Inside Depa Magazine by Depa Group

Global Employee Magazine from the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leading Interior Contractor VOL. 01 Issue. 01

Spring 2009 www.depa.com

Spotlight on...

DEPA JORDAN

New Addition to the Depa Family

Depa University

Burj Dubai Project pg. 6

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Find out more about employee benefits at Depa. Working for Depa means free life and medical insurance, employee discounts, and much more. Access information about compensation within the company. The Depa Human Resources Policy manual offers comprehensive details about Depa’s HR policies and procedures. developed and maintained by:

IT Department

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inside...

Message from the Editor Dear Employees, Welcome to the first edition of Inside Depa, a new online magazine that will be published on a quarterly basis. Inside Depa will inform you about what is going on in the company as well as focus on the Depa family, which means it is a magazine from employees for employees; therefore, employee participation is highly encouraged. With 2009 well underway itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good moment to reflect on the achievements of 2008 and make the first edition of Inside Depa a recap of this very successful year. We added Depa Jordan to our steadily growing family and completed many prestigious projects such as Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, La Cigale Hotel in Doha, and Tiara Residences on Palm Jumeira, just to mention a few. It is important to share with our employees and associates through this and subsequent magazines our successes, our goals, and to recognize the members of our team and their contributions. Bringing connectivity through communication to the Depa family is our goal with this magazine. In order to develop this magazine further, we will be adding new features each issue. I hope you enjoy this issue of Inside Depa. Your feedback and suggestions are welcomed.

Stefanie Heidester Internal Communications/ Knowledge Management stefanie.heidester@depa.com

Depa figures at a glance

2008 in review

cover story: burj dubai

2008 projects

spotlight on: Depa jordan

depa university

it report

10 questions for: ali malas

depa people

depa awards

depa sports

depa events: dubai iftar dinner

word at the sites

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Figures at a glance People

8,050

There are currently 8,050 people worldwide working for Depa United Group.

Countries Depa currently has a global presence in over thirteen countries around the globe.

13 49

Nationalities Depa and its subsidiaries boast over 49 nationalities of employees worldwide. From China to Australia, India to Canada, Ireland to the USA, amazing people come from all over the world to work at Depa! Global Interior Solutions

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2008 in review January

CBT- Computer based training is introduced by the IT department

February

Depa Material & Supplier Database (MSD) System goes online

March

Depa Cricket TournaDepa consolidates posiments in India and the tion with German LindUAE ner Group Joint Venture

Lindner Depa signs the Metro Dubai-Red Line

April

Initial Public Offering: Depa goes public!!!

Depa has a new partner: Standardized version Design Studio Furniture of ePromis accounting Manufacturer Ltd in package is released Singapore

May

Depa expands to Jordan by acquiring 22.2%stake at Jordan Wood Industries

Introduction of Sniperhire, Depa’s new applicant tracking system

Depa Online Financial Application (DOFA) goes online

Global Launch of Depa Depa wins ‘Best Interior Contracting Company’ University Award

Depa hosts the Hotel Show 2008

July

Launch of Depa’ s new career website www.depa.jobs

Introduction of Depa’s new employee referral program

Deco wins Saks Fifth Avenue ‘s luxury store fit-out in Bahrain

August

Start of the Depa University Global English Program

Start of formal “New Employee” Inductions at Depa Headquarters in Dubai

Depa University elearning user training is introduced in India and Egypt

Annual Depa Iftar Dinner

October

Depa University introduces Depa University Stars

Mivan Depa wins three contracts totaling AED 82 million and beats Atlantis deadline!

Depa Central Data Center is ready for Oracle Implementation

November

Depa acquires worldleading international yacht fit-out specialist Vedder

Depacareers.com wins at the UAE Web Awards 2008

Depa University introduces new courses

December

DDS Contracts & Interior Solutions Pte Ltd wins an AED 118 million contract

June

September

DDS signs its first contract in Singapore

New version of Depa Portal released

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Burj Dubai Project level 107 and all of level 108 are dedicated to one very high class penthouse.

