JANUARY 2 0 2 1
NEWS
SmartSense by Digi Unveils New SmartSense IoT Platform
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The Arcticom Group Continues Growth with Acquisition of Market Refrigeration Specialists
Global VRF System Industry
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Central Vacuum Systems
Innovative design for improved efficiency 1
THE NEW GENERATION
VACUUM PUMP SYSTEM
SC 920 with wireless remote control
EDITOR‘S NOTE
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lthough the coronavirus outbreak this year is still new to scientists, there are evidences that COVID-19 can be transmitted through air. In fact, it can travel through aerosols, making air-conditioned and poorly ventilated rooms a highly possible place for transmission. To mitigate such a spread, there are several ways to change the existing HVAC systems in buildings. Same with the case of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2004, HVAC systems are likely to spread a virus across rooms whenever high-speed air flows past an infected individual to others. If the novel coronavirus can indeed be transmitted through air, several control-setting changes and upgrades in the HVAC system can help mitigate the risk of acquiring the virus through this route. Building managers also have the option to go the air purification route. There are already numerous technologies in the market that can purify air, with filtration being the most common and typically effective method for HVAC systems. Other technologies, such as thermal sterilization and irradiation, doesn’t remove biological particles in the air but inactivate them instead. For a cleaner air, HVAC systems can also consider incorporating ozone generators, ionic purifiers, and other devices.
2021 HVAC Forecast and Opportunities Another way of ensuring the safety of buildings with HVAC systems is considering the switching of airflow patterns from turbulent airflow to vertical laminar. This principle has already been utilized in several settings to avert the spread of particles. For instance, hospital operating rooms minimize their contamination with sophisticated systems that direct air from the ceiling to the floor using laminar flow. Commercial aircrafts’ ventilation systems are also configured in such a way to decrease the spread of contaminated air in the cabins. If building managers immediately take such actions and focus on changing their ventilation systems, their tenants will feel more comfortable inside their buildings amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19.
* For any inquiries, please contact Mr. Rohan Suares Address: LG Electronics Gulf, P.O Box 61445, Dubai, U.A.E, Tel. # +971 52 710 0999, Email: rohan.suares@lge.com
CON TENTS
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Co Ban Kiat: Celebrating 100 Years of Providing World Class Hardware Solutions
A Smart Helmet to Detect Covid-19 Infection
22 2021 HVAC Pandemic Forecast and Analysis
42 SmartSense by Digi Unveils New SmartSense IoT Platform
46 The Arcticom Group Continues Growth with Acquisition of Market Refrigeration Specialists
58 Air Dryers Vs. Paper Towels: What’s the Difference?
66 The Covid-19 Survival of Engineering Companies Lies in Digitalization
70 The Future Of Engineering And Its Impact On The Industry
74 Data and Digitization Report UAE Market
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Global VRF System Industry
Sharaf DG Energy challenges warehouses and factories to reduce emissions
F E AT U R E S T O RY
Co Ban Kiat: Celebrating 100 Years of Providing World Class Hardware Solutions
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o Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. has remained steadfast in sharing its genius innovations and technological solutions to multitudes of people in need, effectively entrenching itself as one of the largest purveyors of hardware, tools, small appliances, and machinery in the Philippines. As CBK Hardware nears its century-long existence, it is worth noting that before prospering into the hardware giant it is today, the brand began on a humble journey. Like any trailblazing business in any industry, the journey to a position of global leadership is not without its peaks and valleys.
The Rich History of CBK Hardware Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. was founded in 1920 in the heart of Binondo, Manila’s own Chinatown, due to the business acquisition efforts of the Cobankiat family patriarch. After the Wholesale buy and sell hardware business was fully acquired by the family in 1924, the business prospered for another 15 years. From its peak performance, the brand entered its first valley in the form of the devastating World War II. Fortunately, the family and their business bounced back in 1945 and re-established their headquarters in Binondo 4 years later.
the birth of Hardware Workshop stores inside SM Supermalls. Johnny Cobankiat’s other notable accomplishments include the inauguration of Coby’s Design Center as a means to answer the increasing demand of high-end architectural hardware products and the accretion and introduction of Ace Hardware USA in the country on 1997, with CBK Hardware Inc. as one of its suppliers.
In 1952, CBK Hardware was incorporated and from that day on an endless market expansion effort was made. The business began dealing in and distributing traditional hardware, a wide array of appliances, and any tool that promoted ease of life.
In 2003, the company continued to be the leading supplier in all major retail hardware stores such as Wilcon Depot, All Home, D.I.Y Hardware, Citi Hardware, and MC Home Depot, to name a few. Mayapa Wood Products and Interior Solutions, Chubbsafes, and Lincoln Electric have also recently added to its growing world-class brand portfolio. Needless to say, these procurements will not be CBK Hardware’s last set of acquisitions.
Business prospered further and in 1990, Johnny Cobankiat introduced the retail concept for hardware products in the country which led to
CBK Hardware Inc. acquired Mayapa Wood Products and Interior Solutions in 2013, joining the ever-extending family and business network.
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It is proud to be the most innovative manufacturer of quality wood products and interior solutions in the Philippines today. In its vision to provide word-class hardware solutions, CBK Hardware added global brands including Chubbsafes and Lincoln Electric. Truly, CBK chooses only the best brand and quality products to serve. Needless to say, these procurements will not be CBK Hardware’s last set of acquisitions. 2015 marked the start of CBK’s corporate social responsibility efforts. In their vision to give back to the Filipino community and engage in ethically-oriented practices, Co Ban Kiat Hardware began undertaking efforts of philanthropy, activism, and charity. Supported by their employees and partners, numerous non-government organizations and foundations received monetary aid, product donations, and services from the company.
