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THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REGION'S CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS MARCH 2021 | CBNME.COM DELIVERING ON PROMISES FM 2021 POWERLIST SPECIAL FEATURE RAHAIL ASLAM TALKS ABOUT THEIR RECENTLY LAUNCHED 15 NORTHSIDE PROJECT IN BUSINESS BAY, AND HOW THE DEVELOPER IS LOOKING TO STAND OUT FROM THE REST OF THE COMPETITION A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE BEST FM LEADERS IN THE REGION THE GROUP CEO AT SELECT GROUP TOP REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
50 Years of Growing Together From the very humble beginnings of this land, to the vibrant hub that it is today. Today’s Abu Dhabi is a reflection of the pride of the past. The possibilities of today... a reward for the efforts of those before. For fifty years our nation’s journey has been our own. A shared dream of making the UAE the leader that it is today.. A beacon of light and opportunity for those who dare to dream. Through it all, Al Masaood has been there. Strong and robust. Bringing home the world’s most renowned brands. From Automotive to Industrial.. and from Marine to Retail. All under one home… Al Masaood. Al Masaood Group exemplifies everything that Abu Dhabi stands for. Indeed, the late Ahmed Al Masaood, our first chairman, was the first president of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, and Al Masaood was registered as company number 1 by the Chamber. For half a century Al Masaood has contributed to the emirate’s aspiration of being a modern, innovative, and sustainable economy. Our quest is to bring home the world’s best brands that constitute essential and commercial building blocks in the making of a nation. Together with our nation, its leaders, and its communities, we continue to grow together, deliver value and embrace heritage. AL MASAOOD LLC PO Box 322, Abu Dhabi | Tel. +971 2 201 7000 | Email info@masaood.com | www.masaood.com
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 3 DELIVERING ON PROMISES 8 INNOVATION EMERGING TRENDS ALEC identifies key trends for the construction sector in 2021 12 TALKING POINT FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION RIZKALLAH ABED, Group Head of Commercial at Al Masaood Group 16 ANNOUNCEMENT ARADA AWARDS EMRILL THREE-YEAR CONTRACT The contract scope includes the delivery of mechanical, engineering and plumbing (MEP), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), lifeguard, housekeeping and specialist services for several locations 25 FM POWER 30 TOP 30 Facility Management Leaders in the region 58 REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT In this special feature, we catch a glimpse of the latest projects being delivered by the leading developers in the region and their outlook for 2021 68 EMPOWERMENT MEP WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION For Women’s Appreciation Month, leading MEP Contractors, Al Shafar United, showcases their talented team of engineers and employees that have contributed to the company’s success 72 MACHINERY BOBCAT launches new Light Compaction product range 76 UNSUNG HEROES MARWA KAABOUR Group Marketing & Corporate Communication Manager, Al Masaaod Group 58 68 RAHAIL ASLAM The Group CEO at Select Group talks about their recently launched 15 Northside Project 18 IN THIS ISSUE CBNME RAHAIL ASLAM GROUP CEO SELECT GROUP
4 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM EDITOR’S NOTE CBNME CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net DIRECTOR Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net GROUP PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Joaquim D'Costa jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Rabih Naderi rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818 DEPUTY EDITOR Kasun Illankoon kasun@bncpublishing.net ASSISTANT EDITOR Jochebed Menon EDITORIAL DESIGN Christian Harb MARKETING EXECUTIVE Aaron Sinanbam aj@bncpublishing.net A total of 1,277 real estate and property transactions valued at Dhs4.9 billion were registered during the week ending 18 February 2021, according to WAM. Eighty plots were sold for Dhs417.81 million, while 776 apartments and villas were sold for Dhs1.23 billion. The top three transactions were land deals in Jebel Ali Industrial II area, it sold for Dhs77.7 million, followed by a plot of land at Dhs36.5 million in Island 2, and another plot for Dhs77.7 million in Jebel Ali Industrial II. Nad Al Sheba Third recorded the largest number of transactions, 24, worth Dhs58.52 million, followed by Al Hebiah Fourth with eight transactions worth Dhs27.8 million, and Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with five transactions worth Dhs21 million in third place. The top three transfers for apartments and villas were an apartment sold for Dhs153 million in Marsa Dubai; an apartment for Dhs112 million in Business Bay, and an apartment sold for Dhs91 million in Burj Khalifa. Mortgaged properties in the week stood at Dhs3 billion, with the highest being a plot of land in Wadi Al Safa 7, mortgaged for Dhs709 million. Fifty properties were granted registrations between first-degree relatives for Dhs375 million. Furthermore, Dubai’s real estate market continued to be attractive to local and global investors in 2020, with the sector recording 51,414 transactions representing a value of over AED175 billion (USD $47.6bn), according to the annual transaction report issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). CONFIDENCE GROWING IN DUBAI’S REAL ESTATE MARKET Keep up to date with all the latest news, features and much more on our website and social media platforms CBNME.COM Kasun Illankoon Deputy Editor kasun@bncpublishing.net SUBSCRIBE subscriptions@bncpublishing.net For all commercial enquiries, contact sales@bncpublishing.net T +971 50 440 2706 All rights reserved © 2021. Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors. Construction Business News ME and all subsidiary publications in the MENA region are officially licensed exclusively to BNC Publishing in the MENA region by Construction Business News ME. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. Images used in Construction Business News ME are credited when necessary. Attributed use of copyrighted images with permission. All images not credited courtesy Shutterstock. Printed by UPP PO Box 502511 Dubai, United Arab Emirates P +971 4 4200 506 | F +971 4 4200 196 CBNME @CBNME CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME
8 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM A LEC, one of the UAE’s most diversified con- struction groups has identified what it believes to be the key trends expected to drive the industry during the year ahead. Comment- ing on the topic, ALEC CEO, Kez Taylor, said: “While the pandemic has clearly caused many industries around the world to change tack, the pre- vailing construction trends are ultimately ones that were long overdue prior to the challenges of 2020. Today, we stand in a unique position to transform our industry into a healthy ecosystem, where all stake- holders are able to succeed by utilising the latest technology and a collaborative approach.” INNOVATION While the word itself has be- come a platitude in the lexicon of corporates for illustrating the adoption of progressive tools and technologies, the arrival and implementation of innovation within the con- struction industry has become a game-changer in terms of reducing risk while increasing efficiency. Whether from the use of BIM, which greatly in- creases accuracy in the design phase of a project, through to the use of hardware on site, innovation‘s importance will only increase in the years ahead and will be a decisive factor in the ongoing success of industry stakeholders. At ALEC, its use of the latest design software has meant that potential issues are flagged in the early stages of a project, resulting in a significant sav- ing of time, cost and resources in later stages. From a high- level approach, ALEC believes that consolidating ideas and resources is a far more effec- tive approach to R&D, not only helping to spread initial investment risk, but to ensure the input of as many industry specialists as possible. In part- nering with like-minded or- ganizations, leading consultan- cies, tech companies, start-ups, universities and supply chains, great leaps can be made that help to change entire processes on site. INNOVATION CBNME ALEC identifies key trends for the construction sector in 2021 EMERGING TRENDS “Today, we stand in a unique position to transform our industry into a healthy ecosystem, where all stakeholders are able to succeed by utilising the latest technology and a collaborative approach.” Kez Taylor, CEO, ALEC
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 9 A great example of this being the col- laboration between ALEC and Hilti, which yielded the region’s first autono- mous drilling robot. Since its imple- mentation, site teams have reported significant improvements in productivity thanks to the robot’s ability to follow digital plans, while alleviating site teams from the strenuous work of overhead drilling, allowing them to upskill and op- erate the robot itself. COLLABORATION/ ENHANCED COMMUNICATION In addition to collaborating on innovative new ideas and products, ALEC believes a fundamental increase in communication between stakeholders will greatly improve project processes and delivery. In overhauling the existing model of fragmentation from planning to delivery, ALEC is in the process of creating a new platform that involves all key stakeholders from the very beginning of a project. Not only does this allow for any potential issues to be flagged at the earliest opportunity, it also promotes a collective approach towards project delivery as opposed to each party working as sole agents. GREEN TECHNOLOGY/ SUSTAINABLE BEST PRACTICES While more of a subcategory of innovation, ALEC believes the utilisation of green technologies will be a crucial factor towards ensuring the sustainable development and progress of the construction industry. Manufacturers, building contractors and property developers must make environmentally conscious decisions at each level of the supply chain to meet demand, while promoting a greater interest in clean energies and resources. Under this category, ALEC has identified the use of renewable energy, environmentally sustainable materials and the sustainable management of waste as top priorities. Since establishing ALEC Energy, ALEC has focused on finding new ways to ensure the implementation of sustainable energy consumption, not only during the construction phase of a project, but also during its lifecycle. Similar to the collaboration with Hilti, ALEC Energy signed an agreement with Azelio in Q3 2020 to establish a renewable energy project site in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, thereby harnessing the abundant energy of the sun to power Masdar’s product portfolio. In promoting the wider use of similar projects; contractors, developers and our environment all stand to reap the rewards. INNOVATION While the pandemic has clearly caused many industries around the world to change tack, the prevailing construction trends are ultimately ones that were long overdue prior to the challenges of 2020. Kez Taylor, CEO, ALEC >>> Masdar City, Abu Dhabi
10 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM CBNME INNOVATION When it comes to environmentally sustainable materials and or the sustainable use of materials, ALEC has identified two core areas that require industry-wide attention. The first is to find alternative solutions that yield the same result while reducing the carbon footprint in the process, a great example being cement. Since the creation of green cement 23 years ago, its popularity has steadily increased to provide greater durability, a reduction in energy to fabricate and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when compared to its predecessor. The good news is that, according to Technavio, the use of green cement across the global industry is growing at a CAGR of 15%. As a global centre for promoting a greener construction industry, Dubai and the UAE is well positioned to exceed this figure. The second area of focus when it comes to material is the recycling aspect, i.e. ensuring that materials are incorporated at the design stage with the intention of being recycled at the end of the building’s lifecycle. According to a research paper published by the Department of Building Services Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, recycling was found to have the highest energy saving potential of 53% when it came to end- of-life deconstruction. Where waste is concerned, ALEC believes the industry’s focus should be guided towards correcting our overall approach. By ensuring a higher degree of accuracy in design, as well as committing to a decision in terms of desired output, an immense of time, money and material can be saved. According to a study from KPMG, just 31% of all projects came within 10% of the budget in the past three years, an astonishing figure when bearing in mind the average value of a major construction project. Other side effects of wastage can also be found in disputes between owners and designers, with Engineers Daily estimating that 38% of construction disputes are due to design error. As a step towards curbing physical material waste, Dubai Municipality enforced green building regulations by issuing building permits for projects within its jurisdiction; specifically ensuring that 50% of waste materials by volume or weight from the total waste materials generated during construction and/ or demolition are designated for reuse or recycling. While this is a great initiative, it is the responsibility of all of us as construction stakeholders to seek prevention over the cure. CONCLUSION While ALEC understands there is much to be done in terms of improving overall standards, it also believes the UAE is extremely well positioned in terms of its ability to effectively collaborate, while using its resources responsibly in order to improve the overall state of the industry. With so many extraordinary projects still in the pipeline, there is no reason why the UAE cannot implement these changes to become a role model for industrial efficiency while ensuring that its existing reputation for technological integration is just as equally associated with its built environment. Where waste is concerned, ALEC believes the industry’s focus should be guided towards correcting our overall approach. “Since the creation of green cement 23 years ago, its popularity has steadily increased to provide greater durability, a reduction in energy to fabricate and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when compared to its predecessor.”