The supply and installation of the built-in furniture is split between Design Studio of Singapore and In all, there are 105 different apart- Depa Joinery from their factory in ment designs, 93% of a “Modern” DIP. Design studio has the bulk of the work, supplying all mill work type and 7% a “Classic” type. for the Modern apartments, the After being on site for 11 months, corridors, lift lobbies and all fire the client decided doors. Depa joinery is supplying to change the in- all the mill work for the Classic terior finishes and apartments as well as all the solid revise some room wood items, such as door frames, layouts of the Mod- skirting, and all modern bathern Apartments. room vanities. This meant that we had to start the de- Currently we have over 2200 sign work all over workers onsite, mostly from Depa, again and much of and 165 staff. the gypsum walls installed at that When finished, the tower will time needed to be be approximately 800m high to removed and re- the top of the antenna. The top habitable floor is believed to be built. at level 160 at a height of 650m By the end of 2007 we had re- (Still some secrecy!). Above this drawn most of the floor plans are plant and telecommunication for the 105 different designs and rooms, the roof, and the antenna, were well on our way to complete which is approximately 80m high wall elevations and RCP. Howev- in itself. er, another major change arrived. This time we needed to relocate The tower already holds the many of the electrical services, world record for the highest manlights, and outlets. This put us made structure and also the tallest building. back another couple of months.

Project director Bob Dixon gives us a closer insight into the Burj Dubai project.

n August 2006, Depa was awarded a contract by Emaar to fit-out 900 apartments, 4 amenities floors, 81 floors of corridors, and lift lobbies on the Burj Dubai project. There are 334 apartments between levels 19 and 37, 354 apartments between levels 43 and 72, and 211 apartments between levels 76 and 107. Half of

Changes are still being issued but thankfully they are relatively minor. Now at the end of 2008 we find our selves with 70% of gypsum walls complete and working on all 81 floors at the same time. The installation of stone work, by Carrara, is about 30% complete and we have just started to install the built-in kitchens and furniture on level 20. Just another 79 floors to go !!!!

A few months ago, when you looked at the building, the top of the structure was higher than the highest crane jib. This is because the top part of the building, which is mainly antenna, had been constructed within the building frame and was jacked up slowly everyday. The jacking process is now complete, and the building recently reached its maximum height (but I won’t tell you how high, because then I would have Continued on page 17...

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Projects

UAE - dubai Dubai Marina Bay Hotel

This project is a 500 bedroom luxury hotel with the new Abu Dhabi F1 race circuit running between its two towers. Project Manager Marc Turner and his team of over 490 trade operatives plus a management staff of 22 will be delivering the project for Al Futtaim Carillion on behalf of ALDAR. The total project value is USD 58,568,427. The project is extremely fast track and has to be completed within an 8 month period.

Dubai Al Meydan Project Manager: Hadi Alloush

Dubai Burj Dubai

Project Director: Bob Dixon Value: USD 171,046,895

Bob Dixon gives insight into this prestigious project. See Burj feature p.5

Client: Meydan LLC

Dubai Beach Palace

Value: USD 4,355,096 Employees: 43

Project Director: Yamin Shihab

Dubai Tiara Hotel & Residences Gary Brown, project manager for Tiara Hotel, and Besher J anna n, p ro j e c t manager for Tiara Residences, along with their teams, are delivering these two prestigious projects on the Palm Jumeirah for a total value of USD

Project Manager: Claudio Samaha Value: USD 21,233,790

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Projects

UAE - dubai

Dubai DFC Gold Souk Client: Al Futtaim

Dubai Various

Value: USD 10,093,852

Project Manager: Wayne Murphy

Project Manager: Murphy

East Hotel at Mall of Emirates

Wayne

Dubai Int’l Airport The EK Lounges at the Dubai Int’l Airport were delivered in June 2008.

Dubai Logo Island Project Director: Yamin Shihab Project Manager: Amr El-Etreby

Festival Tower Marsa Plaza Short Stay Apartments

Dubai Dubai Festival City Project Director Tim Holmes and his team have delivered several projects at Dubai Festival City (DFC), including the Pavilion, the Intercontinental Hotel, and the Gold Souk.

Client: Engineer's Office

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Projects

EGYPT

Alexandria Residential Project For a total value of USD 475,000 the apartment of Mr. G. Aziz was fitted out by Essam Ibrahim and his crew.

