @paromitadey1 linkedin.com/in/paromita-dey

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Update

An update from around the region

For News, features and more, Visit www.CBNme.com Follow us on twitter for breaking news: @cbn_ME Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute breaking news

Construction

Meraas reveals updates about Dubai Harbour at Cityscape Global Master developer Meraas has announced that Dubai Harbour will have a second cruise terminal in addition to the one already revealed in January 2017. The announcement was made during Cityscape Global 2017.

Dubai Harbour will be the first cruise destination to build two terminals simultaneously which, when completed, will accommodate 1.2m passengers annually.

The addition of a second terminal is intended to build on Dubai’s reputation as a tourism destination, while capitalising on strong growth in the cruise industry globally.

HE Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman at Meraas, said: “Dubai Harbour connects some of Dubai’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and reflects a culture of innovation envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the emirate. The project also reaffirms our commitment to expanding on Dubai’s rich maritime heritage and tourism profile, while supporting the continued diversification of the national economy.

“By creating a world-class destination that appeals to people around the globe, Dubai Harbour represents an opportunity to achieve 10

economies of scale and drive growth in the maritime tourism sector. It will also help maintain Dubai’s status among the world’s top tourism destinations for generations to come.”

Each terminal will be approximately 14,000sqm in size with one single apron of 900m. While other ports have multiple terminals, none have so far built more than one at any given time. Meanwhile, in addition to serving the cruise ship industry, Dubai Harbour will feature the largest marina in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Once complete, the marina will have 1,100 berths, capable of ac-

// construction business news me // October 2017

commodating some of the world’s biggest private yachts.

The masterplan for Dubai Harbour extends over 185ha and includes an 81,290sqm shopping mall, an events arena, luxury residences, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and a yacht club. It will also feature the Dubai Lighthouse, an architectural marvel stretching 135m into the sky with an observation deck offering panoramic views.

Dubai Harbour will also integrate Skydive Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), and Logo Island into a single integrated community. Ground has been broken and 130,000sqm of land has

been reclaimed. The contractor for the cruise terminal will be appointed once the land for the terminal is ready, with Dubai Habour being constructed in phases.

There will also be a futuristic public transport system, water stations, pedestrian bridge, and jogging and cycling tracks. The new development will offer views of Dubai’s skyline, the Arabian Gulf and ‘Ain Dubai’, the world’s tallest and largest observation wheel. The project will create synergies with some of Dubai’s other projects located in the area, including Palm Jumeirah and Meraas’ neighbourhood at Bluewaters.

Real estate

MAG unveils AED4bn project in MBR City MAG Property Development (MAG PD) announced the launch of its AED4bn MAG EYE project for customers looking for investment opportunities at Cityscape Global.

MAG EYE is one of the exclusive communities being developed in the heart of Mohammed bin Rashid (MBR) City in Meydan Dubai, and is situated close to the Meydan Racecourse and many of the city’s most important landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Downtown Dubai.

Residents will also benefit from easy access to the city via the major Al Khail and Mohammed bin Zayed roads.

MAG EYE will offer a wide range of residential options including various apartments and townhouse units. While featuring a calm and relaxing environment, all units will have a view of the city’s skyline and private green spaces, with outdoor gardens em-

bracing the project’s buildings to form an oasis.

Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah, chief executive officer of MAG PD, commented: “At our MAG EYE project, we are presenting an exclusive definition of family housing by providing residents with the highest lev-

els of privacy, comfort, and residential living at a strategic location in the heart of Dubai.

“Our strategy for 2017 and 2018 is focused on delivering real estate projects that cater to every socio-economic need in the city. Aimed at developing what we call

‘Value Homes’, MAG of Value blends returns on investment (ROI) with quality real estate, combining high-quality developments, ideal planning and comprehensive services, and facilities to deliver enhanced communities.”

The project is an exclusive private gated community of 4,000 apartments and 536 townhouses that give residents the option of studios and one-bedroom apartments, and three- and fourbedroom townhouses in Meydan District 7. Given its full privacy, all-day security, and a wide range of green spaces, swimming pools, retail shops, gymnasiums, restaurants, and cafés, the project will offer residents an ideal environment for relaxation.

The project will present residents with integrated solutions including ample space for retail shops, a mosque, and kindergarten, and the largest health club in the city.

utilities

Dubai Municipality installs solar panel cleaning robots As part of its plan to keep abreast of modern applications and advanced methods of project operation, the General Maintenance Department of Dubai Municipality has implemented one of the new smart applications, automatic cleaning of solar panels that are used for lighting the parks, at Al Khazan Park.

Eng Jabir Al Ali, director of general maintenance department at Dubai Municiwww.cbnme.com

pality, said: “Solar energy projects and applications have become a priority in the projects of Dubai Municipality because of its economic feasibility and environmental and health benefits. The optimal operation of solar projects requires the provision of supplementary services to ensure the best results of its design, implementation, and operation.”

Al Ali added that the ap-

plication of cleaning the solar panels automatically in Al Khazan Park is a preparatory stage for implementing this successful experience in existing solar projects and future projects.

He said: “The idea of the experiment is based on the principle of installation of the automatic cleaning device operating on the edges of the panel with a brush with flexible auto-

matic tuning. The system does not require the use of electrical energy and works on the solar energy generated from the panel.

In addition to that, it does not need water at all in the process of cleaning because its work depends on the pressure of the air.”

Al Ali added that the department is planning to implement such an experiment in other projects and sites too.

construction business news me // October 2017 //

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// NEWS

Project

Deyaar unveils AED1bn mixed-use project UAE-based developer, Deyaar Development, launched South Bay, a premium residential, serviced apartment and hotel property to be developed at an estimated cost of AED1bn.

Located in Business Bay, the 63-storey development will boast a built-up area of more than 130ha and offers fantastic views of The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour and Meydan Racecourse.

The design of the South Bay tower focuses on verticality, featuring sleek lines that effortlessly combine design with functionality – something that is echoed throughout the building’s interior, said senior Deyaar officials at the launch ceremony held on the sidelines

of Cityscape Global.

South Bay will be Deyaar’s first project with three accommodation components: residential, serviced apartment, and hotel units. It will comprise 926 units, from studios to three-bedrooms, of which 448 will be residential, 133 will be serviced apartments, and 345 will be hotel units operated by a multinational hotel brand.

Deyaar’s CEO, Saeed Al Qatami, said: “We’re extremely pleased to showcase our newest development, South Bay, here at Cityscape. South Bay will be the perfect addition to our growing portfolio, as a property suitable for anyone looking to live at a prestigious address in the heart of modern Dubai.

“Business Bay is one of the most exciting neighbour-

hoods to be in today, and South Bay will be in the very centre of the city’s leisure and business district.”

According to him, this new project will contribute to Deyaar’s expanding hospitality property portfolio, comprising 478 of the more than 2,000 keys that the company will add to the hospitality sector in Dubai by 2020.

“Residents will enjoy hotel amenities catering to their social, leisure, health and general well-being needs, including a gymnasium, swimming areas, mini golf, and more,” explained Al Qatami.

The official sales launch for South Bay will be announced in the coming months.

Consultant

Ramboll appointed for Imkan’s AED2bn Makers District Danish consultancy, Ramboll, has secured a major win as a lead consultant for Imkan’s AED2bn Makers District development in Abu Dhabi.

The waterfront community comprises a mix of residential, hospitality, commercial, and retail space, spread across 18ha of land on Reem Island, and is set to become one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic projects.

Ramboll will provide lead consultancy services on the first phase of Makers District, working alongside international Architects, BIG and MVRDV. Soren Holm Johansen, group executive director at Ramboll, stated: “This is a significant win for 12

our team in the UAE. Our multi-disciplinary buildings team are involved in several high-rises, and mixed-use projects in the region and this high-profile win cements our position as one of the leading engineering design companies. With the consultancy contract valued at AED120mn, the Makers District is a very challenging project, and we are excited to utilise our knowledge and expertise to deliver a project of this scale successfully.”

Commenting on the announcement, Walid El Hindi, CEO of IMKAN, said: “We are delighted to appoint Ramboll as the lead consultant for the first phase of Mak-

// construction business news me // October 2017

ers District. This is testament to our approach of entering partnerships with global firms with a proven track record in delivering truly outstanding projects. Makers District is the first development of its kind in the region. We conducted extensive research on the needs and aspirations of young, highly networked, and creative workers who currently have a limited choice in where they live and work.

“Makers District is a community that fills this gap by

responding to the rise of the maker movement – a social movement with an artisan spirit. With a vibrant hub, it will become the new beating heart of Abu Dhabi and will herald a new type of real estate development that will benefit end-users, investors, and the wider community.”

With over 1,000 residential units, 11,000sqm of commercial and retail space, and a construction value of AED2bn, the scheme is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Project

ARADA unveils AED24bn real estate project in Sharjah

UAE-based developer, ARADA, launched Aljada, a master-planned destination, covering over 2.2sqkm that is set to become Sharjah’s largest ever mixed-use development project. Unveiled by HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Aljada is located on the last major plot of undeveloped land in the heart of the emirate.

Delivered in phases starting from 2019, construction on Aljada will begin in the first quarter of 2018 and the entire project is expected to be completed by 2025. Aljada is an all-encompassing district that comprises retail, leisure, and entertainment options, in addition to a wide range of residential and commercial offerings, such as a dedicated business park.

The Aljada masterplan by ARADA is designed with walkability and wide green www.cbnme.com

spaces in mind, allowing residents, workers, and visitors the ability to live, work, play, and be entertained within an all-inclusive and self-sustained precinct.

Aljada’s entertainment and leisure precinct, the Central Hub, will be a major draw for tourists and residents.

The Central Hub will be anchored by a showpiece musical fountain display, situated in a beautifully designed urban piazza, populated with an array of cafes and restaurants. Among the Central Hub’s other attractions will be the largest children’s adventure and discovery complex in the Northern Emirates, alongside skate parks, an extreme sports centre, and indoor and outdoor entertainment.

Upon completion, Aljada is projected to play host to a total population of around 70,000. The community will contain two linear parks, each 2.2km long, that stretch the entire

length of the project, helping to promote a healthy lifestyle and giving every resident the opportunity to enjoy lush green spaces only a few minutes’ walk away from their front door.

In addition, two wide treelined boulevards, totalling 4.4km in length and featuring carefully curated retail and F&B offerings, and will provide a vibrant and busy connection to every district in Aljada.

ARADA’s chairman, HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, said: “Aljada reflects ARADA’s unwavering commitment to contribute to the Sharjah leadership’s vision by creating unique urban communities with ample green spaces. We want to offer residents and investors upscale living experiences that are currently unavailable in the market and ensure a better life for everyone who visits, lives, or works in Aljada. We are confident that this development will raise interest in Sharjah even further while strengthening its position as a secure and sought-after investment destination. Aljada also seeks to attract businesses looking to establish their base out of Sharjah, the UAE’s newest booming economic hub and a thriving businessfriendly environment.”

HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, vice chairman of ARADA, said: “Aljada is a project that stays true to its roots; it embodies the heritage of the city that lies around it while looking forward to Shar-

jah’s future. With design elements that draw inspiration from Sharjah’s oldest neighbourhoods to environmentally friendly building standards, Aljada really does represent the best of both worlds.”

HE Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, chairman of Sharjah Urban Planning Council, said: “Elevating the standards of development in Sharjah by working closely with the Sharjah Urban Planning Council, Aljada will be distinguished by its superior architectural design and unparalleled quality of public realm, incorporating best international design practices.

Master-planned with a focus on enhanced urban spaces, the design-led Aljada lifestyle experience integrates living, working, and entertainment, all curated for a vibrant tightly knit community.”

The development includes an extensive residential mix including standalone villas, semi-detached villas, townhouses, lofts, and apartments, complemented by generous open spaces and facilities, including F&B outlets, schools, healthcare clinics, and mosques. A considerable portion of the masterplan is dedicated to green spaces and community facilities, creating an attractive opportunity for investors who want to buy in a new prime destination that perfectly captures the essence of Sharjah.

construction business news me // October 2017 //

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// NEWS

The 16th edition of Cityscape Global, the Middle East’s largest, most influential real estate event, officially opened on September 11 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

// Snapshot Education

Aldar finishes Reem Island school

Top 5 Web Stories

www.cbnme.com

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1

ALEC bags Dubai Hills mall project

2

DSI makes new appointments

3

Expo 2020 unveils legacy plans

4

Emaar skips Cityscape Global

5

Ramboll wins Imkan's project

Abu Dhabi-based developer, Aldar Properties, has completed the Repton School project and has handed the asset over to the operator EKI ahead of the commencement of the 2017-18 academic year.

Aldar was the developer of the project, which consists of two main buildings – one focused on teaching and the other on sports. Occupying a 2.5ha plot, the main school building incorporates a basement, ground floor, and three further floors. Athletic facilities include tennis courts, a 25m Olympic standard swimming pool, and two multi-purpose gyms. The school also boasts a dance theatre. Construction commenced in May 2016 and finished in August 2017.

The school is located within Aldar’s master planned community on Reem Island and in close proximity to the developer’s other projects including Sun & Sky Towers, The Gate & Arc Towers, Meera, and The Bridges.

// construction business news me // October 2017

Commenting, Talal Al Dhiyebi, chief development officer, Aldar Properties, said: “I am pleased to be able to hand over Repton School, after what has been a high tempo construction schedule, in time for the new academic year. We have a track record in delivering schools that will meet the needs of future generations, and I am sure that Repton students will benefit greatly from the facilities on offer. I am also pleased that it is located in a catchment area that will benefit a great number of people living in Aldar homes on Reem Island.”

Project

Sobha unveils 22 villas in Sobha Hartland Dubai-based developer, Sobha Group, unveiled the Hartland Gardenia Villas, the newest collection of fourbedroom luxury villas with Dubai Canal views.

This launch is part of Phase 2 of the villa community within Sobha Hartland. Sobha Hartland is 74ha freehold community in Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City. Its prime proximity near Dubai’s top attractions makes it a particularly sought-after project.

With special focus on lavish space and exclusive features, the Gardenia villas at Sobha Hartland will comprise four-bedrooms on two levels complete with ensuite bathrooms and ample closet space. These contemporary villas come with a private lift and will boast of a space of

404sqm each. Both an investor and end-user will have the option of having their very own outdoor space comprising a private garden and terrace.