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12 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM TALKING POINT CBNME FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION 12 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM Group Head of Commercial at Al Masaood Group RIZKALLAH ABED Tell us what your goals and objectives are for 2021 and how are they aligned with Al Masaood Group’s plans for the year? Our construction arm focuses on modular and panelised construction for various industries. The pandemic brought about a high demand for easy and fast to deploy field hospitals and quarantine facilities. Prefabrication and modular technologies are more environmentally friendly and quicker to assemble at site, which will reduce the building process by 30 to 40%. It is not the square boring buildings as we know anymore. Modular solutions are now entering five-star hospitality solu- tions beside private homes and all type of industrial on and offshore solutions. This year, Al Masaood is investing in improv- ing its construction and design facilities to deliver state-of-the-art solutions to the construction industries. Tell us about the latest projects that Al Masaood Construction has delivered and are there any other upcoming projects in the pipeline. In 2020, we delivered several industrial projects and healthcare solutions to cope with the pandemic. We learned how to work faster and leaner. This has been the only positive side of an exceedingly difficult and painful time. We used tech- nology to the hilt, became more flexible and improved even more on our already extraordinarily strong HSE. We believe 2021 will be an extremely exciting year for Al Masaood with many interesting projects already in the pipe- line or soon to finalise. “There’s widespread agreement that not only is there a need to build sector-wide immunity that mitigates existing issues like delays and increased costs, but that more pertinently, the next level of evolution has to happen now!”
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 13 FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION | RIZKALLAH ABED, GROUP HEAD OF COMMERCIAL AT AL MASAOOD GROUP CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 13
14 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM How has Al Masaood Construction differentiated itself from other contractors? How has Al Masaood’s diverse portfolio helped it become a market leader? We work on developing new, trendy, environmental-friendly and cost-effec- tive designs. We hope to continue being a frontrunner in the industry. Beside developing state-of-the-art solutions for industrial on and offshore usage. We introduced BIM in our designs and productions and are moving fast towards a full digitisation of the business. Give us a market overview of the construction industry in Abu Dhabi and what positive signs you see heading into 2021? Abu Dhabi is always on the move and economically vibrant. The leadership knows how to drive the economy in the right direction and steer it in the difficult times. With the tremendous invest- ments announced by ADNOC and the infrastructure we have in Al Masaood by implementing new technologies and partnering with international leaders in this field, we remain best in class. What are your thoughts on the future of construction? With or without COVID-19, the construc- tion sector was poised for a disruption, the pandemic just propelled it to its next level of evolution. There already was a low-key deployment of advanced tech on- site in the form of smart wearables, IoT, and AI devices. But 2020 was an industry-wide hiccup. Regionally, the sector was booming, where Saudi Arabia particularly, was the frontrunner with its Vision 2030 led construction projects. A staggering 550 regional projects worth USD60 billion were postponed because of curfews and lockdowns, the whole industry had a wake-up call unlike any other. There’s widespread agreement that not only is there a need to build sector-wide immunity that mitigates existing issues like delays and increased costs, but that more pertinently, the next level of evolu- tion must happen now! Here is what I think will be changing the face of the sector in the coming years: 1. Modular and off-site construction is going to be a game changer Prefab construction is already here. But it is about to hit a region-wide boom by becoming the go-to way of building things. With new prefab building tech- nologies making their way to the region, it will be faster, affordable, and more ecological than traditional construction. Companies will need to adapt or else become redundant. 2. The rise of machines Machines and wearable tech like watches, glasses, and boots can connect personnel on sites in smarter, more ergonomic ways. Capable of identifying common safety issues faster, they can augment human decision-making processes for safer on- site deliverables. Similarly, drones can help leverage labor costs and mitigate de- lays by putting more ‘eyes’ on the ground and in the air for clearer mapping. 3. Incorporating augmented reality in a bigger way across construction can help builders and developers get 3D visualisations on future projects, automate measurements, simulate architectural and structural changes, and safely navigate training and hazard simulations. 4. Green buildings Green construction will become the gold standard for homebuyers, renters, and commercial tenants in the future as Ecotech and sustainable construction become more mainstream. 5. Smart cities The natural progression from more automated, and tech-empowered standalone construction projects, will be a grid of multiple ‘smart’ buildings that operate in clusters/ cities. Saudi’s The Line city is already envisioning this. These will be connected, cleaner, and sustainable spaces that operate off a widespread 5G-powered network. The writing is on the wall. The sector must adapt to keep up. One thing to be mindful of is the power and influence of construction monopolies. Will technolo- gy direct the future or will conglomerates have the power to influence what (and how) we build? Tell us about your professional achieve- ments with Al Masaood Group. We are driving the integration of the various business units and profiting from the synergies. With our project Tajdeed, we are re- engineering our processes and driving forward optimisation and digitisation. The low hanging fruits are all collected and now moving on to the core of the improvements. CBNME TALKING POINT
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16 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM ANNOUNCEMENT CBNME T he contract will see Emrill mobilise a team of 51, of which 29 will be operating in the first residential phase of Aljada (Block L) and 22 will be based in the Aljada Discovery Centre. The deployed team will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive range of MEP services, including chiller maintenance. Housekeeping services will be delivered within residential and sales centre retail environments. Emrill Services LLC is a multi- award-winning integrated facilities management provider in the UAE, providing a full range of hard and soft FM and manned security services with innovative solutions tailored to support its clients, including cutting-edge energy solutions and real-time performance management systems. Emrill commands an exceptionally high level of client retention and has enjoyed continuous growth since its formation. Stuart Harrison, Emrill’s CEO, said: “We are extremely happy to have won this contract, which will see us delivering ser- vices to one of Sharjah’s most prestigious property developers, Arada. Aljada is one of Arada’s flagship destinations, offering spaces for living, working, entertainment, recreation, shopping, and culture within the same community. We are grateful for the trust Arada has placed in us to ensure its residents and visitors receive a lasting great first impression. This contract marks our most significant win in Sharjah since our establishment of a new office in the emirate in 2019. This is another significant milestone in Emrill’s expansion plans, which see us delivering total facilities management services across Dubai, the northern emirates and Abu Dhabi. We look forward to developing a long-lasting value partnership with Arada and are committed to utilising the latest technologies to deliver operational effi- ciencies, sustainable practices and world- class facilities management services.” Commenting on the contract awarded to Emrill, Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, CEO of Arada, said: “Selecting best-in-class ser- vice providers is an important part of our mission to deliver a great lifestyle experi- ence for residents and visitors at Aljada. That’s why Arada has chosen Emrill, and we look forward to working closely with the team as we move to complete a num- ber of key buildings in the community in the coming months.” Commencing the three-year contract, Emrill mobilised its team progres- sively in line with the site’s requirements. Karthikeyan Ragothaman, general manager at Emrill, said: “Following a successful mobilisation meeting with the team at Arada, we established and ex- ecuted a plan that ensures we are deliver- ing services exactly when and where they are required. The mobilisation process has been an overwhelming success and 70 per cent of the team servicing the first phase, comprising Rehan 1, 2 and 3, the Aljada Discovery Centre and master community, are now on-site and deliver- ing a full range of hard and soft facilities management services. The remainder of Emrill’s team will be deployed to service the second phase comprising eleven buildings in the second quarter of 2021. “We are delighted to be working with Arada and delivering the highest stand- ard of services for the residents of its Al- jada community. We are looking forward to further expanding our operations in Sharjah, which is a key growth target for us in 2021.” Arada awards Emrill three-year contract The contract scope includes the delivery of mechanical, engineering and plumbing (MEP), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), lifeguard, housekeeping and specialist services for several locations within Arada’s master community development, Aljada, including the Aljada Discovery Centre
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18 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM Delivering on Promises RAHAIL ASLAM WWW.CBNME.COM CBNME COVER STORY “The biggest goal for us in the year ahead is getting back on track after what was obviously quite a difficult year worldwide due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The decisions we have made as a company over the past 20 years allowed us to brace such storms in the past year, and as we head forward into 2021, we remain committed to our fundamentals. These are centered around Dubai’s ambitious plans to be a leading place to live and work, hence our drive to be consistent, reliable, and to continue delivering uncompromising quality. We are always looking to improve in all aspects of what we do, making our operations and output across all levels of the business more efficient and effective, and 2021 will be no different in this regard. In terms of our key goals, they are always focused on continuous improvement in all aspects of the business, resulting in excellent value for our customers, with projects delivered on time and as promised. One of the key learnings from 2020 for me was the increased value people put into customer service and feeling they are valued as a customer, rather than just being another number in a queue. So, by making sure all our customers are always treated with the care and respect we have become known for, is even more important, and will stand us in great stead as we continue to forge these relationships with both new and existing clients.” GOALS AND OBJECTIVES IN 2021 THE GROUP CEO AT SELECT GROUP talks to Kasun Illankoon about their recently launched 15 Northside Project in Business Bay, their commitment to deliver on their promise, and how the developer is looking to stand out from the rest of the competition
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 19 DELIVERING ON PROMISES | RAHAIL ASLAM, GROUP CEO AT SELECT GROUP “I think one of the key aspects that really emerged from 2020 was the shift to a more dynamic, flexible working routine for large swathes of people, with remote working becoming a big part of everyone’s routines now.”
