Construction Week - Issue 323 by ITP Business Publishing

SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES QATAR OMAN KUWAIT

Construction An ITP Business Publication | Licensed by Dubai Media City

WEEK

CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM

MAY 24- JUNE 4, 2010 [323]

NEWS, ANALYSIS, PROJECTS, TENDERS, CLASSIFIEDS, AND JOBS IN THE MIDDLE EAST PRODUCT FOCUS HEATING SYSTEMS page 48

INSIDE NEWS

Qatar has signed $576m of contracts for public works projects PAGE 9

COMMENT Alan Millin asks: are your suppliers offloading out-of-date products? PAGE 18

SHOWCASE The Abu Dhabi Investment Council’s green headquarters PAGE 46

SPECIAL ISSUE

GAME CHANGERS THE 50 COMPANIES SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE GULF’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

SECTOR FOCUS GCC power and water utilities are still playing catch-up with demand PAGE 50

CONTENTS MAY 29 -JUNE 4, 2010 | ISSUE 323 9

22 MOST ADMIRED: DEVELOPERS 26 MOST ADMIRED: CONTRACTORS 30 MOST ADMIRED: ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONSULTANTS 35 MOST ADMIRED: SUBCONTRACTORS 35 MOST ADMIRED: SUPPLIERS

REGULARS 2 ONLINE 4 MAIL

FEATURES

FRONT

16 LEGAL

9 QATAR PUBLIC SPEND Qatar has signed contracts worth QR 2.1 billion as the Gulf state continues to invest in its infrastructure.

10 ABU DHABI PAY The average wage of construction workers in Abu Dhabi has declined by almost AED6 per hour in two years.

12 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Highlights of the week.

14 NEWS IN PICS

Leonora Riesenburg discusses the pros and cons of taking the arbitration route when in dispute.

18 COMMENT Alan Millin asks whether the industry gets enough information from suppliers when specifying products.

21 CW’S 50 MOST ADMIRED COMPANIES From developers to suppliers and everyone in between CW lists the 50 most admired construction companies operating throughout the UAE.

46 SHOWCASE: ADIC HQ The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) headquarters is rated highly for its green credentials.

DIRECTORY 34 PRODUCT FOCUS 36 SECTOR FOCUS 38 SPECIALIST SERVICES

BACK 40 DIALOGUE The director of Waste Management Services at Dulsco speaks to CW about how better recycling facilities need to be built in to towers. MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

ONLINE

www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com MOST POPULAR CCC BACKS UK TORIES TO THE TUNE OF $160,000 EMIR HELPED STOP QATARI DIAR, UK COURT HEARS LEED RANKINGS ‘BOGUS’: FRANK GEHRY GCC SPEND ON NEW HOTELS TO HIT AED4.29BN IN 2010

HAVE YOUR SAY BURJ OBSERVATIONS DECK TICKET PRICES

Should they be lowered? Is it fair for ‘At the Top’ to charge as much as it does for viewing?

IN PICTURES: 2010 SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO Opened with fireworks, the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai is themed ‘Better City, Better Life’, and centred on the ideas of cultural diversity, economic prosperity, scientific innovation and the remodeling of communities. It is hoped the Expo will attract 70 million visitors and guests will flock to the Saudi Pavilion designed by local architect Wang Zhenjun. Fully recyclable, the 5,000m2 structure is held in place by ‘poles’ which are also elevators, and features a 1,600m2 cinema screen - the largest in the world. To read more visit www.ConstructionWeekOnline.com

FEATURES City update

Analysis

JUBAIL INDUSTRIAL CITY Jubail is in the midst of a ﬂurry of projects covering an increasing number of sectors

IS BAGHDAD STILL TOO DANGEROUS? CW investigates whether the Iraqi capital is worth the risk for Middle Eastern ﬁrms

Sector focus

Design

PLAN AND PREPARE Why site security and health and safety need to be handled as one as a single issue on site.

QATARI AMBITION Why Qatar, with its abundant natural resources, is becoming interesting to designers

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

JOBS OF THE WEEK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, BANGLADESH SYSTEMS DESIGN ENGINEER, RIYADH SENIOR PROJECT ACCOUNTANT, DUBAI

ONLINE POLL WHAT FACTOR DO YOU CONSIDER MOST MAKES A COMPANY ADMIRABLE?

35% 5% 25% 5% 15% 5% 10% Leadership and management

Financial success

Project portfolio

Reputation

R&D

Regional history

People

TO VOTE IN THIS WEEK’S SPOT POLL GO TO www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com

MAIL MAJOR SHIFT IN BAHRAIN’S LABOUR LAW Expatriates contributed to economic growth in this country by bringing their skills and professionalism with them. Thus, fair treatment, beneﬁts and a good salary should be enjoyed. CARLO EMIR HELPED STOP QATARI DIAR Being a Business Law student and knowing the net worth of the Chelsea Barracks project from Qatar’s side, it’s a bit much to be suing Qatari Diar for GBP 80 million when the project is an estimated GBP 30 million. How can you sue someone for breach of contract on a project you were somewhat forced to halt by the Prince of Wales? Considering that Qatar helped pay for the Chelsea Barracks plot last year, it’s completely unfair to sue at all. This needs to be reconsidered. S. A. IRAQ HOTEL UNDERWAY Congrats to Deewan! It’s a good start all Iraqis are invited to support this baby to grow in peace with no interruption and corruption! Let them play it clean, I think DEEWAN admin realise what responsibility and obligation they’re under, let’s keep our ﬁngers crossed! Good luck! NABIL CCC PICKS UP US $108 M PLUS CONTRACT The Arab world should be proud and give credit to

CCC, which is a pioneering company that played a major role in developing the Arab countries, under the leadership of the late Hasib Sabbagh and Sai’d Khoury. No wonder CCC was picked to execute these two important projects in Madinat Al Arab and I am sure that the CCC engineers will do a great job according to the best engineering standards. SAMI ALAMUDDIN CORP MANSLAUGHTER TO TAKE EFFECT IN UAE Effective educative training in daily tool box meetings is of utmost importance. If safety is linked to milestone payments for a project we can expect a completely different scenario. ABHIJIT KUWALEKAR I agree. Safety ofﬁcers are not the ones in control of the budget. At the same time, they are struggling to communicate with their managers and to balance conﬂicting consultants’ and clients’ perspectives. All because the PM and other guys in management don’t have a sense of accountabilty. The truth is that when something goes wrong, the top guys are nowhere to be found and cannot be reached. RYAN SAUDI TO LAUNCH $4.5B IN AIRPORT TENDERS Improvement at the airports needs to be taken, such as tighter immigration processes, security control etc. and ‘no smoking inside the terminal’. Unfortunately, a lot of people continue not to respect the rules. AL MANGUN

WRITE TO THE EDITOR Please address your letters to: Post, Construction Week, PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE or email editor@ConstructionWeekOnline.com. Please provide your full name and address, stating clearly if you do not wish us to print them. Alternatively log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com and air your views on any one of a number of the latest Middle East business articles. The opinions expressed in this section are of particular individuals and are in no way a reﬂection of the publisher’s views.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29–JUNE 04, 2010

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COMMENT HOT TOPIC

“AT THE END OF THE SUMMER PERIOD, STATISTICS WILL BE RELEASED SHOWING HOW THERE WERE MORE PROSECUTIONS, WARNINGS, FINES AND BANS THAN EVER BEFORE. THESE FIGURES WILL BE HELD UP AS A SIGN OF SUCCESS, BUT THEY ARE NOT.”

It’s the last week of May and a short journey, from my car to my desk, has reminded me of the inevitable change in the seasons. A recent site visit to a destructive testing facility was conducted on a warm morning, involved a major fire test, and was no where near as hot as that short walk. I can, with modest reliability, expect chilled air to circulate around my desk and relieve the discomfort. Those working outside do not get the same relief. As we build up to the warmer months the construction industry will go through its annual reminders about water intake, salt tablets and midday work bans. There will be circular debates about the pros and cons of a prolonged break. The usual arguments are about whether to stay on site, or bus back to camp; the time lost or gained; and whether or not the measures taken by individual companies are worthwhile or effective. Each year the various ministries of labour promise to take a harder line on those that don’t follow the rules. Municipalities conduct random site inspections and 800 numbers are set up so worried observers can phone in their concerns. There will probably be some high-profile exceptions granted, which will enliven the voice of public outrage. At the end of the summer period, statistics will be released showing how there were more prosecutions, warnings, fines and bans than ever before. These figures will be held up as a sign of success, but they are not. This seasonal sequence of events will run its course, but greater levels of enforcement are not the aim. Greater levels of common sense would be far better, but remain unlikely. It begs a question about why there are some companies incapable of, or unwilling to, develop effective summer working policies? And how can the industry act collectively to sort the issue out?

STUART MATTHEWS SENIOR GROUP EDITOR stuart.matthews@itp.com 6

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

FRONT

>News >Highlights

>News in pictures

>Comment

DOHA CITY WILL SEE THE BENEFIT OF THE QATARI GOVERNMENT’S QR2.1BN SPEND ON INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

QATAR SINKS $576M IN TO PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS By Construction Week staff Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has signed contracts worth QR2.1 billion as the Gulf state continues to invest in its infrastructure. Last month Boom General Constructions Company won the contract to develop the Al-Khor Public Park project estimated at QR 208.4 million that began last month, under the supervision of Ashghal’s Building Affairs ofﬁce The project works include demolition and dismantling of existing facilities, including administrative and restaurant building, cooling plant, water fountains, children’s play areas, jogging passages, benches and light posts in addition to removal of the existing roads and reconstruction of new roads with pavement and parking. Investment in roads has also been high on the agenda for the gas-rich state. Recently launched projects include the QR781.7 million expansion work on the Al Ruwais Port on the northern tip of the peninsula – a contract

won last month by Consolidate Engineering and Construction Company; the Al Waab Complex, a QR132.79 million three-package which includes work in the capital for Al Bustan Street and South Boulevard; and the development of roads in Bani Hajer area (zone 51), located at 10km to the northwest of Doha city. The latter project shall be implemented in three phases and Phases (1) & (2) include construction of 5,250 meters of two-lane dual carriageways and 37,580 meters of single lane one-way (16m to 24m corridor) including utility services, provision of future utilities, diversion of existing utilities and removal of existing roads. These road projects have been pushed through despite ongoing concern over the future of the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway, a multi-billion riyal bridge that would link the two states which has been delayed for more than a year. A source at MEDCO, a contractor providing the dredging, told CW that the project

was still at the “planning stage”. Ashghal also finalised deals for five other projects including the Doha and Rayyan Sewerage lines phase 1 (Mesaimeer), phase 2 (Ain Khalid), Doha South Sewerage Treatment Works expansion phase 2, Al-Ruwais Port expansion works and renovation of Qatar Radio and Television Corporation Complex. Last month, a senior official said all ongoing and soon to be launched mega projects in Qatar would be completed by 2026. Ahmad Matar, general manager of Dubaibased Al Arrab Electromechanial Engineering Co, highlighted to CW in an interview that Qatar was now playing catch-up with its infrastructure spending. This is the target date for multi-billion dollar projects to transform the Gulf state’s transportation system, including a metro system, Ibrahim Abbass, infrastructure and transportation planning director at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP) said.

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

FRONT MIDDLE EAST HAS $2.7 TRILLION IN UNAWARDED PROJECTS By CW staff

SURVEYORS AND STEEL FIXERS SAW THE GREATEST DROP IN HOURLY PAY.