Additionally, each Gardenia villa comes with special retractable glass doors which allows residents to merge indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly, connecting them to the private garden and swimming pool. Hartland Gardenia will comprise 22 units and completion is expected by August 2019.

PNC Menon, founder and chairman, Sobha Group, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Hartland Gardenia luxury villas. These villas will have features you would ordinarily find in a mansion like a lift, four master bedrooms,

private terraces, and garden and more. Investors and end-users finally have the opportunity to own a premium piece of luxury property in the centre of Dubai and in a freehold community along the Dubai Canal. We have designed these villas keeping in mind each type of lifestyle, investment, preference, and purpose.

“Given our focus for quality and large lavish homes compared to smaller units offered by other players, coupled with excellent payment plans, Sobha Hartland is by far the most preferred choice for real estate investments. Surrounded by 22ha of greenery and set along the Dubai Water Canal, the project enjoys the advantage of prime location backed by over 40 years of expertise.”

// Bitesize news

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority announced that the world’s longest and highest zip line will open on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, in December 2017.

The UAE government has approved housing loans worth AED670mn to 1,080 beneficiaries in Umm Al Quwain under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme.

Dubai Metro has officially crossed the one billion rider mark, announced by Matar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the RTA.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed declared the official opening date for Louvre Abu Dhabi to be on November 11, 2017. www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // October 2017 //

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// NEWS

RKM Durar to build AED650mn project Dubai-based RKM Durar Properties, a joint venture between RKM Real Estate and Durar Al Emarat Properties, has launched a new ‘U’ shaped twotower residential project on the banks of Dubai Water Canal.

The J One project’s Tower A will have 19 floors offering 257 studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments, while Tower B with 18 floors will provide 90 two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. The project, the group’s first development, will also have six villas and nine retail units.

The tower A includes two temperature-controlled pools, spas, gyms, a sky garden, and a children’s playground. The tower B has another

two temperature-controlled pools, spas, health clubs, and VIP lounge.

The entire project is spread across 83,612sqm of area.

The project contractor is Ali & Sons

Contracting, which is part of Ali & Sons Holding. The project is designed by a consortium of consultants, including QHC Architects and Engineers as its architect and lead con-

sultant, Meinhardt Singapore PTE as its engineering consultant, and Wrenn Associates International as its interior design consultant.

The developer said prices will range from AED825,000 for a studio to AED2.2mn for a two-bed unit. Expected to be completed in Q3 2019, construction has been finished for the basement and the first two levels.

Mohammed Miqdadi, general manager, Durar Al Emarat Properties, said: “J One is one of the pearls of RKM Durar Properties and can be considered a real work of art, designed specially to provide an optimal living space of the highest quality to the residents of the towers.”

Results

Orascom posts $2bn H1 2017 revenue Orascom Construction has reported a consolidated first half 2017 revenue of $2bn in line with the previous year.

Consolidated net income attributable to shareholders increased 4.7% year-on-year to $51.7mn in H1 2017 and decreased 10.2% y-o-y to $23.7mn in Q2 2017.

The MENA region accounted for 54% of total revenue, of which Egypt represented 91%, while Weitz and Contrack Watts comprised 28% of the total. Net income in H1 2017 in MENA reflects the improved performance in the second quarter while net income in the US was impacted by the realisation of a deferred tax asset of $20mn, the company said.

Net income contribution from Besix increased to $13.5mn in Q2 2017, bringing the total contribution in H1 2017 to $24mn compared to $9.5mn the previous year.

The group’s net cash position stood at $202.1mn as of June 30, 2017, compared to $204.1mn as of December 31, 2016 and $186.8mn as of March 31, 2017. Total equity increased 26.2% to $381.6mn compared to the level at December 31, 2016.

Consolidated backlog excluding Be16

six stood at $4.7bn and new awards at $747.3mn as of June 30, 2017. The group expects to sign a number of important projects during the second half of 2017 across MENA and US markets, while the current backlog provides sufficient visibility on profitability, it said.

Backlog as of June 30, 2017, was impacted by approximately 20% due to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound.

Infrastructure and industrial work continue to account for the majority of the consolidated backlog, representing 86% of the total. Including the group’s 50% share in Besix, pro-forma backlog and new awards stood at $6.6bn and

// construction business news me // October 2017

$1.5bn, respectively, as of June 30, 2017, the company said.

Orascom Construction CEO, Osama Bishai, said: “We continued to expand our presence in Egypt’s infrastructure sector during the second quarter and signed additional projects in power and roads as well as works associated with the new administrative capital. Our significant involvement in all major segments of Egypt’s construction market further strengthens our position in key areas of focus such as transportation and water treatment.

“In the US, we remain focused on executing our current projects while evaluating new opportunities. We are also pleased to report that Weitz has successfully completed, ahead of schedule, the largest student-housing complex in the US at Texas A&M University, solidifying its leadership in this growing sector of the construction market. Furthermore, we continue to execute our plan to streamline our US subsidiaries to improve our overall cost structure as we aim to grow this part of our business and increase profitability.”

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// Appointments

Appointments Movers and shakers in the industry

Aurecon F+G appoints KSA head for programme management appoints new Faithful+Gould (F+G) has appointed Paul Sweeney as the new infrastructure head of programme management for its 160-strong business in Saudi Arabia. The integrated project and programme manManaging director agement consultancy has seen rapid growth in the kingdom,

Global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm, Aurecon, has appointed Ben Stapleton as managing director for its infrastructure division. The appointment reflects Aurecon’s commitment to providing user-focused solutions to government and private sector clients as they tackle current and future infrastructure challenges such as unprecedented urbanisation, changing community expectations, and the significant impact of emerging technologies. On his appointment, Stapleton commented: “Some of the things that attracted me to this role at Aurecon are the company’s energetic approach to leveraging disruptive technology and best practice innovation to help clients make better decisions about all lifecycle stages of their infrastructure assets. Aurecon is ideally positioned to help clients make better use of design and technology for long term infrastructure planning, development and maintenance.”

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with its order book expected to grow by 15% over the course of the next year. Sweeney joins F+G from Aecom, where he performed a number of roles including head of project management and a director and partner in Davis Langdon in the UK. With over 25 years’ experience, he brings a wealth of programme, project, and operational experience, with recent responsibilities including business unit and financial planning, performance and delivery, staff development and mentoring, and business development, among others.

Alba promotes new maintenance manager Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, promoted Haitham Al Saegh to manager for reduction maintenance and services. Saegh joined Alba in 2001 as an electrical apprentice in Maintenance Carbon 1 & 2. In 2014, he was appointed as superintendent for maintenance reduction lines and services, following which he was promoted to manager reduction maintenance and services. Commenting on this occasion, Alba’s CEO, Tim Murray, said: “Alba believes in developing and promoting Bahraini nationals to take-up leadership positions within the company. We are pleased with the progress demonstrated by Saegh and I am confident that he will continue to raise the bar and deliver strong results in his new role.”

DSI appoints new board member

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Dubai-based contractor, Drake & Scull International (DSI), has announced the appointment of seasoned UAE entrepreneur, Mohammad Atatreh, as its board member during the company’s board meeting. Atatreh replaces Khalaf Sultan Al Daheri, who resigned from his seat on the board. Atatreh was a board member of several UAE companies, including Tabarak Commercial Investment, where he played a strategic role in the management of the company’s real estate development and construction portfolio.

// Op-Ed

Minimise Distractions Sameer Daoud, chief development officer and MD at Drake & Scull International (DSI), argues that maintaining focus and discipline to get the job done right is a more valuable competitive advantage than ever before

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ome fear that the construction sector is heading towards a race to the bottom whereby competition is based primarily on price, sacrificing quality as a result.

The definition of progress, innovation, and technology can, in essence, be summarised as doing more with less. However, this does not mean that being creative and having fantastic ideas offers any value in and of itself.

Innovation requires discipline and focus so that it can be applied and lead to real results in the real world.

Whenever I hear buzzwords, I remind myself that much of what comes out of the mouths of sales and marketing people evades the perennial question: “What exactly is the value of what you are offering?”

I believe this is not a question that any company should fear. Rather, it needs to be embraced. If a company does not have a valid answer, your business will not survive. This is the only trend and competitive advantage that never goes out of fashion!

In theory, having good business sense is simple; understand the demand in the market and gather the resources necessary to meet and satisfy this demand better than your competitors. However, when opening any business magazine, this simple reality often gets lost in the noise of business gurus espousing the virtues of innovation and creativity.

Sure, it is appealing to try and gaze over the horizon and discover new opportunities. It is certainly more interesting to talk about being an industry disrupter compared to com20

The only lasting business relationship is the one that creates mutual economic value for both parties.” peting in a traditional industry with conventional technologies.

And who doesn’t want to be the company that swoops in and pulls the

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rug from underneath its competitors by introducing a new technology or a gamechanging business model? But as entertaining as such ideas may be to listen to, it is not necessarily good for business. In fact, this talk is often more distracting and destructive than it is productive!

There is a constant risk of companies being diverted from their core competencies. Counteracting this pressure demands that you can keep your focus and discipline. I want to address two main threats that companies need to keep front and centre so as not to lose their focus and discipline. These are temptation to pursue ‘new’ opportunities in the form of trends and technologies, and the allure of ‘diversification’ into the unknown waters of emerging markets.

Many times, talking about innovation is about creating positive emotions that distract from questioning the real underlying value. As a contractor, we need to place ourselves in the shoes of our clients, and understand the motivations underlying their purchasing decisions.

Our services and products need to fill a need, solve problems, and serve a function. On top of that, these need to get delivered at a more competitive price point than our competitors.

This reality is especially clear in our business of construction and MEP. For the clients of contractors, sales pitches that hit all the right buzzwords are not of any value. Our industry is not about selling feelings. It is about solving problems and creating value for your clients.

There are no short-cuts or slogans that can make up for second-tier work-

manship or materials. We are focused on getting the job done and getting it done right. But even for us, the idea of creating ‘new’ markets and ‘new’ demand is often distracting.

Where other industries have seen the entry of companies that have completely disrupted the competitive landscape, the construction sector remains very traditional. The more established the industry, the more conventional it is likely to be. But even in construction, thinking big often gets in the way of thinking smart. It is easy to miss more lucrative opportunities staring at you right in the face because they seem boring!

The same flawed rationale for pursuing disruptive innovation is present in the allure of entering new markets. To find greener pastures in the form of profits, one has to leap into the ‘blue yonder’ not yet reached by rivals, too caught up fighting to the death for the crumbs left in the mature markets.

Consequently, the idea that you www.cbnme.com

need to take risks to get higher returns is taken for gospel to the extent that it crowds out better business opportunities closer to home that are often overlooked or ignored.

Taking a chance on new markets and new technologies may lead to high rewards, but are as likely to leave you shipwrecked or adrift, floating aimlessly out at sea, if you are not very clear about what your weaknesses are.

Just as the novelty of new technologies is exciting and appealing, so is breaking into new markets promising rapid growth. However, often it is misleading and a distraction from seeing clearly where you can best deliver value for clients. This is most times the biggest business opportunity that is missed.

A large part of the explanation for this is our temptation to go with the crowd, and believe whatever the current hype and trends are, which skew our perception of reality. In the late 1990s, you were not allowed to question the valuation of tech companies.

Then it was the wisdom of the crowd that you could not question real-estate investments, or that the price of oil would never again go below a hundred dollars. What are the truths we agree on today that we will consider to be mass delusions tomorrow?

The argument is that it should not matter, as long as you stay focused on understanding your clients’ needs, and competing by delivering more value than your competitors. This is the only trend and competitive advantage that never goes out of fashion. When it comes to both workmanship and materials, the market’s demand for quality is relentless. And this is getting even clearer in the current regional market.

Cutting corners is not a viable longterm strategy.

In the end, lasting performance and competitiveness is about consistency achieved through focus and discipline.

The only lasting business relationship is the one that creates mutual economic value for both parties.

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// Op-Ed

What is old, is new Hala Yousef, head of sustainability in the Middle East for Cundall, highlights how sustainability should be a look in between the old and the new

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any locals and long-term residents can point out the old parts of town with a familiar quote, “this is how it all used to look like”. This is usually directed at the old heritage side of town or more commonly, the parts of town that appear to be on their way to demolition.

The other extreme is the side that one would see promoted by the media as a glamourous tourist attraction.

These Instagram-worthy venues often consist of eye catching highprofile buildings. And then there are numerous buildings that historically reside between the old and the new.

These buildings are the ones that have spurred up in the rush of the construction boom, when the real estate industry was just struggling to cope with the ever-increasing demand.

These buildings, by Western standards, are considered relatively ‘new’.

They have the glazed façade providing it with a modern appearance on the exterior, however, underneath the surface they are plagued with problems.

We have all been in these buildings; the air is slightly too damp or too dry; in hot humid summer days, we can see the condensation on the grilles; when sitting anywhere near a window means being uncomfortably hot; and a change to any switch or control 22

Understanding and appreciating the complexities in retrofitting makes it even more important that we get it right at the start of the design and construction.”

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(temperature and light for example) will result in extreme shifts to the entire space, leaving certain occupants too hot, too cold, or in the dark. This is true for residential, commercial, and even industrial buildings.

If the buildings are residential, we usually try to avoid them unless hunting for a great rental bargain, thinking that we can put up with the poor acoustics and will get used to the noise of cars racing outside.

However, sometimes we only see the true extent of these issues once we’ve moved in to the building, to discover that when it rains outdoors, it also rains indoors.

These buildings are usually plagued with issues that range from improper sealing of the façade, inadequate controls of systems, inefficient fixtures, lack of insulation, and many more poor attributes. These attributes have severe operating knock-on effects such as lack of air tightness translating to condensation issues, improper HVAC zoning controls translating to over cooling of spaces, lack of thermal mass translating to hot interior and unnecessary load, inefficient electrical and water fixture translating to high utility demand, and many more.

All of this translates to higher than required energy and water consump-

tion, which were much cheaper during the construction boom. However, as utility prices are increasing, these issues can no longer be overlooked as a sustainability and quality issue but are rather a long-term cost issue.

These issues in today’s design and construction environment are being phased out by regulation, building codes, and sustainability standards that demand better quality. For the majority of buildings that sit between the new and the old, they require a fresh drive to retrofit them to be more sustainable and in the longer term to be more financially viable to operate. The increase of utility prices makes retrofitting a more feasible option as the cost of retrofit work to cost savings in the long-term make for an attractive case.