20 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM CBNME COVER STORY Delivering the Jumeirah Living Marina Gate Project “We have just recently completed our three-tower project at Marina Gate, with the successful handover of Jumeriah Living Marina Gate in July 2020. Marina Gate 1 was completed 2018, while Marina Gate 2 was handed over in 2019, so navigating through such a tumultuous start to 2020 and delivering JLMG, a project which has won many awards and accolades, on time was an achievement we are very proud of. One of our big aims with the Marina Gate development was to create a real feeling of community within the Ma- rina itself. Obviously, everyone knows about the Marina area, and it is a great attraction for people, but we felt that it didn’t have a real anchoring commu- nity hub. We believe the Marina Gate development is just that. It is over 4 million square foot of built-up area, it is a mixed-use development which offers a wide array of amenities and facilities, right on the doorstep of the residents. There are over 1,500 apartments within those three developments, and with the presence of a vibrant collection of mixed retail outlets, this has estab- lished Marina Gate as one of the pre- mier addresses to live in within Dubai. In addition, partnering with Jumei- rah Group was a bold decision and has really been a huge success for the stake- holders. As an entity known worldwide as being a symbol of luxury and excel- lence in hospitality, and combining that with our standards of delivering premium, high quality residences is a real endorsement for the product we completed. The JLMG project which was the final building of the trio, is divided between branded residences and serviced hotel apartments, all of which are the summation of luxury liv- ing directly on the waterfront, in one of the most sought-after residential hubs in Dubai. In terms of what is in the pipeline, we have just announced the launch of our 15th project, 15 Northside in Business Bay. We are already at an advanced stage with this development, the building is over 50% completed, the contractors are on site, and we are aiming for delivery in Q3, 2022. We are very excited by the prospect of this project, and what is bringing to the marketplace.” Northside Project & Features “Having developed such a reputation within the Marina for providing quality, high value waterfront residences over the past two decades, we considered our next move very carefully before deciding to make a foray into the Business Bay district. We feel we have spotted a real gap in the market regard- ing the demand for affordable luxury, in a waterfront setting, which is an angle that no other developer seemed to be exploring when we decided to make this our next project. I think one of the real unique ele- ments of 15 Northside is the location and the value associated with the price point. Residences in prime waterfront locations, at an affordable price point like Northside offers are certainly unique in that sense. A perfect com- parison is The Dorchester, which is immediately adjacent to our building, and has a starting price point of AED 15,000,000 going up as high as AED 40,000,000. Whereas we have an entry price point of AED 580,000. We have focused on prioritizing ef- ficiency within this development, while still making sure that we don’t have compromised units. This allows us to go to market with a very manageable price point. The building is situated di- rectly on the Dubai Canal Promenade, is right on the doorstep of Downtown Dubai, with Dubai Mall, The Opera House, Burj Khalifa, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, DIFC and Dubai Design District all within the immedi- ate vicinity. We feel it really presents a unique opportunity for the first-time buyer, or seasoned investors alike to get a foothold in an area which has massive potential. First and foremost, the thing that will stand out most about this development will be the spectacular views over the waterways of Dubai Canal, but also of Dubai Creek. The ability to be able to have a building that has such an array of views from any angle is a feature we are really proud of with this project. We have built in a massive common area on the pool deck, which is situated on the third floor of the building, which directly overlooks the Burj Khalifa. The Downtown skyline is considered one of the most iconic in the world and you will be able to take it all in in breathtak- ing fashion from the deck floor of 15 Northside. Being able to sit in the infin- ity pool, or lounge on a deck chair while taking in sights like this isn’t something everyone will be lucky enough to expe- rience, not to mention the fact you will
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 21 DELIVERING ON PROMISES | RAHAIL ASLAM, GROUP CEO AT SELECT GROUP have a front row seat for the Burj Khalifa’s spectacular New Year’s Eve firework show. Additionally, there will be spacious outdoor fitness terrace and a social and games terrace which is a perfect place for entertaining on this deck level. There will also be a beautifully landscaped relaxation deck on the roof of the 9th floor, which will also overlook Burj Khalifa and Dubai Frame, and will offer people a tranquil and private area to relax in at any time of the day. And of course, we’ll have a dual level gym, which will contain the latest, state of the art fitness and strength equipment. There are 349 units in this development, predominantly studios and 1 bed, but with a select number of two and three bedroom units. We know we’re looking at a younger, exuber- ant and energetic demographic for this project and that’s why we’ve put a lot of effort into making sure the amenities and facilities in the building really cater for those individuals.” Differentiating themselves from the Competition “One of the key aspects of Select Group compared to other developers is we are committed to delivering on our word and giving our customers exactly what they want in a timely manner. We are very careful to make sure we don’t speculate. We buy land, we make sure we are capitalized to start and finish with our developments. We don’t over stretch ourselves or bring unnecessary pressure on ourselves in this regard to safeguard on our promise. We are always striving to improve from one project to the next, making sure that we have elements within our develop- ments that really set us apart. Looking back over some of our previous developments, we built Torch Tower and that was the world’s tallest residential building of its time, in Botanica we had the idea of the Tropical Sky Garden which presented something different and unheard of at the time. “One of our big aims with the Marina Gate development was to create a real feeling of community within the Marina itself.” Jumeirah Living Marina Gate Villa
22 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM Furthermore, we make sure we always work with partners who are best in class whether it is from the design aspect to the build, or anything in between. Ultimately, we are always geared towards the end goal of providing a product to be proud of for our clients, and for it to be on time and as per specifica- tions. Once we showcase a project from the concept stage, our job is to ensure that is what it looks like at handover. I think it gives customers a real sense of trust when they look at some- thing that comes from Select Group.” Real Estate Market Overview “2020 was a very tough year across the board for sure, not just for real estate, but for every sector and industry. As a city I think Dubai has remained resilient, in terms of how it has managed to deal with CoVid-19. They have done it carefully and cautiously without completely shutting down the econo- my, and as a result I think the signs are positive that it will lead to an accelerated bounce back. Particularly when you compare it to other countries and cities around the world which are still in a state of flux. From a property market perspective, I think one of the key aspects that really emerged from 2020 was the shift to a more dynamic, flexible working routine for large swathes of people, with remote working becoming a big part of everyone’s routines now. Given how the government here have adjusted regulations, with new citizenship laws and remote working vi- sas, I expect we will see an increased interest with people look- ing to relocate here, particularly during the winter months. As a result, we do expect there to be more interest from foreign buyers as we move into 2021. From our perspective, we have had a good start to the year, and we have seen a spike in the market over the first couple of months of 2021 and of course we hope that continues. However, I think at the moment we can’t make any long-term assumptions about how quickly it will take the market to return to a state of normality, but the signs are there that there is positivity afoot and we hope that continues.” CBNME COVER STORY 15 Northside Living room
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 23 COVID-19 Impact and Leading the Group out of the pandemic “Like most businesses, we had a difficult spell also. We can’t say that we came out of the year completely unscathed, but we came through it with a redefined focus and a commitment to bouncing back quicker and stronger than anyone of our competitors. Thankfully, we didn’t have to make any redundancies throughout the period, which I think filters down through the company to all the team members. I mentioned how having the trust of our customers earlier was vital, but in the same vein, having the trust of our team is equally, if not more important. Not having doubts over their futures or job security allowed us to move forward together as a company and continue to operate with as much normalcy as pos- sible all things considered. There is no question there was a slow down for us, but from a project stand- point we didn’t have to stop or pause anything, and we managed to complete and handover Jumeirah Living Marina Gate successfully, while also keeping all our other projects on track. To be honest during the lockdown/s we had time to reflect on certain parts of the group that needed some im- provements, which typically when we are busy that focus would have not been there. Thankfully we have been able to really hone in on certain technological advancements as well as being able to utilize the time to really train our teams across the board to make our delivery processes much more streamlined and efficient. Overall, the down- time also allowed us to restructure our sales team and sales function, and as a result we have been recruiting heav- ily over the past 6 months, which has really bolstered our internal capabilities. With this combina- tion we believe we are now set up to re- ally move ahead stronger than before.” “The biggest thing for me is making sure the right people are in the right positions they fulfill. I don’t want to find myself in a situation where I would micromanage or be involved in every step of the cycle, because if I’m doing that it’s a fundamental weakness and creates a bottleneck. Every department within Select Group has the autonomy to operate within a set framework with a clear del- egation of authority set out for manage- ment allowing for efficient processes. I have mentioned it before, but I’m going to go back to the issue of trust, as it’s such an important aspect of all levels of this business. Everyone who works here knows they have my complete trust to deliver what is needed in order to meet our yearly targets. I want every team member here to know they have the remit to present what they think is the best way forward. By giving people that level of ownership within their field it inspires them to really put their all into it. I am strong supporter of innova- tion and not resting on one’s laurels. What was good enough last week, last year, won’t be the same as what’s good enough now. By encouraging everyone within Select Group to continually push boundaries and strive to deliver the best in their given field, the more chance we have of continued growth and success as a collective. That’s what ultimately will make sure we all achieve our goals together.” DELIVERING ON PROMISES | RAHAIL ASLAM, GROUP CEO AT SELECT GROUP “We can’t say that we came out of the year completely unscathed, but we came through it with a redefined focus and a commitment to bouncing back quicker and stronger than anyone of our competitors.” Kitchen, 15 Northside Living room, Marina Gate
24 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM FM30 POWER CBNME
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 25 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
26 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM J amal Abdulla Lootah is the Group CEO of Imdaad. Recognized as one of the region’s foremost experts on Facilities Management, his visionary stewardship is central to the Group’s ongoing success story. Mr. Lootah is renowned for his outstanding leadership style, excellent administrative skills, and ability to build and maintain a solid company culture. Mr. Lootah has been at the helm of Imdaad for more than 13 years. During this period, the Group has continually expanded the scope of its services and set new standards in sustainability and inno- vation. It has also dramatically grown its client base to include some of the region’s leading organizations, including Nakheel, Emaar Properties, Dubai Municipality, and Al Maktoum International Airport. His in-depth market knowledge and forward-thinking approach have helped to establish Imdaad as the FM partner of choice for prestigious clients across a diverse range of sectors. Imdaad’s Facili- ties Management Services division, for instance, has emerged as the preferred service provider for the UAE banking sector, as well as almost all of the coun- try’s major seaports. Last year, Imdaad further strengthened its presence in Abu Dhabi with the opening of a new office, and has continued to expand its footprint in the Northern Emirates with the award of a number of new contracts. Imdaad has remained ahead of its competitors by constantly investing in in- novative new technologies and maintain- ing the highest standards of services. This determination to stay ahead of the curve helped propel the Group towards one of its most successful years to date, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pan- demic. Guided by Mr. Lootah’s vision, Imdaad displayed remarkable agility in the face of the fast-moving situation to turn these challenges into opportunities. In March 2020, Imdaad’s Environmen- tal Solutions division launched a range of specialized disinfection and cleaning packages. The delivery of the new service offering was supported by the deploy- ment of ultra-low volume cold fogging equipment capable of covering large public spaces effectively and efficiently. The company also introduced a unique nanotreatment solution that delivers a monomolecular layer of an antimicrobial agent that remains active for up to 30 days. A single monthly application can replace hourly chemical applications using regular disinfectants and has been proven effective against more than 90 types of bacteria, fungi, mold, yeast, spores, and viruses – including CO- VID-19. Imdaad’s subsidiary Vision Safety also contributed to the fight against the virus with the roll-out of a state-of-the-art disinfection tunnel. The fully automatic ViroSheild by Vision Safety sprays users with a fine mist as they walk through it and has been successfully adapted for a wide variety of use cases including malls, hospitals, construction sites, labor ac- commodation, and residential areas. This proactive approach helped Imdaad to secure a leading role in supporting the government’s efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic; the company was among the first approved and listed with Dubai municipality to assist in the UAE’s National Disinfection Program, confirming its readiness to quickly adapt to new scenarios. This contribution is something that Mr. Lootah is extremely proud of, and considers among the Group’s biggest achievements to date. GROUP CEO | IMDAAD FM POWER 30 CBNME Jamal Abdullah Lootah 01 Last year, Imdaad strengthened its presence in Abu Dhabi with the opening of a new office, and has continued to expand its footprint in the Northern Emirates with the award of a number of new contracts.
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28 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM A n accomplished business leader, Tariq is a Harvard alumnus. His career spans 33 years with multinational companies including Bank of Oman, Wall Street Group and KOL Corporation. He has been with EFS for 11 years and has established EFS as a regional powerhouse and a premium FM brand. Since 2009, EFS has achieved sustained growth year-on- year supported by USD1.5 billion in contracts. During his tenure, EFS also prides itself by having an impressive rate of over 90% staff retention and 95% client retention employing over 18,000 people across the business, including India. Tariq leads by example and is always setting the bar high for himself and his team. In 2019, Tariq introduced several initiatives such as social responsibility, HQSE internal campaigns, launches and pilot projects. EFS takes a proac- tive management approach for matters concerning HSQE and Worker Welfare wherein the leaders ‘Lead by Example’ by effectively defining, assigning, streamlining, and monitoring the initia- tives through a structured engagement matrix which enables effective commu- nication and performance management monitoring. EFS believes in giving back to its employees, with emphasis on the blue collared workforce (70% of staff) through implementing the key pillars of giving back, introspection and self- actualization all levels. The firm empowers its people through initiatives that make them feel aligned and involved. EFS leaders also provide support and sponsorship to contribute to the welfare of the society that sup- ports the organisation’s CSR initiatives. EFS’ Competency Modelling has be- come a mainstream practice as a part of the HR Management System. The com- pany has transitioned from traditional job analysis to establishing a mature competency model that systematically analyses individual performance levels underpinning their personal attributes, knowledge, skills, and ability, which in turn helps the leadership team to identify performance gaps and recom- mend improvements that are likely to enhance performance thereby contribut- ing towards higher quality and worker welfare. Ethics and values are the common thread between Tariq, EFS and staff that forms the basis of the fundamental foundation of happiness and a high- performance organisation. He walks the talk and strengthen relations with his staff on ground through many op- portunities. Tariq is relentlessly working to build the case of upskilling the FM industry and raising the bar in built environ- ments and workplaces. He has been supporting various impact organisa- tions in the Middle East and India. He is also actively engaged with multiple social impact organisations and activists to build support and impact. Tariq Chauhan GROUP CEO | EFS FACILITIES SERVICES GROUP ETHICS AND VALUES ARE THE COMMON THREAD BETWEEN TARIQ, EFS AND STAFF THAT FORMS THE BASIS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL FOUNDATION OF HAPPINESS AND A HIGH-PERFORMANCE ORGANISATION. FM POWER 30 CBNME 02
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 29 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
30 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM FM POWER 30 CBNME
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 31 Tarek Nizameddin EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | EJADAH ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP 03 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION T arek currently holds the role of Senior Executive Director of Ejadah Asset Management Group where he drives the business devel- opment of Ejadah’s SBU. He also oversees the facili- ties management operations and manages Ejadah’s Abu Dhabi portfolio, in addition to leading unit services, soft services, and marketing departments. Tarek told CBNME: “Since joining the company in 2018, I directly sup- ported the growth of the company’s business and drove the operational enhancements in all areas of the busi- ness. This is reflected in acquiring new contracts, developing relationships with existing clients, introducing new services, implementing innovation and technologies, and developing human capital.” “In 2020, the whole world was af- fected by the impact of the pandemic. And despite the huge impact on the FM sector, considering that it is heavy in manpower, Ejadah has succeeded in managing the impact of the pan- demic, sustained the current business, secured, and mobilised large numbers of contracts, which helped in achieving significant growth in all aspects.” Tarek has over 27 years of experience out of which 20 years are in facilities management, as I started my career in the field in 2002. Since then, Tarek has been committed to the improvement and advancement of the facilities man- agement sector in the MENA region. Tarek is an active member in multiple industry bodies, and has participated as keynote speaker in many industry’s events and wrote several articles in the industry press, and bulletins about facilities management standards and challenges. “SINCE JOINING THE COMPANY IN 2018, I DIRECTLY SUPPORTED THE GROWTH OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS AND DROVE THE OPERATIONAL ENHANCEMENTS IN ALL AREAS OF THE BUSINESS.”