ABU DHABI HOURLY PAY FALLS AED6 IN 2 YEARS By Ben Roberts The average wage of construction workers in Abu Dhabi declined by almost AED6 per hour in two years as the financial crisis dealt a blow to take-home pay, according to latest figures. Data from the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi show that the aggregate hourly wage across the range of building site workers fell from AED 18.1 to AED 12.6 from April 2008 to April 2010. Surveyors and steel fixers took the biggest hits to their pockets. Surveyors saw a fall of AED 7 from an average AED 25 per hour to AED 18 per hour, and steel fixers lost AED6 per hour from an average of AED 16 per hour to AED 10. Hourly rates for electricians and helpers fell AED 4 and AED 3

over the period and semi-skilled labour saw a reduction of pay from AED 13 to AED 9.5 per hour. The statistics also highlight the pressures to the supply chain caused by the increase in materials since the beginning of the year. The price for delivery for steel bars rose by almost AED 1,000 as an aggregate for the emirate’s sources of the metal, rising from AED 1,959 to AED 2,926 in three months. Turkey now presents the expensive option, with delivery costs hitting AED 2,983 per tonne. However, power cables, cement and waterprooﬁng products all declined in price, falling 1%, 1.7% and 7% respectively, as an aggregate of prices from all sources. Transport equipment remained steady.

The GCC has more than US $1.3 trillion (AED4.77 trillion) worth of announced and un-awarded projects and a further $1.4 trillion in the wider Middle East region amid the economic downturn, according to new data by online project tracking database MEED Projects. Since the market downturn of late 2008, the UAE construction sector has seen more than $425 billion of construction and infrastructure projects put on hold or cancelled. Of these, just under $300 billion worth are located in Dubai, while neighbouring emirate Abu Dhabi has seen close to $49 billion worth of projects postponed or cancelled. However, the report also states that Dubai still has $216 billion worth of infrastructure projects under construction and nearly $270 billion worth of projects in the pipeline or under bid - while Abu Dhabi’s construction industry remains relatively vibrant. Saudi Arabia has overtaken the UAE to become the largest project market in the region with more than $435 billion planned for the next ﬁve years. The Kingdom’s emphasis on infrastructure, education and utilities were sighted as key attractions for contractors.

MOL: WORKERS TO BEAT THE HEAT FOR LONGER THIS YEAR By CW staff Labourers in the UAE will get a longer reprieve from the baking heat and dust of the summer months thanks to a new law announced by the Ministry of Labour. The law extends the mandatory summer midday working ban this year by one month, starting 15th June until 15th September. Under the new law, labourers working outside must down tools between 12.30pm and 3pm, while those working on projects exempt from the ban must be provided with enough cold water, lemon, salt and healthy 10

salads between those times. The UAE introduced the summer midday working ban in 2006 to protect labourers from the ﬁerce heat. Workers must also leave the worksite during the hours in which work is banned, unless they are staff required to remain on site for safety reasons. Companies working on emergency projects are able to apply for exemptions from the ban, but every application is viewed on a case-by-case basis. “This law came after long discussions

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29–JUNE 04, 2010

with the ministry’s partners to make sure that labourers get their full rights and to make sure at the same time the companies do not suffer financial damage,” Saqr Gobash, labour minister, said. All construction companies must display the new law in a prominent place in Arabic and one other language the workers can understand, the statement said. The move follows other recent crackdowns by the Ministry, which include correct compensation for Friday workers.

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FRONT HIGHLIGHTS FM

FMME AWARDS The 3rd annual Facilities Management Middle East awards saw a record 14 gongs handed out to the best and most innovative in the industry. Among the winners, Dubai World company Imdaad scooped the prestigious “Overall GCC FM Company of The Year’; Naganandh Muthulakshmanan, of Emaar Properties PJSC, won Young Middle East FM of the Year. Jawed Khan of Idama Facility Services was named Middle East Facilities Manager of the Year. The prizes were received in front of a packed audience in Dubai last week.

Construction

HEART OF SHARJAH GETS GO AHEAD Sharjah’s ruler has approved plans for the biggest heritage project in the Arabian gulf region, the Heart of Sharjah, in a bid to draw

more trade and tourism to the emirate. Shurooq, the Sharjah Development and Investment Authority, has set up teams to start the implementation of the plans after Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi gave the go-ahead to the Heart of Sharjah project last week. Implemented over several phases with development work starting later this year, the project aims to revitalise the way Sharjah was in the 1950s and transform it into a tourist and trade destination with ‘modern contemporary artistic touches’. Contracts

BESIX AND TAKREER WIN ABU DHABI CONTRACTS Besix Group and Takreer both snapped up recent contracts in Abu Dhabi as the momentum continues to shift towards the biggest emirate. Besix, a Belgian contractor, which lists Emaar among its clients, won an AED5 billion contract for the Cleveland Clinic, a US $1.9 billion project developed by Mubadala Development Company, as well as an AED1.5 billion deal for Adnoc

Tower, according to leader Johan Beerlandt. Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: “The Middle East is still a very important segment for us because it’s about 40% to 45% of our business. As Dubai has dried out, we are concentrating more on Abu Dhabi and Qatar like everybody else.” The two contracts are part of an AED10 billion haul in contracts that the group has won in Abu Dhabi. A subsidiary of Arabtec Holding PJSC, Target Engineering Construction Company LLC (Takreer) was awarded two contracts with a total value of AED835 million. The projects include engineering, construction and commissioning works. Project

PEARL LEARNS FROM THE PALM JUMEIRAH Companies working on the construction of the Pearl Qatar can learn valuable lessons from the difﬁculties experienced on the construction of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, according to a company working on the Doha-based project. Ahmad Matar, general manager of

projected growth of Qatar this year (Source: SIAL Middle East)

Developers

EMAAR TO LAUNCH APARTMENTS IN JORDAN Emaar International Jordan will complete construction on a new group of apartments by 2011. The ﬁrst phase of apartments, within the development, is being completed and will be ready for handover at the end of September.

10.835

NEWS IN NUMBERS

12%

Al Arrab Electromechanical Engineering, which is ﬁtting out seven towers in the ambitious offshore West Bay district and has already handed over two, told CW that a better schedule for building has and will continue to pay dividends as the country steams ahead of its Emirati rival. It is ﬁrst-hand experience of the importance of clearly separating the initial stages from the more advanced stages of development that is the key to his view, he says.

15million 80million passengers to ﬂow through Baghdad International Airport in the next few years, according to the ICAA

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 –JUNE 4, 2010

amount in British pounds developer Christian Candy is suing Qatari Diar (AED425.8 million).

billions of dirhams in contracts won recently by Besix and Tajreer in Abu Dhabi

by johnson controls

KARIM SAHIB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

FRONT

NEWS IN PICS 1. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, Chair-

gaping well-head convulses an estimated

man of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee,

5000 barrels of oil a day in to the Gulf. BP

speaks during the opening session of the

says it’s managing to capture up to 2,010

MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South

barrels of it a day by using a mile-long siphon

Asia) two day economic forum in Dubai this

tube, though some experts doubt the ﬁgures.

past week. The governments of both Dubai 4. A Singapore high-rise building sprouts into

ment urgent reforms to address weaknesses in

the skyline as construction in the city takes

their ﬁnancial systems, Sheikh Ahmed told the MENASA Forum. Other key speakers included Arif Masood Naqvi, Founder and Group CEO and Abraaj Capital, and Juergen Fitschen, Member of the Management Board, Head of Regional Management Worldwide and CEO, Germany, Deutsche Bank. The MENASA region

NOEL CELIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

and the United Arab Emirates are to imple-

over the past 12 months. Ofﬁcial data shows that demand for electronics globally has been exceptionally strong in the past year, boosting manufacturing in the region and helping to boost the economy. Singapore’s other key economic sectors, trade and tourism also improved considerably.

is home to 29% of the world’s population and produces a total GDP of $4.5 trillion.

off following a 15.5% boost to the economy

3 4

2. The most famous export in the Philippines appears to be workers themselves. The nation has a resident population of 92 million but an estimated 11 million expatriates living and working in other countries around the world, 150,00 of them in the UAE. President elect Beniano Aquino faces a challenge if he is to stem the ﬂood of skilled workers from their

3. A satellite image shows the extent the oil slick from the sunken Deepwater Horizon drilling platform, spreading south from the accident site May 17, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmentalists feared the slick threatened the Florida Coast as the

NASA VIA GETTY IMAGES

homeland.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 — JUNE 4, 2010

LEGAL > For more legal advice log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/comment

The arbitration clause – is it a devil you know? LEONORA RIESENBURG LOOKS AT THE PROS AND CONS OF TAKING THE ARBITRATION ROUTE WHEN IN DISPUTE

“THE PARTIES HAVE GREATER CONTROL OVER THE PROCESS, WHICH THEY THEMSELVES ARE EMPOWERED TO SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN.”

Leonora Riesenburg is senior legal consultant for the Projects & Construction Group of Galadari & Associates advocates and legal consultants in Abu Dhabi. Leonora is a dual qualified lawyer from the UK with more than three years of regional experience in the Gulf and operates in a number of highly technical niche sub sectors including construction, infrastructure projects, LNG, ONG, power, telecommunications, water and wastewater. The opinions expressed in this column are of the author and not of the publisher.

As the old adage states: better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. In a territory where the maintenance of good business relations is still considered king, 2009 and 2010 alike has been witness to a surge in commercial arbitration. Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in which the parties to an agreement agree, usually as part of the primary agreement, to submit their differences to a third party or a tribunal for a binding decision. Arbitration extends a number of key advantages. Parties can appoint an arbitrator or arbitrators with sector specific business experience they have confidence in. Proceedings are less formal and more flexible encouraging a less hostile agenda. The arbitral tribunal is not usually bound by rules of evidence or procedure applicable to judicial proceedings; and the hearing is private and so the proceedings and award relatively confidential. In short: the parties have greater control over the process, which they themselves are empowered to shorten or lengthen, depending on mutual resolve to bring the case to a swift hearing. In theory, arbitration is a sensible alternative to litigation. In practice, it is by no means without problem. The arbitration clause favours the parties’ right to elect the procedure governing the arbitration; parties who often choose out of comfort and not out of prudence. The problem arises in the fact that arbitration in the UAE is still in its infancy and riddled with a myriad of questions relating to the independence and integrity of the administrative institution and its operatives, the strength of the administration, procedural fairness and transparency for all regardless of rank, and the centre’s adherence to international rules and best practice. The better the administrative forum, the higher the degree of procedural supervision,

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

the greater the international respect for its awards and, as far as possible, immunity from challenge. A number of positive steps have been taken by the Federation to erode a business culture of distrust. In 2006, the UAE acceded to the Federation to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958, promoting mutual co-enforcement of arbitral awards across no less than 144 states. In Dubai, both the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and the Dubai International Financial Centre and London Court of International Arbitration joint venture have recently either modeled their rules on, or adopted the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Laws which go well beyond what is provided for in the Civil Procedure Code. A code which is still primordial in other centers, including the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC). Inter-state disparity results in a number of unknowns. In the absence of a unitary Federal law on arbitration, the UAE Civil Procedure Code, Federal Law No. 11 of 1992, favours controversial rules such as the cancellation of arbitration in favour of legal suit, in circumstances where one of the two parties files suit, and the other party fails to object to such filing at first hearing (Article 203(5)) or the enforceability of arbitral awards only once approved by the relevant court with which the award was filed. The piecemeal re-modeling however marks a powerful shift in the fabric of domestic arbitration and an unmitigated incentive to arbitrate in the more progressive centers in territory. Those who try this will rapidly learn that there is no real cure for deficiencies in contractual arbitration clauses. The UAE calls for better drafting to overcome administrative overhangs.

COMMENT > For the latest news and comments log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/comment

Have we been dumped on? ALAN MILLIN ASKS WHETHER THE INDUSTRY GETS ENOUGH INFORMATION FROM SUPPLIERS WHEN SPECIFYING PRODUCTS, WHICH MAY ALREADY BE HEADED TO THE MANUFACTURING SCRAP HEAP

“IS THE FIRST QUESTION YOU ASK THE SUPPLIER RELATED TO WHETHER THE PRODUCT IS ACTUALLY STILL IN PRODUCTION? PROBABLY NOT…”

Alan Millin is a chartered engineer and Leed accredited professional. He is an independent consultant, coach and trainer based in Dubai. He has led the consultancy mission of two major Dubai facilities management companies. He spends his spare time correcting defects in his Dubai home and can be contacted at: akmillin@hvacandr.com.

The opinions expressed in this column are of the author and not of the publisher.