Cairo Sheraton Hotel Project Manager: Amr Zakaria Client: Arab Co. for Touristic Projects Value: USD 3,432,112

Cairo Al Zeid’s Villas

Project manager Mohammed Youssef and his team were responsible for delivering this USD

Cairo Fairmont Hotel Project Manager: Mohamed Al Zeki Value: USD 3,767,546 Client: CKMD

Cairo Holiday Inn Project Manager: Mohsen Said Value: USD 6,322,312 Client: Golden Pyramids Placa

Sharm El Sheikh Millennium Tiran This USD 5,780,399 project will be delivered for the Sharm for Tourism Projects Co. Engineer Nabil Mahmoud was responsible for this project.

The El-Nile Hotel Project in Cairo has already exceeded Cairo 1,050,000 man hours and project manager, Essam Ibrahim, El Nile & his team of 40 employees are working towards the expected completion date in June 2009. The project consists Hotel of 12 floors + mezzanine, 190 guest rooms, 24 suites, 3 restaurants, meeting rooms, business center, spa and service areas. So far two guest area floors have been completed. Mr. Essam describes his role as very challenging since “ Depa is the main contractor; which means that all wet trades, electromechanical, external façade works as well as fit-out are in our direct contract. These are new trades for Depa so it is our challenge to succeed in this situation in addition to achieving a nice design and location.”

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Projects

india

Bangalore J.W. Marriott

Project Manager Mr. Khailash Bha worked on the USD 184,550 project mocking up hotel guest rooms.

EMAAR MGF Gupta’s Residence Project Manager Inayat Ali and his crew of 35 DEPA employees worked on this project for Shanti Appearls Manufacturing Company. A luxury villa for total value of USD 1,654,637 was outfitted.

Gurgaon Narsi Hotel Client: Global Heritage Ventures Ltd. Project Manager: Rajesh Pruth Value: USD 4,400,522 Employees: 97

Pune Holiday Inn For a total value of USD 75,028 Project Manager Rajendra Sha and his crew worked on the mock up of hotel guest rooms.

Gurgaon The Leela, Kempinski Hotel DEPA India has worked on different projects within the Leela complex. Project Manager Mr. Shelendra Rajawat was responsible for 90 guest rooms, 30 Service apartments, 7 ambience hotel suites, the Presidential suite, the Italian Restaurant, the Executive Lounge, and the V.I.P. lobby. Within the same complex Mr. Mirkishvar Hussain supervised the multi-cuisine restaurant. The Leela project had a total value of USD 8,563,720 and was partly outsourced with 32 DEPA employees.

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Projects

Morocco Casablanca Hotel Farah Project Manager Karim El Amrani

Marrakech Ksar Menara Project Manager Camille Zgheib was responsible for delivering this USD 12,330,610 five star hotel in Marrakech.

El Jadida Mazagan Project Manager Gary Brown and his crew are working on this USD 42,000,000 hotel resort for Kerzner International.

Value USD 3,767,546 Project 5 star hotel Client CKMD

Casablanca Twin Center Palace This project was a 5 star hotel in Casablanca. It is comprised of 26 suites, 20 junior suites, 1 royal suite, 190 rooms, 2 restaurants, a sky bar, ballroom, and spa. Project Manager Charif Rifai and his team put in 832,000 man hours to complete this project. Mr. Rifai referred to the project as a big challenge for himself and his team, as it was a renovation project and therefore more complicated. The fact that the work on the project started at the same time Depa Morocco was established made it even more

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QATAR Doha La Cigale Hotel This Project is a 214 room luxury hotel in Doha. Project Manager Ibrahim Moosa worked on this p res tigio us project with a total value of USD 22,517,898. The project was delivered for Brooks Trading.

Doha Grand Hyatt Hotel The Grand Hyatt Hotel is a 249 room project and was under the supervision of Project Manager Khaled Salhadar. For a total value of USD 4,393,734 the contract was delivered for Tourist Investment Co.