There are many complexities in initiating a retrofit initiative. The first is the regulation of retrofitting without additional cost to the owners and the www.cbnme.com

incentives available for non-owneroccupied buildings and spaces. This complexity can lead to a more complex issue of multiple ownership of the same building. While regulatory requirements might help harmonise this complexity, its execution will have many hurdles. These hurdles include lack of proper benchmarking as-built documentation and sub-metering of utilities. The investigation of greatest return upgrades can also be a daunting and complex task.

We have seen many countries that have long passed the mature market growth stage that have faced these complexities and hurdles. The solution has not been the same for each country and will not be the same for this region. The drive for retrofitting must take into consideration the region’s own unique driving factors such as utility price trends, population and future demand, infrastructure

provisions, suppliers and skill of technicians, ownership structure, tenancy contracts, and portfolio analysis. All these will impact the strategy for implementing a region-wide retrofitting drive for the neglected, not ‘old’ and not ‘new’ buildings.

Understanding and appreciating these complexities in retrofitting makes it even more important that we get it right at the start of the design and construction. Even if it is slightly more expensive, it will almost always be cheaper than retrofitting it once it is operational and occupied. Therefore, developers and clients must look at a development’s life cycle rather than handover or sell. Operational costs and operational carbon emissions will, in the life of a project, outweigh the capital costs and embedded emissions, making retrofitting a smart, sustainable way to develop regional growth while combatting economic pressures.

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// Cover Story

Federal roads projects in different parts of the country aim to basically make the people happy and provide them a decent life.�

Eng Ahmed Al Hammadi

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// construction business news me // October 2017

Road to success Eng Ahmed Al Hammadi, director of the Roads Department in MoID, talks about the different road projects by the ministry to provide high-quality networks to the people of the UAE

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he UAE is expected to increase expenditure, primarily in areas of infrastructure and developmental enterprises, which will reflect positively on the government’s revenues, according to a recent report released by an international consultancy, Knight Frank.

Citing the current preparations going at full tilt for Expo 2020 Dubai, the report said the current real estate and tourism investments are expected to further consolidate and propel the economy to further new heights, especially after the global oil prices recovered some of the losses sustained over the past year.

According to state news agency, WAM, the UAE's Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MoID) is currently managing a portfolio worth AED1.43bn. Comprising 12 projects, the ministry's programme focuses on several of the UAE's emirates. The portfolio contains four developments for the Ministry of Interior, two for the Ministry of Justice, one for the Ministry of Culture Knowledge Development, and five road projects.

Engineer Ahmed Al Hammadi, director of the Roads Department in MoID, highlighted the fact that the ministry is always acting as a global platform, welcoming key regional and international stakeholders in developing the latest innovations, solutions, and engineering practices that contribute to the creation of an excellent infrastructure.

He says: “Yielding in the ministry’s big role in optimising the strategic importance and the opportunity presented by the infrastructure development in the UAE and giving us the chance of shaping the future of our

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nation by contributing in developing and more importantly, influencing the UAE industry through sharing knowledge, ideas, and ensuring a successful development.”

Currently the federal roads network consists of 22 roads of 720km located in the Northern Emirates.

The ministry is working on the internal roads at the Bateen Al Samar Residential Complex in Ras al-Khaimah, at an estimated cost of AED26mn and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2018. Eng Hammadi adds: “The project would be lit with solar-powered lights, thus contributing towards decreasing the percentage of carbon emission, the environmental impact on the region, and the maintenance cost. The project would be executed according to the highest specifications by relying on several intersections and traffic signals.”

The ministry has also started building a number of internal roads at the Raqayeb-2 residential compound in Ajman. The project, worth AED13mn, is to be completed in the third quarter of 2018. The one- and two-direction that comprises one lane in each direction shall be lit by solar power.

Eng Hammadi mentions: "This will help reduce carbon emissions and negative impact on the environment, leave alone the lower maintenance costs. The project, to include a number of intersections and traffic lights, will be carried out in line with the latest standards and specifications. The new internal roads will be an added attraction to the Emirati nationals to stay in the 306 modern style houses there."

The Raqayeb-2 compound is being carried out by the Sheikh Zayed Hous-

Key projects • Development and upgrade of Bade’a intersection on Emirates road (E611) • Construction and upgrade of the new extension of Emirates Road (E611) in Shaml and Suhaila areas • Construction of the new road connecting Sheikh Khalifa road (E84) and E99 (Phase 1) • Construction of internal roads of new households in the Northern Emirates • Construction of new internal roads in Bateen Al Samar – Ras Al Khaimah • Development and upgrade of Ittihad road (E11) in Um Al Quwain • Maintenance and development of Hamad bin Abdullah road – Fujairah • Construction internal roads for the new households in the southern area of Sharjah • Construction of internal roads for 306 households in Al Raqayeb area • Performance-based maintenance contract for all the federal roads network in the Northern Emirates • Construction of pedestrian bridges and crossings in the Northern Emirates • The development and construction of Umm Al Quwain interchange and bridges.

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// Cover Story

ing Programme. He elaborates: "The compound, highly accredited by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, comprises 306 houses, which are being constructed on a total area of 502sqm at a cost of AED350mn."

Another vital project that the ministry is building is the 6km road that will extend from the Nujaimat Roundabout at Sheikh Khalifa Road (Dubai-Fujairah Highway) to the Federal Road E99 (Eastern Coast Highway). All works are due to be completed by 2019, with the road's first phase expected to be ready in six months.

Eng Hammadi says: "The entire project will be finished by the third quarter of 2019 and will include three lanes on each side, as well as bridges, tunnels, traffic signals, side parking lots, service roads, and pedestrian 26

crossings. The road is expected to boost traffic safety in Fujairah.”

Eng Hammadi also mentions that the Bade’a interchange project currently is 49.2% complete. “It is expected to be finalised in August 2018 with a total cost of AED200mn. The main goal of this project is to reduce the traffic jam occurring at the interchange between Dubai and Sharjah at Emirates road (E611). That the interchange will be widened from three lanes to five on each direction. The slip roads will be widened as well with four lanes instead of two.”

Another project that the ministry has commissioned to raise awareness about road safety in a happy manner is to add more smileys on federal roads. The initiative aims to spread happiness among road users, and encourage them to call

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on 80088889 in case they wish to bring emergency maintenance requests to the ministry's notice.

Eng Hammadi points out: "Federal roads projects, which the ministry supervises in different parts of the country, aim to basically make the people happy and provide them a decent life.

Emiratis and residents of the country are at the centre of the ministry's policies. We work to bring happiness and road safety to them."

The Roads Department is working to support road safety along with road users’ comfort and happiness, which includes performance-based maintenance contract assuring road safety, high quality works, and fast response to any incidences on the network; road assets management system integrated with the performance-based maintenance project

and assuring the best conditions of all roads assets; intelligent transportation system assuring road users safety and security, along with the fastest response for all incidences integrated with a control centre; energy saving in federal roads consumption and developing new methodologies and techniques for reducing the CO2 emissions and electricity consumption of the federal roads network; and development and improvement of highway facilities and servers for road users.

Eng Hammadi says: “Our vision of working towards more sustainable and safe roads will yield someday into putting the UAE network in the first place internationally, thus creating a better experience to all road users and serving the homeland.”

Eng Hammadi is also a member of www.cbnme.com

the International Roads Federation (IRF) and the UAE Society of Engineers. His professional tasks focus on new road construction projects, roads assets management, and urgent maintenance of roads. His current projects include testing of 15 new materials

and procedures under research.

He concludes: “Change begins from one’s own in order to reflect on his environment and surroundings. We are looking forward to making the UAE a global platform for best practices and a home for innovation and excellence.”

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// Site visit

Luxury has a new name

CBNME takes a tour of Select Group’s Marina Gate project, offering a mix of serviced apartments, branded residences, and wellness facilities 28

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ocated in Dubai Marina, one of the most sough-after districts in the emirate, Select Group’s Marina Gate project is no less than a spectacle. With a gross development value of AED3.67bn, the three-tower development will feature podium-level villas, 1,500 apartments, extensive health and fitness facilities, and approximately 14,000sqm of retail space.

Prominently positioned, Marina Gate residents will benefit from excellent transportation network links, being within walking distance to the tram, metro, and water taxis.

The first tower at Marina Gate (MGI) will comprise 399 residential units, with studios starting from 50sqm to penthouses of 501sqm. Construction for MGI began in 2014 and and being built on an area of 10ha, it is already nearing completion. The second tower (MGII), being built on an area of 12ha, will comprise one-bedroom starting from 58sqm to full-floor penthouses of 1,096sqm. The third and the last tower in the luxury development, Jumeirah Living Marina Gate, spread across an area of 12ha, is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Ian Stapely, senior project manager, Select Group, says: “The first tower is nearing completion and handover is planned for the end of the year. The second tower is due for completion towards the fourth quarter of 2018.”

For such a landmark development, the developer believed in putting the construction reigns in the hands of one of the trusted and well-known contractor in the country. The UAE-based construction giant, ALEC Engineering & Contracting LLC, was appointed as the main contractor for MGI and MGII. ALEC Fitout and ALEMCO – both subsidiaries of ALEC – were awarded the respective contracts for fit-out and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works.

In August 2017, ALEC was also chosen for the contract of the construction of the third tower as well. The project is being jointly executed with ALEC subsidiaries, ALEMCO and Alec Fitout. Under the terms of the contract,

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construction business news me // October 2017 //

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// Site visit

A luxury twist Jumeirah Group, the global hotel

company and a member of Dubai Holding, signed an agreement

with Select Group to manage 508

properties within Marina Gate. The

group will bring its luxury hospitality

experience to the third and final tower within the Marina Gate development

under its Jumeirah Living brand. The

design-led luxurious living destination will include 104 serviced apartments, 389 branded residences, and 15

villas, and will offer an exclusive range of facilities and amenities including a temperature controlled infinity pool,

a dual-level gymnasium, a residents’ lounge, and business centre.

In a company statement, Gerald

Lawless, president and group CEO, Jumeirah Group, said: “We are

delighted to bring our Jumeirah

Living hospitality to the Marina Gate community. The Jumeirah name is

synonymous with quality and service excellence, and Jumeirah Living

delivers that promise in the branded residences market. Marina Gate

will appeal to residents looking for a truly distinctive lifestyle and is

a fantastic addition to our global hospitality portfolio.”

Rahail Aslam, CEO, Select Group,

said: “Jumeirah Living perfectly complements our Marina Gate

development by providing residents with an unmatched opportunity for a

curated lifestyle within Dubai Marina.

With its unparalleled combination

of location, luxury, and lifestyle, this development is set to become a landmark in the vibrant Marina community.”

The Jumeirah Group currently

operates 23 properties worldwide, including the Grosvenor House

Apartments by Jumeirah Living in

London and Jumeirah Living World

Trade Centre Residence in Dubai.

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ALEC is currently responsible for the construction of the tower, as well as 15 villas and ground floor retail units.

The tower’s specifications include two basement levels, ground and mezzanine levels, an eight-level podium, 48 upper floors, and a roof level, accommodating 493 one-, two-, and threebedroom apartments and penthouses.

Stapely comments: “Our relationship with ALEC has been very good.

We appointed Aedas, a renowned international architect, to carry out the initial designs of the project with ALEC, then being appointed to carry out the works on a design and build

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basis with the support of local and international consultants. It remains the responsibility of the contractor to build the project to the best quality possible as per requirements of the client. We have an excellent team in place across all companies involved who work together as one team to ensure the project is delivered to the highest possible standards.

“Project management is being carried out by our in-house teams including project managers, cost consultants, interior designers, and architects. We appoint the main contractor, who in turn, employs consultants and

We have to make sure we finish on time with a good quality product and within a fixed budget. ”

engineers of record in line with local authority requirements.”

He also points out that there are around 1,600 workers currently working on the first tower. “We have approximately 1,600 workers on the first tower, 500 workers on the second tower, and 200 workers present on the third site. This is peak time for us with sites running at maximum efficiency.”

Every project poses its own set of challenges, as Stapely mentions. “All projects pose challenges. In our industry, there are three kinds of challenges – time, quality, and cost. We have to www.cbnme.com

balance everything by juggling these three areas. We have to make sure we finish on time with a good quality product and within a fixed budget.

“For the Marina Gate project, we will finish on time, on budget, and to a very high standard. As far as the first tower is concerned, it is in finishing stages and handover is planned for year end.”

Stapely also adds that as often as possible, the developer tries to procure raw materials from local industries in order to support the local economy. “However, in addition to this, we source from around the

world in order to achieve the highest standards possible, for example, marble and tiles from Italy. Everything has to be built according to the green buildings codes and this is an important part of our green building permit process.”

The developer has received an overwhelming response for the project, with majority of the property already been sold out. Stapely concludes: “Marking the entrance to the Dubai Marina community, our project is almost sold out. Once completed, Marina Gate will redefine the standard of quality in Dubai Marina.”

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// Roundtable

CBNME talks to five female marketing managers from reputed organisations in the region to understand their successful journeys in the male-dominated construction sector

The Participants

Amy Conway marketing and communications manager, ALEC

Nicoleta Dobrata MEA marketing manager, Parsons

Shauna McHenry senior marketing and communications manager, Faithful+Gould

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Joanna Pollard marketing and PR manager for MENA and Levant, CCS Gulf

Stephanie Lutz head of marketing for Middle East and Africa, Doka

Delivering National Pride For the past decade, we’ve provided integrated turnkey construction services for highly challeging and complex projects to make our Clients‘ vision a reality.

The United Arab Emirates Pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan, designed by the world-famous architecture studio Foster +Partners, takes its inspiration from the desert landscape and the highly innovative and futuristic e©q ³yq³·©y 2e­ue© ³Âů 2 ­³ ­ Ëqe ³ ÂŪ ³ y Ae¿ ­ uy­ yu ³ be relocated to the UAE.

After a successful delivery in Milan, the Pavilion has been distmantled and relocated to Masdar City. Now, we are working on the ultimate reconstruction of the Pavilion, to showcase sustainability projects embracing UAE’s National Pride.

We are very proud to be a part of this ambitious mission. www.cimolairimond.me | info@cimolairimond.me

// Roundtable

Give us a brief profile of your role in the company.

Stephanie: I joined Doka in 2013, eventually rising to my current role of marketing manager for Doka Middle East and Africa (MEA). My main responsibility is to ensure a strong brand presence across the MEA region, while taking into consideration the individual and unique market requirements that include so many cultures and business environments.