I recently had the pleasure of facilitating a LEED related training session attended by architects, engineers and facilities managers. We had an engaging session on materials and the ongoing operational sustainability of new facilities. It’s always interesting to get views on a particular topic from several perspectives and this occasion didn’t disappoint. The general consensus was that Dubai, with its relentless development drive, had become a dumping ground for end-of-line products. Contractors and developers, under pressure to meet tight deadlines, found themselves grateful to suppliers who could deliver on time. But did this leave the door open for these suppliers to ofﬂoad old stock quickly? We are careful to specify the technical parameters of equipment but do we include any way of assuring ourselves, or our clients, that the product we are selecting won’t be discontinued in 12 months time? When you place a bulk order for fan-coil units for instance, is the ﬁrst question you ask the supplier related to whether the product is actually still in production? Probably not… Have you ever asked about the continuity of a particular product? The future availability of spares? Have you ever actively sought out end-of-line products to meet a deadline or simply to cut costs? And if you have, would you admit it anyway? Even lighting presents problems. It’s often not easy to get the right replacement lamp with the original colour temperature, resulting in either strange new lighting effects or the replacement of more lamps than is really necessary. The problem doesn’t just lie with electromechanical equipment either. Trying to get a replacement toilet seat can be something of an ordeal too. I asked one contractor if he could replace a toilet seat in an apartment and I knew what the answer was as soon as he took the sharp intake of breath.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

“These are old”, he told me, “but if you’re lucky you might find something in a warehouse in Fujeirah”. The whole apartment block was only handed over around one year ago! With the slow-down in development and cancellation of projects, perhaps we now have more time to think about the sustainability of what we build. When we consider life-cycle costs we often base our assessment of design life of systems on published data. This is fine, as long as we can maintain the asset throughout the anticipated design life. But what if we can’t do that? If we can’t get spares maybe we will need to replace a unit before its design life has actually expired. Our forward-funding assessments will be wrong and we will need more money sooner than we anticipated. Of course we can always place the burden on the enduser by means of extra charges, but that won’t win us any friends will it? So what can we do to prevent being dumped on in the future? Certainly we should consider life-cycle costing before we make our decisions. Simply basing our decisions on first cost, as has clearly been the case in so many developments, serves no-one well. Okay, the company that does the deal might make a few quick dirhams, but will surely get a reputation for low quality work. Perhaps the time has come to start quizzing our suppliers a little harder. The design life of a product is only a part of the information we need. Maybe we also need to ask what the suppliers future plans are for that product, so that we will have the information we need to feed our decision-making. If we consider chillers for example, the hottest topic of conversation is often about the refrigerant used and its future availability. But will the vendor voluntarily tell us whether the model we are considering purchasing is due to be phased out just after we place our order? If we don’t ask, we don’t get…

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GAME CHANGERS THE 50 COMPANIES SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE GULF’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

MOST ADMIRED: DEVELOPERS

UNDER DEVELOPMENT THOUGH WE HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS HOW A DEVELOPER’S VISION CAN BE CUT DOWN BY THE WHIMS OF A GLOBALISED MARKETPLACE, IT IS THE DEVELOPERS THAT TRULY TRANSFORM LANDSCAPES AND DEFINE THE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS AND NEW INHABITANTS. CW LOOKS AT THOSE THAT HAVE SURVIVED THE BEST AND CAN LOOK AT THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WITH THE MOST OPTIMISM

AL MAZAYA HOLDINGS There is little doubt that when more big infrastructure projects in Kuwait hit the market, Al Mazaya will be within the mix, bidding and winning. The company has already left a significant mark on its home country, with the Global Tower (home of analysis powerhouse Global Investment House), the Kuwait Business Town and the 19-floor Clover Medical Centre among its successes, not to mention the innovative Seven Zones project. The Dubai-Kuwait dual-listed company still boasts a market capitalisation just shy of KD50 million and, perhaps quieter than some of its rivals in the UAE, has had a strong last year. A full subscription to its IPO in Qatar, profits in 2009 exceeding KD30 million and the acquisition of First Dubai and Waterfront are among recent achievements.

BARWA REAL ESTATE New entrants to the Middle East might reasonably see the economic circumstances in Qatar as parallel with that of its foremost real estate company. Partnership between state and company has indeed been seamless in recent years. The Qatar Exchange-listed company, which has a market capitalisation of QR3.6 billion, posted QR210 million proﬁt from the ﬁrst quarter this year, up 8.25%

2.7TRILLION THE VALUE IN US DOLLARS OF CURRENTLY UNAWARDED PROJECTS IN THE REGION

against Q1 2009. Its development of coastal city Al Khor has seen tremendous growth. Its 30% stake in Nuzul Holdings, one of its investment platforms, has been a very competitive demonstration to developers launching subsidiaries, and it has already bought the 118-unit Somerset Juffair serviced residencies in Manama and the 200 unit Somerset Corniche serviced residences in Doha from its parent. DEYAAR DEVELOPMENT Deyaar has had a good year and needs objective recognition. For a start, it has been all over the residential sector of Dubai: Jumeira Lake Towers, Jumeira Beach Residence and others are testament to the company’s abilities. Now all eyes will turn to its contributions to Business Bay, which this year will include delivery on Hamilton Residency, Mayfair Tower,

THE EXPANSIVE JUMEIRA LAKE TOWERS DEVELOPMENT IS JUST ONE OF DEYAAR’S ACHIEVEMENTS. THE COMPANY HAS AED3.7BN IN PROJECTS ON THE GO.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

EMAAR’S EXCLUSIVE DUBAI MARINA DEVLOPMENT COVERS 50,000 SQUARE METRES AND IS THE LARGEST MAN MADE MARINA IN THE WORLD.

“EMAAR’S PROFITS TOTALLED AED2.324 BILLION, BOLSTERED BY AED8.4 BILLION IN REVENUE, SETTING A BENCHMARK THAT WOULD DRAW COMPARISONS WITH THE ... WALL STREET BANK GOLDMAN SACHS.” Mayfair Residency and Clayton Residency. In September last year, when rivals’ projects started to wane, the company handed over all units at The Citadel, its AED700 million, 41-storey commercial tower located within the Business Bay development. Last year’s assets stood at a remarkable AED11.3 billion, having begun the year with a higher balance for properties under construction (AED3.775 billion) compared to the previous year (AED1.645 billion). For architects it was a company deemed ‘one to watch’ in the run-up to this year’s Cityscape Dubai. DAMAC PROPERTIES In a region often dominated by grand scale, few companies would be telling the truth if they said their aim was not to be the

biggest in their sector. Damac Properties can claim to be that. For many ﬁrms in the region, Qatar has been a tough nut to crack. Damac has four key developments, including Business Square in Lusail, Doha. In a slowing market in Dubai, Damac has sped ahead with continued work on the Dubai Marina Ocean Heights, the latter gaining recognition from the Real Estate Regulatory Authority as Project of the Month for May – an award based on a thorough audit of onsite activity. Ahmed Matar, general manager of Al Arrab Electromechanical, told CW his company is very pleased with its strong relationship with Damac. EMAAR PROPERTIES Emaar needs little introduction, and its prominence during the region’s most severe economic duress has been a magnet for headlines. Last year’s proﬁts totalled AED2.324 billion, bolstered by AED8.4 billion in revenue, setting a benchmark that would draw comparisons with the tediously successful Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs. A two-year delay to the towers at its 29 Burj Dubai Boulevard has been the only

drawback of note from its performance so far this year, but its successful roll-over of AED4.84 billion in debts last month gave it an invaluable rubber stamp of confidence from international counterparties. Now, with the first punters moving into its bold and original Armani Residences, the firm currently stands as high above rivals as its Burj Khalifa, home of the Armani creation, does nearby skyscrapers. INJAZ DEVELOPMENT Injaz is likely to be central to Saudi Arabia’s drive to house its young population. Its projects total more than SR7 billion, and at a time in 2010 when many of the major projects across the Gulf are faltering or delayed, Cluster 7 of

300 BILLION VALUE OF DUBAI’S PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNAWARDED

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

425 BILLION VALUE OF PROJECTS PUT ON HOLD IN UAE (SOURCE: MEED PROJECTS)

its Al Gamra Project (in North Riyadh) has been completely sold out with 60% of all deeds already transferred. Located in what is acclaimed to be the Kingdom’s ‘New Riyadh’, the project offers nearly 2.5million square metres of masterdeveloped, ready-to-build housing plots that are designed to be a natural extension of Riyadh’s northern suburb. Coming soon after a slump in the region, and with competition intensifying from Saudi rivals for redevelopment, it has been a significant statement of intent.

MUBADALA’S BROAD PORTFOLIO IS IMPRESSIVE.

13.2% FALL IN THE REVENUE PER AVAILABLE ROOM (REVPAR) RATE IN HOTELS IN THE MIDDLE EAST SINCE LAST YEAR

MAKKAH CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT Makkah Construction and Development’s wide spread of revenue sources – not least the stake in Jabal Omar Development Company – and its strength within the region’s biggest country means it is impossible to ignore. It has taken the sector-wide hit to company ﬁnances on the chin better than most rivals, and can still boast almost SR3million in assets (SR 292,320,000). This time last year it was also able to post year-on-year net proﬁts of $59.3 million, a rise of 16.8% from US $50.7 million – to sell more residential hotel rooms, including in the Hilton Towers Makkah, and increase in rental income from retail properties in the midst of a downturn is a robust demonstration of strong fundamentals.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

MUBADALA The giant Mubadala is one of the most aggressive and broad of the companies on this list, the admiration from rivals and business counterparties deriving from its profits, its confidence from creditors and its portfolios. Though it is the state investment vehicle for Abu Dhabi it has nevertheless set an impressive benchmark to the private sector, posting a US $2.3 billion profit for 2009 and a relatively smooth $2.5 billion refinancing. Its acquisitions have perhaps been the most impressive aspect. Its 5% stake in Ferrari led to its sponsorship of the world-renowned Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team and opened up discussions for the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and its 25% holding in LeasePlan Corporation led to the establishment of the joint venture company, LeasePlan Emirates, which now provides vehicle leasing services in Abu Dhabi. SAUDI ARAMCO The strength of Saudi Aramco as the national oil company of KSA is undoubted, but what has gained impressive industry respect is the ambitiousness of recent projects. The infrastructure upgrade and electrification project in its Safaniya

KSA’S SAUDI ARAMCO IS RIGHT BEHIND KAUST.

field, for example, will help sustain crude oil production to meet the company’s Maximum Sustainable Capacity targets for the field by 2013. Saudi Tabreed chairman Mohammed bin Abdullah acknowledged its “prestigious client” and Saudi Aramco’s commitment to the environment when it was mandated to design and build a cooling plant – an import flagship project and a significant statement to the oil industry. Earlier this year it gained recognition in the Makkah Award for Excellence, a new award presented by Makkah governor Prince Khaled Al Faisal for contributions to the development of the province. The oil giant is also behind the development of the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology

in Jeddah. The university has been ranked as one of the world’s top ten green projects by the American Institute of Architects. The development of the university underlines the social agenda behind the company’s spending in its home country. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT & INVESTMENT COMPANY (TDIC) TDIC is limbering up to transform Abu Dhabi over the next few years. Strong support from the international debt markets, and one of the widest portfolios including the Guggenheim, so far the TDIC has not put a foot wrong and will deﬁne the momentum of the Emirate over the next few years. Its projects include Saadiyat Island, a 27km2

4.29 BILLION ESTIMATED VALUE OF HOTEL PROJECTS OVER THIS YEAR IN GCC (SOURCE: PROLEADS) natural island lying just offshore Abu Dhabi City, which is being transformed into a leisure, cultural and residential destination. TDIC is also ﬂying the ecoﬂag with its plans for the Desert Islands, one of the world’s largest sustainable island tourism destinations, under development in its western province.