Doha CBQ Plaza Client: Commercial Bank of Qatar Value: USD 24,989,374 Project Manager: Layth Al Saffar

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Projects

uae - abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Deluxe Hotel

Abu Dhabi Residential Project Project manager Mohnad Al Masri was responsible for the construction and partial fit out of the Hind Al Fahim villa, a project with the total value of USD 3,668,479.

Abu Dhabi Al Whada City Public areas, guest areas, corridors, and FFE works for a total value USD 53,402,739 are currently being executed by Depa at the Al Wahda Sports Club by project director Mr. Mohamad Jeghel and his team.

Project Manager: Mr. Mohamad Shamsuddin Client: National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels Value: USD 2,086,878 Area of work: Enabling works

Abu Dhabi YAS Island Depa Abu Dhabi is currently delivering several projects at YAS Island, including the Rotana, Centro, Crown Plaza and Staybridge Hotels. For a total value of USD 49,931,564, public areas, guest rooms, suites and corridors at these hotels will be fitted

Abu Dhabi Capital Centre Hotel The Capital Centre project was delivered by project manager Mohamad Shamsuddin for a total value of USD 2,617,204.

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DEPA JORDAN Depa’s policies and procedures. The team visited most of the major projects in Dubai, including the Burj Dubai, Tiara Residence, and the Beach Palace Project to learn more about the operating principles of the company. Established under the umbrella of today's challenging economy, Depa Jordan has managed to penetrate the region’s most influential and prestigious clients, including Abdali, Saraya Aqaba, Limitless, Jordan Gate (Hilton), DIP (Living Wall), along with some of the major Dead Sea projects currently under development.

In this picture: Mr. Fuad Azab (GM), Mr. Ghaith Saudi, Mr. Ali Dehmes, Eng. Ayman Al Thaher, Mr. Waleed Abdul Jawwad, Mr. Ahmad Jarrar, Mr. Muhanad Saqer, Mrs. Reem Abu Sitta, Mrs. Wajd Karazon, Mrs. Nancy Al Ladawy, and Ms. Sahar Said

ordan is rapidly emerging as a dynamic market, a fact that was not missed by the scrutinizing eye of the Depa Group. With a “getting down to business” attitude, Depa Jordan set its foundation in 2008, headed by a relentless leader and strategic partnerships with JWICO and an office in the Special Economic Zone of Aqaba. To build the Depa Jordan workforce, a small team sharing Depa’s vision was hired, along with the transfers of several staff members from the Head office in Dubai. All gathered to help implement the strategies that will achieve our company’s purpose and vision. Depa Jordan located its new main office in the center of Amman’s primary business area, Wadi Saqra. Amman’s office will be the head of all Depa offices

Depa Jordan has set its strategic goal for 2009 to be ahead of the regional curve by leading the Jordanian Market with Depa’s Interior Solutions seal. by Fuad Azab, Ali Dhemes, and Lina Al Rehaba

in Jordan. With a space of 500 square meters, there is room to house the departments and staff responsible for running a full interior solutions company. Depa Jordan started the design and decoration of its offices to accommodate staff on December 08. Training and orientation, the platforms for sustained success and imperative fundamentals for any company to lead and develop, were not skipped, and a team of four travelled to Dubai for an induction on

In this picture: Eng. Ayman Al Thaher, Eng. Rakan Shakhshir, Mrs. Reem Abu Sitta, Mr. Waleed Jawwad

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Depa University

With the global launch of Depa University on June 30, 2008, employees of Depa were opened up to the possibility of taking any of 21 core courses for their professional development through a powerful e-learning platform. Since then, Depa University’s offerings, its users, and its usage, have grown tremendously. With a 42% usage growth in its first 3 months alone, Depa University now offers over 132 courses ranging from professional skills development to technical courses in areas such as QA/QC, HSE, Finance, and IT. With this expanding course catalog, Depa University is proving to be a success and a great benefit to members of the Depa family. In November 2008, external recognition for usage success witnessed in the first months after Depa University’s launch came in the form of the award for “Best New Initiative for E-learning Delivery 2008”, given to Depa by Skillsoft and Expert Learning. As for the real added value for its internal users, we asked one of Depa University’s Top Learners of 2008, Geraldine Prieto, what it is about Depa University that she