As of yet, CBK Hardware has gone nowhere else but upward in its journey to supply the country with world-class, life-improving technological and hardware solutions. And what are these world-class, lifeimproving technological and hardware solutions?
CBK Hardware Today: Projects and Industries These are the countless hardware and home improvement products and services CBK Hardware utilizes to realize market leadership in every market segment. CBK Hardware has dipped its toes in different business units to cater to multiple industries, such as building materials, hardware, wholesale and retail, oil and gas, HVACR, electrical, power generation, construction, mining, machinery, equipment, utilities, telecommunications, automotives, and 9
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F E AT U R E S T O RY
manufacturing, to name a few. Out of all of these areas of expertise, the retail, construction, industrial, and ecommerce sectors are Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc.’s fortes. For wholesale and retail business segment, CBK Hardware supplies to over 2000 partner wholesale and retail stores nationwide, which includes D.I.Y stores, roadshops, depots, and much more for 68 brands and over 6,000 SKUs. For industrial, the brand has both ensconced strong distribution channels in innumerable business sectors and boasts an expansive list of automotive, hospitality, service, and other industry clientele who all trust in 12
the brand to supply them with superb improvement solutions. In the area of construction, the brand has been one of if not the most trusted partners of hardware suppliers of distinguished real estate developers and construction companies nationwide. Lastly, CBK Hardware Inc. has been looking to the future in the area of ecommerce, priding itself to be the first hardware distributor to aggressively offer products online through websites, partner ecommerce platforms, and social media accounts. Truly, CBK Hardware Inc. has come a long way and, fortunately for them, there is still a long, long way to go.
Together in Excellence: Brand Portfolio CBK Hardware Inc.’s product portfolio has lengthened and evolved over the years since its establishment in 1920. Currently, the brand is one of the country’s leading suppliers of the top-of-the-line hardware and home improvement materials to a long list of brands. CBK Hardware Inc. is constantly putting its nose on the grindstone and burning the midnight oil, invigorated by its vision to be the largest network supplier of the biggest brands in the world in the hardware industry. Its employees are the backbone of the company as they endlessly source the best products to supply its customers. With 68 trusted global brands of building materials, electrical,
houseware, power equipment, outdoor, plumbing, hand and power tools, CBK Hardware Inc. has been steadily paving the way to a brighter future for the Philippines and the world. They have served over 1,500 industrial and commercial organizations with over 6,000 hardware products to choose from. They have satisfied over 1,600 roadshop customers, partnered with over 600 home building specialty stores nationwide. CBK Hardware has distributed items that have aided in erecting over 50 premium 5-star hotels, residential condominiums, and secure office buildings. In their 100 years, CBK Hardware Inc. has accumulated an extensive list of global brands. They have been distributing brands such as Baldwin, Chubbsafes, DeWalt Power Tools, Dormakaba, Facom, Fairbanks Scales, 13
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Lincoln Electric, Nilfisk Professional Cleaning Equipment, Pelican, Proto, Ridgid, Shop-Vac Vacuums, Stanley Hand Tools, Toho, Viper Cleaning Equipment, Westinghouse, Yale Locks, and more. These brands are all being smoothly distributed to customers who want to get more bang for their buck when it comes to home and facility improvement, safety and security, D.I.Y projects, energy conservation, cleaning and disinfection, and the like. Supplied and shared out by CBK Hardware Inc., these brands are truly together in excellence.
Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts Business in the hardware industry is not the only way the brand is helping the world become a better place. CBK Hardware Inc.
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is also partaking in multiple advocacies, philanthropic endeavors, humanitarianism, and charity work, because those in the company are wholeheartedly committed to contributing towards the growth of society and the environment. Hundreds if not thousands of people from different walks of life have benefited from CBK Hardware Inc.’s initiatives, from the intensive CSR programs to the hardware donations for the improvement of living facilities. Stomachs have also been fed in the conducted feeding programs. The goodwill of CBK Hardware Inc., was also gifted to the neglected children and elders residing at different charitable institutions. Another CSR campaign entitled Pailaw ni Juanita was also dedicated to Mrs. Juanita Co, the company’s shining beacon of hope who
shared her blessings by giving out large amounts of flashlights by teaming up with different NGOs known for their advocacies in livelihood, peace, order, and education. Through a fruitful partnership with ABSCBN’s Mission Possible, CBK Hardware Inc. has also provided state-of-the-art hardware solutions to a near endless quantity of customers as well as the neediest. This showcase of livelihood was able to transform the lives of 5 case studies in little ways by donating quality power and hand tools that have helped increase income generation. CBK Hardware is also an active supporter of Brigada Eskwela, a school preparation program for the upcoming academic year by donating hardware materials and engaging their employees in constructing, painting, and cleaning the different areas of each selected educational institution.
Environmental conservation is also an area in which CBK Hardware Inc. volunteers. Recently, those in the company have implemented many clean-up drives such as the one in the coastline of the Las PiñasParañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) in partnership with Haribon Foundation last August 11. #WithCBKweCanHELP Donation Drive has also been created In response to the increasing number of individuals who are in dire need of help due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This donation drive’s proceeds have been donated to children and elderly in chosen institutions. Other drives include the 100 Donation Drive which is a 10-month long CSR project that aims to help 100 organizations.
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To the Next 100 Years With all of these financial and tool donation drives, feeding programs, partnerships with humanitarian organizations, and other forms of noble CSR efforts, CBK Hardware Inc. is building the community and fostering an environment of togetherness. While their tools and appliances certainly do help in improving the home situation, charity and philanthropic endeavors such as these are what can improve the overall life situation of both the givers and the receivers. As the company enters a new century, there will be even more local and global brands to acquire and form a partnership with, more ways to help out and give back to the community that deserves the utmost care, more homes and buildings to improve using the many tools and appliances the brand has in its disposal, and more individuals to help in any way. In the same way the brand was ever-present in the last century, so too will CBK Hardware Inc. be present, proactive, and professional in the next. With endless brands to befriend, CSR efforts to initiate, facilities to improve and establish, and people to help, CBK Hardware will always lend a helping hand.