SHEIKH SULTAN BIN TAHNUN AL-NAHAYAN (2ND R), PRESIDENT OF ABU DHABI TOURISM AUTHORITY, WITH PLANS FOR THE EMIRATE’S SAADIYAT ISLAND

MAY 29MAY – JUNE 15–21, 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

MOST ADMIRED: CONTRACTORS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS HAVE NEVER HAD A TOUGHER MARKET THAN THE LAST TWO YEARS IN THE GCC. THE ABILITY TO SIMULTANEOUSLY APPEAR TO HAVE DIVERSE SKILLS AND BE A SPECIALIST HAS REINFORCED THE MAXIM OF SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. SOME FIRMS FEATURED HERE HAVE SURVIVED AND GROWN THROUGH REPEAT BUSINESS, A PRECIOUS COMMODITY.

AL SHAFAR GENERAL CONTRACTING Since 1989, starting with just two members of staff and a contract for a four-storey building, Al Shafar General Contracting LLC (ASGC) has risen to become one of Dubai’s foremost contractors with over 10,000 employees, developing into an integral arm of Dubai’s growth story. ASGC has expanded in various directions every year and devoted its expertise to over 250 projects worth billions of dollars, continuously delivering the highest level of quality surpassing all clients’ expectations; serving all clients within the Middle East from fully established ofﬁces in the UAE, Qatar, KSA, Egypt and Libya. ASGC has vast experience in constructing all types of buildings, as it’s portfolio envelopes many projects ranging from residential complexes, palaces, shopping malls and universities, to factories, ancillary services, hotels and high rise towers. By placing great importance on the principles of safety, quality and people, it has been able to satisfy its clients’ needs on every project. Using state-of-the-art construction techniques and equipment, it has earned a dominant reputation as one of the most professional contractors in the industry. Throughout the last decade, ASGC has developed from a building contractor to a construction conglomerate providing thorough and diverse contracting services through its 22 sister companies; vertically integrated to serve the construction arm, while expanding independently in the industry, with products and services ranging from interior design, ﬁt-out, green consultancy and infrastructure services, to steel manufacturing, concrete, pre-cast and MEP contracting. 26

THE GOLDEN MILE ON DUBAI’S PALM JUMEIRAH IS JUST ONE OF THE DEVELOPMENTS WORKED ON BY ASGC.

Over the years, ASGC has built a reputation for itself as one of the most reliable and quality-conscious builders and contractors in the UAE. With that built within it’s principles, Al Shafar General Contracting sought out to be a pioneer, within the construction industry, in developing the company’s standards of excellence towards achieving accreditations including ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Accreditation, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System and the OHSAS 18001:2007 Health & Safety Management System. Throughout its success story, ASGC has managed to land many premier projects including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Police Head Quarters, the Greens, Jumeirah

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

Beach Residence, Al Tayer Tower, Emirates Crown Tower, The Golden Mile, Windsor Manor, Vision Tower, The Villa, and Dubai Studio City, among many others. Some of the prestigious awards won by ASGC in recognition of their continuous strive for success include the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MRM) Business Award 2008 (Construction category), IRCON for Best Safety Practices in 2008, the Arabian Business 2008 Awards for best Construction Company of the Year), the Construction Week 2007 Awards for the Best Contractor of the Year along with receiving an award by the Labour Administration in 2006 for having an Outstanding Intuitional Model.

BLACK CAT ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION HAS DOMINATED THE OIL AND GAS PROJECT MARKET IN QATAR, GAINING REPEAT BUSINESS FROM QATAR PETROLEUM.

BLACK CAT ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION Black Cat’s project work in Qatar is typically of EPIC proportions – that is, engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning. Across Qatar, and now frequently outside its home country, the firm has had a very strong three years, serving the gas and oil industry for all works regarding pipelines, tankage, civil, structural and instrumentation works and it has sustained a vital long-term relationship with Qatar Petroleum. Last month the company won the latest of the project contracts for the Dukhan Fields (where it has one of its offices, in Zekrit), just a few months after winning a QR400 million EPIC deal for Sweet Fuel Gas Supply to Dukhan consumers in November 2009. AMEC, the project manager, certainly holds the firm in high regard, announcing a joint venture to offer ‘asset support services’ to the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors in the country.

29 YEARS THE AGE OF BLACK CAT ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION (SOURCE: BLACK CAT)

networks of projects geographically – the envy of many ﬁrms suddenly needing to keep the cash ﬂowing from different places. It currently counts the UAE, KSA, Australia, Palestine and Papua New Guinea among its venues for projects that are currently under construction, ranging from airports

to refineries, private residences and cable laying works. CCC has subsidiaries and branches in more than 40 countries and, as oil prices rise, CCC is frequently one of the firms to capitalise. By 2004, don’t forget, it held 30% of the Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) – the only non-government firm to own a stake. By the end of 2006 it had revenues of US $3.1 billion. HBK CONTRACTING HBK has been integral to some of the most ambitious projects in Qatar, and a regular client of the government. The construction of the Al Asiri Tower (2B+G+21) at West Bay, began in 2006, was particularly well-received and admired by investors on

SAUDI BIN LADEN GROUP IS TO WORK ON THE $11 BILLION EXPANSION TO THE GRAND MOSQUE, MAKKAH.

CONSOLIDATED CONTRACTORS COMPANY (CCC) One of the ﬁrst Arabic construction ﬁrms, the company has one of the broadest

BANK OF JORDAN, HANDIWORK OF CCC

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

41 BILLION VALUEOFCONTRACTS(US$)INGCC WONBYSAUDIBINLADENGROUP (SOURCE: SAUDI BIN LADEN GROUP)

A.S. HUSSEINI PARTNER CONTRACTING Aside from the slightly confusing motto ‘In conclusion it’s quality’ – ASHCO is a straightforward contracting firm that has won the respect of a variety of clients and partners through its track record of project completion within budget. The readiness of developers and other firms to praise the company – certainly not the biggest - on its website is a partial indicator of this. Though it has separate lines that see its business blur into sub-contracting and suppliers, its portfolio of major projects in its home country of Saudi Arabia leaves it well placed to add to the Kingdom’s industrial renaissance, from power and manufacturing plants to office buildings. The Jeddah and Najran power plant expansions are notable completions – the latter has currently rehired the firm for further work.

HBK CONTRACTING WORKED ON THE AL ASIRI TOWER IN WEST BAY, QATAR.

online forums. More recently the company won the contracts for the IIB Tower for Qatar International Islamic Bank in Doha last September –a QR289 million project – and, last month, a QR1.56 billion contract to develop the ﬁrst phase of Dohaland, one of the most sought after mandates this year (partnering with Hyundai Engineering & Construction). In the last few years it has led the way for quality assurance, being awarded the ISO 9001:2000, 14001:2004 & OHSAS 18001:2007. MOHAMMED AL MOJIL GROUP MMG has managed to maintain its competitive edge in the oil and gas sectors in KSA as a leading industrial construction contractor. 28

As one of the few firms permitted to perform welding in live plants, it has a significant selling point for the installation and offshore projects, and has near-cornered the market for projects in the production of obscure chemicals. The Rabigh PC2 Project in Jubail – which will help a plant produce expand on its Mono Ethylene Glycol production – is just one such catchy mandate. Nevertheless, it has become a company that gets repeat business from such developments, and has five key areas of expertise: on-andoffshore work, steel fabrication, technical and maintenance services and marine work. Two years after winning Arabian Business’s ‘Best IPO Campaign’ award, the company is quietly moving further into profits.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

GULF DREDGING & CONTRACTING Kuwait-based GDC makes the list for its track record, for not only cornering the market in its own country and off its coastline for all shoreline and offshore construction work, but also the seamless way it has expanded its business. Perhaps best known for its dredging, reclamation and survey work, for the last 11 years it has been split into two divisions – civil construction and industrial construction – and has competed for contracts in piling, and straightforward building. Part of Heavy Engineering Industries and Shipbuilding (HEISCO), it helped its parent’s sales leap KD11.9 million to KD28.4 million last year, a rise of 138.1%, with gross proﬁt increasing by 52.6% from 1,928,000 to 2,943,000, with its net proﬁt leaping 5.1%.

UNICORP INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTING WORKED ON THE EXPANSION TO THE AIRFIELD AT THE KING ABDULAZIZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN JEDDAH.

HYUNDAI ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION (HDEC) Last summer the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs in South Korea selected HDEC as the country’s number one builder. This has only enhanced a growing reputation for the firm in the Gulf, and the speed in which it has been able to establish itself and win big mandates has gained admiration. One of the leaders in the wave of East Asian firms, the company now has many billions of dollars worth of contracts in the region, including a power plant and the Jubail Industrial Harbour Project in Saudi Arabia. It is now renowned in the region for its advanced technology in the area of marine and harbour work. SAUDI BINLADIN GROUP The sheer size of the Saudi BinLadin Group and its projects across the region make it one of the most revered, respected and admired contracting companies in the world. Formed in 1931, five years after Saudi Arabia was founded, the company landed major government contracts that included the refurbishment of the holy shrines in Makkah and Madinah. Since then, SBG’s activities have grown exponentially, working on the nation’s largest infrastructural and real estate projects. It currently holds $29 billion in building contracts and $41 billion in all contracts (including

AS ONE OF THE FEW FIRMS PERMITTED TO PERFORM WELDING IN LIVE PLANTS, MOHAMMED AL MOJIL GROUP HAS DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT SELLING POINT FOR INSTALLATION AND OFFSHORE PROJECTS joint ventures) throughout the region – and its major current projects include the King Abdullah Economic City, Abraj Al Bait residential scheme in Makkah and the Jabal Omar scheme, also in Makkah. SBG is represented in most Saudi cities, and has operations throughout the region: it employs 40,000 people in Cairo, and has a share in $50 million project to regenerate the Beirut Central District. It’s also jointly-developing the $30 billion Jizan Economic City with Malaysia’s MMC Group, and remains close to its roots with the main contract for the $11 billion expansion of Makkah’s Grand Mosque. UNICORP INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTING Unicorp have deserved its recent recognition in the industry as it has something of a Midas touch when it comes to winning airport contracts, which dominates the ‘Civil & Industrial’ segment of its three main categories of contracting. The expansion to the airﬁeld at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and the utilities system in the Doha

International Airport are just two of the projects completed in a three-year timeframe up to the end of last year – the latter contract worth more than QR2.1 billion. Despite the intricate corporate structure – it is Unicorp outright in Saudi and Bahrain and Bemco & Almabani Engineering and Contracting (Unicorp) in Qatar - its recent results have been straightforward enough.

DONE AND DUSTED PROJECTS COMPLETED BY HBK 1. Upgrading/replacement works for Mesaieed Distilate Mains - GTC 45/2004 2. Northern Area Hospital (phase 1), Qatar 3. Area Sewerage North Rayyan Civil Project 574 4. English language channel Building for Al Jazeera Satellite Channel 5. Renovation, upgrading & development of Al Sadd Sports Club Ware Up Area Phase 2 (SFID/C/39C) 6. Rehabilitation works of Diwan Amiri 7. Agriculture and quarantine buildings at Abu Samra 8. Construction of ofﬁce building for Al Shamal Municipality 9. Residential development (17 villas) at Al Nasr Street 10. Staff accommodation at Abu Samra Customs Post

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

MOST ADMIRED: ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, CONSULTANTS

DREAM WEAVERS FORGING NEW TERRITORY IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING IS A JOB FOR THE GIFTED FEW. MANY FIRMS BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN, BUT FALL SHORT WHEN IT COMES TO TOTAL PROJECT DELIVERY. CONSTRUCTION WEEK DETAILS TEN OF THE MOST ADMIRED AND RESPECTED FIRMS WORKING THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST

AEDAS If admiration for a company could be measured in sheer numbers of striking designs and innovative projects, Aedas would top every list of preferred consultants. Established in Dubai in 2005, Aedas developed from the aggregation of a number of UK practices followed by timely acquisitions in Hong Kong and the US. Aedas’ rise to the top of its game has been swift and impressive: it was named 2010 International Practice of the Year by the Architect’s Journal for doubling its architectural fee income during the year, and it regularly features in the AJ100 top 10 (2009 rank: 5th), and in other prestigious annual industry awards. The company’s investment in Revit building information software and R&D into sustainability helped it secure work in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. The company, as a whole, is also looking at emerging markets in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Sao Paulo, India, South America and central Africa. Aedas’ major UAE projects include the world’s tallest residential tower, the Pentominium Tower in Dubai, due for completion in 2012, designs for the twin 25-storey towers of the new Abu Dhabi Investment Council Headquarters and the award-winning Empire Tower in Abu Dhabi (2010).