32 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM S ince his appointment to CEO in 2019, Stuart has contin- ued to build on the strong foundations and core pillars Emrill works and lives by. His open and transparent leadership style and achieve- ments stand out among his FM peers. Responsible for the performance, health and well-being of Emrill’s employees across every aspect of Emrill’s business, he ensures all employees work towards the shared goal of operational excellence, quality and safety. While Stuart places a great emphasis on performance and quality, this does not come at the expense of his team’s health and well-being. In 2020, Stuart led the company as it launched the ‘Happier Together with Emrill’ initiative in 2020 to create a culture of health, safety, happiness, positivity and well- being, and has adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, success- fully providing employees with a sense of community and the opportunity to discuss their worries in an environment of togetherness, learning and develop- ment that provides value in the current climate. Stuart has inspired Emrill’s people to push the boundaries of delivery and innovation, creating a culture of continuous improvement, where every employee is accountable for ensuring customer satisfaction and continued growth. Stuart leads from the front – as an engineer that has worked his way up from an apprentice, he understands workforce dynamics at ground level. Joining Emrill in 2017 as Solutions Di- rector, Stuart was responsible for tech- nical delivery/excellence. He cemented his position as a key member of Emrill’s leadership team. The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it challenges that continue into 2021. However, Stuart has managed the disruptions and met challenges head-on, ensuring Emrill maintains business op- erations at optimum performance levels throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Responsible for the maintenance, secu- rity and cleaning of some of the UAE’s biggest communities, such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Emirates Living and Reem Island, and key infra- structure, such as Dubai International (DXB) airport, Emrill has continued to perform crucial work to keep residents safe in the wake of the coronavirus. Operational Excellence: > Broke new year’s Downtown Dubai cleaning record in 2020 and 2021 > Northern Emirates expansion, with key contract wins in Sharjah, and the appointment of a new dedicated general manager in Abu Dhabi Health & Safety > 20,2018.2 million safe manhours > 38,945 hours of Health and Safety- related training > Front Line Supervisor Training and Behavioural Based Safety (BBS) launched Centre of Excellence / Learning & Development > Leadership in Accelerated Development (LEAD) – 16 developing managers. > Mentor/Graduate Programme matches 15 staff with mentors from executive leadership/ management to support their professional/personal development. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Stuart Harrison CEO | EMRILL 04 FM POWER 30 CBNME
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34 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM F arnek has a compre- hensive offering across both hard and soft FM disciplines, including bespoke technological initiatives and sustain- ability audits. In terms of security services, Farnek acquired Certis, one of the top ten companies in the UAE’s security services sector earlier this year, including 1,800 staff. This now posi- tions Farnek as one of only a few TFM companies in the UAE to hold a security licence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates. However, 2020 will forever be remembered for COVID-19 and during the early days of the pandemic, Farnek was one of the first FM companies to pilot a sanitisation gateway which disinfects all staff, upon leaving and returning to their accommodation centres. Its teams were protected and can’t inadvertently spread the virus should they become exposed. Subsequently to further enhance safety, Farnek imple- mented a new contactless face recognition system to measure the temperature and monitor the attendance of its employees, in line with Dubai Municipality regulations. In terms of quality, Farnek, was the first FM company in the region to successfully comply with the world’s first standard dedicated to FM systems ISO 41001:2018. It is also a member of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). Moreover, in August, Farnek achieved GBAC STAR™ ac- creditation for its head office facility in Dubai, the first FM facility to be accredited by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, the global cleaning industry trade association, in the Middle East. In terms of sustainability, Farnek is a pioneer in this region. Not only is Farnek accredited as an approved Energy Services Company (ESCO) by Dubai’s Regulatory Supervisory Bureau (RSB), it is a member of the Emirates Green Building Council and certified by the Cleaning In- dustry Management Standard (CIMS GB). Farnek has also been the pre- ferred partner of Green Globe in the Middle East for the past decade, supporting sustainable tourism by certifying over 100 hotels and significantly reduc- ing the carbon footprint of the region’s hotel and hospitality industry and Farnek is the only FM company to win the Emirates Energy Award. In June, Farnek also carried out a research study which discovered that Dubai hotels may have missed out on an opportunity to save thousands of dirhams in energy con- sumption. The findings were presented to key hospitality figures, during an industry we- binar, hosted by experts from Farnek and the Swiss Business Council, amongst others. Farnek was also recognised at an advanced CSR level, by the Dubai Chamber of Com- merce & Industry, drawing particular praise for its em- ployee retention strategy, staff development and leadership program. Farnek has also progressed ahead of schedule with its new purpose-built staff accommo- dation centre in Dubai South – Farnek Village. The state-of- the-art facility will be home to 5,000 employees and ready by the year end. Underscoring its green credentials, Farnek recently signed a contract with Dutch green-tech projects specialist developer Urban Ponics, to design and help cre- ate a 240sqm vertical rooftop garden. Markus Oberlin told CB- NME: “Farnek’s real success this year has been the way in which Farnek has kept its staff and its customers safe, adjusted to the challenges brought on by the coronavirus outbreak and how it has adapted to the ‘new normal’.” Markus Oberlin CEO | FARNEK “Farnek’s real success this year has been the way in which Farnek has kept its staff and its customers safe, adjusted to the challenges brought on by the coronavirus outbreak and how it has adapted to the ‘new normal’.” 05 FM POWER 30 CBNME
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 35 B art earned his BSc. in Avia- tion Mechanics from Katho- lieke Hogeschool Brugge Oostende in Belgium and a BSc. in Electromechanical Engineering from HoGent. He also has two masters’ degrees – An MSc. in Industrial Engineering from Erasmushogeschool Brussel and an MBA from the University of Cumbria in England. In his 18-year long career, Bart has worked for Daiken, Besix, Energy Assistance and ENGIE Solutions. Bart joined ENGIE Solutions Middle East in September 2017 as mobilisa- tion manager in Abu Dhabi for Abu Dhabi Airport. He took on his current role in January 2019. Bart and his team have taken ENGIE Solutions from a start-up company with just eight associates in 2010, to a regional leading service provider with now close to 3,400 staff in 2021. Fur- thermore, the company is operational in five GCC countries and India. As the general manager, Bart con- tinued the pace of growth in 2020 by an increase of nearly 50% in turnover from 2019, despite the challenging eco- nomic climate and current pandemic. The results of digitalisation, innovative asset management and acquisition strat- egies are now being benefited by Bart and his team, providing bespoke facility management and energy efficiency services. Bart is also known as a driving force behind digitalisation and innovation of the regional FM industry and keeps on setting the pace with several award-winning projects, ranging from predictive maintenance platforms and intelligent energy efficiency software to integrating live BIM augmented reality environments into the projects. In addition to educating clients and sharing knowledge with industry peers through public keynotes and articles in industry literature, he has defined and implemented the digitalisation strategy for ENGIE Solutions. Several new concepts have been brought to the market by Bart and his team over the course of 2020, such as Cooling as a Service and Energy as a Service to help clients implement CAPEX-based solutions at zero cost. Under Bart’s leadership, ENGIE Solu- tions has added a series of in-house spe- cialised services to its portfolio that in- clude data science, automation services, IoT services, high voltage maintenance, chiller maintenance, landscaping, road maintenance and bridge maintenance, and canal cleaning amongst others, ex- ceeding a total of 20 in-house specialist services offered to the clients. The company has reached many milestones and received a host of professional accreditations and awards over the years, which reflects on the commitment and dedication of Bart and his team. Bart Holsters GENERAL MANAGER | ENGIE SOLUTIONS As the general manager, Bart continued the pace of growth in 2020 by an increase of nearly 50% in turnover from 2019, despite the challenging economic climate and current pandemic. 06 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
36 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM Mohammed Alsharaf SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT - FM ELTIZAM ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP 07 M ohammed has with the Eltizam Asset Management Group for nearly five years, witnessing the company’s exponential growth. His current role as Senior Ex- ecutive Vice President requires me to focus on the facilities management division’s growth. Under his supervision, Eltizam’s subsidiary, Tafawuq Facilities Management, has won significant contracts and renew- als worth over AED 739 million in the first six months of 2020, setting a new company record. There has been an increase of more than 120 percent in the company’s forward order book compared to the same period in 2019, which reflects the company’s business growth. Tafawuq expanded in the education, tourism, and entertainment sectors in 2020 and added new clients to the portfolio. Significant clients include Abu Dhabi World Trade Center, Al Rabeeh School, Wadi Adventure, Modon, Tristar, and G42. Mohammed told CBNME: “We also launched a new company called 800TEK, an industry, and consumer technical solutions provider, which has already secured more than AED 69.7 million in contracts and AED 60 million worth of revenue in the first year of its launch.” With over 22 years of hands-on experience, Mo- hammed continuously works towards implement- ing the best practices and strategies for Eltizam’s Asset Management and facilities management services. “We recently expanded to Egypt and partnered with the regional real estate developer Al Ahly Sabbour to launch Tafawuq Egypt and Three60 Egypt. Valued at AED 468 million, the partner- ship offers premium-quality integrated facilities management and community management ser- vices to the Egyptian market,” said Mohammed. Mohammed also spearheads an aggressive ex- pansion strategy for facilities management driven by technology, including digitization of hard and soft service tasks, MEP & Safety inspections, and reporting through Microsoft’s Power BI business analytics service. Eltizam have also acquired technological solutions provider OrionTEK to accelerate the group’s digital transformation. “As part of Eltizam’s ‘Get Wonky’ culture framework, my role extends to organizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to impact the communities we serve. For example, Tafawuq works with the Emirates Down Syn- drome Association (EDSA) in Dubai to improve the quality of life of its members, and 800TEK supports Emirates Autism Centre in Abu Dhabi with an array of services to ensure the best envi- ronment for children to thrive in,” Mohammed concluded. “WE RECENTLY EXPANDED TO EGYPT AND PARTNERED WITH THE REGIONAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER AL AHLY SABBOUR TO LAUNCH TAFAWUQ EGYPT AND THREE60 EGYPT. VALUED AT AED 468 MILLION, THE PARTNERSHIP OFFERS PREMIUM-QUALITY INTEGRATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO THE EGYPTIAN MARKET.” FM POWER 30 CBNME
TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
38 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM Mohamad Abou Laban CEO | DEYAAR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FM POWER 30 CBNME 08 M ohamad began his career as a senior mechanical engineer with Saudi Diyar Consultants in 2001. He has a BSc. in Mechanical Engineer- ing from Beirut Arab University and a MSc. in Management from the University of Sur- rey in England. Prior to joining Deyaar in 2018, Mohamad served as Vice President Facilities at DAMAC Properties, and general manager at b.fm for two years and general manager at Cushman & Wakefield KSA for four years. At Deyaar FM, Mohamad’s responsi- bilities include continuously improving the quality of services delivered across the seven Emirates as well as growing and developing the business. He says: “When I joined, my main goal was to reshape the business to become one of the leading FM service providers in the UAE. To do so, we have adopted a 4Ps Model, based on four pillars: People, Process, Product and Productivity”. When asked to elaborate, he added: “For People, we believe that our team is our biggest asset. I can say with confidence that we have a fantastic passionate team. For the Process ele- ment, we have refreshed our processes and invested heavily in technological transformation to be inline with best practices and international standards. With regards to Product, we must deliver high quality services to our client. That takes us to productivity, improving efficiency and lowering costs without affecting the quality of services is the name of the game.” Mohamad has ensured that no staff was laid off in 2020 due to the pandemic neither were pay cuts introduced as well. Mr. Abou Laban said “we re- tained all our staff and grew our work- force by 32% compared to 2019; which resulted in a 25% growth in revenue compared to 2019.” “In 2020, we were awarded 23 new projects and added 14 new clients to our portfolio. We penetrated three new sectors and created in house teams for various services,” he said. Deyaar FM’s outlook for 2021 looks promising with their latest win of Cen- tral Park Towers (a mixed use develop- ment in DIFC), as well as adding more than 90 locations in Abu Dhabi and securing contracts with Prescott Real Estate Development and Sidra Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road. Deyaar FM has completed a two phased digital transformation project where they have integrated their Asset Management System (Infor EAM) with DFM’s ERP system (Microsoft Dynam- ics) which was recognized twice in 2019 and 2020 through winning the IT & Innovation in Facilities Management Award. Furthermore, Deyaar Facilities Management was recognised in the Construction and FM Awards 2020 by winning then Asset Management Company of the Year 2020. IMAGES COURTESY DEYAAR “In 2020, we were awarded 23 new projects and added 14 new clients to our portfolio. We penetrated three new sectors and created in house teams for various services.”