likes so much. “I like that I am able to learn at home. I take a course when I’m waiting for my husband to get home, or if I can’t sleep. It’s the flexibility.” She also finds the information taught in the courses to be “basic and realistic”, and says, “I call on all the basic teachings that I’ve read in the courses for situations in the office everyday”. It is this flexibility that was one of the key factors involved in the choice for the elearning tool. “The problem with typical training is that it’s either too fast or too slow. With self-directed learning (what Depa University offers), you choose your own pace. At the same time, you can also choose what you want to learn from the course list and within the course itself”, says Robert St. Jacques, Global HR Director. The feedback and praise from Depa employees globally regarding Depa University has helped to grow, improve, and promote the system. Ultimately, you, a member of the Depa team, are the key to the success of Depa University just as Depa University can be the key to your success.

Burj Dubai Project cont... to kill you!). Practical completion is set for September/October 2009 and we are hoping to be substantially complete by 9-9-09 when the client is planning to have the official opening. The project logistics are a nightmare. We are running the logistics on a 24/7 basis to ensure we can move the substantial quantities of materials up to the floors where they are required. The external hoists have now been removed to allow the curtain wall cladding to be finished off. We are now using most of the 26 permanent lifts within the central core, but only 3 lifts are able to stop at every floor. For those who are interested I have listed some of the material facts of the project: Gypsum and cement boards 1,350,000 square meters. If stacked normally on top of each other the pile would be 7.5 km high. Nine times higher than the Burj Dubai. If put end to end it would stretch 1,200km. Steel studs if laid end to end would also stretch approximately 1,500km. Marble and stone for bathroom, kitchen walls, and flooring -125,000 square meters –This equates to 10,400 tons. Parquet Flooring - 90,000 square meters. Furniture & mill work is planned to arrive in a flat pack style in approximately 400 containers. By the time the project is complete we estimate that we would have received approximately 1700 containers of materials at the site. by Bob Dixon

by Marissa Norris

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IT Report

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Ali Kekhia Group IT Director

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IT Report ��

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10 questions for ... Ali Malas

MD of New Markets 5. What leader, past or present, do you most admire? Gandhi

1. What is your educational background? Master Of Science in Engineering & Construction Management - - Ohio State University, March 1981 Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering - - Ohio University, June 1979

Married, 25 years, 4 kids : Nadia 15 girl Nour 13 girl Omar 5 boy Hiba 5 girl

About “10 Questions For....”

7. What is the worst job you have ever had? This is my third job and none of them were bad.

Architect / Engineer

8. What sports do you enjoy playing?

Bananas

Good Health and prosperity in the current crisis

6. Are you married? How long? How many kids do you have? Names? Ages?

2. When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

3. If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

forward to in 2009?

Basketball, Swimming, & Tennis 9. If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

4. What is your favorite book?

Caring, hardworking, and a man of integrity

Qur’an

10. What are you most looking

In each edition of Inside Depa, “10 Questions For....” gives our employees a chance to put their questions to members of the Depa Management Team. Check every issue when we announce the next special guest. Send us the questions you would like to ask to insidedepa@ depa.com. The 10 most interesting ones will be answered in the next edition.

Next edition: Ayman Khaireddin, MD of Commercial will answer your questions!! Want to ask Mr. Khaireddin a question? Whether it’s business-related or just for fun, he’ll answer your questions in the next edition of INSIDE. Email us with your questions at insidedepa@depa.com, subject line: ´10 Questions for AK´.

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People

Global Interior Solutions

Currently, about 8,050 employees are working for Depa. With each and every issue of INSIDE, we would like to introduce members of the Depa community all over the globe. Let’s meet our colleagues and get to know them a bit better….

Meet Tarik El Khamlichi IT-Department, Morocco

Meet John Vendorkaran Commercial Assistant, India

1. Where do you live?

8. Where’s your favorite place to go on a night out?

I live in Casablanca – Morocco

Any peaceful beach or a Ranch

2. If you could interview somebody famous, who would you chose?

9. Where have you lived? The first 30 years I lived in India, then 2 years Bahrain, 1year Jordan, followed by 11 years Saudi Arabia and I am now back in India again

Linus Torvalds. He was born December 28th 1969 in Helsinki, Finland. He created the kernel of the operating system Linux in 1999 1. Where do you live?