Shauna: My current position is senior marketing and communications manager with Faithful+Gould, an integrated project and programme management consultancy. I’ve been with Faithful+Gould Middle East for two and a half years, having previously worked for the business in the UK for almost three years.

Our team is lean and that means my role is extremely varied, taking responsibility for internal and external communications, events and supporting business development across the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

Nicoleta: I have been with Parsons for nine years. I was hired as a market development co-ordinator and that role grew to managing the region’s marketing activities, which later led to added responsibility for communications, strategy, media relations, and competitive intelligence. I am now proudly managing the company’s marketing, social media, communications, and market research activities in MEA and am fortunate to work with an amazingly inspiring group of professionals from whom I learn something every single day.

Amy: My role in ALEC involves managing the marketing (websites, social media, brochures, adverts, sponsorship), PR, internal communications, branding (on site and off site), and social leagues and events for ALEC and all our related businesses. We have the core construction business and seven complementary related businesses which vary from fit out to renewable energy and facilities management, so each day in the office is different.

Joanna: Being my first foray into 34

software and construction, working at CCS has presented a valuable learning experience in a new environment. From implementing marketing strategies to product positioning and branding, it has been both challenging and most rewarding. I am responsible for the management and implementation of marketing strategies, events and public relations to achieve the growth and market share objectives of CCS Gulf.

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What changes have you brought in the company during your tenure?

Stephanie: Since joining Doka, I’ve been very proud to work with such a long-standing and respected brand.

The changes I’ve brought to Doka would include a more active presence in digital marketing, while helping to voice the company’s opinion about bringing technical change to the construction industry. Equally, I’ve

enjoyed highlighting Doka’s position as a thought leader in the market, whether through our R&D department creating and delivering new solutions for our clients, or through any of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, including a pilot project which I’ve been personally responsible for that supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve the right academic qualifications and find a career that inspires them. www.cbnme.com

Shauna: I strongly believe in the power of internal communications and so this has been a main focus point for me since joining the Middle East business. One of the most powerful brand assets a company has is its people and for employees to become brand ambassadors; it’s important they are engaged, informed, and included. It’s important to remember that people digest information in different ways and with some employees allocated full

time on projects, time can be of the essence. But that doesn’t make company information any less important and so I introduced a quarterly newsletter almost as soon as I joined. This provides an opportunity to give employee recognition in short snippet form that is quick and easy to read and creates a sense of belonging among site staff.

Nicoleta: One of the things I love the most about Parsons is the people. To me, a company is really defined by the people it employs. I have worked with and for some amazing professionals over the years, and the changes I have been part of during the last decade here have been considerable. Some of the most notable changes include our employee count in the Middle East increased by more than 50% between 2008 and 2017; our project portfolio and client base became more diversified; we expanded our geographical presence in the region; the services we provide have evolved towards a more holistic approach to address an increasingly comprehensive set of needs for our clients; our ability to respond faster and more efficiently to our customers’ requirements has strengthened; and our brand in the region has become increasingly strong.

Amy: Since joining in early 2015, we have launched a new company website and corporate video which showcases the growth of ALEC and the range of services offered within the company. We have put a lot of effort into standardising documentation, signage and branding throughout the group, and have done this through implementing company brand guidelines and rolling this out across all departments.

Joanna: I joined CCS in mid-June 2012 and at that stage there was no formal approach, budget or go to market strategy, and no designated marketing staff/team. With CCS products, Candy & BuildSmart, being such an essential tool to most construction industry professionals, our most successful marketing strategy had simply been word of mouth, thanks to the many construction professionals recruited from companies and countries where

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// Roundtable

CCS is used. Although we had a good presence in the Gulf, majority of users believed that Candy was the company name and competition in the market was strong and growing daily. My GM’s first directive to me was “Make people know who we are!” and I think that my team and I have achieved this quite successfully in the last few years.

What marketing strategies have you planned for the remainder of 2017?

Stephanie: Having won the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Business Award earlier this year, we’ve continued to show the formwork and construction industry that Doka is leading the market. We’ve historically helped to deliver some of the country’s most recognisable buildings including the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab, and we’re ambitious to continue our pivotal role within both the public and private sectors. In the last few months of 2017, particularly in the UAE, we are focusing on our ‘Value Added’ service that enables our clients to see the most cost-effective model for their specific project, as well as promoting our latest software apps, which will help to drive the digitalisation of our industry. Throughout our regional offices, we’ve launched multiple CSR programmes, the results of which we look forward to highlighting in our regional magazine, the Doka Xpress.

Shauna: Our thought leadership strategy will continue as our experts continue to publish features on industry hot topics on FGOULD.com. We have taken this one step further with the introduction of LiveTalk – a series of online video broadcasts hosted

by F+G with participants from other organisations, discussing relevant issues/topics in the market. We will continue with our professional development seminars in KSA. Transferring knowledge back to the Kingdom in association with Saudi Council of engineers, we usually have around 200 people in attendance which is great for brand profiling. F+G’s 70th anniversary celebrations continue and our CSR campaign ‘70 days of giving’ has 36

been a great way to give back to our community and encourage collaboration between employees.

Nicoleta: Our marketing strategies go hand-in- hand with the company’s growth strategies for the region, and this year we’ve focused on the three pillars, including strengthen and grow in our core market lines and geographies, take core market lines to new geographies; and introduce new market lines to core geographies. We see technology becoming increasingly important in everything that we do and to this end, we have taken several steps to stay ahead of the curve and turn the fast pace of technological change to our advantage. Last, but certainly not least in terms of our marketing priorities, we remain committed to finding, keeping, developing, and motivating the most talented people in our fields. All of these strategies have the same main goal - to deliver quality services to our customers, even in the face of macroeconomic headwinds, market gyrations, and geopolitical uncertainties.

Amy: The focus for the next few months for ALEC is communications.

Internally, we are going through an exciting time with lots of innovation happening. Staff are consistently encouraged to think about how we

// construction business news me // October 2017

can do things better and with our internal communications, we need to ensure we have the correct platforms to capture and promote these innovations. Also, award and conference season is quickly upon us so I will be busy compiling submissions and hopefully marketing the successes from them.

Joanna: 2017 to date has been a rollercoaster ride and the rest of the year has much more in store. MENA and the LEVANT still holds immense potential for us to expand our existing and new user base. Many existing users and organisations underutilise our solutions and one of our priorities is to enable them to realise the potential and maximise on the capability of their investments – which is imperative in the current economic climate. As part of our global expansion strategy, we’re actively engaging with potential, localised business development partners in new markets and at the same time supplementing our own human capital and capacity to deliver new and exciting developments, enhancements and requirements faster and more efficiently to our ever-growing and changing clientele and industry. We also plan extensions to new markets like Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait, and Jordan, which are experiencing increased construction activity.

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// Event review

Cityscape Global 2017

The region’s largest trade fair, Cityscape Global, was back with a bang and infused optimism in the real estate sector. We present key highlights from the exhibition

Boosted by a year-on-year increase of 25% for visitors during its first two days, Cityscape Global has been the catalyst for a 186% increase in registered Dubai Land Department (DLD) transactions of off-plan units, while big name developers have recorded overwhelmingly positive sentiment from investors driven by onsite sales.

The region’s largest real estate and investment show, which concluded on September 13, 2017, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, hosted hundreds of prominent local and international companies offering an array of exclu38

sive deals on projects within the UAE. Tom Rhodes, exhibition director for Cityscape Global, said: “We’re seeing a new wave of investors, end-users, and home-owners attending this year, and with 25% more visitors than 2016’s edition, developers’ stands have been busy with activity. The atmosphere on the show floor has been great this year, and it’s encouraging to see investors eager to capitalise on attractive pricing by developers during the exhibition.”

Offering deals on one- and twobedroom units in their AED250mn Dubai Silicon Oasis project, local

// construction business news me // October 2017

company Binghatti Holding showcased the Binghatti Stars development during the show. Recording a boom in sales for offers on the second phases for their Bloom Towers and Bloom Heights projects, prominent UAE developer, Bloom Properties, marks Cityscape Global as a crucial date in their yearly calendar.

In addition to transactions onsite, up to 40 new project launches were announced during the show from developers such as Aldar Properties, Deyaar, Dubai Properties, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Nakheel, and Meydan.

Azizi to deliver more units in 2018 UAE-based developer, Azizi Developments, is set to deliver more units in 2018, according to its chief executive, Farhad Azizi. “We have almost delivered 10 buildings, which includes more than 1,000 apartments. We already have people starting to move into the apartments.”

The developer announced the completion of Azizi Royal Bay, an AED350mn residential property project at Palm Jumeirah, in August this year. This makes it the sixth project to be delivered by the developer.

Azizi adds: “We have been duly delivering our projects in Al Furjan, where people have already started

Farhad Azizi

to move in, and we are very proud of that. There are two more hotel apartments in Al Furjan that needs to be delivered by the end of October or beginning of November.”

The developer has also picked Belhasa Projects to build three residential buildings — with 1,900 units — at Dubai Healthcare City.

Two of the buildings are 20-storey structures, while the other is an 18-storey one. The residences, which are located near a five-star hotel, will encompass studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments.

Another project that the CEO is proud of is Azizi Riviera, implemented within the Meydan One project near Dubai Water Canal.

It includes 69 mid-rise residential buildings, a retail district, as well as one four-star and one five-star hotel. The first and second phase

of the project is expected to be completed in December 2018. In terms of residences, the development will offer 13,000 units including one-bedroom, twobedroom and studio apartments.

He says: “We are very busy with it. We have seen a lot of demand for the project since it is a low-density development in a developing area.”

Commenting on Cityscape Global, Azizi mentions: “The show has been very busy and good. We also appreciate the direct sales, which have generated positive response from the families looking to buy a home.”

Aldar Water’s Edge sells out; generates AED400mn sales Abu Dhabi-listed developer, Aldar, has sold out the first phase of its new waterfront development, Water’s Edge, on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island during Cityscape Global, worth AED400mn.

Commenting on it, Talal Al Dhiyebi, chief development officer, Aldar Properties, said: “Coming to Cityscape in Dubai and selling out Water’s Edge on the global stage is a huge success for us, and shows that the Abu Dhabi real estate market remains attractive to property buyers from around the world.”

Water’s Edge offers purchasers of all nationalities the opportunity to invest in a waterfront development on Yas Island. In order to support Aldar’s recurring revenue strategy, Aldar will incorporate a number of Water’s Edge homes into its leased residential portfolio. Water’s Edge is situated on Yas Island’s eastern shores, and the majority of units have full or partial views of the water. Residents will enjoy Water’s Edge’s wide choice of exercise and recwww.cbnme.com

reation facilities, retail, restaurants, and cafes, in addition to Yas Island’s abundant attractions.

Water’s Edge offers a complete outdoor lifestyle, with pedestrian access to all amenities including a waterfront promenade with multiple dining and retail options. The 13-apartment buildings will be complemented by private

courtyards with spacious landscaped areas, pools, multi-purpose courts, and a mosque. With a balcony in each home, residents will be able to take in waterfront views.

The early works for Water’s Edge will commence in December 2017, with the aim of beginning phased handovers between June and December 2020.

construction business news me // October 2017 //

39

// Event review

Dubai-based Damac eyes international expansion

UAE-based luxury developer, Damac Properties, is currently eyeing more international expansion outside the GCC, according to the company’s senior vice president, Niall McLoughlin. “We are looking now to expanding out of the UAE. Our chairman, Hussain Sajwani, has just returned from visiting places like Toronto, North America, Montenegro, and Malta. We are always on the lookout for new opportunities that exist in other places.”

The developer has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman’s Tourism Development Company (Omran) to develop Port Sultan Qaboos.

He adds that 2017 yearto-date has been solid for the developer. “Sales have been consistent for 2016 and we posted AED4bn of sales. We are very confident that we will exceed our expectations for the remainder of 2017.

We have so far delivered 40

1,100 units in our Damac Hills master community.

“We believe the market is steady and stable and we are very happy with the current market scenario.”

This year’s Cityscape marked 11 years of Damac’s participation in the exhibition. McLoughlin says that this year was different because of direct sales. “We had some special offers for our customers who came to visit us on all the three days.

We encouraged people to come and look in what’s available for them. For the past 10 years, Cityscape has been a trade show where we invite people from around the world to come and see our projects.”

McLoughlin is very confident about the fourth quarter of the year. “We have recently announced our new Just Cavalli villas in Akoya Oxygen. We believe that 30% of our success depends on the right inventory of branded product offerings that add value to real estate.”

// construction business news me // October 2017

MAG PD unveils AED2.2bn project UAE-based developer, MAG Property Development (MAG PD), unveiled its AED2.2bn flagship MAG Creek Wellbeing Resort project at Cityscape Global 2017.

The project reflects the company’s ability to achieve industry excellence and exceed its customers’ expectations in the freehold sector by introducing innovative real estate concepts.

Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah, CEO of MAG PD, commented: “Our MAG Creek project is the first residential district to combine the highest standards of health and luxury facilities, making it the only project of its kind in the region.

To ensure this idea is implemented with the height of precision, MAG PD has joined forces with the world’s finest expertise after reaching a new partnership with Delos – a wellness real estate and technology consultancy.

“This project represents a new generation of resorts that combine health, luxury, and retail with residential opportunities and hospitality services.

This means that we will supply Dubai’s real estate market with a highly innovative project that preserves the health of its residents with the latest technologies – a new category of building for the region. This is especially true as the focus of the project is on health and

comfort, combined with the finest practical design, which completely elevates in the health sector.”

MAG Creek is a gated community spanning over 83,499sqm and covering 550m of the Dubai Creek waterfront. The development is strategically situated adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Flamingo Wildlife Sanctuary and only 4.5km away from the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai.

MAG Creek includes a WorldCare Wellness Centre that spans over 11,148sqm, making it the largest wellness centre in the world. It will offer residents and guests full access to a medical check-up clinic that guides, informs, and supports healthy living choices. The community also includes a luxurious 96-room WorldCare Wellness Hotel that has been designed according to the highest global health standards, as well as a sports, fitness and leisure centre, and a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, and retail outlets.

In addition to the WorldCare Wellness Centre and Hotel, the project is home to 17 waterfront mansions overlooking Dubai Creek, 75 luxury apartments, and 172 serviced wellness holiday homes that will be fully furnished and available for freehold ownership.