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 39 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION “WE GREW OUR WORK FORCE BY 32% IN 2020, WHICH RESULTED IN A 25% GROWTH IN REVENUE.”
40 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM P hil Malem has been the CEO of Serco Middle East since March 2019. Since that time, the Middle East busi- ness has pivoted from being just another FM provider to becoming a true partner to their clients. This is in part due to their change in strategy, which now sees Serco Middle East focus on workforce, data, and digital asset management. “Serco Middle East’s services traditionally have been known to be FM-focused, but we aren’t your traditional facilities management company. Revenue generation and operational efficiencies are current- ly top of our client’s minds and we enter the post-COVID world and we are helping them to understand how they can drive cost efficiencies by assessing their approach to asset and facility management; we can then deliver those savings by imple- menting the recommendations. It becomes a re-direction of existing operational expenditure in a more efficient way,” Phil explained Serco Middle East launched ExperienceLab last year which essentially acts as a wraparound of those three things to really focus on service excellence and the expe- rience of the end user. The addition of ExperienceLab to Serco’s proposition offers the first end to end integrated research, design and delivery offering in the region and is a key differentiator for us. Serco now help its clients to use the unique understanding of data and insights generated by Experi- enceLab to design or evolve and adapt their services to cater to the end user and deliver world class experiences. Furthermore, nationalisation has also been an important part of their revamped strategy. “To be a true asset to the coun- tries in which we work, it is im- portant that we foster and develop local talent. We have an extensive transform, train and transform approach to our projects, bringing international best practice and upskilling workforces. Something we launched last year for the first time was a graduate programme. Although it was a challenging time for many companies it was something, I was certain I wanted to proceed with – I am glad I did as it was hugely successful with over 4000 applications within a 2-week timeframe and we now have a great team of graduates on board,” said Phil. FM POWER 30 CBNME Phil Malem CEO | SERCO MIDDLE EAST 09 A s Group Chief Executive Officer of Bee’ah, since August 2009, Khaled’s role has been to steer Bee’ah’s stra- tegic direction. While Bee’ah was in the preliminary stages of pursuing a zero-waste ambition, the company has taken steps to transform the company from a waste management entity to a diversified sustainability pioneer that is setting new benchmarks for quality of life across the MENA region. “Today, Bee’ah’s portfolio of ventures range from waste management and renewable energy to sustainable transportation, technology, consul- tancy, healthcare and more, as part of our over- arching mission to pioneer sustainable quality of life across the region,” Khaled told CBNME. Khaled Al Huraimel GROUP CEO | BEE’AH 10
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42 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM FM POWER 30 CBNME A bdellatif Sfaxi appointed as CEO for Khidmah in October 2020. In the four months since joining the orga- nization he has worked closely with the management team at Khidmah to develop a strategy and 5 Year Business Plan that will lead Khidmah to accomplish its vision and achieve its mission. In the meantime, he has led the required changes in the organization, policies and procedures to enhance their delivery to their clients’ sites in a swift manner. This translates in improved customer satisfaction indexes. Moreover, Abdellatif has prioritize the digitization of projects to be implemented during the first quarter of 2021 which will provide customers with a wide array of timely online services with an elevated customer experience. Abdellatif Sfaxi CEO | KHIDMAH 13 M anaging Director Greg Ward has led Transguard Group through 4+ years of continual, record-breaking financial growth by strengthening Transguard’s robust business platform, deepening the company’s commit- ment to customer service and expanding its portfolio to include new revenue streams (including Transguard Living, Transguard Delivery, Transguard Misting Sta- tions and more). To do this, Greg made it a priority to embed operational effi- ciencies into everything we do, an approach that has consistently added to our bottom line. This, in turn, has inspired teams of talented men and women to dedicate countless hours to ensure that Transguard conducts its operations not only efficiently, but with integrity, agility and to the highest possible quality. Greg Ward MANAGING DIRECTOR | TRANSGUARD GROUP 11 S ince July 2019, Renaud Capris leads Enova, a joint-venture between Majid Al Futtaim and Veolia created in 2002, providing building energy and facility management services across the Middle East. Renaud joined Enova after nearly two decades within the Veolia Group, working in posi- tions across the Energy business in France and Eastern Europe. Renaud previously lead Siram by Veolia in Italy, focusing on energy efficiency across a wide portfolio of industries in the region. He holds an Engineering degree from the Ecole Spéciale de Mécanique et d’Electricité (ESME Sudria) in Paris, France. Since his start as CEO of Enova, Renaud placed a high impor- tance on continuing the digital transformation journey with a strong focus on being customer-centric and supporting clients following the motto #SustainingYourGrowth. Both focus areas became even more visible and crucial during the Covid pandemic, when Enova rose to the challenge and presented as a true partner to clients across all industries. Another area Renaud is promoting as the company’s leader is the staff well-being. Not only during the pandemic but all year round, he is leading by example and putting staff’s health & safety first. In addition to a general growth mindset and strategy, Renaud is also passionate about driving sustainability in the MENA region, supporting both private and public entities in reducing their carbon footprints through Energy Performance Contracts. Ideally, all pure FM contracts should be completed by energy and water conservation measures as well as on-site Solar PV plants. Renaud Capris CEO | ENOVA 12
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 43 M alek Sukkar has been CEO of Averda since 2000 and since then has led Averda’s expansion from a single country entity to a multi- national company. He has driven its transformation from a street cleaning and waste collection busi- ness to an end-to-end waste management solutions provider, operating recycling and waste-to-energy facilities, and hazardous waste management operations, in addition to cleaning and collection. Averda believes it is crucial to embrace recycling practices and infrastructure in order to reduce further harm to the ecosystem and make the best use of existing resources. A central focus for the company is to help build a new generation of recycling infrastructure, reducing waste sent to landfill. Sustainability is central to Malek’s vision for Averda’s future. Malek Sukkar CEO | AVERDA S tuart McGregor is the General Manager of BK Gulf Facilities Management. As part of the Dutco Group executive, Stuart also is the CEO of Lionweld Meiser and General Man- ager of Dutco McConnell Dowell. Having been appointed in this role 3 years ago, his tenure has been one of unprecedented growth on all fronts for BK Gulf FM. Previously been perceived as a niche market player, he imple- mented a strategy of utilising the strength of the Dutco Group inhouse companies to achieve the objective of market growth by presenting a truly inte- grated based solution to the market. This has translated into both contract wins with key stakeholders within the local market, as well as recognition of its activities by clients and external agencies. The focus on qualitative, output based solutions to client requirements, has also meant a widening portfolio of mixed-use facilities and the ability to manage client requirements and expecta- tions under one umbrella. Clients have had the benefit of a single, consistent level of service and quality, with a single point of contact and agreed pricing regime for all works undertaken within the contract. Major successes under his leadership have been the securing major Integrated Facility Management con- tracts with JA Hotels & Resorts, Muzoon Holdings and AL Ali Property Investments. In addition, the successful performance and securing customer satisfaction at key developments such as Al Wasl Properties (where BKG FM is providing a complete hard and soft service for 62 buildings and 526 villas), Equinix, Execujet, Royal Airwing and many others. Stuart McGregor GENERAL MANAGER | BK GULF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT 15 14 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
44 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM E ng. Ansari, a master’s in engineering degree and des- ignated as Chief Executive Officer of Adeeb Group, controlling the complete operations of our Facilities Management. I am the Fellow member of Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (FIWFM) and Vice Chair of Abu Dhabi IWFM. Under his leadership, he’s been the driving force with the support of his team to generate 40% of increased revenue growth in 2019 and surpassed the revenue in the year 2020 bookings as well, and have achieved remarkable government, Educational sector, private and industrial projects. As being the leader with technical cadre, frequently analyses the market trends as directly involving with the Clients support and tendering process. Based on the industry principles management commits to provide the services within set limits of our strategy by considering the prevailing market situations. The external indicator such as culture, social values, motives, perception, reference groups are ana- lyzed with my involvement especially with the top management in order to deliver the services according to that. By having more than two decades of experience and stability in the market Adeeb has registered a position in the industry as a leading facilities manage- ment company. “I have entrusted my fullest contribu- tion to form our company as Total Fa- cilities Management Services for Gov- ernment, private, Industrial, Malls, and institutional owners throughout UAE. I have developed the team that has the proven ability to oversee daily manage- ment and operations of office, retail, industrial and multi-family properties. We realize that each owner has specific goals and objectives for their invest- ment. Our job is to listen, understand and interpreting those goals, then apply our years of experience to develop a realistic, practical management plan that achieves the owner’s results and enhances the value of the asset,” Eng. Ansari told CBNME. Building on their nearly 3 decades of experiences, Adeeb Group has grown to be a leader in its FM market seg- ments. Defying the profit-squeezing commoditization of FM that all regional players face, Adeeb has established a reputation for service excellence that enables it to operate in a quality-driven, rather than price-driven environment. In doing so, Adeeb has stepped away from its price-battered industry competitors, expanded inter- nationally, and established a long-term, reliable revenue base that allows it to make measurable progress toward the achievement of its Mission and Vision. “Our adoption of innovative princi- ples mandates the identification of skills and competences needed to successfully implement a process. This provides input to our Training Needs Analyses, which in turn support the creation of Personal Development Plans for staff members. In addition to our in-house training activities, we also have a long- term, ongoing relationship with an external training provider that ensures staff receive regular monthly targeted training,” explained Eng. Ansari. Eng. Ansari CEO | ADEEB GROUP “I HAVE ENTRUSTED MY FULLEST CONTRIBUTION TO FORM OUR COMPANY AS TOTAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE, INDUSTRIAL, MALLS, AND INSTITUTIONAL OWNERS THROUGHOUT UAE.” FM POWER 30 CBNME 16
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 45 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
46 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM P rabhu Ramachandran is a progressive and forward-thinking CEO & Co-Founder, Facilio. He is on a mission to empower the commercial real estate industry, leading him to continuously motivate and energize his team, whom he values as equal partners and co-creators in Facilio’s journey and success. He seeks to inspire change through innovation, and tech-enabled transformation. His contribution to the CRE space includes: > Prabhu is a visionary thought leader and actively writes in leading dailies including Forbes ME, Khaleej Times, Gulf Today, Economic Times, Time of India, CBNC, The Hindu; and industry publication including CBNME, FM ME, MEP Middle East, Construction Week, CM Today, Arabian Business and more. > Leading the creation of a centralized IoT platform that is aimed at bringing efficiency and seamless experience across real estate portfolios. > Conceiving and championing an ap- proach that has overturned established industry status quo to redefine the Prop- erty Operations function as a creator of value addition, rather than being a passive cost center. > Mr. Ramachandran is the CEO of a team that has a combined tech and business experience of over 300 years - including founders who bring years of experience in IoT solutions, SaaS ap- plications, and enterprise telecom. > The innovation-driven mindset, cohesion, productivity, and creativity displayed by the Facilio team is a testa- ment to Mr. Ramachandran’s empower- ing and inclusive leadership style. > As a macro-manager, with a passion to solve problems at a global scale, he still believes in magnifying the abilities of each individual in his team, by creating a supportive and enabling space for them to maximize their impact, and take ownership of their contributions. Prabhu Ramachandran CEO & CO-FOUNDER | FACILIO FM POWER 30 CBNME 17