3. If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

10. What is your favorite movie?

Enthusiast, serious, and funny.

Seven, Fight club

4. If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

11. What is your favorite travel destination?

Cocktail of famous and expensive food. 5. When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Researcher ( Dr. , professor) or Artist. 6. What was your first car? No car until now 7. What kind of music do you like? Arabic spiritual music, Hard rock, Fusion, Reggae, Groove, and Grunge 8. Where’s your favorite place to go on a night out? No specific place, just to be with friends 9. Where have you lived before? Morocco.

Thailand 12. What is the worst job you have ever had? There’s no worst than being jobless 13. What is your favorite color? Red 14. What was the last movie you saw? Kung-fu Panda 15. What are you most looking forward to in 2009? Preparation of all Microsoft and Cisco certifications.

India

10. What is your favorite movie?

2. If you could interview somebody famous, who would you chose?

I have to mention these 3: Good, Bad & The Ugly, For a few Dollars More, Dirty Dozen

Mother Teresa (that will never happen though)

11. What is your favorite travel destination?

3. If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

Any countryside

Honest, ambitious, and non biased

12. What is the worst job you have ever had?

4. If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Never had one. All were good in their own way and it is the way we adapt it. No Pain No Gain

Chappatti (Indian Bread) with any Curry (Veg or Non Veg)

13. What is your favorite color?

5. When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Blue

Cowboy 6. What was your first car? Never had one 7. What kind of music do you like? Country Music

14. What was the last movie you saw? Heist – Gene Hackmann and his gang 15. What are you most looking forward to in 2009? Want to make the best to ensure that I have a regular income for me & family for the future, if at all I lose my Job.

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When the working day is done...

...What do you do for fun? How do you spend your spare time outside of working at Depa? Let us know! Send us an e-mail of you engaged in your favorite sport or activity. The most exciting entries will be published in the next edition of Inside Depa! E-mail your picture along with your name, position, and location to: insidedepa@depa.com.

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awards 2008 Talent Development Team Wins ‘‘New Initiative for E-Learning Delivery” Congratulations to Depa University and the Talent Development Team for winning the "Best New Initiative for E-Learning Delivery Award" at the First Annual Skillsoft Cafe ME event. Held at the Grosvenor House in Dubai on November 12th, this event honored several outstanding companies for their achievements in elearning in the Middle East.

(Pictured above are Tiffany Joiner, Talent Development Manager and Francess Fletchero, Technical Learning Coordinator, with members of the Global Skillsoft Team)

Depa wins “Best Interior Contractor” Award Depa was awarded ‘Best Interior Contractor’ at the inaugural Arabian Property Middle East Awards. The Awards were presented on Wednesday June 25th, 2008 at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Depa’s selection was based on our worldwide leading position in the interior contracting market, the prestigious projects portfolio and recent successful listing on the DIFX.

Depacareers.com wins at the UAE Web Awards 2008 Depa’s newly created career website was judged one of the best in its category! This new website was built specifically to attract and process quality job seekers for Depa Group's global interior solutions companies. Features of the winning website include its striking design, powerful technology, engaging content and smart navigation structure. Congratulations!!!

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sports

Depa India Cricket Tournament

Depa Dubai’s first FUN DAY! Depa employees in Dubai were invited to join in on a fun-filled day of karting, laser quest, waterslides, painting, circus activities...the fun options were endless! Because of the number of Dubai-based staff, these activities were divided into 3 days.

Depa Racing Depa India organized a cricket tournament, which was held at the ground of S.M. Shetty School on 05th of April 2008. There were in all four teams playing the tournament. The teams named themselves as Depa Lions (Blue T-shirts), Depa Tigers (Yellow T-shirts), Depa Aces (Red T-shirts) & Black Panthers (Green Tshirts). Each team had 12 players. A total of four matches were played on the day. Each team was to play only six overs (each match was 12 overs). Two matches were played before the lunch session, and the remaining two were played post lunch. The team named Depa Tigers won the tournament, under the captaincy of Mr. Surendran Nair. The 1st runners up were the “Depa Lions”. This team was captained by Depa India Director Mr. Ajit Thomas. The Man of the Match was awarded to Mr. Sachin Mokashi for scoring 40 runs in the final match.