Where to Buy? For 100 years, Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. is the most trusted distributor of home improvement and hardware items in the Philippines. Let’s shop wisely. #StayAtHome and order online at your convenience. Visit us in the following sites and enjoy deals, discounts, and more! Website: https://www.cbkhardware. com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ cbkhardware/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ cbkhardware Join our Fast Growing Viber Community http://%20https//bit. ly/3ebeCXU
Co Ban Kiat Hardware, Inc.
Ground Floor, Cobankiat Building II, 231 Juan Luna St. Binondo Manila, Philippines. Phone +632 8243-1931 Phone +632 8243-5263 Phone +632 8894-6561 Email info@cobankiat.com.ph ; ind@cobankiat.com.ph
Coby's Designer Center
Unit 467 level 4 Shangri-La Plaza Edsa Corner Shaw Boulevard Mandaluyong City, Philippines Phone +632 86364895
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About CBK Hardware For almost a hundred years, a family’s surname has become synonymous to the country’s biggest hardware supply company. Co Ban Kiat Hardware Incorporated, of the Cobankiat family has a regular client network of more than 1,500 industrial organizations; 1,600 traditional community hardware stores, and 584 home building specialty chain of stores across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This ever-growing conglomerate traces its humble roots to Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer enterprise started by family’s patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in 1920. Despite the ruins of World War II, the business goes back to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a storefront from the very same spot where it was known for three decades. This ever-growing conglomerate traces its humble roots to Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer enterprise started by family’s patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in 1920. Despite the ruins of World War II, the business goes back to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a storefront from the very same spot where it was known for three decades.
While the Filipinos continue to rebuild their lives post war, CBK Hardware sees the opportunity to introduce the retail concept once unheard for in hardware industry. Cobankiat Hardware brought the first DIY business in the Asia. A do it on yourself concept that created Cobankiat hardware in the Philippines. The Hardware Workshop Store is the fruit if this endeavor. CBK Hardware further cemented its legendary distribution channel with the creation of Coby’ Design Center in Edsa Shangi La in 1996, a specialty store that caters to discriminating taste of modern Filipinos. In 1997, Mr. Johnny Cobankiat, the 4th generation Cobankiat leader, set another milestone for the company when he brings a franchise of Ace Hardware USA to the Philippines, and signs up CBK Hardware as one of its major suppliers. This further expanded into delivering quality world class products nearer to families of Filipino overseas workers in the countryside. A century’s excellence can quickly pass, and guided by the vision to be the largest network supplier of the biggest global brands in the hardware industry, CBK Hardware resolve to source the best products to supply its customers anytime and every time.
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hile much is still unknown about the new SARS-CoV-2, scientists have proven that the disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted via air and commonly touched surfaces. Thus, the now-common health protocols of wearing masks and physically distancing oneself from others have been put in place.
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AIR COOLED LIQUID CHILLERS
WCHAXT/Y-B WCHAXT/Y-B SERIES SERIES (64 (64 -- 313TON) 313TON)
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However, questions remain about whether the miniscule coronavirus particles of roughly 0.1 micros in size have the possibility to become airborne and travel longer distances. Typically, heavy droplets with five to ten microns only travel about a meter before settling. Small droplets, on the other hand, may evaporate and leave virus particles (aerosols) suspended in the air for up to three hours. The World Health Organization (WHO) initially stated that the coronavirus can’t be spread through aerosols, but they later reversed their stand on the matter after receiving an open letter from almost 300 scientists. WHO guidelines now mention the possibility of airborne transmission indoors, especially in poorly ventilated spaces that are crowded for extended periods. With this in mind, building managers, along with safety experts should take necessary steps to optimize ventilation and airflow indoors to limit the spread of the virus. This is also the best time to consider the improvement of air quality in buildings by changing the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) and making physical changes to indoor airflow management.
Control-setting Changes and Upgrades to HVAC Systems Technicians can configure ducted HVAC systems to boost the rate of exchange between indoor air and fresh outdoor air, thus reducing recirculation, as well. Adjusting the setting may also prove to be helpful. For instance, the HVAC system can run without interruption instead of shutting it down overnight or during the weekends. This will increase the replacement of air and reduce airflow speeds. In the case of old or inflexible systems, technicians should consider upgrading certain HVAC hardware, including: • Installation of high-performance air-purification systems • Replacement of fixed-speed fan motors with variable-speed ones to promote airflow control • Introduction of sophisticated airflow-control systems, especially pressuresensitive ones, for smoother airflow adjustments
Options for Air Purification Filtration has been the most common and effective way of purifying air in HVAC systems. Filters in both residential and commercial buildings are typically installed either within the central air-handling unit or at an air inlet or outlet. Technicians sometimes install a pre-filter for incoming air, as well, since external air may be contaminated, especially around metropolitan areas. Filters can vary from mechanical filters to High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. The latter proves to be the most effective for removing smaller particles, but only some air conditioning units can accommodate HEPA filters so technicians must learn to configure them properly and replace them regularly. 27
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Filtration has been the most common and effective way of purifying air in HVAC systems.
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Technicians can configure ducted HVAC systems to boost the rate of exchange between indoor air and fresh outdoor air.