Atkins’ chief positive about SNC-Lavalin acquisition The acquisition of Atkins by SNCLavalin presents plenty of opportunities for both the companies, said Simon Moon, Atkins’ chief executive officer (CEO), Middle East and Africa, on the sidelines of Cityscape Global.

“There are a lot of opportunities across the group. In the Middle East, SNC-Lavalin has an amazing business in the oil and gas sector. At Atkins, we have a big infrastructure and architecturally-led property business.

The one important thing that

SNC-Lavalin considered is to diversify their business. They are a big engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, so they looked at how they can bring in a consultancy into their geographic spread and grow out of their home country.

“They saw Atkins with a very strong reputation and capability in the United Kingdom and Europe. Hence so far, bringing the two businesses together has really yielded positive results.”

Moon mentions that 2017 so far has been a good year for the company. “It has been a very good year for us. We are bidding for some of the airports in Saudi Arabia and some major water projects around the GCC.” Atkins is also currently investing a lot in technology, points out Moon. “We enable our clients to visualise the projects a lot earlier and make decisions.

The exciting technology that we use here helps us to differentiate between projects.”

Simon Moon

Sobha receives positive response for its properties According to PNC Menon, founder and chairman of Sobha Group, Cityscape Global 2017 has been a great brand building platform. “We have received extremely positive responses for our newly launched Hartland Gardenia Villas in Sobha Hartland at Cityscape Global.”

The launch is a part of Phase 2 of the villa community within Sobha Hartland. It will comprise 22 units and completion is expected by August 2019. The Gardenia villas will comprise four-bedrooms on two levels complete with ensuite bathrooms and ample closet space. These villas will come with a private lift and will boast of a space of 404sqm.

Menon says: “The visibility in this exhibition for any real estate developer is very high. The primary purpose is right branding for the product.”

Commenting on direct sales of homes at the exhibition, Menon adds: “We have been selling our products already. The tendency is very rare that the first meetwww.cbnme.com

ing will close the deal. We have many customers coming in, which results in a lead rather than closing a sale. There are marginal sales but we get a lot of leads

who are interested to take it forward.

“Our most important purpose is to make sure we are also a part of the brand Dubai.”

construction business news me // October 2017 //

41

// Awards preview

It’s revealed The much-awaited shortlist for the second annual Construction Innovation Awards 2017 is out after sorting out an overwhelming number of nominations

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// construction business news me // July 2017

// Awards NEWS preview

Consultant of the year • Aecom • Arcadis • Faithful + Gould • Hoehler + Salmy • Parsons • Ramboll • RLB Contractor of the year • Al Bawani • Al Kifah Contracting Co • ALEC • ASGC • Engineering Contracting Co • Orascom • Trojan Holding CSR Initiative of the year • Employee Wellness Campaign 2017 by ASGC • Renovation of Manar al Iman school in Ajman by BASF • Because We Care campaign by Drake & Scull International • Reach into Qatar house renovation project by Gulf Contracting Co • Healthcare and wellbeing initiatives by BK Gulf • Fishermen Shades project by Muscat Bay FM Company of the year • Deyaar FM • Emrill • BK Gulf • EFS

Construction Executive of the year • Mohammed Jafer Musthafa from Daemaar Group • Ayman Mohamed A Elgabbar from Drake & Scull International • Dr Paul Prabakar from Eurotech Gas Services • Grahame McCaig from Gulf Contracting Co • Chris Barry from BK Gulf Engineer of the year • Clement Gunasekar from Al Faraa General Contracting

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// construction business news me // July 2017

HSE Initiative of the year • Life Preserving Principles by Aecom • Safety in Design guidance book by Arcadis • High Risk Activity Monitoring Board by Drake & Scull International • You Promised initiative by BK Gulf • Safety Gas Detection Systems by Eurotech Gas Services • Five star project grading system by Gulf Contracting Co • Safety Observation Card by Larsen & Toubro MEP Contractor of the year • ALEMCO • Drake & Scull International • BK Gulf • ASU Real estate developer of the year • Azizi • Damac Properties • Deyaar Development • MAG PD • Sobha Group Supplier of the year • Kirby Building Systems • Rapid Access LLC • Fischer • Himoinsa • Vetrotech Saint Gobain Sustainability Initiative of the year • Dow Cool Reflective Roof Coatings by Dow • Green Key Program by EGBC • SustainAbilities by Gulf Contracting Company

• Muhammad Khogali from DOW • Mohammad Madji Kaseem from Drake & Scull International Project Manager of the year • Henk Mol from ALEC • Bassam Salameh from Drake & Scull International • Alasdair Leven from Faithful + Gould • John Rinard from Parsons • Walid Ahmed from Schon Properties

#cbnmeawards17

Commercial Project of the year • Etihad Museum by ASGC • History of Science Centre by Hoehler + Salmy • Salam Square and Gallery by Hoehler + Salmy Hospitality Project of the year • Bulgari Resort & Residences by Faithful + Gould • Damac Towers by Paramount by Damac • W Dubai - The Palm by Drake & Scull International Infrastructure Project of the year • Burullus Power Plant in Egypt by Orascom • Al Bade’a Road project by Roads Dept of Ministry of Infrastructure Development

@cbnme

• • • • • •

facebook.com/cbnme

City Walk by ASGC Damac Towers Beirut by Damac Jumeirah Living Marina Gate by Select Group Midtown by Deyaar Sobha Hartland by Sobha Group Vincitore Palacio by Vincitore Real Estate Development

Sustainable Project of the year • Enterprise Command and Control Centre for DEWA by ASU • Muscat Bay • Neighbourhood One Residences Masdar City by Multiplex • The Sustainable City by Diamond Developers • Asphalt reclamation and cold recycling for rehabilitation in Emirates Road by Roads Dept MoID

Residential Project of the year • Aykon City by Damac • Azizi Riviera by Azizi Developments

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // October 2017 //

45

// Awards preview

#cbnmeawards17

@cbnme

facebook.com/cbnme

Wall of fame • Lifetime Achievement Award: HE Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO, Wasl Asset Management Group • Master Developer of the Year: Dubai South

• Engineer of the year: May Faraj, Arcadis • Infrastructure initiative of the year: China State Construction Engineering Corporation

• Contractor of the year: Trojan General Contracting

• FM Company of the year: EFS Facilities Services

• Developer of the year: Azizi Developments

• Project of the year: The Residences at Marina Gate by

• Commercial Project of the year: Citywalk by Meraas • Project Management firm of the year: Parsons • MEP Contractor of the year: ALEMCO

Select Group • Sustainable project of the year: Ted Jacob Engineering Group

• Leisure Project of the year: Dubai Parks and Resorts

• HSE initiative of the year: Arcadis

• Consulting firm of the year: Hill International

• Engineering solution of the year: Kirby Building Systems

• Fastest growing company: KBW Investments

• Formwork company of the year: Doka Gulf

• Hospitality project of the year: The Palm Tower by Nakheel

• Innovation of the year: KIMMCO

• Residential project of the year: Gardenia Residency by Shaikhani Group

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// construction business news me // October 2017

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// Event Review

Materials Handling ME Materials Handling Middle East 2017 concluded on September 13, bringing a successful end to three-days of networking and discussions of the latest trends and innovations in the market

M

aterials Handling Middle East 2017 featured 126 exhibitors from 21 countries, and welcomed 3,300 visitors from 50 countries at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 9th edition of the biennial three-day event saw the participation of seven of the world’s top 20 materials handling systems suppliers, including the global top three of Daifuku from Japan, German company SSI Schaefer, and the American-headquartered Dematic.

It also featured major local suppliers and service providers such as Kanoo Machinery, Al Futtaim Motors, General Navigation and Commerce Company (GENAVCO), SPAN, and ACME, while a two-day Supply Chain and Logistics 48

Forum and a Forklift driving competition ensured visitors and exhibitors alike were informed and entertained.

Much of the discussion on the showfloor centred around the readiness of warehouse automation in the GCC, with exhibitors showcasing a full range of wares from manual wracking and semi-automated order picking solutions, to fully automated high-bay warehouses incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), otherwise known as Industry 4.0.

Dematic, one of the world’s leading specialists in automated intralogistics solutions, was a debut exhibitor at Materials Handling Middle East 2017, along with the fact that in January 2016, it secured the contract for what will

// construction business news me // October 2017

be the Gulf region’s largest automated distribution centre upon completion towards the end of 2018.

Michael Kreeft, sales manager from Dematic’s European office which handles the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, was on-hand at Dematic’s Materials Handling Middle East 2017 booth. He said while he couldn’t go into specifics, the Dubai-based project was the largest Dematic had secured in the company’s 100-plus year history. “We signed the project in January 2016 and it’s going live next summer hopefully.

“There’ll be people working in pick stations, but it’s highly automated. We have project managers working on it, and 50 resident engineers based here along with a customer service office. It’ll

take two and a half years to build along with testing and then it’ll go live.

“We specialise in highly automated solutions but we know in this region, labour is cheaper so the return on investments (ROI) is always more difficult with automation. However, the addition of VAT in 2018 will eventually lead to higher salaries comparable to Europe, making automation more attractive.”

UAE-based ACME is a regular exhibitor at Materials Handling Middle East, and a full spectrum industrial and warehouse automation solution provider with more than 40 years’ experience in the Middle East. This year, the company was launching Cavalry, a semi-automated man to goods order picking solution.

Holger Humburg, vice president of projects at ACME, said the solution is a mobile version of the Sort to Light system, using a guided manned mini-load crane, and capable of travelling along aisles 100m long and up to 25m high.

“When we tell anybody that we have a fully automated system, some people get scared because they need trained people for operation, and they need maintenance from experienced staff,” said Humburg. “People can operate Cavalry without specialist skills or qualifications, and that’s why we’re going to the market with a more or less semiautomated system. This type of system will be particularly popular in this region because the first step of automation is semi-automation and we would use it www.cbnme.com

for different goods with small and midsize throughout. If you have standard operations to deliver for spare parts or pharmaceuticals with delivery once a day, you can manage with Cavalry.”

Other top 20 worldwide suppliers at Materials Handling Middle East 2017 were Mecalux from Spain, Beumer Group from Germany, and Swiss companies like Swisslog and Kardex Remstar. UAE-based Kanoo Machinery was also on-hand as the regional agent for its material handling equipment brands Hyster, Utilev, Aisle-Master, and Combilift.

Mohamed Elabd, brand manager for Kanoo Machinery, said the rental division of its material handling equipment department was becoming increasingly important as a revenue-generating stream. “Our rental division has grown by 25-30% over the past two years, and there’s more and more enquiries now.

Most of the third-party logistics (3PL) providers are asking for rental equipment for long-term leases of three to five years. We were one of the first companies to offer rental of material handling equipment and in the past three to four years, it’s really grown.

“It’s popular firstly because customers don’t have to have service team. If there’s a problem with the machinery, we will fix it. It’s hassle free and the most important part is there is very little initial investment and risk.”

The exhibition also featured the

second Forklift Operator of the Year – a competition where more than 80 of the UAE’s most skilled forklift jockeys were judged on their ability to safely and efficiently manoeuvre three-tonnes of electric forklift machinery in tight and narrow spaces, replicating a warehouse environment.

The competition was sponsored by SPAN, which provided its Jungheinrich forklifts to be guided by the finest operators from more than 30 companies, including IKEA, Aramex, Global Food Industries, Airlink International, Unilever, RSA Logistics, and Agility Global Logistics. After several preliminary rounds, the contest was eventually narrowed down to several finalists, with Deepak Kataria from CWT-SML Logistics crowned the Forklift Champion of Materials Handling Middle East 2017.

Representing more than 200 brands, Materials Handling Middle East 2017 also introduced a new Transport and Logistics section to the show floor, putting the spotlight on commercial vehicles and adding more focus on a sector that is poised to experience significant growth in the region. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Materials Handling Middle East, said: “Significant investment is being made throughout the Middle East to develop the materials handling industry and support its growth, and key industries such as e-commerce, retail, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) will fuel further growth.

“At Materials Handling Middle East, the entire intralogistics and supply chain needs are covered, and we’ll continue delivering an interactive platform benefitting all stakeholders. The show has not only attracted participation from leading industry brands, but has also garnered an encouraging response from regional trade buyers, local governments, and industry professionals. This underscores the important role the show plays in creating valuable networking and interface opportunities among key stakeholders and this rapidly expanding market.”

construction business news me // October 2017 //

49

The Middle East’s premier Exhibition, Conference & Awards for Lighting Design and Technology

17 – 19 October, 2017 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Experience innovative products and solutions along with enlightening insights shaping the lighting industry right now.

Pre-register to visit www.lightME.net/Register10

50

// construction business news me // October 2017

// Machinery & Vehicles

Muscle & Might Our monthly review of the workhorses of the construction industry

52 A round-up of the important updates from the

global construction equipment market

56 Euro Auctions boasts record mobile crane sales in

its first-ever Middle East auction

68 CASE CE’s Ann Frank highlights why gender doesn’t

play a role in the machinery sector

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // October 2017 //

51

// NEWS

Equipment

Sany’s Indian export hub targets $1bn by 2020

The head of Sany Group’s Indian operation says the subsidiary is on course to be a $1bn entity by 2020.

Talking to local magazine BW Businessworld, the director and CEO of Sany South Asia and Sany Heavy Industry India, Deepak Garg, said he expects his business to contribute a larger share of Sany’s overall revenue towards the end of the decade.

“We want to be a billiondollar entity by 2020. Even though the construction equipment vertical will account for a major chunk of the business, we expect some contribution from the wind energy vertical also,” said Garg. “Even though 52

the contribution from India is just 2-3% of our global operations; it will surely go up to 8-10% by 2020.”

Sany Group is the sixth largest equipment manufacturer in the world and first entered India in 2002.

Starting by importing concrete equipment by the close of the decade, it had introduced its range of trucks and crawler cranes into the market. It subsequently established its own manufacturing operation in Pune in 2010 and currently exports to a number of markets including the Middle East.

“Over the last seven years, we have introduced a full range of equipment for vari-

// construction business news me // October 2017

ous applications in the country. Apart from the aforesaid products, we are also selling earth making and mining equipment in the country,” added Garg. “We have also launched all-terrain and rough terrain cranes and have brought in port and road handling equipment. At present, nearly 50% of our revenues is derived from the excavator segment, followed by cranes at 2530%, concrete equipment at 10%, and another 10% from port equipment.”