FM POWER 30 CBNME 48 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 49 F or almost over two decades, Mr. Anselam has positioned organizations to support significant growth and turned around struggling divisions to regain industry respect. He has formulated new concepts to strengthen core services to clients, sig- nificant cost savings, led new foundation initiatives, and boosted and maintained staff morale despite times of uncertainty and change. Being a general manager Mr. Anselam has overall responsibility for developing, implementing and deliver- ing on the organization’s strategic plan in line with the corporate social respon- sibilities and shareholders core values and nobility. He has over experience in the Middle East, Africa and North America with facilities management, asset management, building services engineering, projects and business management. Under the leadership of Mr. Anselam Awtad FM is fast growing, becoming one of the region’s leading Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) services providers. AWTAD FM is a trusted brand that has operated in the UAE market since 2005. It was initially known as VIVO and in 2018 rebranded and established a solid base of clients during its journey. Awtad FM has received two prestigious honours that serves to recognize the best of the best within their ranks. Middle East Most Promising Brand Awards and Mr. Anselam has received Lifetime Achieve- ment Awards for contributions Made in the Middle East and Africa. He is honored with fellowship grade by The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management. He is a proud member of American Society of Mechanical Engi- neers (ASME) and International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Mr. Anselam told Construction Busi- ness News: “I operate from a core set of beliefs that I gained through continuous study and application, but I am always open to new approaches. My priority as General Manager is to continue to strengthen the strong connection we have with our customers and com- munities as the leading FM provider. Protecting our environment, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, employee engagement, community involvement continues to be our highest priority. The company upped its training and compliance efforts. I always aim to create an environment that makes talented people want to work for us and customers want to do business with us. The skills and passion of our people will continue to underpin our success and our future growth. We will work alongside all the teams involved and our objective for 2021 is to continue the strength of our organization busi- ness and lasting FM initiatives.” Awtad FM provides a fully integrated facilities management service and remains focused, passionate and deter- mined to provide a quality FM service that will impact change. It has made strong market presence by delivering high quality facility management ser- vices to the private, public and govern- mental sectors having a well-established track record of serving clients ranging from residentials and hospitalities to commercials and industrial facilities. Naiju Anselam GENERAL MANAGER | AWTAD FM “MY PRIORITY AS GENERAL MANAGER IS TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE STRONG CONNECTION WE HAVE WITH OUR CUSTOMERS AND COMMUNITIES AS THE LEADING FM PROVIDER.” 18 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
50 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM “WE ARE SPREADING AWARENESS IN THE INDUSTRY, ABOUT WHY THESE ARE NOT A COST-PROHIBITIVE SOLUTION, BECAUSE OUR OPEN PROTOCOL SOLUTIONS CAN HELP INTEGRATE THEIR EXISTING MULTI-VENDOR SYSTEMS.” FM POWER 30 CBNME
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 51 A n ambitious entrepreneur, Sanjeevv Bhatia is the force behind an impres- sive portfolio of compa- nies, offering front-line products and services across the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the US. He is also the managing director and partner at Tekno- ware Middle East, and CEO of ODS Global DMCC, Exen- ture Global BV and Exenture Films India Pvt Ltd. Sanjeevv’s urge to address unmet needs through innovation has found expression in an array of market leading ventures. With an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Southern New Hampshire University, Sanjeevv’s career of more than 20 years has been a meteoric rise, built on a strong work ethic, vision, and focus on people and partnerships. In 2017, Sanjeevv estab- lished Netix, a vendor neutral iIBMS automation solutions provider, with a strong focus on sustainable smart build- ings, smart cities, and energy efficiency. The company’s industry expertise ranges from design, engineering, integration, connectivity, testing, commissioning and maintenance of smart building eco-systems, and their com- ponents. Netix Global, and its sister companies within the SB Group, engage with clients to emphasise a ‘Back to Basics’ campaign, that helps existing users of building automation systems understand the value and power of upgraded intel- ligent systems. Sanjeevv said: “We are spreading awareness in the industry, about why these are not a cost-prohibitive solution, because our open protocol so- lutions can help integrate their existing multi-vendor systems. The results are immediate sav- ings and ROI, from day one after commissioning. We are engaged in a similar awareness campaign to help those who are not using unified tech and data-led systems for building operations understand the value they can unlock from these technologies.” Netix was awarded several high-profile contracts last year including supplying the latest IoT based controllers for a prestigious bank integration contract. In August, the com- pany was awarded the smart metering integration project for a large community block of Al Wasl Properties. Both contracts are being executed by its master integration divi- sion, ODS. In October, ODS Global, which is part of the service arm of the SB group, was awarded a contract for 44 towers of Emaar Properties. In the same month, ODS Global also signed up DAMAC Prop- erties, for a three-year annual maintenance and building automation systems contract for 24 towers. A month later, in November, Netix Global bagged the contract to upgrade and maintain three Dubai towers for Mazaya Business Avenue. Sanjeevv Bhatia CEO | NETIX GLOBAL BV 19 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
52 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM C oncordia provides high quality integrated facility management services to over 45 million square feet of commercial and residential properties. Concordia also manages one of the largest pieces of privately owned interconnected infrastructure around the world. Our service delivery processes are built around ac- credited International Standard frameworks of ISO and BICSc. This enables our team of 1,400 strong personnel to consistently deliver high quality, value added services to our diverse range of customers. Concordia currently services over 60 towers with its innovative methods, efficient processes and high quality operational delivery. We provide a full suite of in-house services including MEP, Fit- out Management, Cleaning and Security, in addition to more specialized services such as Building Mobilisation, Rope Access, Parking Management, and Security Systems Maintenance & Pool Maintenance. What sets us apart is our investment in people, advanced techni- cal capability, training standards and dedicated support through our unique CAFM and first class customer service infrastructure. Concordia Services touch the lives of over 150,000 people every single day, 365 days a year. We see this as a privilege and our team works hard to ensure that Concordia makes a positive dif- ference to every life that it touches. Sanjay Bhatia GENERAL MANAGER | CONCORDIA P rabhakar’s role as the General Manager is to develop a clear strategy, execute, scan the market, anticipate, and prepare for changes, and importantly, lead and develop a team which works in alignment in a col- laborative way which contributes towards both the organization’s and individuals’ progress. The focus has been on enhancing Universal Voltas’ position as a leading provider of FM and retrofit services with quick response and reliability as our cornerstones. The company is also expanding their offerings to varied indus- tries and across the whole of the UAE. As a company which has been in existence for over 40 years and currently offers a range of services – MEP installations, facility management, retrofits & refurbishments and Water treatment solutions – Universal Voltas are well placed to build on their strengths and grow sustainably in the interest of all stakeholders. Universal Voltas also recognizes the importance of digitization and adopting new technology in the interest of efficiency, cost optimization and seamless services to their customers. Prabhakar Kesavan GENERAL MANAGER | UNIVERSAL VOLTAS FM POWER 30 CBNME 20 21
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 53 M ike has been in the FM industry for over 39 years, gaining experience in all property sectors as both a client and a service provider. Having worked in the GCC for the past 13 years, he can truly boast an unprecedented combination of local knowledge and international pedigree. As the newly appointed Chief Executive Of- ficer, Mike assumes ultimate responsibility for overseeing Cushman & Wakefield’s business in Saudi Arabia. Mike holds a number of regional and international membership and industry certifications including IWFM, MEFMA, APS and NEBOSH. Mike Moore CEO | CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD KSA 22 A youb Al Mulla joined World Security as Chief Operating Officer in 2019, bringing with him vast management experience gained from his 24 years with DP World. At World Security he leads strategic business planning and brand enhancement, diversification of product line, and cost optimisation. Ayoub, who studied at Wharton School of Business under DP World’s Dubai Leaders Programme, is dedicated to continuous improvement focused on enhancing revenue and streamlining business operations. He oversees business-wide changes to modernise procedures to boost performance, identify shifting market opportunities and sharp- ening the competitive edge of the company A forward thinker, he was previously VP-MEA Region, Jafza for 11 years, during which time he led the development of the flagship Jafza One facility. His other past assignments include Man- ager, Al Awir Free Zone, and as Superintendent in Charge of General Cargo at PCFC. Ayoub studied Business Administration and holds a Graduate Diploma in Maritime & Port Manage- ment from Singapore. Ayoub Al Mulla CEO | WORLD SECURITY 23 S tephen Thomas was the driving force in establishing our Facilities Management division in the Middle East, and has been instrumental in widening our footprint within the region. His approach to work and style of working has helped Inspire Integrated achieve quality outcomes as a habit. His specialization includes Building Services and Facilities Management, Real Estate & Project Management, with more than 35 years of honing his craft in international markets. Stephen Thomas MANAGING DIRECTOR | INSPIRED INTEGRATED 24 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION
54 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM A li Dahche is the Managing Director of Solmed Alliance Facility Management LLC, since joining 4 years ago he has managed to set up the company from scratch (From legal setup to officially operating in the country) turning it to a successful business in a time that most companies has been closing or going bankrupt due to the pandemic. Planned, updated, and directed regular tasks to ensure key completion of activities of Solmed Alliance within the Middle East region is in line with corporate standards. He led the business development and marketing activities in the country to achieve revenue growth and long- term targets and contributed to the expansion of a long-term strategy and plans for the organisation within the core values and objectives. Solmed Alliance adds value to its proj- ects based on the experience gained from servicing 1870 clients in remote sites. They have created logistics platforms to provide high quality and safe products from top class suppliers to their clients worldwide. Soldmed Alliance is a Facility Manage- ment Company with an international networking-chain of offices and ware- houses in the most convenient worldwide locations. Our knowledge and spirit of service let us support our clients, add- ing value in every project and working with the maximum security, following international standards in any worldwide location, to guarantee clients’ satisfaction in each operation we manage. FM POWER 30 CBNME Ali Dahche MANAGING DIRECTOR SOLMED ALLIANCE FACILITY MANAGEMENT LLC 25 Planned, updated, and directed regular tasks to ensure key completion of activities of Solmed Alliance within the Middle East region is in line with corporate standards.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 55 M ohamed Saade, General Manager at Darwish Interserve, hasover 20 years of a demonstrated history of working in Facilities Management andReal Estate Development industry, where his responsibilities include achievingstrategic business goals that improve the efficiencies, reducing cost and movingbusiness forward. Further, he ensures to meet the company’s goals within theestablished service level and budgetary standards. Manage allproperties-related activities to ensure day-to-day perfor- mance is in alignmentwith KPIs and most importantly, culti- vate customer service standards to achieveclient satisfaction. Mohamed during his tenure with Darwish Interserve switched anddiversified the company from a subsidiary into an indepen- dent world class TotalFacilities Management operation. Di- rected multi-million contracts and managedover 250 projects and properties both hard and soft services.Expand the range of client’s industries from Governmententities, education, com- mercial and residential properties, aviation, bank,health care and oil and Gas Company. Mohamed Saadeh GENERAL MANAGER | DARWISH INTERSERVE 26 TOP 30 FACILITY MANAGEMENT LEADERS IN THE REGION C harlotte as Head of Service Delivery at Infracare, has been active in the FM sec- tor for over 10 years and has a strong network within the UAE FM industry. Leading Infracare’s customer relationships and growth, her focus has been to drive quality service delivery and expansion into new sectors, drawing on her background in the successful management and delivery of diverse high-profile customer accounts in the region. During 2020, this has also included the man- agement and roll out of Infracare’s Covid19 disinfection programme, widely broadcast by national media outlets as supporting the UAE’s efforts in the pre- vention of virus spread in critical sectors, while also extending best practice and knowledge share in the Education sector at an international level. Charlotte Almasri HEAD OF SERVICE DELIVERY | INFRACARE 27 D ilip holds a degree in Marine Engineering and has worked across various industries from marine to hotels and hospitals to building management. He has been the founding member for the facility management industry in South Asia and the Middle East. Reliance is a multinational enterprise with multiple companies related service industries namely, Facility Manage- ment, Owner Association Management and Technical Services. Reliance services are based on international standards, modern management practices, time-tested processes, and technol- ogy tools that offer a competitive and comprehensive value proposition to customers. Reliance managers, executives and supervisors are regularly trained to stay abreast with changing customer needs and service standards. Dilip Khatwani CEO | RELIANCE FM 28