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Temperature
Temperature
Probes
Technical datasheet
Temperature
TurboTorch
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HVAC/R and Plumbing Equipment Catalog Extreme Air Acetylene Equipment Swirl Combustion Air Acetylene Equipment Extreme MAPP & Propane Equipment Proline MAPP & Propane Equipment Oxy Acetylene Outfits and Components Plasma Cutters Accessories Cylinders
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Airflow Management Although studies are still ongoing on the airborne transmission of the coronavirus, evidence suggests that measures should still be undertaken to change indoor airflow pattern and reduce the risk of transmission. This can be achieved through three primary principles: • directing potentially contaminated air away from people and out of rooms • ensuring air speed is slow and steady • encouraging a vertical laminar instead of turbulent airflow
In-room Airflows The World Health Organization recently acknowledged the evidence of in-room transmission. After analyzing a restaurant transmission in China, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that an asymptomatic individual transmitted the virus in the air-conditioned room to two nearby tables when string airflows from the air conditioner blew the large droplets away towards the uninfected families. To combat this, airflow patterns should be changed to create laminar vertical airflow — air that moves in a straight path in the same speed — to effectively prevent the coronavirus’ airborne transmission.
Inter-room Airflow If coronavirus does spread via airborne transmission, some building managers may want to further their mitigation plans with preventing contamination between rooms. To do this, technicians need to identify the way the air moves through the rooms before they install new devices or upgrade HVAC systems.
Individual Protection Close physical contact can’t be avoided easily in some workplaces, making the risk of viral transmissions higher. However, to date, there are still no commercial products available that can protect airflow within individual workstations. Innovators, though, can introduce alternative solutions for individual protection, like adapting principles from ventilation hoods and airflow-control units. - End 39
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SmartSense by Digi Unveils New SmartSense IoT Platform
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martSense by Digi, part of Digi InternationalÂŽ, (NASDAQ: DGII), (www. digi.com), a leading global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity products and services, today announced the availability of the new SmartSense IoT Platform, an integrated, customizable solution that provides business-critical insights via sensordriven equipment monitoring and digital task management.
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The SmartSense IoT Platform has been developed with deep customer collaboration and combining best in class features from previous acquisitions. The redesigned multi-sensor monitoring and reporting platform affords users enhanced equipment management abilities with an assetversus-sensor focus, incorporating data from multiple sensor types into a single monitoring and reporting platform, to deliver real-time and granular information on critical business assets and equipment.
“SmartSense is the culmination of many collective years of IoT innovation and domain expertise. Our team has invested more than 12 months in bringing together the industry’s most comprehensive platform for organizations that require enterprisewide operational insight,” said Kevin C. Riley, President, SmartSense by Digi. “SmartSense made the commitment to develop a platform to serve the critical needs of customers while providing a high-speed innovation cadence which enables our offering to provide immediate value for our customers and allow us to deliver new, businesstransforming capabilities very quickly.” AMC Theatres, which will serve approximately 258 million guests across more than 650 buildings this year, was one of several select users to receive early access to the new SmartSense IoT Platform’s features and usability. “We have worked with SmartSense for several years and have seen tremendous results with its task management and food safety and quality platform,” said Rob Bennet, Director Culinary QA at AMC Theatres. “Now we are excited to roll out the next generation of SmartSense enhanced by the expertise of the entire SmartSense organization and the best qualities of all the platforms that came before it. We fully expect this latest iteration to further ensure that we deliver only the best customer experience and operate more efficiently than ever across all our deployment locations.”
Children’s Minnesota – one of the largest freestanding pediatric health systems in the United States, with two hospitals, 12 primary care clinics and six rehabilitation and nine specialty care sites – is one of SmartSense’s most prominent healthcare and Minnesota-based clients. “As a medical organization, ensuring refrigeration units are working effectively and processes are being followed properly is absolutely critical. The temperature and performance graphs that SmartSense provides have not only been helpful in expediting repairs by our refrigeration vendor, but has enabled us to zero in on which models of refrigeration devices are most reliable, directly informing our purchase decisions,” said John Hendricks, Logistics/Biomed Manager at Children’s Minnesota. “We are excited to be able to take advantage of the new SmartSense platform.” In addition to housing all critical performance dashboards, alerts and reports, SmartSense also features a completely new interface for cloudbased dashboards, offering task management, and digital checklists to support the retail, food service and healthcare sectors. SmartSense has also put particular emphasis on support features to accelerate training, including contextual tips and tours embedded within the platform to guide users during onboarding and beyond. 43
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The Arcticom Group Continues Growth with Acquisition of Market Refrigeration Specialists
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he Arcticom Group (TAG), a leading provider in the U.S. of commercial refrigeration and HVAC services has acquired southern California-based Market Refrigeration Specialists (MRS). This acquisition brings the total of HVACR companies that TAG owns to seven in the western United States. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “The MRS team are well known to the customers in the west, and since their founding 33 years ago they have forged a stellar reputation for quality, integrity and responsiveness,” said Jim Pape, CEO of The Arcticom Group. “Since the tragic
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and untimely passing of MRS’s founder, Bill Badger, the leadership team at MRS and the Badger family have done a heroic job of keeping the company thriving. We (TAG) are honored to have the opportunity to add MRS to the TAG family of companies and make them an important part of the industry leading brand we are building.� Through its network of HVACR companies, TAG provides a wide variety of commercial refrigeration services including preventative maintenance, repair, installation, renovation, new system engineering and design, energy optimization and refrigerant management programs.
About The Arcticom Group The Arcticom Group (TAG) is a leading U.S.-based commercial and industrial refrigeration company that provides HVACR service/maintenance across the Western United States and installation services throughout North America. TAG is committed to providing the highest quality and customer experience for the design, installation and maintenance of refrigeration and HVAC systems, typically for customers where refrigeration is mission critical. 47
M: +63 921 7105796
Air A ir C Conditioning o n di t i o n i ng & H Heat ea t P Pump ump P Products roduct s
Revised Feb. ’08
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Global VRF System Industry
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ariable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System market worldwide is projected to grow by US$15.