According to Garg, India is one of the core markets for Sany Group globally and is looking to expand its manufacturing presence in the country.

“It (India) is one of the rare economies in the world, which is growing at a record pace and is very similar to how China was growing 20 years back. Based on these factors, our group is quite buoyant about that, and is enhancing its product lines and beefing up its manufacturing presence in the country. The major growth drivers for us and our industry per se would be a boom in key sectors like infrastructure, roads, railways, aviation, metro, defence, aerospace, etc.

We are already an export hub for Africa, Middle East, and South-East Asia. Nearly 20% of our global revenue is generated from exports.”

Appointment

Genie appoints for Turkish and Caspian Sea region

Terex AWP says that former Terex Financial Services (TFS) team member, Buhan Okan Acar (Okan), has been appointed to the newly created position of Genie sales manager for Turkey and the Caspian Sea region.

With an MBA in International Business Management from the University of Istanbul, and a bachelor degree of Science in Electronics from the Middle East University of Ankara, Okan first joined TFS in Turkey in 2014. In that role, he was responsible for customers across all Terex divisions in the region.

Prior to his role with TFS, after holding roles of increasing levels of responsibility with two regional rental companies, Okan held www.cbnme.com

the position of general manager for the rental operations of one of the leading forklift rental companies in Turkey.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Okan for two years in his previous role with TFS. I have no doubt that his long experience and deep understanding of the rental business and local market make him the right person to support our customers in Turkey and the Caspian Sea region,” said Erik Geene, Genie senior director for Strategic Accounts and Used Equipment, Terex AWP. “In addition to his sales role, Okan will continue to provide sound financial advice and solutions that best fit our customers’ specific business needs.”

S.A. Talke chooses Konecranes for KSA operation

Konecranes delivered four Konecranes SMV 4531 TC5 reach stackers to S.A. Talke, a joint venture between the German TALKE Group and the Saudi Sisco and Al-Jabr Groups in August. The machines will be used at the company’s container marshalling yards, where the they are expected to bring greater efficiency and reliability to the container and goods handling.

With over a decade of region- and sector-specific experience, S.A. Talke is a leading logistics supplier in the Al-Jubail region of Saudi Arabia; supporting the petrochemical sector as a specialist in the handling, storage, and transportation of liquid and solid chemicals.

Konecranes equipment and support to customers in Saudi Arabia has for a decade been provided by Al-Iman, the Konecranes distributor for Saudi Arabia.

“We’ve worked with Al-Iman for many years, and rely on their guidance and knowledge to select the right equipment, and our existing Konecranes machines have proven that these machines are the right fit for

us,” commented Gerhard Strydom, S.A. Talke’s logistics solutions manager.

“This order is simply another example of how well the partnership is working.”

According to Konecranes, its combination of high-quality products and robust on-the-ground support make for an “excellent combination” in a highly competitive sector.

“A deep understanding of what the customer needs is essential for a successful delivery, and that is a truth both we and our distributors live by,” said Manos Athanasakis, regional sales manager at Konecranes Lift Trucks.

“We are very happy that S.A Talke have chosen to extend their Konecranes fleet to bring even more efficiency to their operations.”

Markus Trefzer, technical manager for Al-Iman, added: “As a team, we approach our customers from a solutions-based perspective. We have great belief in the quality of the machines, and we also have many years’ experience in the region, so what we offer is unique. We hope to continue earning S.A. Talke’s trust and ongoing business with exceptional support and service.”

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// NEWS

Safety

ADM: Clean up your act or face fines Contractors and consultants operating in the construction sector and ready-mix concrete companies have been urged to reduce overspill onto roads and improve the safety of moving machines on-site by the Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) or face fines of up to AED100,000.

The ADM held an awareness workshop on occupational health and safety in the construction sector in August with the aim of discussing the procedures required to reduce concrete and asphalt spillages onto highways and construction sites and explore areas of best practice for machinery.

The workshop reflects the ADM’s current keenness to enhance cooperation with its strategic partners. The organisation said that it is aiming “to preserve the environment, protect public health and safety, and maintain the civilised appearance of the capital and suburbs”.

The workshop discussed several other issues, including the risks of heat stress, its adverse impacts on the workers, symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods.

During the awareness workshop, the ADM stressed that contractors and consultants need to clean asphalt and sidewalks adjacent to the worksites, build paved entrances, prevent concrete from falling onto roads, and secure the movement of machinery at the construction sites. The ADM also called for the provision of washing 54

stations for vehicles and machinery on worksites and, in particular, the need to clean vehicle tyres before leaving sites as required by its existing HSE standards.

The ADM also highlighted the need to provide the necessary equipment and means to remove concrete sediment and other waste using environmentallyfriendly methods. It also requested the drafting of a comprehensive emergency plan for main roads and subsidiary roads to prevent the spillage of materials or potential pollution and protect public property. The workshop also reviewed best practices in preventing the spill of ready-mix concrete on public roads and areas surrounding construction sites to prevent the spread of cement dust, or release of polluting gases. The work-

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shop also called for regulating traffic inside and outside construction sites, and for contractor’s vehicles to not to exceed loading limits to ensure public safety.

Should inspections of construction sites identify a failure to adhere to Abu Dhabi laws and regulations, companies could incur fines of up to AED100,000 for damaging public assets and infrastructure. A further fine of AED10,000 can also be imposed for failing to take the necessary safety and security precautions to ensure the protection of pedestrian and neighbouring buildings during building and demolition works.

“These measures are taken pursuant to the Law No. 16/2009 The aim is to provide the highest standards of safety and public health in the city,” said the ADM.

Ex-Bobcat executive takes over CASE EMEA

CASE Construction Equipment has appointed Jose Cuadrado as vice president in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region for CNH Industrial’s Construction Equipment businesses.

With more than 15 years of international experience within the industrial, construction, and agricultural equipment sectors, Cuadrado brings a wealth of experience to his new role within CNH Industrial.

His most recent position was vice president of Bobcat BU EMEA, where his responsibilities included sales, product marketing, engineering, program management, and supply chain operations.

Equipment

Bobcat unveils new T870 compact tracked loader

Bobcat has launched a new version of its top-of-therange T870 compact tracked loader featuring a new torsion suspension undercarriage. It replaces the previous T870 model with a roller suspension system.

Introducing a completely new undercarriage design to Bobcat compact tracked loaders, the torsion suspension undercarriage features torsion axles that dampen vibration, combining the comfort of roller suspension, and the stability of a solid mount undercarriage with other new features to provide a tracked loader that outperforms all other machines on the market.

The new T870 torsion suspension machine offers 10% more lift capacity than the previous roller suspension www.cbnme.com

model, claims the company.

The new T870 model is available with a wide range of standard and optional features and in a range of configurations to match emissions and specification requirements for all European, Middle East, Africa, and Russia and CIS markets.

According to Bobcat, the torsion suspension improves not only ride quality, it also absorbs stresses and vibrations encountered on the job: “The result is reduced wear and tear, and improved component life throughout the machine. The five-link torsion suspension undercarriage minimises rocking when lifting a load high or when performing grading tasks. With the new Bobcat undercarriage, there is no trade-off between comfort

and performance. An additional link on the rear axle stabilises the system to decrease rocking or bouncing and increase productivity.”

The unique fifth link acts like an independent suspension, says the company: “Increasing ride comfort and greatly reducing the rocking effect that is typically associated with torsion suspensions. Equipped in this way, the Bobcat T870 compact tracked loader feels even more stable and grounded, which improves ride quality and delivers unmatched performance when lifting and grading.”

The rollers and the dualflange front idler of the T870 ride on rubber to dampen vibration. They are also wider, which maximises their contact with the track

for a smoother ride, further improving comfort and ride quality as well as increasing uptime, says Bobcat. The larger circumference of the rear idler provides more surface area for less wear per rotation, which increases overall component life.

The larger rear idler is positioned further back within the undercarriage system, allowing for greatly increased downward force to the cutting edge of the bucket or attachment. The added diameter of the new rear idler provides optimal contact with the track, which maintains tension and protects against de-tracking.

The larger rear idler rolls easily over objects when backing up or travelling in reverse − which is ideal for forestry job sites or working in areas with lots of debris.

These rollers are also wider to maximise contact with the tracks, minimise wear, and deliver a smoother ride.

Its new Bobcat drive motor is more reliable and it is easier to maintain than ever before, the company claims, with the outer bearing life improved “dramatically thanks to continuous lubrication from oil in the hydraulic system”.

The diameter of the drive shaft inside the gearbox is also 15% larger than before, “which greatly enhances durability. The outer cavity reservoir housed within the new drive motor is now easier to flush and fill with the addition of two service ports that can be accessed without removing the track or sprocket”.

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// Machinery

Bidding for success A record mobile crane sale leads the way at the region’s newest auction, mentions Jonnie Keys, Euro Auctions’ commercial manager

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uro Auctions, an international auctioneer of industrial plant, construction equipment, and agricultural machinery, held its first ever sale at its new permanent site in Dubai on September 13, 2017.

With bidders packed into its impressive sales arena and others plugged in online across the globe, the company believes the auction marked its successful arrival in the Middle East.

Established in 1998, Euro Auctions has permanent auction sites in the 56

UK, Europe, Australia, and the USA. It continues to expand its footprint, and the new facility in the UAE opened its doors just days before a second new site in Hong Kong.

A market leader in the UK, Ireland, and Europe, conducting over 60 major auctions every year, Euro Auctions also specialises in off-site sales, which included the largest ever one-day auction of mobile cranes, where 127 were units sold for €32mn. Euro Auctions also offers an online sales platform

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that is robust, secure, free to use, and markets equipment globally to over 150,000 buyers in over 95 countries.

A total of 448 lots went under the hammer at the inaugural Dubai sale from an initial 50+ consignors, the majority of whom were local and were entrusting Euro Auctions to market their equipment for the first time; and, according to the company, they were not disappointed. Approaching 500 bidders registered for this sale, many from across the region and around a

Market Outlook Due to the build-up of plant and equipment fleets and the changing pipeline of large construction projects in the region, many companies are going through cost-cutting measures and rebalancing their fleets to suit a larger number of smaller projects, with positive signals from the mining industry in Australia, fuelling demand for larger plant and equipment.

In late 2017 and onward, there will be a large amount of equipment released onto the market. Generally, the global demand for construction equipment is very strong and continues to rise, so with this global demand, many of the assets available now in Dubai will be exported out of the region.

Dubai was once considered the crane capital of the world and cranes are once again in demand in Dubai and across the Middle East with an expected pipeline of projects coming on stream. With regard to brand preference, Caterpillar machinery is always sought after but the likes of Hyundai, JCB, Liebherr, and Komatsu are also in strong demand with favourable reliability, operating costs, design innovation, and availability.

Keys said: “At Euro Auctions, we always provide support to anyone moving equipment for their home base to any of our auction sites. We are in a position to be able to see world market trends and know where particular equipment is most in demand. We are therefore able to give buyers the equipment they need and also get sellers the true market value. The beauty of an auction is that consigners can liquidate a number of assets during a one-day sale, thereby releasing much needed capital into their business.

“During periods of economic downturn, auctions are a great way to reduce overheads, add liquidity to a business, and get assets of a balance sheet. Because of our global nature, we can redirect assets to areas which aren’t experiencing the same issues and demand is therefore greater. Conversely in periods of growth we can provide a costeffective solution to machinery demand and needs.”

third of whom were new to the Euro Auctions experience. Over 50 were successful first-time buyers and over 25% of sales, both by buyers and by value, were transacted via the internet.

Much of the equipment will be remaining in the region, with buyers from the UAE snapping up over 65% of the equipment on offer, closely followed by buyers in Saudi Arabia and Oman, together accounting for a further 10%. In total, buyers from 45 countries registered for this sale with www.cbnme.com

bidders in the UK and from across Europe collectively accounting for a further 20%, while bidders in Asia also placed successful bids.

“We are delighted with both the reception and the support we have received in establishing a new sales facility in Dubai and in delivering our first successful auction here,” stated Jonnie Keys, Euro Auctions’ commercial manager. “We have long wanted to expand the Euro Auctions brand into the Middle East, and in particular, into

the UAE as part of our continued global development. In Dubai, we have a strong and stable operating base that will add another four sales per year to our international calendar.”

He added: “We already have many excellent relationships with buyers and sellers across the Middle East and Africa, but having a permanent presence in the region is opening the door to many new buyers and sellers, some of whom are committed to our next event before even leaving the first.”

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// Machinery

We are delighted with both the reception and the support we have received in establishing a new sales facility in Dubai.”

Euro Actions has leased a 91,000sqm site in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) that includes a purpose-built auction complex covering over 3,000sqm with a 360-seat, fully air-conditioned enclosed auction arena as well as ancillary buildings, workshops, and infrastructure. Euro Auctions has all the necessary services and logistics licences in place for the new venture and will trade under the Euro Auctions brand.

“We already have a strong sales and support team on the ground here in Dubai, backed up by our international operations,” continued Keys. “We are now actively looking to build on this initial success by both attracting more consignors to allocate larger volumes of quality equipment to the auction while at the same time attract even more bidders. News of our success is spreading and Dubai should become another jewel in the Euro Auctions global crown along with our new operation in Hong Kong.”

With auctions planned to continue throughout the year, Keys’ team is already urging consignors regarding listing and sending equipment to the next Dubai auction which is scheduled for December 13, 2017. Other upcoming Euro Auctions sales include the everpopular three-day sale in Leeds, UK between October 18-20; a one-day sale in Brisbane, Australia on November 9; and a sale in the USA under the YODER & FREY banner on October 25.

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www.cbnme.com

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// Cranes

Working together

CBNME looks at a new green project that brings together two powerhouse companies Earlier this summer, one of the world’s biggest contractors joined forces with one of the region’s largest suppliers of towers cranes to begin work on an ambitious sustainable project in the heart of Dubai’s Silicon Oasis.

Using cranes supplied by Nabil Al Zahlawi’s Abu Dhabi-based NFT company, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) is using nine Potain tower cranes to construct a major development in the 60

tech-focused district. The brainchild of developer Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Silicon Park, is being built with CSCEC acting as main contractor on the job. The nine cranes were all supplied by NFT and they include eight of Potain’s advanced MCT 205 topless models plus an MC 205 B top-slewing unit.