A MODEL OF AEDAS’ MASDAR CITY PROJECT.

ARUP’S PROJECTS INCLUDE THE YAS MARINA HOTEL BRIDGE IN ABU DHABI.

FACT: AEDAS EMPLOYS 689 ARCHITECTS THROUGHOUT ITS 38 OFFICES WORLDWIDE.

ARUP When it comes to iconic building design and engineering, Arup has produced some of the world’s most instantly recognised structures. It was Ove Arup and Partners that brought architect Jorn Utzon’s Sydney Opera house to life by providing the structural engineering for the project in 1976 – and it was Arup that built the Beijing Water Cube and critically acclaimed Bird’s Nest for the 2008 Olympic Games in China. Arup was also involved in the structural design of the Yas Marina Hotel bridge which provided a dramatic and spectacular backdrop to the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 evening race last November. The hotel bridge spans 40m and encloses 980m2 of

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

interior space on two levels, and includes a bar, restaurant and VIP lounge. Arup’s other major UAE projects include the circular Aldar Headquarters in Abu Dhabi’s Al Raha Beach, a large scale operational readiness trial at Dubai International airport’s terminal three prior to opening, and a sustainability strategy for a section of the Dubailand World site that included Legoland, Six Flags, Marvel, DreamWorks, Freej and the Central Island. FACT: ARUP IS OWNED WHOLLY BY TRUSTS WHOSE BENEFICIARIES ARE ITS PAST AND PRESENT EMPLOYEES.

CONSOLIDATED CONSULTANTS ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENT Longevity in the construction industry isn’t easily earned – but the ability to deliver constant results while also remaining ahead of the competition is what keeps

companies like Consolidated Consultants busier than ever. Established in Jordan in the early 1970s, the company’s range of engineering and consultancy services are in hot demand. It was recently approached to provide project management consultancy for the $715m 240 km four-lane Al-Batinah Coastal Road Project in Oman, while its current projects also include the ongoing development of Yasmin Village and Yasmin Town Project in Ras Al Khaimah; as well as a comprehensive range of water, sewerage and dam projects, building, environment and infrastructure works throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Consolidated Consultants encourages staff to develop their talents by encouraging them to further their studies and to fulﬁll their potential in projects for the company. Encouragingly, for staff, CC is not a company too mired in work to not enjoy itself. Regular staff gatherings, social events and annual dinners means the company is also a welcoming place to work. FACT: CONSOLIDATED CONSULTANTS EMPLOYS 600 STAFF THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND ASIA.

DAR AL-HANDASAH (SHAIR AND PARTNERS) Dar Al-Handasah’s rise from its beginnings as a small engineering consultancy founded by four professors near the University of Beirut in to one of the world’s largest multi-

EC HARRIS WAS TECHNICAL CONSULTANT FOR KERZNER-ISITHMAR ON THE ATLANTIS PALM HOTEL PROJECT.

disciplinary companies, is nothing short of inspirational. Now headquartered in London, Dar AlHandasah has ofﬁces throughout the Middle East region specialising in planning, building and infrastructure, natural resource development, environmental management, transport, industrial projects, project management, and power and telecoms. Dar Al-Handasah’s collective expertise means the company is a powerful unit capable of also conceiving major urban developments. Dar Al-Handsah’s master plan for Dubai World Central near Jebel

Ali, a 140km2 self-sustaining development intended to provide homes and work for 750,000 people, is just one example. The company has also developed major master plans for dozens of projects in Oman, Yemen, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Egypt. With an impressive portfolio of work, the company’s tireless efforts in hiring young graduates and developing their talents on major developments means Dar Al-Handasah hasn’t forgotten its roots, something its peers could well learn from. FACT: DAR AL-HANDASAH HAS 6500 EMPLOYEES STAFFING 43 OFFICES IN 29 COUNTRIES.

DAR AL-HANDASAH IS INSTRUMENTAL IN CHANGING THE FACE OF DOHA’S CITY CENTRE.

E C HARRIS It’s difﬁcult to escape the scale of the $1.5 billion 125 acre Atlantis Hotel resort at the head of the man-made Palm Jumeirah. Even if you’ve never stepped foot on the man-made island, the unmistakeable, salmon-coloured 1500-room Royal Towers hotel dominates the Jumeirah Beach horizon, while the marine and freshwater aquariums with their 50,000 ﬁsh, 27,000ft2 shopping centre, 65-acre water park, 2.1km transportation park and world-renowned Dolphin Lagoon all provide the ultimate holiday experience. MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

As the Kerzner-Istithmar Limited joint venture developed, E C Harris’ Dubai’s office was appointed as technical consultants for the $1.1 billion loan facility – reporting to both Istithmar, a Government of Dubai owned Investment Company and Kerzner International Limited, a leading international developer and operator of luxury destination resorts and hotels in financial, health and safety and environmental aspects of the project. With so much at stake, E C Harris’ role in the project was a pivotal one. E C Harris has an office in Qatar that specialises in commercial, education, healthcare, transport and oil and gas industries, while its Saudi Arabia office works with clients to make the most of their investments in the country’s new Economic City developments. FACT: COMPANY TURNOVER IN 2008/09 WAS £306 MILLION

GEMAC While some companies grab headlines with impressive designs and computer generated artists impressions, others like GEMAC get on with the more important tasks of establishing mechanical, electrical, civil, structural and Industrial engineering. The company was founded in Cyprus in 1969 but quickly outgrew its home base and opened its first international offices in the UAE in 1974, then in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1977. The company’s motto of uncompromised engineering, client loyalty and fairness to all parties has served them well over the years, with a portfolio of work that includes the major installation of infrastructural works throughout the Middle East. GEMAC’s current works include 34 major projects in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar covering in the fields of design and supervision as well as the control and management of Infrastructure and Building Services, Sewage, Water and Electricity distribution systems. The company may only be small, but GEMAC’s reputation for exceptional project delivery makes them the first choice for many government and infrastructural projects. 32

YAS ISLAND WAS A HUGE PROJECT FOR HALCROW. FACT: GEMAC’S 79 STAFF ARE SPLIT BETWEEN ITS CYPRUS (19), BAHRAIN (35) AND UAE (25) OFFICES

HALCROW Very few companies have the international reach and scope of services that multidisciplinary consultancy Halcrow can boast. With ofﬁces in 32 countries and regions around the world, Halcrow has been in the past 55 years and has led the development of some of the regions most iconic modern developments. The most recent is the critically acclaimed Yas Island development in Abu Dhabi that hosted its ﬁrst ever Formula One race last November.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

As lead consultant for the £23 billion project’s ﬁrst phase, Halcrow worked closely with its client Aldar and dedicated 700 employees and half a million hours in to the tight, 30-month schedule to deliver the site’s primary infrastructure in time for the inaugural race. Works included roads, potable water, sewerage, power and irrigation systems, as well as provisions for district cooling and vacuum solid waste – and will serve the island’s future resident population, plus up to 300,000 daily visitors. Halcrow also has ofﬁces in Dubai and Sharjah, plus a major project site in Ras Al Khaimah, as well as bases in Oman, Qatar, Iraq and Bahrain. FACT: HALCROW EMPLOYS 8000 STAFF AT ITS 90 OFFICES WORLDWIDE, AND ITS REVENUE IN 2009 WAS £468M

HYDER CONSULTING There’s nothing like a list of high-proﬁle international projects to underline your company’s reputation for project delivery, quality and technical ability – and Hyder Consulting’s achievements are legendary. Established in Dubai 45 years ago as a subsidiary to its UK parent company, Hyder Consulting has been behind some of the Middle East’s most iconic projects – including the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain

HYDER HIT NEW HEIGHTS WITH THE BURJ KHALIFA DEVELOPMENT IN DUBAI.

Arab, Dubai’s landmark ﬁve star hotel; the Bahrain World Trade Centre in Manama, with its twin triangular 240m tall towers and the Dubai Metro system – the world’s largest transport infrastructure project underway in the world. The company served as environmental consultants to the $6 billion Durrat Al Bahrain development that covers an area of 20 km2 and includes the 15 inter-connected islands that make up ‘Durrat Al Bahrain’. It’s not only an inspirational place to work for its ambitious consultancy services and broad remit, but the company’s accolades also extend to distinctions by The Times newspaper as among the 20 Best Big Companies to Work For (2008); and Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work (2008). The company was construction sector winner for the third consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008.

KEO CONSULTANTS HANDLED PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF THE EMIRATE PALACE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT.

and Ski Dubai. Of the ﬁve tallest buildings in the world under construction, Hyder is involved in the design and construction of four of them, including the Burj Khalifa and Pentominium Tower in United Arab Emirates, and Al Quds Tower and Doha Convention Centre and Tower in Qatar. Hyder has also worked closely with architect Eric Kuhne in developing the infrastructure master plan and sustainability reports for the award-winning 56m ft2 Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens in Dubai; while the infrastructural consultancy work for the 34km2 $20bn Al-Madina Azarqa (Blue City) development in Oman, was another mammoth undertaking. FACT: HYDER’S PARENT COMPANY IN THE UK IS 150 YEARS OLD AND ITS WORK INCLUDES THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE, TOWER BRIDGE IN LONDON AND THE TAIWAN HIGH SPEED RAILWAY.

KEO CONSULTANTS KEO Consultants is well versed in the complexity of construction in the Middle East – and its string of international awards, constant rankings as one of the best design and engineering consultancies in the world bears testimony to that.. Established in 1964, the ﬁrm’s international reputation for planning and urban development, design, project and construction

management, infrastructure and contracts and quantity surveying services is the envy of its competitors. The company is actually structured in to five individual firms following each of those disciplines, with offices in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Gharbia and Ajman) and Washington DC. KEO handled project management for the construction of the 7-star Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi which hosted the 2004 GCC summit conference; the new Al Ain Diwan Building in Al Ain for the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region of UAE; Najmat, Al Reem island in Abu Dhabi and five major master plans for urban developments throughout the UAE (Khalifa City A, Mohammed Bin Zayed city, Capital City District, Emerald Gateway ad South of Shamkha).

FACT: ATKINS UK IS THE ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES PROVIDER FOR THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

WS ATKINS DESIGNED AND BUILT THEICONIC BURJ AL ARAB IN DUBAI.

FACT: KEO WAS NAMED ‘CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR’ AWARD BY ABU DHABI’S WESTERN REGION MUNICIPALITY FOR ITS PROJECT WORK IN 2009.

WS ATKINS Atkins Middle East has forged a formidable reputation for innovative design and project delivery since opening its regional headquarters in Dubai in 1979. The list of accomplishments is huge: the company designed and built the Burj Al MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

MOST ADMIRED: SUB-CONTRACTORS

NEED A SPECIALIST? A GOOD REPUTATION, A SOLID REGIONAL HISTORY, A STRONG PROJECT PORTFOLIO AND FINANCIAL SUCCESS ARE JUST SOME OF THE CRITERIA EXAMINED IN DETERMINING OUR LIST OF MOST ADMIRED GCC SUBCONTRACTORS. WITH SOME OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED PROJECTS IN THE WORLD, THE GCC DEMANDS A HIGH DEGREE OF SPECIALISATION.