3 Billion, driven by a compounded growth of 12.2%. Heat Pump Systems, one of the segments analyzed and sized in this study, displays the potential to grow at over 13.8%. The shifting dynamics supporting this growth makes it critical for businesses in this space to keep abreast of the changing pulse of the market. Poised to reach over US$18.4 Billion by the year 2025, Heat Pump Systems will bring in healthy gains adding significant momentum to global growth. - Representing the developed world, the United States will maintain a 10.8% growth momentum. Within Europe, which continues to remain an important element in the world economy, Germany will add over US$608.2 Million to the region’s size and clout in the next 5 to 6 years. Over US$920.6 Million worth of projected demand in the region will come from other emerging Eastern European markets. In Japan, Heat Pump Systems will reach a market size of US$918.6 Million by the close of the analysis period. As the world’s second largest economy and the new game changer in global markets, China exhibits the potential to grow at 16% over the next couple of years and add approximately US$3.8 Billion in terms of addressable opportunity for the picking by aspiring businesses and their astute leaders. Presented in visually rich graphics are these and many more need-to-know quantitative data important in ensuring quality of strategy decisions, be it entry into new markets or allocation of resources within a portfolio. Several macroeconomic factors and internal market forces will shape growth and development of demand patterns in emerging countries in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East. All research viewpoints presented are based on validated engagements from influencers in the market, whose opinions supersede all other research methodologies. - Competitors identified in this market include among others, Daikin Industries Ltd. (Japan); Fujitsu General Ltd. (Japan); Hitachi Ltd. (Japan); Ingersoll-Rand PLC (Ireland); Lennox International, Inc. (USA); LG Electronics, Inc. (South Korea); Midea Group Co., Ltd. (China); Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan); Panasonic Corporation (Japan); Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Korea); United Technologies Corporation (UTC) (USA)
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A Smart Helmet to Detect Covid-19 Infection * World Security unveiled a new Smart Helmet that is designed to make contactless detection of people potentially infected with COVID-19 while ensuring the highest levels of safety and security * World Security is the first security services provider in the UAE to adopt and use the revolutionary headgear which is packed with high-precision sensors, processors and transmission systems
World Security, the innovative security solutions provider of DP World, UAE Region has unveiled a new Smart Helmet that is designed to make contactless detection of people potentially infected with COVID-19, and help ease the movement of traffic in areas where it operates, while ensuring the highest levels of safety and security. World Security is the first security services provider in the UAE to adopt and use the revolutionary headgear, which is a product of decades of innovation and research and is positioned to be the first choice for epidemic prevention activities. Made of advanced tough, yet lightweight materials, it is packed with high-precision sensors, processors and transmission systems. The KC N901 Smart Helmet’s top five powerful functions are: Efficient contactless temperature recording, rapid screening for both indoors and outdoors, rapid screening of vehicles and passengers, and rapid face recognition and identity verification, using thermal imaging that enables the invisible visible.
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Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “With the reopening of the economy, we have now entered a new phase where monitoring public places for potential infection has become imperative. By introducing this technology at a time when the fight against the pandemic is in full swing, World Security has reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the community secure. As the frontline economic growth engine, DP World, UAE Region and its businesses are strictly adhering to the COVID-19 containment programme requirements, and we’re constantly working towards introducing such new and effective measures to ensure business continuity.� A key to the security requirements of DP World and many other crown jewel economic assets in Dubai, World Security has been providing security solutions for over two decades in the region. The global pandemic was a never-before tackled, new challenge encountered by this established company and required unprecedented solutions.
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Air Dryers Vs. Paper Towels: What’s the Difference?
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ashing of hands is important especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proper handwashing not only reduces the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), it can prevent the spread of other viral illnesses such as cold and flu. According to Unicef, respiratory viruses like coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread when mucus or droplets containing the virus get into your body through your eyes, nose or throat. Most often, this happens through your hands. Hands are also one of the most common ways that the virus spreads from one person to the next. During a global pandemic, one of the cheapest, easiest, and most important ways to prevent the spread of a virus is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. However, we do not address what happens after handwashing. Convenience rooms or toilets are primarily used for every human’s egestion activities. Today, as long as they are kept appropriately clean, they are some of the favorite places in a building. One area of priority in a toilet is the process of hand drying after toilet use. Hand drying is generally done by the use of a paper towel or air dryers. However, there is a persistent debate on which hand drying method is best. This has given rise to queries such as, “are hand dryers cleaner than paper towels?” and vice versa. Here, we examine the debate and what makes the difference between these two methods of hand drying.
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Why Hand Hygiene Is Important A lot of diseases and germs are transmittable by hand contact. After the preventative measure of hand washing, hand drying is next in order. Hand drying is important because any left-over bacteria on the hands after washing can be removed. These are other considerations that make hand drying an important act: • Hand Washing May Be Done Wrongly: It is common knowledge that washing the hands with soap is the most effective hand hygiene habit. However, there is no quality control system to confirm proper handwashing in a toilet. Hand drying is then the last resort to save most people. • Germs Can Easily Be Passed Through Wet Skin: Germs tend to remain on improperly washed hands. The hand in a wet state can quickly transfer just about any form of germ to other surfaces. Germ survival is less likely on dry skin. The use of air dryers and paper towels are the main methods of hand drying. As mentioned, there has been a constant comparison on which of the two is the best. Let’s examine them.
Hygiene Paper towels are the clear winner in this comparison. Paper towels are one-use. All you need to do is wipe your hands with it and then dump them in the bin. This accounts for effective hand drying and less contamination within the space of the toilet. Jet air dryers blow fast air to the point that it might cause germs to fly through the toilet space. This puts other and future toilet users at risk of contamination. Warm hand dryers, with the warm environment they create, are believed to aid bacteria growth. 59
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Also, it might require more discipline to use a hand dryer. Toilet users sometimes have to wait for up to a minute for the air dryer to dry their hands thoroughly. If many people are waiting in line to use the air dryer, some might forgo it completely. This increases the likelihood of having incompletely dried hands when leaving the toilet, increasing their risk of contracting and spreading germs.