Spanning 150,000sqm, Silicon Park will be a mixed-use development and also a free-trade zone with a focus on tech businesses. The new fa-

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cility will have some of the strongest green credentials in the region, in line with Dubai Municipality’s Green Building Regulations and international LEED standards. Buildings will include apartments, offices, leisure facilities, a museum, and a mall. In total, the cranes will help construct some 23 low-rise buildings, and their duties include the handling of building materials and structural elements.

Abdul Zidan, construction manager on the Silicon Park project for

// Cranes

CSCEC, said the tight timescale for the project had dictated the cranes’ selection. “We are using the nine Potain cranes to cover 97,300sqm of the project. All are good-quality, reliable machines, and NFT has provided us with good service and maintenance support. Having NFT with us has helped keep this project moving swiftly despite its congested schedule, and delays have been kept to a minimum.”

Potain’s advanced topless designs make them suitable for busy job sites where multiple cranes need to work together. Because the cranes can overlap within shorter vertical spaces, working heights can be optimised.

The Potain MCT 205 topless cranes have a maximum capacity of 10t and 62

Having NFT with us has helped keep this project moving swiftly despite its congested schedule and delays have been kept to a minimum.” can lift 1.75t at their maximum jib end of 65m. Fittingly for the Silicon Park job, the cranes have a strong focus on fast erection. The complete upper works can be assembled in

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four lifts, while the full 65m jib can be placed in a single lift.

The MC 205 B is a regular-design, top-slewing crane, and a proven performer on job sites across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

It also has a 10t maximum capacity, 60m jib and 2.4t jib end capacity. His company, NFT, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of tower cranes and a long-time business partner of Potain. With over 1,500 tower cranes in its fleet, the company has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and operates offices in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Kuwait.

Nabil Al Zahlawi, managing partner at NFT, said the MCT 205 units were a perfect choice for the Silicon Park project. “We selected the MCT 205

for CSCEC because it is a crane that’s strong, compact, and fast to erect. We were also able to use our position as the world’s largest owner of Potain cranes to ensure that we met the tight delivery timescale. Our engineering team worked closely with the customer to get this project off the ground as quickly as possible, and we have been providing ongoing support to ensure work proceeds smoothly.”

This ongoing support includes managing all telescoping operations to allow the cranes to increase their working heights as needed. The working heights vary from 40m to 55m, and all nine cranes have been configured with jib lengths between 50m and 60m.

Because there are so many cranes on the project, NFT has also speciwww.cbnme.com

fied Potain’s Top Tracing anti-collision technology. And further control is ensured, thanks to Potain’s variable frequency technology for all hoisting, slewing, and trolleying mechanisms. This optimises the speed of the cranes’ movements and also regulates their power consumption for better efficiency.

Christophe Simoncelli, vice president, tower crane sales, Asia and the Middle East, at Manitowoc, said that NFT played a crucial role in ensuring Potain cranes were selected for this landmark development. “It is very pleasing to see another highprofile development in the Middle East selecting Potain cranes, and it’s no surprise to see NFT is at the heart of it. Our designs aim to provide the

lifting strength and speed that contractors need, but equally important is having strong local support. With NFT, we have not only one of the best partners in the region, but one of the very best in the world.”

Set for completion by the end of 2018, Silicon Park is the latest development to support Dubai’s drive to become one of the world’s leading smart cities. The development will include intelligent solutions, such as charging docks for smart devices on the street, as well as pop-up furniture, digital play tables, and an array of health and fitness amenities.

Travel around the development will also be completely free of regular vehicles, with electric vehicles as the primary mode of transport.

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// Equipment

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All go at Volvo CBNME reviews Volvo Construction Equipment’s activity in the Middle East

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t has been a year since Volvo Construction Equipment opened the doors to its stunning work on the 36km scaling of the 2km-high Jebel Jais highway in the UAE. The famous Swedish company has not rested on its laurels and continues to make an invaluable contribution to projects across the region.

In Saudi Arabia, family-owned company Saudi Dolomite is using its machines to increase productivity at its processing plant in Abqaiq.

Mostly made up of arid desert and mountains, the Kingdom is one of the world’s top producers and exporters of oil but is also known for its abundance of other natural resources and raw materials. From gold to granite, zinc to zeolites, close to 50 minerals have been identified in the prosperous Kingdom. Limestone is among the state’s many minerals and helping to keep the supply of this material at an

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all-time high is long-standing company Saudi Dolomite.

Founded in 1981, Saudi Dolomite runs a processing plant in Abqaiq – located in the desert, 80km southwest of the capital of the eastern province of Damman. Covering an area of 250,000sqm, the plant processes 5,000 tonnes of raw material per day and runs its around-the-clock operation seven days a week. With a total of 280 employees, Saudi Dolomite’s plant is considered a leader in terms of technology, productivity, and quality, and the company attributes part of its success to its Volvo CE machines.

“We have a long relationship with Volvo,” says Ali Al Mubarak, managing director at Saudi Dolomite. “We started out with two small BM wheel loaders over 30 years ago and due to their uptime and reliability, in what are really harsh conditions, I’d say we have grown this business together.”

Saudi Dolomite’s crushing and calcination plant produces lime (pure calcium oxide) and dolime (calcium oxide with magnesium content) from limestone rock found in the two quarries it sub-contracts. Through a number of different kilns, the company is able to manufacture specific-sized material to be used for key industrial chemicals needed in water desalination plants as well as for steel making within Saudi Arabia.

Volvo BM L150 and Volvo L180F wheel loaders are used for material handling and loading duties across the site. Required to work 12-hour shifts, the equipment has proved it’s in it for the long haul with the machines passing the 50,000 hours mark. Saudi Dolomite also operates 35 Volvo onhighway trucks for shipping in addition to wheel loaders.

“The wheel loaders are strong and comfortable,” says Joal Saclao, veteran

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// Equipment

operator at Saudi Dolomite. “The cabin environment protects me from the dust and heat, which makes a real difference to my work and wellbeing, as I spend up to 12-hours per day in this machine.”

Supplied by FAMCO, Volvo CE’s dealer in the region, Saudi Dolomite is not only impressed with the way the wheel loaders are working, but with the service that comes alongside the equipment too. “I have no doubts about Volvo machines or Volvo as a company,” says Al Mubarak. “Additionally, with FAMCO as the dealer for construction equipment here in Saudi Arabia, I think it’s fair to say that I’m happy for my business to depend on Volvo.

Breakdowns are rare, the initial price when considering the overall lifetime cost is really favourable, and I firmly believe that with Volvo and FAMCO, we have a partnership rather than a basic supplier-customer relationship.”

Over a thousand miles to the north-west of Abqaiq, a fleet of Volvo machines has been busy removing an existing waste dump and constructing a new sanitary landfill in Lebanon.

Lebanon has made headlines in recent years – not for its sun-kissed seashores, but rather, for the huge mountain of rubbish that occupies the shores of the coastal town of Bourj Hammoud. Located northeast of Beirut on the edge of the Mediterranean, Bourj Hammoud is home to 150,000 residents within 2.5sqkm, making it one of the most densely populated districts in the Middle East. The town is also home to a 47m-high ‘rubbish mountain’ that has laid dormant in the local landfill for 27 years.

In 2016, the Lebanese government announced the re-opening of the Bourj Hammoud Landfill. A tender was held that required the winner to remove the mountain of rubbish and replace it with a new sanitary landfill. When fully completed in August 2020, the $100mn project will contain 1.6 metric tonnes (MT) of waste.

Working for the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) is Khoury Contracting Company (KCC).

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Established in 1987, the company specialises in marine and municipal work, as well as heavy civil engineering. Its portfolio consists of several high-profile projects, including the construction of the Boqaata dam in Lebanon, which acts as Mount Lebanon’s largest water source, containing seven million cubic meters of water.

“Our history of working on large projects provides us with the experience and confidence to complete the Bourj Hammoud landfill,” says Toufic Kazmouz, project manager at KCC. “We have the right team and equipment – both of which are essential to ensure the success of the project.”

Having the right equipment is necessary for a project that has already proven challenging. For example, the existing landfill lacked access roads,

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so KCC constructed three access roads, each one kilometre in length.

Rainfall causes mud to form on the unpaved narrow roads. “Given the severe conditions, articulated haulers are ideal for transporting the trash dump over the uneven, muddy roads, which contain high levels of acidity,” Kazmouz explains.

Over 200 KCC employees are working at the landfill site, alongside 39 machines from Volvo Construction Equipment. The equipment was supplied by local Volvo CE dealership, AMTRAC, and includes EC460B, EC380D, EC350D, EC360B and EC290B excavators, A35C, A35D A40 and A40D articulated haulers, L180E and L220E wheel loaders, and SD110 soil compactors.

Working to complete phase one is

a fleet of Volvo excavators and articulated haulers, excavating 3.5 million m3 of waste from the existing site.

The waste extracted by Volvo excavators from the dump will be sorted and later, hauled and backfilled in a reclaimed area of 340,000sqm using Volvo articulated haulers. The reclaimed areas will be protected by a breakwater.

Some of the excavators used during the initial phase are subsequently being used to build the breakwater wall, designed to create a strong shield from the waves. The construction will enable KCC to safely operate the new sanitary landfill over 30 months. The new sanitary landfill consists of eight cells, each constructed by KCC’s Volvo wheel loaders. Volvo excavators and articulated haulers will lay two million sqm of liner system – a geomembrane isolating material – that will contain the solid waste transported from existing treatment centres in Beirut.

“Volvo’s low fuel consumption is unbeatable,” says Simon Azar, plant machine and vehicle manager at KCC. “Compared to competitor brands, the Volvo excavators consume less fuel and ensure fast cycle times and high productivity.”

Supplied with a service contract delivered by AMTRAC, the Volvo machines are working at optimum levels for 14 hours a day, seven days a week.

“AMTRAC has played a significant part in ensuring the uptime of our machines,” says Azar. “The maintenance team and the high availability of parts are just a couple of the many factors that contribute to our long relationship with the dealership.”

The combination of a strong team, durable equipment, and dealer support paves the road for the successful completion of the Bourj Hammoud landfill. “When complete, the landfill will safely contain freshly sorted solid waste – preventing any contamination of the sea or streets,” says Kazmouz. It is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Luckily, for the residents of Bourj Hammoud, KCC is not down in the dumps about helping Lebanon clean up. www.cbnme.com

In the flow Turkish pipeline contractor, FERNAS Construction, has been employing Volvo PL4809D rotating pipelayers on the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) to bring Caspian gas from Azerbaijan through Turkey and onwards to Europe.

Gas pipelines export prosperity as much as they do energy – and the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) is no exception. The development of the world’s longest ongoing pipeline will improve security of both Turkish and southeast European energy supply and will enable Azerbaijan to diversify its gas export market. TANAP will connect with the expanded South Caucasus Pipeline and transport gas over a distance of 1,850km to Turkey’s western border with the EU. From there, gas will enter the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), crossing Greece and Albania, before linking to the Italian natural gas network. The three pipelines form the main arteries of the Southern Gas Corridor.

Such is the high profile of the project that FERNAS decided it needed suitably high-quality pipelayers to support them. The company is using five Volvo PL4809D pipelayers, supplied by respected local dealer, Ascendum, in November 2016.

“This will be the first time we have worked with Volvo pipelayers and FERNAS is confident that the equipment will yield an excellent level of performance in all pipe-related activities,” said Erhan Acar, site manager for the first section of the TANAP project.

Initially, the pipelayers will be used to support bending and welding operations before moving on to laying-in alongside conventional sidebooms. Laying-in or traveling on steep slopes presents a hazard.

As gravity takes over, the pipe swings backwards, increasing weight to the rear of the machine. However, the Volvo PL4809D’s unique 360° upper structure swing capacity allows the boom to be positioned uphill, enabling the load to be kept ahead of the machine, aiding stability and controllability.

The PL4809D units are specified with a 96t tipping capacity, or 102t with the additional counterweight, as well as excellent stability and onboard load management system (LMS). To prevent the risk of a machine from sliding, FERNAS provided an additional safety element by equipping all five of the Volvo pipelayers with spikes welded to the tracks. “I believe that with their long booms, they will perform excellently with the final tie-ins,” Acar says.

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// Women in Construction

s y o b d l u o h s ? y n h u f W e h t l l a e hav Ann Frank of CASE Construction Equipment talks about why gender is no longer a barrier in the machinery sector

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// Women in Construction

In this month’s issue, CBNME takes a look at the contribution women have made to the construction industry in the region, and it is a great opportunity to catch-up with Ann Frank from CASE, a construction equipment arm of CNH International (CASE New Holland). She is an executive who has worked on two major brands in the Middle East since her career moved on from a start in the financial sector and a later stint in fashion and retail events.

“I started out with customer excellence delivery for Barclays Business Master as my first job,” she says, as she traces back to the beginnings of her career. “What started as a summer job, soon became a career when I realised I loved people interaction, and eventually I grew into a position with training for customer excellence and soft skills.”

When Frank first moved to Dubai 12 years ago, she found herself involved in the events industry. She says she was inspired not just by her new surroundings but also by the people she met there.

“I had the privilege of working on 70

There are many apprenticeship programmes across the board for women from the shop floor (manufacturing line) to leadership; the industry is moving ahead and growing further.” some of the region’s leading events from a wide range of industries,” she remarks. “Dubai is a great melting pot

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of cultures and ideas, so it’s such a pleasure to work besides energetic, creative, and passionate people. It really brings out the best in you and helps you strive to keep innovating and doing better.”

While she enjoyed working in the world of events, Frank decided to make a move that would eventually take her career in an entirely new direction. “I moved to Genie, a Terex brand for a change in pace and started with them in administration. Within the year, I organically grew into the marketing role and eventually was responsible for Middle East and Southern Africa.”

During her seven-year tenure at the access platform specialist (which is famous for its blue livery), she says she began to realise that she was, as she puts it, falling in love with machinery and manufacturing. “The engineering excellence, safety enhancements, and creativity in the manufacturing industry is so ground breaking that I was immediately hooked.”

Now CNH International’s regional marketing and dealer manager with a brief to develop its CASE Construction

Equipment brand, Frank has a delightful way to sum up how she feels about being involved in a traditionally male dominated industry.

“I have recently moved from access equipment to construction equipment and the fascination has only grown,” she says. “Who would think coming from fashion and retail events I would love heavy equipment as much I do...then again…why should boys have all the fun?”

The equipment sector is an often unsung contributor to the construction industry in the region. Behind the importing of thousands of units of machines, vehicles, and plant every year, individuals are tasked with ensuring they arrive on time and function in the dirty extremes of being on-site; just as they promised in their glossy brochures and shiny web pages.