AL FARIS Besides being extremely well-known, fast growing and possessing one of the largest ﬂeets of mobile cranes in the region, Al Faris Equipment Rentals is recognised by some the Middle East’s key developers and contractors for its excellent ‘performance, reliability and safe work practices’ (Arabtec). The company’s crane rental services include providing mobile cranes with lift capacities of up to 1,200 tonnes, as well as crawlers, transportation trailers and forklifts. In the last ten years Al Faris has grown very quickly, adapting its services in line with market trends and using advanced software systems to ensure on-site safety at all times when using cranes. Among the company’s extensive portfolio of contracts are works carried out at Sheikh Rashid Beach Palace and Sharah City Centre, as well as the lifting of a 250-tonne boat in Jebel Ali Free Zone Dubai using three cranes. FACT: AL FARIS’ CRANES CAN LIFT UP TO 1,200 TONNES

AL SHIRAWI US CHILLER SERVICES Serving a variety of different markets with its cooler, chilling and refrigeration services, Al Shirawi US Chiller Services is a popular sub-contractor across the scorching GCC region. An ISO 9001-certiﬁed company, it provides specialist services for large tonnage centrifugal chillers, liquid chillers and energy solutions. The company was recently commissioned to deliver Smartcool Systems Inc’s Energy Savings Module in the UAE and Bahrain. As part of their due diligence process, US Chillers installed the model on a large tonnage centrifugal chiller at a location managed by the Palm District

AL FARIS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A BOAT LIFT AT JEBEL ALI PORT USING TWO 500 TONNE MOBILE CRANES.

Cooling Company in Dubai. Energy savings of between 13 and 16% were made, further improving the company’s reputation and proﬁle in the Middle East and rendering it an ideal specialist contender for CW’s most admired list. FACT: AL SHIRAWI US CHILLER SERVICES IS ISO 9001-CERTIFIED

AMUSEMENT WHITEWATER Having won the 2008 CW specialist contractor award for its themed construction work on the waterpark and Lost Chambers at Atlantis, Amusement Whitewater just had to be among one of the most admired specialist contractors in the GCC. One of the most well-known creators of ‘themed environments’ for any project in the region that requires a water/amusement park, indoor/outdoor theme, private resort or

tourist development, it came as no surprise when the ﬁrm was commissioned to work on the biggest contract in the Middle East for themed construction worth US $60 million (AED 220,389,000 million). Just a year earlier, Amusement Whitewater became the ﬁrst Middle Eastern company ever to win the award for outstanding achievement at the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) International Awards held in California, for creating the internal theming of Ski Dubai. FACT: AMUSEMENT WHITEWATER WAS NAMED CONSTRUCTION WEEK SPECIALIST CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR IN 2008

DRAKE AND SCULL Nominated for MEP contractor of the year award in 2009, Drake and Scull International is known throughout the GCC for providing integrated MEP engineering services for

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

into the UAE, supported by their dealings with German manufacturers. Established in Sharjah in 1974 with its head ofﬁce, service workshop and showroom located in Sharjah’s Industrial Area, the ﬁrm now has branches in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai. FACT: 35 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE GCC

WHITEWATER’S PIONEERING WORK ON THE MARINE HABITAT AT THE ATLANTIS PALM IS IMPRESSIVE.

a number of high-profile projects. The company is most admired for its commitment to sustainability (having been awarded ISO certification as well as accreditation from BuildSafe UAE and the Emirates Green Building Council), and for its expertise in what has become an extremely competitive market. Among the firm’s most impressive projects is the Marina Mansions development in Dubai. Here, Drake and Scull was awarded the contract to supply, install, test and commission the complete MEP works including air conditioning systems, ventilation, plumbing, drainage and electrical systems for the 30-storey residential tower that incorporated a range of unique design features and atypical room layouts. Once complete, the work was viewed as one of Drake and Scull’s biggest achievements. FACT: MEP CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR 2009

DUTCH FOUNDATION The Dutch Foundation has completed more than 200 projects in the GCC in the last two decades. This, as well as the company’s specialist knowledge and dedication to keeping up with technological-developments made them a strong contender for most admired. From a small Abu Dhabi foundation piling business in 1989 to a complete 36

foundation design and construction services provider, with expertise in deep foundation piling, the Dutch Foundation is one of the fastest-growing companies in the Middle East. Over the years it has earned a number of accreditations from the International Organisation for Standardisation for safety, quality and environment management, as well as recognition for excavation, shoring and piling works on projects such as the New Doha International Airport Passenger Terminal Complex and the Qatar-based Hilton Service Apartment Tower. FACT: THE DUTCH FOUNDATION HAS COMPLETED OVER 200 PROJECTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

GERMAN-GULF ENTERPRISES (GGE) PLANT HIRE DIVISION With almost 35 years’ experience, GermanGulf Enterprises (GGE) plant-hire division has a market share in the region for pile cutting, and a long-standing reputation across the GCC. The company’s specialist expertise and bulging contacts book has lead to it being involved in almost every major construction project in the UAE, contributing to its great reputation as well as a strong Middle Eastern presence. In addition, GGE executives were pioneers in importing concrete pumps, plaster machines and other mortar pumps

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

EMIRATES TRADING AGENCY Emirates Trading Agency Mechanical and Electricity Division made it to our most admired list having won the Construction Week MEP Contractor of the Year award for three consecutive years, as well as its numerous other achievements in green business practices, quality standards and health and safety. The company was, in fact, the ﬁrst company ever to receive the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (gold category) in Abu Dhabi in 2007, and has been involved on some of the most high-proﬁle projects in the GCC. One in particular, the MEP works for 21 towers (The Residences) at the Burj Khalifa, presented a range of challenges and demanded only the most professional MEP sub-contractors’ input. The company’s 33 years’ experience in the industry proved

Telecommunication Cities in Riyadh, Qassim and Makkah, the Ministry of Municipalities complex, the Iman Bin Saud University Campus and all the branches of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. Within the company’s construction and contracting division, it also operates a unique factory that manufactures pre-casted and pre-stressed concrete structural components using the most up to date Swiss technology. Here its major projects include 2000 government villas, the medical complex of the Ministry of Defense, and an SR 1.2 billion project to build schools. FACT: CURRENT CONTRACTS ARE VALUED AT SR 6.5 BILLION (AED 6.36 BILLION)

ETA WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE DUBAI MARINA MALL AND APARTMENTS PROJECTS.

handy. Its current business volume is worth more than AED 2 billion. FACT: THE FIRST COMPANY TO EVER WIN THE SHIEKH KHALIFA EXCELLENCE AWARD..

SAMAMA GROUP As the fourth largest company in the KSA and GCC for construction and service, and the fifth largest firm in terms of manpower, Samama has been classified as the number

one in its field by the Saudi government and listed 34 among the 100 largest Saudi Arabian companies. With several specific divisions and ISO-certification, the firm has become well-known for its diversity, reliability and market growth. Currently, its contracts are worth SR 6.5 billion. As a subcontractor, Samama is responsible for installing and maintaining mechanical and electrical systems across a large number of government contracts, including the Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh, the Saudi

QCON A multi-discipline industrial engineering and construction company formally known as MECON, QCon has contributed immensely to the hydrocarbon infrastructural development in Qatar since 1975. Specialising in LNG tank construction works, QCon has carried out

EMIRATES TRADING AGENCY COMPLETED WORKS FOR 11 TOWERS AND BUSINESS BAY

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

VSL’S EXPERTISE WERE PUT TO WORK WITH THE MASSIVE DUBAI METRO PROJECT AND ITS REQUIREMENT FOR LARGE PRE-CAST CONCRETE SECTIONS.

construction of almost all the LNG cryogenic tanks built in Qatar. To carry out fabrication of marine structures, QCon has the largest sea-facing fabrication yard in the country located at the Mesaieed Industrial Area. Having a stronghold in electrical substation works, QCon is the only local contractor that has the capabilities to carry out EHV substation works pertaining to gas insulated switchgear. In 1994, its Marine Fabrication division was the ﬁrst in Qatar to achieve ISO-9001 certiﬁcation, which it has maintained ever since. To ensure a safe working environment, QCon maintains its Safety Management System in compliance with OHSAS-18001. FACT: INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALMOST ALL OF QATAR’S LNG CRYOGENIC TANKS

deserved. Participating in the construction of over 100 stay cable bridges, the company has adapted post-tensioning principles to civil structures such as LNG tanks, reservoirs, plants, tunnels, off-shore platforms, concrete ﬂoating barges and dams. Whilst its single strand installation system for stay cables offers high fatigue resistance and corrosion protection, in addition to post-tensioning and stay cables, the group’s scope of work covers pre-casting and segmental bridge erection launching gantries, formwork systems, repair works, and a number of other related services. Though the ﬁrm currently exists as a global network, with 34 subsidiaries and more than 2,900 employees across the world, some its most prestigious projects have been in the Middle East, including the precast and installation of sections of the Dubai Light Rail System (Metro).

VSL With more than 50 years’ experience in posttensioning and related engineering work, VSL’s spot in our most admired list is well38

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

FACT: VSL WAS SUBCONTRACTED TO WORK ON DUBAI’S LIGHT RAIL TRANSPORT (LRT) SYSTEM ABOVE: QCON’S CLIENTS INCLUDE RAZGAS

DUBAI

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MOST ADMIRED: SUPPLIERS

SUPPLY CHAIN CW LOOKS AT SUPPLIERS DELIVERING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WHO, WHETHER BECAUSE OF THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, GREEN CREDENTIALS, LONG LOCAL HISTORY, OR STRENGTH OF BRAND ALONE, OFFER A QUALITY TO BE ADMIRED

BASF BASF is a global brand with a long history of turning scientific endeavour into practical application. In the Gulf region BASF’s Construction Chemicals division has been involved in some of the most high-profile projects of the last few years. It has achieved this by offering the construction industry a broad portfolio of raw materials, formulations and systems for energy-efficient, sustainable construction. As a founding member of the Emirates Green Building Council, the company prides itself on the work it has put into creating energy efficient and environmentally sound products. By providing its know-how on measuring construction products’ sustainability, as well as by providing scientific information on its products’ life-cycle performance, the company aims to enhance the development of sustainable regulatory standards.

BASF’s eco-efficiency analysis is just one example of how the company uses science to address construction needs in a proven and sustainable way. The results are clearly measurable as well. With the construction sector able to play a decisive role for climate protection - today it contributes about 22% of the global greenhouse gas emissions – by reducing its impact significantly, mainly by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. BASF’s corporate carbon footprint shows that the company’s products, such as insulation materials, account for the reduction of more than 270 million tons of CO2-equivalents in the construction sector per year. FACT: BASF’S ‘FUNCTIONAL SOLUTIONS’ BUSINESS, WHICH INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS, ACCOUNTED FOR 7,115 MILLION EURO WORTH OF SALES IN 2009.