The Cost Difference Both air dryers and paper towels serve the fundamental purpose of maintaining healthy habits. From a medical point of view, cost shouldn’t be a factor of consideration. Still, cost drives most business decisions. So, it must be considered. A paper towel dispenser has a very insignificant initial cost, but its running cost racks up your expenses pretty quickly. On the other hand, air dryers are known for their higher initial cost of purchase and significantly lower running costs. The running cost of paper towel dispenser comes from the cost of buying paper towels while that of an air dryer comes from energy costs. You can lower both operating costs by buying less expensive paper towels and buying more energy-efficient air dryers. In this comparison, the air dryer wins. This is because paper towels still cost so much more over the years, and their use is hardly controllable.
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Environmental Friendliness The carbon footprint of both hand drying methods must also be weighed to know which one performs better. Paper towels can be examined based on the material they are made of and how they are disposed of after use. Paper towels are made of a new paper from trees or recycled waste papers. Trees are used to produce paper towels, which has a considerable effect on the environment. Although paper towels can be made with recycled paper, they end up in landfills or are composted because they cannot be recycled.
Notably, paper towels do not use electricity. However, they have a long chain of production and disposal that negatively impacts the environment. Air dryers, on the other hand, have a high environmental impact when in use. About 20 to 80 grams of CO2 equivalents are produced whenever they are used. However, there are more energy-efficient options, like jet air dryers. Most of them come with tags that detail their energy efficiency. Air dryers win in this comparison rank.
Modern and Low Maintenance Option Air dryers are a more advanced option compared to paper towels. They typically look trendy, parched against the wall as though they are interior decoration items. This is one of the reasons many organizations invest in them. Also, air dryers are a low maintenance option. They do not require a trash can or ever get exhausted. Paper towel trash cans need to be cleaned out and the dispenser refilled often. Using paper towels might amount to an increase in toilet staff responsibilities. Air dryers, on the other hand, afford easier toilet cleaning and less concern on how users will get their hands cleaned.
Final Thoughts The debate between air dryers and paper towels is most unlikely to end soon. This is partly because it is a debate being used to fuel the marketing of either product. The priority in hand drying is to ensure that maximum hand hygiene is achieved. Paper towels are the winners when it comes to hand hygiene. However, air dryers trump paper towels in terms of cost, environmental friendliness, and a more modern outlook. Many businesses may opt for an air dryer without much consideration. However, it is a worthy consideration that companies who want to maintain a very hygienic environment go for paper towels. The prioritization of hygiene over costs can be an excellent way to boost company image. 63
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The Covid-19 Survival of Engineering Companies Lies in Digitalization
T
he impact of the Coronavirus has been a shock reverberating across every aspect of our lives and in every business. In the engineering sector, the current global pandemic is forcing the hands of industrial, construction, manufacturing, energy, and HVAC to prepare for a post-COVID-19 world. As many countries are beginning to relax, or look at relaxing, measures imposed as a result of the crisis, engineering firms need to be ready to rapidly evolve to address a very different world and a possible recession. The future of engineering and contracting services is a moving target, and institutions must streamline their operations and be able to cost-effectively bring the
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right products to the right customers. It is important that engineering and tech companies are able to adapt in order to ensure a smooth reopening of financial markets and the economy, whether that be digital or physical.
Being agile won’t just save us, it will sustain us To succeed in a market that keeps changing, you need to be able to move quickly and be agile, composing new products and services faster. Even with restrictions relaxing in many countries, the expectation is that many employees will continue to work from home and that face-to-face interactions will continue to be limited. The
value of enabling an agile engineering workforce through digitalization has increased even more. Simply put, new solutions are needed across many industrial sectors, and the push for digital remains a top priority. There are also millions unable to work who are receiving support from governments backed by banks and financial institutions by implementing measures like payment holidays and delayed interest payments. This is where the ability to be agile and flexible, and work in a dynamic environment is vital. Investing in digitalization and putting it at the center of the engineering strategy provides a competitive edge and longevity. To build the best experience, tech companies
need to start changing with the market, instead of hoping the market will stop changing.
Enter composable banking for engineering firms Today, even the simplest banking service involves a complex orchestration of core systems, transaction processing, decisionmaking, reporting, analytics, authentication, security and more. Monolithic platforms make it harder to incorporate the latest capabilities and tools, and the opportunity for financial institutions today is to replace any component whenever needed without embracing new technical risk. Composable banking is a new approach to building banks and lending businesses that treats change as a constant. It is about having the control to use fit-for-purpose technologies to compose precisely the right design and delivery of financial services infrastructure.
With fintechs coming in and attracting industrial customers with digital offerings, it becomes increasingly important for the established ones, like the big banks, to work on retaining their engineering customers by digitising, and fast. To serve an agile market, financial institutions need to compose new products and features faster than everyone else to predict demand and to better serve existing customers like renewables, contractors, oil & gas, construction, water treatment and telecoms.
COVID-19 has had a transformative effect across societies, economics and offices. As market dynamics keep on changing, engineering, energy, industrial and technology have a chance to make a positive impact on their customers.
Composable banking offers innovative solutions for organisations to create their own architecture for new products and services faster. It helps financial institutions create modern customer experiences to compete in the digital era — and constantly evolve them to respond to change.
In the long-term, companies can choose to embrace the new world based on rapid evolution and modern ways of working, or continue on the old paths which will see them unable to adapt when needed most.
Embracing the fintech era for engineering companies
There is one thing in common for organisations, regardless of how far they have come with digitalization. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that you can no longer manage your business the same way as before.