This is a sector where time truly is money and CNH International has in recent years set about a multi-pronged approach to ensure that the company and its dealers are as close to possible to their contractor customers. While CASE, as part of CNH International, is one of the largest equipment manufacwww.cbnme.com

turers in the world, it has been sending its kit to the region for decades. It has recently stepped up its presence; enhancing its dealer network, expanding its product offering, and attempted to get ever closer to its customers.

Frank’s role places her firmly at the centre of this effort. “I currently manage marketing and network development for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and my role encompasses working closely with various regional offices and with a wide and robust dealer network.

“I also manage and coordinate product and brand marketing activities within my region, in order to support the increase of market share and sales volumes of products and services through the distributor network in coordination with the commercial team and in compliance with regional sales, marketing, and network development strategy.”

She adds that her career, and working at CASE in particular, has also given her a broad perspective and a greater understanding of the contribution that the huge variety of cultures and backgrounds, including gender,

are making to the rapidly changing region. She describes the need to travel across the region as a privilege.

“The Middle East is a fascinating amalgamation of various cultures housed together, yet, organically, take the shape or form of the local culture. When you travel the length and breadth of the region, you have the privilege of interacting with different cultures and one thing common in all is the goal to grow growth of the industry, the country, the business, and the company - irrespective of what gender or nationality you belong to.”

She continues: “I have had the privilege to travel to various countries in different continents, each vastly different from the other, observe and work with cultures that are privy to change, and some that believe staying the course is the safest bet. However, one common thing in all of the people I have met is the passion of every person who turns up and clocks in. The unrelenting desire to bring out the best in the job at hand. I feel very fortunate to have learnt and added to my growth; the experiences from various cultures

construction business news me // October 2017 //

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// Women in Construction

Case spreads its wings Being able to support customers rapidly to minimise their downtime is a crucial factor in CASE’s expansion in the region.

The quality of the machines, the parts, and the logistics are the three key elements to meeting the demands of construction companies in the region, says the manufacturer.

CASE has worked hard over the last few years to enhance its ability to make it easier for customers to gain access to its machines in the region. Its network has been bolstered and expanded and, so has the team on ground with it adding expertise in spare parts, finance, and marketing.

Its regularly held Eagle Days (a reference to the eagle on its marque) events are an opportunity to talk about additions to its offering. The three-day format includes sales training and a demonstration event (typically held on the third day) for its local partners and equipment buyers, which it says, enhances the relationship between sales people and customers from across the region.

CASE also opened a new parts facility in Dubai at the end of 2016.

The new hub joins a list of seven others that it operates throughout the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. The facility stocks more than 11,000 part numbers and is able to cover demand for the entire region.

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have enriched me tremendously, both professionally and personally.”

Turning her attention back to the 175-year old company that has given her many of these experiences, she says that remaining close to its customers – and understanding their needs – has seen it gain ground over the competition.

“CNH International is built on the principle that simple is better. Our equipment is an evolution of finetuned products designed to solve real world challenges. Ability to outlast competition is only based on your end-customer wanting to come back to you time and again,” she says.

“CASE Construction Equipment takes customers seriously – so seriously, in fact, that we invite equipment users to participate in defining and improving new products. We call this our Customer-Driven Product Definition (CDPD) process. We involve CASE and competitive customers in CDPD projects to help us better understand their needs, and work with us to

// construction business news me // October 2017

develop and test new models that respond to those needs.

“We have customer centres in Europe and the US where our customers from around the world enjoy a firsthand experience with the powerful performance of our full range of CASE construction equipment in real job site working conditions. All this adds to the whole experience of dealing with a legendary brand such as ours.”

Frank believes that the equipment sector equipment sector is now embracing the contribution that female executive like herself can make – perhaps it is time to move on from the idea of it being the preserve of only men.

“This industry, which is perceived as a male-dominated one, is not restrictive and closed anymore. We have industry-leading manufacturers who have women in leadership roles.

There are many apprenticeship programmes across the board for women from the shop floor (manufacturing line) to leadership; the industry is moving ahead and growing further.”

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TRUCKS

// Supplier News

Trucks

Al Fahim to distribute Titan trucks in the UAE Emirates Motor Company (EMC), the distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Abu Dhabi and Al Fahim Group, has signed a contract to become the sole UAE distributor and service provider for the German specialist vehicle manufacturer, Titan.

Paul Semm, sales manager of TITAN, said: “In order to grow our involvement further, it is important we partner with strong local firms who can offer the quality of products and services our customers expect, and so we

are delighted to have started with EMC.” Bilal Al Ribi, GM for commercial vehicles at EMC,

said: “We are pleased to be the first organisation in the region to represent Titan. It shows the trust our clients

EMC, Liebherr to supply 200 Mercedes-Benz mixers in the UAE Emirates Motor Company Daimler Commercial Vehicles (EMC Daimler CV) and Liebherr have entered into a strategic partnership to supply Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks, with concrete mixers, to the UAE customers.

The partnership is designed to help construction companies across all the Emirates deliver on their infrastructural commitments, according to the stakeholders.

Under the terms of the agreement, 200 Mercedes-Benz Actros 8x4 trucks will be mounted with Liebherr 12 CBM concrete mixers.

EMC Daimler CV revealed that 100 trucks would be delivered to one of the UAE’s largest readymix companies.

The Abu Dhabi-based automotive distributor plans to sell an additional 100 units before the end of 2017.

Bilal AlRibi, general manager of EMC Daimler CV, said: “We are excited about our partnership with Liebherr as we continue to support the UAE reach their visions. Our aim is to provide the best vehicles and technology to meet the needs of our [clients’ businesses]. Nothing fits this description better than the Mercedes-Benz brand promice and EMC’s commitment to service excellence.”

Fitted with Daimler’s proprietary FleetBoard technology, the models will use the manufacturer’s ‘Connected Trucks’ concept for vehicle tracking and the measurement of driver performance.

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// construction business news me // October 2017

have in our product and service quality, as well as our endeavour to aim for only the best.”

The German firm is one of the leading manufacturers of special purpose and critical application vehicles in the world and has supplied hundreds of vehicles for operations on oil fields and mines throughout the MENA region.

EMC and Titan will also be jointly participating at the oil show ADIPEC 2017 in Abu Dhabi in November.

MEP

KSA, UAE largest GCC markets for automated materials handling Manufacturers and suppliers of automated material handling equipment and systems are paying increasing attention to the Middle East and GCC in particular, as the region transforms into a significant market for automated materials handling systems.

The increase in regional demand for automated systems is being driven primarily by industries such as automobiles, food and beverages, chemicals, metals, and heavy industries.

According to a research by analysts Markets & Markets, the GCC market for automated materials handling equipment, which is estimated to be worth $304.52mn in 2017, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% to reach $498.5mn by 2023.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are largest markets for au-

tomated materials handling equipment in the GCC region. In 2016, Saudi Arabia accounted for as much as

48% of the AMH equipment market in the GCC, emerging as an attractive destination for logistics and ware-

housing operations due to increasing investment in infrastructure. In 2014, Saudi Arabia’s government awarded infrastructure projects worth $29.34bn, the highest in GCC region.

Daifuku, international materials handling giant headquartered in Japan, was at Materials Handling Middle East 2017. Andrey Kras, account manager at Daifuku’s international business division, said: “There is a strong feeling that automation of storage and intralogistics has become an eventual goal for the biggest players on the logistics market. General awareness of the existing technologies has grown significantly compared to two to three years ago and many understand that there will be some point of time in the near future, when in order to stay afloat, they will need to automate.”

Alba’s Line 6 expansion see 25% completion Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) updated shareholders on the firm’s progress on the $3bn Line 6 Expansion project, noting that the undertaking continues to run on the scheduled timeline.

According to the firm, earthworks and concrete at the site are continuing as planned, with engineering at 50% completion, and procurement and contracts at 70% completion. Overall, the project is at 25% completion, with the erection of structural steel slated for later this month.

Alba’s chairman, Shaikh Daij bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, praised the work conducted by all parties in progressing the project to this point.

“We are delighted to see that the Line 6 Expansion Project continues to progress on schedule as that will accelerate our position to be the largest single-site smelter in the world. I thank our EPCM contractor, International Bechtel Co (Bechtel), Alba CEO, Tim Murray and the Alba Line 6 qwner’s team for their commitment to deliver our project on a timely and safe manner.”

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“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on Alba’s historic project,” said Bechtel’s president for mining and metals, Paige Wilson. “We also look forward to continuing to work with the Alba Line 6 Owner’s Team as the project targets First Hot Metal (FHM) by January 1, 2019 and to furthering our long-term partnership.”

construction business news me // October 2017 //

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// Editor's pick

A steady progress The expansive infrastructure investment plans of the smaller emirates of the UAE like Sharjah, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah support positive construction sector outlook, according to a recent report by BMI Research The UAE’s construction growth is primarily informed by elevated levels of project activity focused in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi; having said that, the smaller emirates that comprise the country - particularly Sharjah and Fujairah - will play an increasing role in driving growth as ambitious infrastructure investment agendas swell their respective project pipelines in the coming years.

Within the UAE, Sharjah's 2017 budget will allocate a record amount of funding to infrastructure investment, with the government pledging $6bn for the year. This represents a 7% year-on-year increase and roughly 30% of the overall budget, which will feed into greater levels of construction sector activity in 2018 and beyond.

The increased emphasis on infrastructure development is evident in the quickening pace of project activity that is seen in Sharjah over the course of 2017 - most notable is the recent announcement that Sharjah-based Arada - a joint venture between Basma Group and KBW Investments – has agreed to build the largest-ever mixed-use, masterplanned project in the emirate, which will eventually house approximately 70,000 people at a cost of $6.5bn.

Other projects currently progressing through Sharjah's pipeline include the first phase of the planned $2.5bn Waterfront City Project, where Canadabased WSP Group has been appointed as a project management consultant. The $653mn Tilal City mixed-use community project, with Netherlands-based Arcadis appointed as lead consultant.

The emirate 'Fujairah 2040' plan will offer a wealth of contract opportunities in the infrastructure space, as the government seeks to accommodate a growing population that is expected to double by 2040 and lay the founda76

tions for a more diversified economic base. As part of its investment agenda, Fujairah will seek to construct 8,000 new homes and 1,500 hotel rooms over the next five years, as well expand the capacity of its seaport.

In particular, the potential for the port of Fujairah to continue to emerge as a key centre of oil storage infrastructure - companies like Netherlandsbased Vitol, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (Socar), and Sinopec invest in oil storage capacity in the preceding years and this trend is expected to continue as investors look to capitalise on Fujairah's strategic location outside of the Strait of Hormuz.

Key projects in Fujairah's project pipeline include the $463mn Mohammed Bin Zayed City Project, with construction duties handled by UAE-based Arabtec and the $108mn Fujairah Business Centre, which was designed by UAE-based Dewan Architects and Engineers.

The construction activity in Ras alKhaimah, Ajman, and Umm al Quwain is likewise accelerating. Illustrating this uptick are the remittances sent home

by Pakistani labourers - who form a key segment of the construction sector workforce across the UAE and whose remittances therefore function as a proxy barometer of broader construction activity - from these emirates has grown

// construction business news me // October 2017

significantly over the past several years.

Having said that, the small size of these markets will mute their overall impact on headline construction sector growth in the years ahead. Given the economic orientation of the emirates of Ras al Khaimah, Ajman, and Umm al Quwain - which remain largely focused on manufacturing and industrial development - non-residential building will lead the way in driving headline construction growth in these emirates over the coming years.

Furthermore, in an effort to replicate the success of Jebel Ali in neighbouring Dubai, the proliferation of Special Economic Zones like the Port of Ahmed bin Rashid in Umm al Quwain will incentivise the construction of industrial projects throughout the emirateas investors take advantage of favourable tax and regulatory regimes.

In addition to possessing strong project pipelines - as exemplified by non-residential projects like the $60bn Al Zorah mega development project in Ajman and the $6.8bn Firdous Sobha in Umm al Quwain - the UAE's smaller emirates have each identified growing tourism levels as a key economic diversification priority, which will help sustain higher levels of commercial and hospitality infrastructure development into the future.

www.cbnme.com

// Save the date

Save the date Mark your calendar

October

9-11

October

17-19

78

Infra Oman Muscat, Oman It is dubbed as one of the largest building and construction expo in the Middle East and has been continuously defining the industry’s development for the last six years.

Organised by Al Nimr International Exhibition Organisers, it is considered as the annual meeting place for industry leaders, suppliers, and buyers in the Sultanate. Infra Oman has proved to be an ideal starting point not only for the local companies, but also for foreign entities that are more determined to be part of Oman’s growing market.

Light Middle East Dubai, UAE The exhibition is set to illuminate the region’s lighting industry with a spectacular array of exhibitors and an outstanding lineup of conference speakers. The three-day event offers a comprehensive interactive platform for manufacturers, architects, designers, consultants, engineers, construction companies, hospitality industry professionals, government officials, and more.

Among the attractions this year is Future Zone, an exciting showcase of innovative technology, cutting-edge design and trends; Ready, Steady, Light - a competition that invites manufacturers, lighting designers, and students to install an exterior lighting scheme under time, budget, and equipment constraints; and the popular Light Middle East Awards gala ceremony, celebrating the region’s outstanding projects, products, and lighting design.

// construction business news me // October 2017

October

23-26

November

14-15

Saudi Build 2017 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Saudi Build has been Saudi Arabia’s largest construction trade exhibition, attracting thousands of international manufacturers, exporters, and businessmen, as well as tens of thousands of regional engineers, importers, and industry professionals to connect and engage with the latest technology that the Kingdom’s largest sector has to offer. The exhibition will have more than 870 local, regional, and international companies under one roof and will also offer networking opportunities with decision makers from the public and private sectors.

2nd Annual GCC HVAC Summit Dubai, UAE The event plans to have all stakeholders under the energy program across the GCC under one roof. The event would focus on environment policy and planning, sustainable development, HVAC technologies, challenges and opportunities in the sector, sustainable options – clean energy and regulations, and many more topics. Organised by Gulf Learning, this summit will showcase the prowess and potential of HVAC technologies that will secure air conditioning and power consumption to its most effective level, and organisations in the region and globally, who are intending to expand their portfolios into emerging markets such as district cooling, energy, and power efficiency and sustainability.

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