THE EAST HOTEL, UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN DUBAI, USES BASF’S SENERGY EIFS INSULATION SYSTEM.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

CHARLOTTE PIPE For more than a century, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has manufactured cast iron pipe and fittings, the premiere material when it comes to drain, waste and vent plumbing systems. Its cast iron has been used in some of the world’s finest structures, most recently the Burj Khalifa and the New Doha International Airport. While Charlotte Pipe is a full-line supplier of cast iron pipe and fittings, the company also focuses on continuous process improvement to provide better service. It understands that contractors need products like Extra-Heavy pipe and fittings and Double-Hub pipe to make installations easier and faster. Although other cast iron manufacturers have quit producing DoubleHub pipe, Charlotte Pipe is the only U.S. manufacturer to still offer a complete line of two-inch through six-inch Service and Extra Heavy Double-Hub cast iron pipe. And it intends to continue maintaining a large stock of Extra Heavy products. Another manufacturing process exclusive to Charlotte Pipe is its Hot Dip coating. This coating helps Charlotte Pipe cast iron products offer unsurpassed performance. Compared to traditional bituminous coatings, Charlotte Pipe’s provide a higher softening point, so its pipe and fittings don’t feel as tacky in the heat. Its cast iron also offers advanced abrasion and chipresistance for improved performance, a hard, glossy, paintable surface for a nicer, more uniform appearance, greater tolerance of hot water (higher effluent temperatures), and superior corrosion protection for greater peace of mind. Charlotte Pipe’s coating process is more environmentally friendly than other methods. The company does not use solvents

DUCAB’S EXTENSIVE FACILITY IN DUBAI’S JEBEL ALI IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER SPREAD AROUND THE EMIRATES.

containing high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Charlotte Pipe cast iron is clearly stamped with the company’s name, country of origin, the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI) symbol of quality and even the date the pipe was made. This ensures you know exactly what you are getting when you order Charlotte Pipe. You can give the company the date from any piece of Charlotte cast iron pipe and it can provide the chemical and metallurgical properties of that batch. It has a rigorous quality testing and ongoing process improvements have helped the company achieve ISO 9001:2000 certiﬁcation. DUCAB Dubai Cable Company (Pvt) Ltd is a technologically advanced cable manufacturing company that was established in 1979 by the Government of Dubai as a joint venture with BICC Cables. Today, it is equally owned by the Governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai supplying a range of high quality power cables and accessories to our customers across the world in 40 countries. Presently, with three cable manufacturing factories, a Copper Rod Plant, and PVC compounding facility across the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it has a manufacturing capability of over 110,000 metal tonnes of high, medium and low voltage cables and wires per annum, with a sales

network spread across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. Since its founding, Ducab has supplied cables and wires for a large number of landmark projects in the Emirates, such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Metro, Emirates Palace, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, The Palm, and Yas Marina Circuit. In the greater GCC, Ducab has also supplied power cables to projects like the Ras Gas Project, Lulu Centre and the Dasman Hypermarket (Qatar), Central Bank of Oman, Al Manah Power Station and the Oman Culture Centre (Oman), Sur Hospital Bahrain, Gulf Air Headquarters, Bahrain City Centre, Bahrain Financial Harbour (Bahrain), Kuwait Oil Company and Kuwait National Petroleum Company (Kuwait). Further abroad in Asia, the company’s milestone contributions include working on the Public Utility Board (Singapore), ICC Tower (Hong Kong), HSBC Corporate Ofﬁce (Hong Kong), the Delhi Metro (India) and Shiraz Metro (Iran). Ducab prides itself on setting and maintaining the highest quality-standards of power cables while employing skilled workers to operate state-of-the-art equipment and conduct extensive testing at every phase of production. The company partnered with UAE utility providers Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Abu Dhabi

Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) in 2009 to establish the joint-venture company Ducab HV; the region’s ﬁrst dedicated high-voltage manufacturing facility. Overall, Ducab strives to be the highestquality cable manufacturer in the world, satisfying the aims and aspirations of the company’s shareholders, employees and the communities in which it operates. FACT: DUCAB HAS A 50% MARKET SHARE IN DUBAI.

EXOVA Testing is an essential part of the construction industry and can save millions in lost time and replaced materials, if done at the right stage of the process. Exova is a key player in the sector, offering tests for materials performance, including structural and component testing and ﬁre testing, among others. Exova also takes on the vital work of façade testing. In one example a high-rise hotel apartment project in an Abu Dhabi was nearing completion when a thick black liquid started oozing out of the façade frame joints, which could potentially damage the internal ﬁnishes. The cladding division of Exova investigated the reasons of failure and advised on the acceptability of corrective measures

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

KANOO MACHINERY REPRESENTS A RANGE OF INTERNATIONAL BRANDS IN THE LOCAL MARKET.

proposed by the contractor. Investigation revealed a weak interface between the concealed windows within the façade and its surrounding support frame. This meant that humid air from the exterior was entering into the cavity between the concrete walls and the metal back-pan of the façade. This humid air, cooled by the building air conditioning was condensing onto the building walls which were coated with bitumen based paint and running down the walls potentially staining the internal finish. An on-site water hose test was performed to confirm the findings and remedial works

FACADE TESTING IS PART OF EXOVA’S EXPERTISE.

were performed for the whole building under Exova’s supervision and subsequently onsite hose tests (AAMA 501.2 test) were performed successfully. The cost for review and testing at the early stages of the project was much more costeffective than performing rectiﬁcation works on a completed building. FACT: EXOVA OPERATES FROM 110 FACILITIES IN 24 COUNTRIES AND EMPLOYS MORE THAN 3,500 PEOPLE ACROSS EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA/ ASIA PACIFIC.

KANOO MACHINERY For a long time now Kanoo Machinery has established itself into the heart of GCC construction. It has stayed ahead of the competition by the breadth of its products – for whichever part of the project is being worked on onsite, there’s a good chance it is a Kanoo machine in operation. The company has helped the region grow to what we see today. A family business with one of the most recognizable names in the Gulf, Kanoo’s range includes general application machines such as Grove cranes and Hyster forklifts to more speciﬁc machines such as Lincoln arc-welding machines and Tennant road sweepers and scrubbers. From the cranes that helped place pipes into the desert to the earth moving machines that paved the ways, Kanoo Machinery and Commercial

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

Division has worked on some of the most extensive projects. The Kanoo Machinery and Commercial Division represents a wide range of leading international equipment manufacturers throughout Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman within such areas as maintenance and construction, earth-moving machinery, cranes and material handling. Last year, its export department won a major contract from Pexi Gulf to supply 12 Bobcat telehandlers for re-export. The AED4.2 million deal was a result of the department’s expansion into not just the Middle East, but Africa and Asia. Kanoo is one of the region’s most wellknown entrepreneurs, with a keen eye for joint ventures. FACT: THE KANOO GROUP RECENTLY PLEDGED TO REDUCE ITS POWER AND WATER CONSUMPTION BY AT LEAST 10%, AS PART OF A ‘HEROES OF THE UAE’ ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN.

KIMMCO Kuwait Insulating Material Manufacturing Company (KIMMCO) was established in 1977. A subsidiary of Alghanim Industries, the company is a major insulation solution provider in the Middle East. It manufactures and supplies customised, reflective, acoustic and fire-resistant insulation products to international standards. The company boasts of a firm commitment to environmentally-friendly building standards, a factor recognized when it was selected as an insulation supplier for Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City project. KIMMCO describes its mineral wool as one of the most environmentally-friendly, stable and

KIMMCO SUPPLIED INSULATION TO MASDAR CITY.

teams are dedicated to continually testing, designing and improving its products to ensure quality and maximum function. Maintaining our standing of being the world’s best at what we do is important to us and what you expect from a name like Stanley. The company’s continuous development in the Middle East brings you the latest information on its broad range of products, new product launches, as well as all kinds of point-of-sale materials.

STANLEY TEAMS ARE DEDICATED TO CONTINUALLY TESTING, DESIGNING AND IMPROVING ITS PRODUCTS.

sustainable insulation products available and its impact on the environment during manufacturing, utilization and disposal are minimal. Glasswool contains up to 80% recycled glass and has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties. In addition to Masdar, KIMMCO has also worked closely with the Dubai Municipality in the development of the new green building codes and with the Kuwait Institute of Scientiﬁc Research to conduct a study aimed at upgrading the Kuwait Building Code of Practise. Both projects aim to improve the way buildings are insulated and thereby drastically reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

on when it really matters. It builds the tools that build and repair your home and car, we build the tools that build and repair your infrastructure. Whether you’re a retailer looking for the best quality products to offer your customers, or a skilled enduser looking for the best tools, Stanley is here to serve you. The Stanley ME team is proud to be part of this reputation for excellence. Stanley

TEKLA Tekla’s technology creates new opportunities for the construction industry. Tekla Structures, the most advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM) software on the market, provides an accurate, dynamic and data-rich 3D environment that can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, precast and cast-in-place concrete detailers and manufacturers, educational institutions and application developers. The highly-detailed, as-built structural models created in Tekla Structures enable the highest level of constructability and production control. Centralising model and non-model based data into the model allows for more collaborative and integrated project management and delivery. This translates into increased productivity, elimi-

FACT: KIMMCO IS A LICENSEE OF SAINT GOBAIN, ISOVER.

STANLEY Hammers, tapes, wrenches, knives, flashlights… You need them all and more. Stanley not only have more than anyone, it’s got the best, most innovative, most ergonomic, hardest-working hand tools on the planet. Stanley’s line of hand tools is by far the number one trusted brand by professionals on job sites around the globe. Stanley delivers the tools that the world counts

TEKLA’S BIM SOFTWARE WAS USED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BURJ KHALIFA.

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

surveying technologies in order to precisely design, layout, build and maintain the rails and associated structures to ensure the maximum safety without compromising vehicle speed. The Topcon IS Imaging Station allows the company to give geographical locations and mileage information to all the milestones along the railways. Survey data and pictures can be collected at the same time, allowing the survey work to be veriﬁed – dramatically increased job efﬁciency. FACT: GLOBALLY TOPCON HAS 4856 EMPLOYEES.

TOPCON SURVEYING EQUIPMENT AT WORK.

nation of waste and an enhanced value for structural modelling. Tekla’s model-based software solutions make customers’ core processes more effective in building and construction, energy distribution, infrastructure management and water supply. Tekla Structures is an innovative software environment that facilitates open integration with, for example, architectural models, while supporting the end-to-end construction process. Every year Tekla invests about 20% of net sales into R&D to continuously provide the most advanced solutions. Thousands of Tekla Structures software users around the world successfully collaborate in BIM-based projects to produce higher-quality deliverables faster to their clients. An example of this is Hyder Consulting’s recent adoption of Tekla’s BIM solution to help it develop and manage future projects, as well as to cut project costs. Tekla Structures is high compatible with analysis and design tools, while the capability of modelling accurate details allows users like Hyder Consulting to check constructability and even construction sequences during the design phase. FACT: TEKLA GROUP CURRENTLY EMPLOYS 470 PEOPLE, OF WHOM 40% WORK OUTSIDE FINLAND.

TOPCON Construction should be all about precision engineering and fine attention to detail. Accurate surveying is an essential part of making this possible and Topcon has built its name on providing high-end surveying equipment to the industry. The company’s kit has won admiration on numerous projects around the region, handling both the technical and environmental demands. One example is on the Al Mashaaer Al Magaddassah Metro project, where ALFAF for Trading and Contracting is undertaking construction as a subcontractor of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). ALFAF is using a combination of Topcon GR-3 GNSS receivers and IS Imaging Stations for a range of surveying and stakeout tasks. In the first phase of the project, approximately 20km loop monorail network will be built to connect the holy cities; Arafat, Muzudalifah and Mina, by November 2010. This metro is designed to meet the increasing transportation needs and to alleviate traffic problems connected with the world’s largest pilgrimage ‘Hajj’. ALFAF is using the Topcon receivers for applications, such as the establishment of new control points, topographic data collection, stakeout and as-built survey to verify the construction quality. Railway construction requires the highest possible

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

ZAMIL GROUP HOLDING COMPANY Zamil Group Holding Company is a Saudi company that has always set its sights on the global plan. From its beginnings buying in the plastic industry, it has built a reputation for high quality and price competitive products and services as well as investment opportunities for investors. Zamil Steel, one subsidiary, has a powerful offering in the Middle East, having already won top contracts in New Zealand and India and with a footprint in Vietnam. Zamil Glass is another force in GCC, a processor of architectural glass serving contractors and end users in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC region. Three years ago it created a robotic line to boost efﬁciency and allow it to compete in new markets. The company covers more than 60 sectors. It has a 12,000-strong workforce in more than 60 countries, vast manufacturing facilities and strong afﬁliations with international partners. Its growth allowed it to branch into capital intensive chemical and petrochemical projects in the early 1990s, and they remain areas of strong returns. Zamil Group continues to build ventures with technology and market leaders, as well as with regional private companies – making it one of the most diverse and admired groups in the GCC market. FACT: IN APRIL, ZAMIL GROUP INAUGURATED ‘ZAMIL PIPES’, AN API 5CT NEW SEAMLESS PIPES PROCESSING FACILITY, LOCATED IN DAMMAM.

SHOWCASE ADIC HQ RIGHT: The AIDC building is notable for its green credentials, and both the developers and architects hope that it will attract a Leed silver rating. The project will use sustainable building techniques, including a state-of-the-art, computer operated shading system. BELOW: Both towers are covered from top to bottom with a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mashrabiyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; screen, which opens and closes in response to the position of the sun. The mashrabiya comprises over 1,000 translucent moving elements on each tower and is controlled by specially designed computer software. BELOW LEFT: The mashrabiya will reduce solar gain by an estimated 20%, and provide 80% to 90% of the shading on the building.