56 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ME FOR SERVICES DIVISION | ACCIONA A CCIONA is one of the foremost European busi- ness corporations, leader in the development and management of facility services, infrastructure, renewable energy and water. Our offer covers the whole value chain, from design and construction to operation and facil- ity services. With a presence in more than 40 countries on five continents, ACCIONA is firmly committed to international expansion as a central element of its development and growth strategy. The aim is to offer comprehensive solutions, capitalizing on the synergies provided by global and integrated management of all the activities. Thanks to this process, it has been pos- sible to optimize quality, flexibility and costs by adapting the offer to customers’ needs. ACCIONA has more than 50 years of experience offering Advanced Management and Service Solutions in the Services Industry. It has a team of over 15,000 professionals distrib- uted throughout 18 countries, over 2,000 customers and a turnover that reached €800 million in 2018. FM POWER 30 CBNME B enoy Kurien is the Group Chief Executive Officer at Al Hamra, the leading real estate developer, services provider, and investment company in the Northern Emirates, overseeing the operations and assets of the US$1 billion company. Benoy started his career with Al Hamra in 1998 and successfully earned his stripes, climbing the career ladder to his current position in a short span of time. He has a wealth of experience working across a range of functions including strategy development, implementation, retail management, leasing, people management, marketing and facilities management. Keeping himself up to date with all critical financial and strategic information, he focuses on driving Al Hamra’s sustained growth. An inspirational leader, Benoy has been instrumental in shaping Al Hamra and its many entities, keeping the team motivated to achieve new horizons of growth. Benoy Kurien GROUP CEO | AL HAMRA 29 Conrado Pallares Sainz de la Maza 30 56 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM
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58 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS In this special feature, we catch a glimpse of the latest projects being delivered by the leading developers in the region and their outlook for 2021 REAL ESTATE CBNME 58 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 59 SELECT GROUP | RAIHAL ASLAM, GROUP CEO T he biggest goal for us in the year ahead is getting back on track after what was obviously quite a difficult year worldwide due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The decisions we have made as a company over the past 20 years allowed us to brace such storms in the past year, and as we head forward into 2021, we remain committed to our fundamentals. These are centered around Dubai’s ambitious plans to be a leading place to live and work, hence our drive to be consistent, reliable, and to continue delivering uncompromising quality. We are always looking to improve in all aspects of what we do, making our operations and output across all levels of the business more efficient and effective, and 2021 will be no different in this regard. In terms of our key goals, they are always focused on continuous improvement in all aspects of the business, resulting in excellent value for our customers, with projects delivered on time and as promised. One of the key learnings from 2020 for me was the increased value people put into customer service and feeling they are valued as a customer, rather than just being another number in a queue. So, by making sure all our customers are always treated with the care and respect we have become known for, is even more important, and will stand us in great stead as we continue to forge these relationships with both new and existing clients.” Rahail Aslam, Group CEO Select Group
REAL ESTATE CBNME A zizi Developments has seen a fair share of successes since its inception in 2007. Over the years, it has delivered thousands of homes. And in 2020, despite the pandemic, Azizi raised over 300 storeys, poured over 239,000 sqm3 of concrete, constructed over 3.68 million sq. ft of built-up area, and recorded more than 17.6 million man-hours. Farhad says: “Last year threw at the world a challenge that we have yet to overcome. However, we count our blessings with the closing of 2020. For the UAE, as well as for us at Azizi, this has been a year of achievements and milestones, proving our resilience during the most challenging of times. “Our construction was mostly unaffected by the pandemic as we continued catalysing the development of this marvellous emirate. We have handed over nearly 3,000 units this year alone — residences that will define the lifestyles of thousands of happy families. It gives me immense pleasure to say that as we begin 2021, we will continue to strive for the absolute best; our spirits remain high and our ambitions clear as ever.” This year, the developer is scheduled to complete 46 projects, which includes homes to 10,000 units covering 11,204,623 sqft of built-up area. It is also gearing up to launch more than 40 new buildings worth around Dhs7bn, mostly in its existing communities, and will introduce further ways of Farhad Azizi, CEO Azizi Developments 60 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM
AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS | FARHAD AZIZI, CEO reaching international investors with a focus on tapping into markets such Saudi Arabia, China, Nigeria, and Israel. “With the UAE real estate sector embarking on a path of growth, with the economy and businesses worldwide beginning to witness a substantial resurgence, we anticipate an even stronger uptick in demand and sales that will become apparent as early as Q1 of 2021; this is when we believe pre- pandemic levels will be reached and then exceeded. “The current global situation allowed the UAE to show its true merits — it grants the leadership and the country’s businesses and people the opportunity to demonstrate how safe, proactive, forward-looking, and innovative this international hub is.” Farhad adds. In the build-up to Expo 2020, Azizi Developments is developing a large concentration of projects with direct metro and highway access to the site, which will continue to be a vibrant hub of culture and leisure even after the event. CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 61
62 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM REAL ESTATE CBNME T he last 18 months have been transformational for Arada, with a significant number of new contracts awarded, project launches, steadily increasing sales and the handover of over a thousand homes. The Sharjah-based developer has sold out its first project, Nasma Residences, which was launched in March 2017. All homes in the first five phases of the 1,117-unit villa and townhouse community have been handed over, with the project’s community centre and landscaped park due for completion in the first quarter of 2021. At Aljada, Sharjah’s largest real estate project, Arada has also made considerable progress. In February 2020, the developer opened family entertainment destination Madar to the public. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Madar has already welcomed more than a million visits in less than a year. The first home handovers at the AED24 billion project took place in January 2021, and around 3,500 units are expected to be delivered this year. The last 18 months have also seen a series of major sales launches at Aljada, including the second Sarab garden villa community, the Vida Aljada Residences and a new creative neighbourhood for Sharjah, Naseej District. In addition, a series of contracts were awarded, including the AED415 million East Village contract and a deal to build the SABIS International School – Aljada. The developer expects to award well over AED1 billion in contracts during 2021. In January 2021, Arada launched its third project, Masaar. A forested community spread over a 19 million square foot plot in the Al Juwaiza’a suburb of Sharjah, the total sales value of Masaar is AED8 billion. Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, CEOArada
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 63 ARADA | AHMED ALKHOSHAIBI, CEO The community will contain 4,000 villas and townhouses in eight gated districts clustered around a densely forested ‘green spine’ with a number of outdoor sports and leisure facilities. Construction on Masaar will begin in the second quarter of 2021, with the first homes scheduled to be handed over in the first quarter of 2023. Earlier this year, Arada reported that its sales in 2020 had risen by 35% to reach AED1.75 billion, a remarkable result given the overall performance of the UAE’s real estate market, and a testament to the resilient demand still latent in Sharjah for fully integrated communities. As of the end of February, the total value of Arada’s projects now stands at AED33 billion. Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, CEO of Arada, said: “Arada’s exceptional performance over the last 18 months cements our role as a major player in Sharjah’s economic development. We have demonstrated unrivalled growth during a difficult period, and look forward to accelerating our progress still further during 2021 and beyond.” “ARADA’S EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS CEMENTS OUR ROLE AS A MAJOR PLAYER IN SHARJAH’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.” Nasma Residences by Arada Aerial view of Naseej District at Aljada Sendian community at Masaar
64 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM CBNME REAL ESTATE A s the leading real estate developer, services provider and investment company in the Northern Emirates, we have partnered with Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) to offer investors an unparalleled opportunity to secure a 12-year residency visa and a business licence when they purchase a ready-to-move-in home in award-winning master-planned communities by Al Hamra. With this package, we aim to attract entrepreneurs, freelancers, consultants and seniors, anyone looking to live and work in the UAE. “We are delighted to see such positive response from the investors around the world who chose the Emirate as their preferred destination for living and doing business. Ras Al Khaimah is the first Emirate to be certified as safe by WTTC, with record number of people taking advantage of living in less populated and more affordable communities, where they can be close to nature as well as benefit from world class amenities and facilities. Al Hamra’s products and initiatives have always been customer centric. The pandemic has presented us a new opportunity to evaluate our offerings and redesign our products to meet the changing demands of our customers. The ‘Live & Work’ initiative by Al Hamra is a great example of this exercise.” “In September, after the easing of restrictions, we opened our waterfront promenade at Manar Mall. It spans an area of 100,000 square metres and is one of key additions to the mall’s growing portfolio of entertainment attractions. The promenade is fast becoming one of the most photographed entertainment venues in the Emirate. The expansion and upgrade of the Manar Mall not only adds to the leisure choices of the residents and visitors but also reflects the vision of the leadership to establish Ras Al Khaimah as a regional tourism hub. “We also revamped The Sailing Club of Ras Al Khaimah with a new concept and opened it under a brand-new identity as the Clubhouse. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Arabian sea and located in Al Hamra Village, the newly renovated Clubhouse has been transformed into a community hub providing an array of activities, events, water sports and attractions for new and existing members, as well as residents and visitors. “We also recognised the need for adding co-working space in the new reality. In addition to an exciting events calendar, a new co-working offering has also been introduced at the Clubhouse. The co-working space is designed to provide residents and entrepreneurs with a vibrant environment to work and collaborate while enjoying complimentary beverages and special promotions on dining.” Benoy Kurien, Group CEO Al Hamra 64 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021
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66 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM REAL ESTATE CBNME I n 2020, despite the major challenges faced by the real estate sector, Prescott Real Estate Development led the way by adapting and managing to turn the crisis situation brought about by the global pandemic into a real success story. In a year when many property developments were put on hold, not only in Dubai and the UAE, but also across the globe, Prescott persevered with the construction and delivery of Prime Views, a contemporary residential development of one and two-bedroom apartments located in the heart of Meydan Avenue. The project has proven to be a massive success and hugely appealing to Dubai’s property buyers and investors, and, just two months into the handover process, Prescott has already sold almost every unit in the Prime Views development. The team believes that when faced with a potential crisis situation, Prescott team looked at the big picture and worked together to ensure everything has been done to safely and efficiently carry on the Prime Views project. With Prime Views, buyers and investors can purchase an affordable, premium luxury, living space, starting at AED 878,888, in one of the city’s most desirable areas, and take advantage of an exclusive payment and handover plan, the only one of its kind in Dubai. The plan is carefully designed and structured to provide affordability and peace of mind: 20% before handover, 5% on handover, 75% post-handover, 2% DLD fee waiver, and a 5-year post-handover plan. During the past year and a half, Prescott deeply focused on strengthening relationships and working closely with all stakeholders, from suppliers to agents to contractors. Any agents working alongside us, for example, have always appreciated and are highly motivated by the fact that their commissions are paid no later than 48 hours after a sale. Through this approach, we are able to instill confidence and make sure everyone is on the same page – never compromising on quality or attention-to-detail, no matter how adverse the circumstances may be. Muhammad Shafi, CEO Prescott Real Estate Development