At the beginning of the 2007-2008 car racing season, DUG announced the sponsorship of Fadi Bikawi, Senior Planner, Depa Abu Dhabi. Fadi completed the first season racing his Mitsubishi, Lancer Evolution VII for Depa by winning the overall Championship Trophy.

Ramadan Football Tournament Sherif Fadl, Depa Dubai Regional Governmental Affairs Manager, organized the 2008 Dubai Ramadan Soccer Tournament involving 16 teams from Depa Dubai and all its subsidiaries. The participating teams were divided into fourgroups, and after the pool games were over, the first and second placed teams of each group went on with the quarterfinals. From this stage onwards, the tournament was a sudden death competition. Depa Albarakah team 1 won the competition over Burj Dubai team 1. Third place was divided between Depa Albarakah team 2 and Depa Head Office.

After a successful start into the season, Fadi went on to win the Dubai Autodrome Redline Challenge. He also finished 2nd at the Overall Oman, Muscat Race of Champions, a challenging race that gathered the top drivers from Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi, and the UAE. Upcoming races for the 2008-2009 season include the Middle East Hill Climb Championship consisting of 4 Rounds in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon & Cyprus.

The prize distribution was held on the same day. The winning team was presented with the trophy by Mr. V. S. Thomas (Mr. Ajit Thomas’s father) and the 1st Runner Up team was presented with the trophy by Mr. Ambrish Mahajan (CEO of WNS – Travel & Leisure Services). After the tournament, all the team members came together for photo sessions, laughter, smiles, fun & frolic, enjoying the ``sporty spirits´´ of every Depa India employee!

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events The following employees were awarded for 10 years dedication to Depa:

Dubai Iftar Dinner 2008

Antony Titus Joseph—Depa Dubai Bobby Maquinana—Eldiar Abu Dhabi Caroline Chadarevian—Depa Dubai Frederick Martin—Eldiar Abu Dhabi Jakir Ali—Deco Emirates Joel Catang—Eldiar Abu Dhabi John Alexander Pathalil—Pino Meroni Dubai Mohammed Shereef—Deco Emirates

One of the highlights in 2008 for all Dubai-based employees was the annual Depa Iftar dinner held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel. Local employees from here Depa and its subsidiaries came together to enjoy a fantastic evening. The annual Iftar dinner is always a much -anticipated event for Depa employees as an evening that encompasses glitz, glamour, acknowledgment and appreciation. This year’s event was no different. Fine dining and soft music marked the end to Ramadan, as the management and staff of Depa made the evening a night to remember. Recognition was awarded to the employees that com-

pleted a decade of service to the company. Additionally, the Depa University Stars and Global English standouts were recognized and rewarded for their success. A traditional Depa Iftar Dinner is not complete without the nail-biting prize-winning moments, which occured at the end of the night with the raffle draw. The lucky few won IPODS, DVDS and other high tech electronics. Congratulations to the 16 employees who were awarded at the Dubai Iftar Banquet for 10 years of dedication to Depa! We look forward to another fantastic Iftar Dinner in 2009!

(in this picture: Mr. Nadim Akhras and Mr. Mohannad Sweid)

Mool Chand Mangilal—Pino Meroni Dubai Nadim Akhras—Depa Dubai Naduveettil Sivan—Depa Abu Dhabi Paul Martin—Eldiar Abu Dhabi S. Harilal—Eldiar Abu Dhabi Simon Thomas—Depa Dubai Swamikkan Nadar Murugan—Pino Meroni Dubai Vishwakarma Neeralal Sharma—Depa Dubai

(in this picture: Mrs. Caroline Chadarevian and Mr. Mohannad Sweid)

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depa

Word at the sites I n this edition, D epa e m p l oy ees fro m the B each Palace S i te i n D ubai answer the followin g question : Youssra E l Harir y

r u o y s i t a h W e t i r u o fav y a d i l ho & n o i t a n i t s de why?

opala o h B t a Bhar

Franlee Capu tol

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28 Inside depa Edition 01, Spring 2009

Global Interior Solutions