LEFT: The mashrabiya is made of a translucent fabric mesh (PFTE), providing views outside even when the screen is completely closed. RIGHT: The interior of the building is designed in a spherical style, with the room partitions fanning out from the interior column to the exterior wall. BELOW : A sky garden with a four-storey space above it will be constructed every seventh ﬂoor.

THE ABU DHABI INVESTMENT COUNCIL (ADIC) HQ The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) HQ has been designed by Aedas Architects, with the aim of producing a landmark building for the UAE’s capital. The design provides 350,000ft2 of ofﬁce space in two 25-storey towers, which rise out of a single podium. The site for the building is near Al Qurum beach, adjacent to Abu Dhabi’s mangrove swamps.

MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

PRODUCT FOCUS HEATING SYSTEMS

HOT STUFF ELIZABETH BROOMHALL LOOKS AT WHY SOLAR-POWERED WATER HEATING SYSTEMS ARE A SMALL, BUT GROWING MARKET IN THE UAE

A ‘THERMSIPHON’ SYSTEM . ONE OF THE PRIMARY TECHNOLOGIES USED THROUGHOUT EUROPE FOR RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATIONS.

espite having 350 days of sun per year, the UAE is still ten steps behind Europe when it comes to solar thermal technology. Across the board, solar-powered systems have been criticised for having a ‘long return on investment’, while as a relatively new technology in the region, there continues to be a lengthy time-frame for solar-powered projects to actually materialise – a single, major development often taking as long as three years to place an order for materials. And yet, solar suppliers refuse to give up. With new regulations on green building and a clear government commitment to a more sustainable existence, companies remain positive that solar technology will be a part of the region’s future, and that the UAE will strive to become a ‘role model for surrounding countries’. Of course, before that happens, there needs to be more clarity over how these systems actually work and what they cost, particularly solar-powered water-heating systems. Perhaps most important is the need to distinguish between photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, which convert solar radiation into direct current electricity, and concentrated solar power (CSP) or thermal solar systems, where the sun’s energy is focused to heat water. Indeed, it is confusion between these two systems which is 48

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29–JUNE 4, 2010

responsible for purchasers assuming a long return on investment for solar-powered technologies, which is actually not the case with solar-powered water heating systems. According to industry experts, many people are yet to even hear about thermal solar systems, even though they are the most common. John Owen of Sole UAE Solar Systems, the company responsible for installing and operating the solar heating system at the Burj Khalifa, said: “The reason many consider solar technology as having a long investment return is because often they have never even heard of thermal solar systems, and they are confusing them with PV systems. Whereas PV has a long investment return, thermal technology actually has a short time frame for investment return.” Unfortunately, the problems associated with a lack of knowledge about solar-power systems don’t end there. Besides confusion over costs, there also seems to be some misunderstanding as to how the technology works in different climates, and how it caters for night times, contributing further to solar-power’s negative reputation. According to Owen, there lies a speciﬁc type of technology behind every thermal solar system, which can be interchanged depending on the weather of the country where the solar thermal system is being installed. ‘Vacuum tube’ technology for example, is designed to accommodate colder climates. “There are many versions of this

type of technology, but generally, the absorber [sheet of copper major project in the UAE was installed in Abu Dhabi eight years metal] is housed in a glass tube under a vacuum. The principle is ago and to date the system has had no down time. This is because that under vacuum conditions higher temperatures can be reached. ‘collectors’ from Europe are manufactured to a very high standard. As an example, water will boil at 100 degrees centigrade at sea level, Collectors with high standards are very durable and even in the but on the top of a mountain it will boil at a lower temperature due Gulf region have a minimum life expectancy of 20 years.” When it comes to choosing a system, the decision is usually based to the reduced pressure at such altitudes.” Incidentally, when compared with other technologies under high on whether it is required for heating water at a small project, or temperatures, all have a similar ‘instantaneous efficiency’- it is sim- a large commercial development – different systems producing ply the case that the vacuum tubes perform more efficiently in cold various amounts of hot water and requiring more or less sophisticlimates. “The main problem with using this technology in the UAE cated technologies. For example, a ‘thermosiphon’ system, where a is that it takes a lot of effort to clean all the tubes,” he said. single unit stores between 180 and 300 litres of water, can be easily A more suitable type of technology for the region is a ‘flat plate installed in villas and does not require sophisticated controls. By contrast, ‘split systems’ are better suited to large commercial collector’ system. Here the collectors are exposed to the sun in a specific direction and at a certain angle depending on the area, so contracts. As well as being more sophisticated, with collectors conthat after the sun heats the absorber, the nected together across a large field and storage heat is then transferred to the water runtanks located in a separate location, these sys“THE REASON MANY tems usually require certain health and safety ning through it. “A well manufactured flat CONSIDER SOLAR plate collector can produce 70% of the UAE’s factors to be incorporated into the design to TECHNOLOGY AS HAVING A existing energy supplies,” said Owen. LONG INVESTMENT RETURN prevent the system overheating if the water How a system caters for the night time is is not used. For split systems, the return on IS BECAUSE OFTEN THEY less about the technology behind it and more investment is slightly longer due to the need HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THERMAL about the type of system itself. Contrary to for these kinds of additional items. SOLAR SYSTEMS.” popular opinion, most solar-powered water “The investment return is relative to the heating systems will have back up electriccost of electricity and the technology used,” ity systems ready to cater for night time emergencies, as well as says Owen, adding that the only real downside to solar-powered storage tanks in place which allow systems to store water heated water heating systems is that they tend to be slightly more costly during the day. than conventional energy sources. On the upside, he is confident Hotline Trading’s Mr Manuel said: “Where solar systems are in in the system’s ability to reserve energy and protect the environplace they tend to have a back up electrical heating element. Though ment, as well as being able save money in the long term and reflect the solar system is used, the idea of saving electricity becomes a positive corporate image for developers and contractors who almost negligible due to the fear of the solar system not being support them. effective at night time. One way to avoid this problem is to use Emaar Properties’ managing director Ahmad Al Matrooshi agreed, large, insulated storage tanks where hot water produced during explaining how the thermal energy initiative at the Burj Khalifa the day can be stored efficiently and at high temperatures, so that highlighted his company’s commitment to work with the governelectrical back-up power need not be used.” ment towards its sustainable development goals. He said: “Energy Indeed, to ensure back-up systems are not used unnecessarily, efficient measures, especially through use of renewable resources, Owen suggests that quality standards are also important. “Our first are not an option but an imperative for sustainable growth.” 

AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE ‘SPLIT SYSTEM’ AT THE BURJ KHALIFA.

MAY 29–JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

SECTOR FOCUS INFRASTRUCTURE

GET CONNECTED POWER AND WATER PROJECTS ARE STILL BEING AWARDED AS REGIONAL UTILITIES PLAY CATCH UP WITH DEMAND By Stuart Matthews

INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING CONTINUES AS REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS PLAY CATCH UP WITH EXISTING DEMAND. 50

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

ower demand around the Gulf spikes in summer, as air conditioning systems hit full capacity. Each year this spike brings a wave of questions about regional power capacity, focusing attention on the strength of the networks and grids that deliver power and water to a development. Demand is high. In Saudi Arabia demand for power and water is growing by around 8% annually and, according to ﬁgures from Banque Saudi Fransi, the country needs to boost its investment in the power and water sectors by a third – to approximately US $266 billion – through 2025 to meet demand. Elsewhere Qatar has earmarked more than $1 billion, just to help it meet future power demand, handing out a collection of contracts to a host of European and Asian infrastructure specialists. The direct relationship between power and water infrastructure works and construction projects generates a natural demand. This natural demand has been boosted by water and power related authorities in the region not anticipating the rapid growth of the construction market. Initially unable to keep up, as the number of new construction projects has decreased, infrastructure projects are still on the rise due to an existing gap in supply. Building networks is primarily a government authority concern, but getting the actual work done is a lucrative business and an area still seeing regular contract awards, despite indications that tendering periods have increased. “In the tendering process we are now witnessing longer project development cycles,” said Tawﬁq Abu Soud, executive director of Drake and Scull Water and Power (DSWP). “In the past, the tendering cycle would not take more than three to four months, whereas now it can last for up to one year. This is leading us to tender for more projects and since we are in the design and build industry, this can result in increasing overheads.” There has also been a shift in the way developers approach infrastructure work, in terms of initial development and maintenance. “The developer, in the past, wanted to own and operate the utilities that are not supplied by the government, such as district cooling, power, water and wastewater treatment,” said Abu Soud. “But now, they are trying to outsource that, due to the lack of funds

that are needed to operate such utilities. The dilemma arises from the utilities companies also being unable to raise the funds.” The market conditions have played out well for DSWP of late, as the company recently won a contract for the entire development works at the residential compound located in Khalifa A City, Abu Dhabi. The firm was awarded the district cooling works at the same compound and will begin work on infrastructure, such as sewer lines, irrigation, telecommunications services, fire fighting, sub stations and all related civil works. The scale of infrastructure work in the region also continues to be significant. In recent weeks Lindenberg Emirates and Flowtex Egypt broke the regional record for the

“[GOVERNMENTS] CAN EITHER PROVIDE AND DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ATTRACT PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS, OR THEY CAN WAIT FOR THEM TO INITIATE CONSTRUCTION AND THEN PROVIDE THE FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT IT.” longest crossing of its type in the Middle East – with 1600m of 48-inch carbon steel pipes, placed 21m below sea level – to connect the water pipeline from Jubail to Al Fahed Islands in Abu Dhabi. The pipeline route crosses four sea channels and the pipes were placed using horizontal directional drilling. The crossing is a worldwide record for horizontal directional drilling works, both in terms of the 72-inchdiameter of the hole and the 1600m length of the crossing. “One of the challenges we faced is the variation in ground conditions in this particular crossing,” said Maha Zaabri, senior associate – Environment at Lindenberg Emirates. “The soil type ranged from very soft, to very hard, forcing the project design team to utilise an open hole of 72 inches.” “The latest rig technology - a 400 ton rig and associated backup services were used. In pulling the pipe, the whole process only took only hours to be completed, with a maximum pulling force of 160 tons.” The pipeline has helped overcome one of the key challenges often faced in setting up

utility infrastructure, that being the remote nature of some locations. Elsewhere in Abu Dhabi Aecom recently won a contract with Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) for two such projects. The ﬁrst involves the design and construction supervision of sewerage connections and related works for isolated properties in Abu Dhabi. The second involves the design and construction supervision of wastewater relocation works under roads and utility schemes in Abu Dhabi. ADSSC managing director, Alan Thomson said that the projects were part of the company’s AED24 billion investment program, which will help to prepare Abu Dhabi to meet the Emirates 2030 Vision with a ‘state of the art’ wastewater infrastructure. The investment in these projects demonstrates that infrastructure has a strategic role to play in encouraging high-quality construction projects. The ready availability of infrastructure can clearly attract developments to an area. “[Governments] can either provide and develop the infrastructure to attract private developers and builders, or they can wait for them to initiate construction and then provide the funding for infrastructure to support it,” saidAbuSoud.“Inmy opinion, it is best for governments to take the lead on infrastructure projects due to the longer decisionmaking process that they have, in relation to the shorter decisionmaking process of private companies.” 

TAWFIQ ABU SOUD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DRAKE AND SCULL WATER AND POWER.

MAY 29–JUNE 4, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

ConstructSAFE Vehicle visibility

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2010

> For the ConstructSafe comic strip log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com

Introducing the Construct Safe lead characters (from Left to Right)

experience. Poor health, safety & welfare knowledge

Raoul: Senior Supervisor with 30 years experience and good health, safety & welfare knowledge

Farik: Apprentice labourer new to the industry with no experience. Poor health, safety & welfare knowledge

Achmat: Construction labourer with little

Illustrations by Jincom Publishing

If you have a health & safety or environment issue that you would like to see addressed through this comic strip email your ideas or comments to editor@ ConstructionWeekOnline.com. Alternatively, log onto www. ConstructionWeekOnline.com to see the comic strip.