For many businesses, adopting new and agile ways of operating based on composable banking will help guide their path and prepare them for the very different time that lies ahead of us. 67
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The Future Of Engineering And Its Impact On The Industry There is no doubt that Genetic Engineering, which is the basis of modern Molecular Biotechnology, will be the most interesting scientific field of the next century. Because the initial achievements to date promise a lot. Although they evoke mixed feelings of excitement, anxiety and confusion in the world, as seen recently with the possible modernization of human cloning or genetic control of longevity, and many others. The opportunities are only likely to grow across all areas, especially the Asian and Middle Eastern markets where new concepts are forever evolving. In this instance, people wanting to move into this line of work should look at educating themselves in all areas of advancements and give yourself the opportunity to complete your goals.
Change is coming Due to the advance of digitization, the range of job profiles demanded by employers is increasingly wide and jobs are constantly appearing that until a few years ago were unthinkable that they existed. This makes the gap between job demand and the reality of the labor market widening.
The engineering sector is particularly affected for this reason, it is one of the sectors that generates the most vacancies and it is very difficult to fill them, according to an analysis of trends in the labor market carried out by the human resources company Randstad. The market needs expert professionals in all emerging branches of engineering. Any company must have a multidisciplinary profile, with great versatility and analytical capacity, strategic vision, proactivity and adaptation to change, since they are the characteristics most sought after by companies. Especially after the COVID-19 crisis, it’s vital that companies are providing adequate risk assessments for all workers - or could humanity be replaced by more digital aspects? Some of the areas and profiles most in demand in the short and medium term are: • Electrical engineering: Due to the growth of society, the need to meet various requirements in the fields of engineering related to the generation and use of energy,
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Robotics in more areas?
the design of electromechanical elements and the automation of systems is generated. • Smart cities: The population is increasingly concentrated in cities, which are experiencing a rapid evolution towards aspects of intelligent management of resources, efficient urban planning, sustainable mobility and other elements that make up a Smart City. This panorama requires the specialized work of engineers with knowledge in Open Data, artificial intelligence and systems and application development capable of creating technologies for these objectives. • Biomedicine and biotechnology: Although engineers already had a presence in the medical and health areas, it is one of the newer professions at an academic level. • Industrial organization: It is one of the least technical profiles of engineering in the industrial field, but it is one of the most demanded by companies and, also, one of the most successful among students despite being relatively new. • Industrial design: Design is applied in all aspects of society. Its objective, however, is not only aesthetic, but also seeks to make all the products it creates more useful, comfortable and efficient. Design is a distinctive element in the very competitive market in which we find ourselves.
The main challenge of building robotics continues to be the integration of robotics from the controlled environment of a factory to a changing environment such as construction activities. The potential of the robot is its ability to carry out work beyond mere manual operation, but also beyond industrial repetition and its direct control by digital data. Robots are becoming more autonomous and can perform more functions and tasks, reducing the waiting time for them to be used in construction. At first, the supervision of professionals and their interaction with robots in construction will be essential. Robots’ difficulty in navigating complex environments will initially require significant human intervention. However, the trend is for less skilled workers to be replaced by robots, while higher skilled workers will collaborate with the latter. The speed and precision of a robot can dramatically increase productivity on a construction site. The challenge is undoubtedly the ability to program it to perform the right tasks efficiently. In addition to the benefit in the field of productivity, the accident rate of workers will also be reduced, as robots carry out part of the jobs that involve more occupational risks. Robotics can completely transform construction as we understand it today. The impact of technology in construction can influence not only work processes, but also architecture, engineering and creativity in the design of new environments. The great challenge is that robots do not replace human capacity and that they help improve architecture, aesthetics, productivity, design, safety and quality of life for construction professionals.
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Data and Digitization Report UAE Market
Executive summary
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As data volumes continue to grow and become more disparate by the day, the time is now for organizations to implement ways to efficiently leverage this critical data. In July 2019, Alteryx surveyed 500 United Arab Emirates (UAE) businesses to understand how data and analytics are driving their businesses to thrive in this data-led world. The new Alteryx-commissioned research uncovers the benefits and impact of data analytics in digitization projects across six of the most digitally advanced countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and AsiaPacific (APAC).
This report summarizes the key findings of the research and uses the information gathered to provide a snapshot into how companies across the UAE are progressing in their analytic journey. It explores the current thinking into the value of data, the primary data challenges, the culture of data and analytics and the key technology enablers to demonstrate how a smart approach to data guides the way to successful digitization.
Commenting on the findings of the research, Alan Jacobson, chief data and analytics officer at Alteryx said: “The business case for data has truly been acknowledged. While many are still balancing data inefficiencies with the challenge of a shortage of skilled data workers, this latest research from Alteryx underscores that investing in data and analytics alone won’t deliver real business-altering results. Whether performing precision marketing to improve sales or analysing data from various departments across an organization, the world of business is quickly becoming the world of analytics. A smart approach to data and a data literate culture will guide the way for successful digitalization.”
Abboud Ghanem, Senior Director – Middle East and Africa at Alteryx, added: “There is no doubt that data is key in driving business success in the minds of businesses across the UAE. Every data worker, regardless of technical acumen, wants to be able to easily find and understand what information is at their disposal; have the flexibility to prep, blend, enhance and analyse data from more sources; and easily operationalise analytic models through a collaborative and governed platform. At Alteryx, we will continue to make the Alteryx Platform easier to use for all data workers, while extending its ability to handle more sophisticated data science outcomes for trained data statisticians in order to create an analytics-centric culture across most every industry and functional areas of business.”
Data is permeating every part of business and is key to success • With over three quarters of survey respondents (79%) agreeing that data is a critical corporate asset for driving the business forward it’s clear that businesses are taking advantage of what seems to be insurmountable data sources across industries and internal functions. • When it comes to where businesses are in their analytical journey, almost two thirds (62%) of UAE businesses class themselves in the advanced stages of their analytic journeys. • For those businesses leveraging data for insights over two fifths (41%) report the major business benefit as increased productivity, followed by over one third (36%) citing they gained better insight into customers, and over one third (34%) stating the ability to make savings and efficiencies for my department or organisation.
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• Businesses are also seeing soft benefits increase. Over three quarters (79%) agreed that using data analytics has helped break down internal silos. Respondents cited improved employee satisfaction (41%) as a benefit of using data. Overall two in five (40%) said that analytics improved work-life balance and are able to better balance their lives after embracing data in their role.
Businesses can’t win in analytics without the human element • With digital skills classed as a major priority for businesses, over four in five (83%) agree that everything they are investing in data and analytics is useless without people who understand it. • Proving that businesses simply cannot proceed to tackle the technical challenges existing in a data-driven industry without the right workforce, more than two fifths (41%) reported that it was easier to access the talent needed to manage analytics than last year, while almost one in three (32%) have a team of dedicated data scientists for all their analytics work. • Only one in five businesses reported that a talent shortage prevented them from becoming a data-driven business. • Those who are leveraging data report several key factors that they still need to overcome in order to be more efficient. When allocating time to performing impactful data analyses, one in three (33%) cite data quality as a big challenge to building a data pipeline for the business, followed by almost one third (30%) stating a lack of strong data governance is a major contributing factor to wasted time that could have been spent assembling insights.
A culture of data and analytics is needed to transform data into actionable insights • When it comes to the building blocks for their digital transformation initiatives, over four in five (81%) agree that empowering people is the key to digital transformation. • Stressing that empowering employees to affect business-change with data will enable them to succeed in their digital transformation initiatives, over one third (35%) state a culture of data and analytics will be the biggest game changer for analytics success while two fifths (40%) state they need more focus on employee skills and talent to drive transformation. • Businesses are starting to build this culture to derive value out of their data, as almost one third (30%) have a clear enablement strategy based around community, training, and tools that drives our data analytics usage and over one quarter (29%) hold regular data workshops to inspire data workers to generate insights as part of our data analytics strategy.
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• In an increasingly data-driven world, over two thirds (70%) of respondents agree that data is so valuable that it’s become a new currency, and the same number agree data progression is also key to career progression.
Technology can be an enabler or constraint to data analytics success • Proving data will always be at the forefront and one of the most important drivers of success and true digital disruption, businesses across the UAE reported the top three technology enablers having the greatest impact on their business today as data and analytics (42%), artificial intelligence/machine learning (36%) and blockchain (33%). • When asked their top technology priorities to continually modernize their analytic journey, UAE businesses digital transformation enablers (47%), getting more value out of our data resources (47%), and further investment in data platforms and services (46%) in order to accelerate timeto-insight and break barriers. • Technology can also be a constraint to a data-driven business. When asked which key technology enablers they are prioritizing investment in within the next five years to support a variety of initiative for data analytics success almost one third cited data and analytics (32%), just ahead of blockchain (28%), and artificial intelligence/machine learning (27%). • UAE businesses anticipate the biggest technology game-changers for data analytics success within the next five years to include: self-service analytics (31%), augmented data discovery (27%) and explainable AI (27%).
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Sharaf DG Energy challenges warehouses and factories to reduce emissions Sharaf DG Energy advises companies to look to their warehouses as the first step to becoming more sustainable
Sharaf DG Energy, one of the leading solar energy solution providers in the UAE vows to tackle the issue of climate change head on, stating that the starting point should be within warehouses and factories across the region. Manufacturing represents 54% of the world’s energy consumption and is responsible for 20% of global emissions – increase in efficiency can help to conserve energy and contribute to global CO2 reductions. Rising environmental issues and growing economic uncertainty means manufacturers must rework their current practices to ensure more is done to reduce harmful emissions and waste disposal that has a negative impact on the planet. The logistics industry is becoming increasingly aware of its ecological impacts meaning warehouses and factories are the perfect starting place for companies to implement sustainable solutions. A combination of extensive unused rooftop space, the need for generating clean and reliable energy and the possibility of generating additional income makes warehouse ideal for solar. The concept behind green logistics is to create measurable reductions in CO2 emissions due to daily operations from logistics and warehousing activities. To optimize operations, it is essential to create strategies that will lower costs and conserve energy.
“As the climate emergency accelerates, factories and warehouses must adapt and create new strategies with sustainability at the core of their business” says Vice President of Sharaf DG Energy, Sanjay Dabur. “There is an opportunity to turn the negative into positive and use the current environmental climate as an opportunity to look internally – Middle East manufacturers should implement the necessary changes towards becoming more sustainable – streamline processes and begin to see this as an opportunity as apposed to a threat”. “Installing solar panels on a warehouse is financially beneficial as well as a great way to utilise empty roof space” says Mr. Dabur. “The key advantage of using solar panels is that a warehouse can become more self-reliant by producing its own energy which can amount to significant savings over time”. Sharaf DG Energy believes the companies that will successfully navigate the current environmental issues are those that embrace sustainable solutions across their factories and supply chains – improving operations whilst increasing sustainability means higher productivity and smoother processes that will in turn benefit all areas of the company. By making the switch to solar, Dubai warehouses could benefit from extensive annual savings, security from producing their own clean energy that isn’t dependant on stability of the energy market, along with the biggest advantage being less pollution of the planet. Sharaf DG Energy was founded in 2014 as a progressive and forward-thinking enterprise – bringing together global experience and local knowledge to create sustainable energy solutions. Sharaf DG Energy hails from the wider Sharaf Group comprising of 47 companies with presence in 40 countries across MENA, Africa, India & Asia. The Sharaf Group continues to dominate sectors including Shipping & logistics, Industrial, real estate, travel & tourism, IT and financial & retail since its establishment in 1975.
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