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 67 SOBHA REALTY | SOBHA REALTY TARGETS 1337 HANDOVERS FOR 2021 S obha Realty, the leading premium real estate developer, today announced its plans to hand over 1337 units in 2021, at its flagship master development Sobha Hartland in Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum City in the heart of Dubai. The units set for completion within the year include a number of configurations ranging from studios to five-bedroom villas, spanning the variety of residential offerings the destination has to provide. Expected handovers include villas within Hartland Estates, and units in Greens Phase III and Sobha Creek Vistas. The total built up area scheduled for handover is over 2 million sq. ft. Speaking on the announcement, Jyotsna Hegde, President of Sobha Realty, said: “Our targets for 2021 remain optimistic despite the challenges that 2020 presented for the real estate industry and other economic sectors and we proudly remain of the few developers to face no delays in delivery. We are confident that through our backward integrated model that allows complete control of the construction process, and the fact that we continued on track with our construction schedule last year, that we would be able to complete the planned handovers. “Our priority at Sobha Realty continues to be the completion of Sobha Hartland and developing homes that are distinguished by our unparalleled quality standards and unique design philosophy. The UAE real estate sector continues to see reforms and positive signals that support the recovery of this vital sector, and we look forward to continuing to play our role in its success.” Sobha Hartland is an eight million sq ft luxury freehold master development situated in Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, overlooking Downtown Dubai. Launched in 2014, key projects within the community include Greens, Creek Vistas, Creek Vistas Reservé, Gardenia Villas, Garden Houses, One Park Avenue and Forest Villas. The development is distinguished by its serene vibe, with 30 per cent of the total land area set to encompass a dedicated green cover and open spaces with more than 300 species of plants and trees. Sobha Hartland also offers its residents the convenience of two international schools, as well as a selection of retail and F&B amenities, and a boardwalk along the waterfront. Targets 1337 Handovers for 2021 Sobha Realty “OUR PRIORITY AT SOBHA REALTY CONTINUES TO BE THE COMPLETION OF SOBHA HARTLAND AND DEVELOPING HOMES THAT ARE DISTINGUISHED BY OUR UNPARALLELED QUALITY STANDARDS AND UNIQUE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY.”
68 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM For Women’s Appreciation Month, leading MEP Contractors, Al Shafar United, showcases their talented team of engineers and employees that have contributed to the company’s success MEP WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION EMPOWERMENT CBNME
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 69 SYLVIA NESSIM YOUSSEF, TECHNICAL MANAGER Objectives As a Technical Manager in ASU, my objectives are ensuring smooth project delivery, avoiding waste, and exceeding our clients’ expectations, as my department is the technical backbone for ASU, to secure design and build projects. When I joined the company, I utilised the available resources in ASU, and built a strong, distinguished team. As a leader, I aimed to develop the teamwork and communication skills in my team members and to motivate them to achieve success. Moreover, I worked on driving our technical engineers to become fully trained on the use of BIM to ensure that the BIM deliverables are technically sound and fit for purpose. Projects EXPOLINK Route2020 was my most ambitious project yet in ASU. This project was a design and build project with a government entity (RTA) since the client and I were responsible for delivering the technical requirements for 4 stations. It was a unique project as there were many stakeholders, and it was a challenge to coordinate with all of them. However, I enjoy such challenges that provide a great experience and accordingly expand my knowledge and expertise. The field of construction is generally dominated by men, which can be very daunting for women entering such an environment. By working in ASU, I was given the opportunity to grow my skills and excel in construction despite this challenge. Aspiration I aspire to have a central technical office to support ASU’s technical deliverables with BIM to increase the efficiency of technical documents’ production, have a better control on cost estimation, and have a consistent production quality across all projects. BISMIA NIZAMUDEEN SENIOR TECHNICAL ENGINEER, HVAC LEED AP Working with ASU Working in the HVAC industry is an ongoing learning process due to changing environmental regulations and innovations. I have been privileged to work with ASU with some amazing people and on many wonderful projects. By staying up to date with the evolving industry, aiming to strengthen technically and to be part of more and more sustainable projects. Route 2020 Metro station’s LEED Gold rated project is an exciting project and was a new experience for me in which I got encouraged to study more about technical things of UAE mission of sustainability, renewable clean source energy. LEED AP accreditation offered recognition for both me and my company. This includes personal listing in the LEED AP directory, which elevated the marketable credential to our prospective clients I implemented innovative solutions like energy efficient equipment and material selection which reduced the overall power consumption as recommended by Dubai green building regulations and ASHRAE We are using the latest virtual reality technology in the form of generative design to identify and mitigate clashes between the different models generated by different teams in the construction planning and design phase to prevent rework. Goals and Objectives Short term goal is to be a part of the modular type construction project thus by implementing a system which is cost & time effective sustainable construction, with less wastage, best environmental quality, and lesser carbon footprint, this can certainly add value to my company. My future goal is to work with a highly efficient sustainable project using the renewable clean source energy with Zero WOMEN’S APPRECIATION MONTH | LEADING MEP CONTRACTORS Sylvia Nessim Youssef, Technical Manager Bismia Nizamudeen, Senior Technical Engineer, HVAC LEED AP
70 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM energy Building concept. I have overcome challenges by adapting to a different environment, I believe there is an increasing role for women in the construction industry who can communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, and crucially have the ability to understand their client’s requirement by adhering to local and international codes. RAMYA ASU’s Impact Women at work, usually experience setbacks because of their gender. However, women in ASU are valued for their Qualification. ASU had provided me an opportunity to take on more responsibilities and leadership roles, and included me in the decision-making process. ASU always looks to implement innovative Engineering solutions in their projects, and made me thoroughly understand what the construction industry looks like in this Geographical area. Job rotation in ASU, had given me an opportunity to be a part of Procurement, Project technical, Design & Estimation. This diverse experience has given a good understanding of different areas of the construction industry. Projects I was excited to work on the Expolink metro project. My proposed value engineering option of cancelling the Vibration isolators in all areas, was reduced to FOH wing area only. and accepted by the Client representative which made big cost reduction for the project ASU had worked on many D&B projects like Dubai Arena, Marsa Al Arab etc.. Working on projects from start to finish and witnessing your design come to life is extremely satisfying & motivating to move forward in the career. I had an opportunity to work closely with a top consultant & Client representative, to get deeper knowledge on the subject. Construction industry faces different problems and demands solutions every day. As the industry is always evolving, my present and future goal is always to keep up to date with the technologies, and to implement the same at my work. MARIE BERNARDO In modern days, the construction industry has given women opportunities for success: career-wise, personality, and development. In 2005 I started working as a Document Controller at site, worked my way up and succeeded as HR / Administration Manager. Women remained dramatically under- represented, it is the boundary between work and home. But my workplace and its Management have been very supportive of women in the business, gender equality has never been an issue. There is more to it, our organization makes significant movement in building a more flexible and empathetic workplace for women. Not only recognition of employee or job satisfaction, but it is also about accepting constructive criticisms and constantly trying to improve oneself without feeling pressurized. This is so- called contentment, I am really happy about my role and I love my job in our organization. During my notable career, I became the famous Marie, the most valuable person in the company aside from the Management. It really motivates me building relationships, and at the end of the day I consider it as a sense of achievement. Working in HR/Admin is quite a challenging job, we are rated in our functional knowledge and expertise. My goals are, continuous improvements in terms of identifying and satisfying the needs of individuals, work-life balance and wellness, supporting employees with professional development such as training, motivating employees through performance review, compensation/ reward. The world of construction is full of opportunities especially for women, and to realize that in any industry and position is open for us. EMPOWERMENT CBNME “Women remained dramatically under-represented, it is the boundary between work and home. But my workplace and its Management have been very supportive of women in the business, gender equality has never been an issue.”
BISMA ZARGAR Working for ASU I have been working with ASU for the last 4 years and it has been a spectacular stint of my career so far. ASU was the first company that I worked for, and therefore it has been the main source of my prolific experience. I strive to contribute in my best capacity as an Electrical Engineer to the ever changing, dynamic sector of construction in UAE and being another step, or a cog if you may, to take ASU to the pinnacle. Implementing my expertise to our day-to-day problems for the best possible solutions is my primary objective here. Innovation One of the innovations that I am proud of, is the development of an interface between the theoretical and practical approaches by combining them on the same platform in an efficient manner. In doing so, complex designs from the design team can be conveyed in a simple and quick way to the site team. Furthermore, developing power saving strategies is always a cherry on the cake. All the projects were equally challenging, however, working in “Dubai International Airport Expansion Project” was one of the most captivating experiences for me. Future Goals As an individual, I am looking forward to my growth as an electrical engineer climbing the hierarchy of the top management to ensure that I can add more value to my company. My biggest let down is the scarcity of the women in the construction sector, and I hope as a future leader, I can play a vital role in ameliorating this situation. Edge to Enterprise linkedin.com/company/aveva linkedin.com/company/aveva linkedin.com/company/aveva @avevagroup @avevagroup @avevagroup aveva.com aveva.com A new approach to Industrial and Infrastructure Monitoring & Control WOMEN’S APPRECIATION MONTH | LEADING MEP CONTRACTORS
72 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM CBNME MACHINERY C ompaction applications are a required part of numerous industries, and no construction site is complete without a soil and asphalt compactor. To meet this demand, Bobcat has launched the company‘s new Light Compaction Product Line, in collaboration with the Ammann Group, a brand known for its comfort and productivity. This latest expansion of the Bobcat product range under the company’s Next is Now banner is designed to meet work requirements on almost any compaction job site. Machine specifications include state of the art technologies that allow maximum performance, while not compromising on comfort, safety and simplicity of use. Altogether, the Bobcat light compaction range comprises seven different product families and will ultimately offer 37 models, from vibratory rammers weighing 29 kg up to 2.6 tonne tandem rollers. Mike Vought, Senior Director for Product Management at Doosan Bobcat EMEA, said: “The launch of the complete compaction line-up is part of the exciting diversification strategy under our innovative Next is Now umbrella. Along with product innovations this is another driver on the way to achieving our vision – becoming the world leader in the compact equipment market. To accomplish our goals, even in the extremely difficult year of 2020, we introduced an unprecedented number of new products and technologies and we will continue this in 2021. “Compaction is one of the completely new product categories together with wheel loaders, that Bobcat introduced in 2020. This expansion was complemented by significant developments in the market-leading mini-excavator, rotary and rigid frame telehandler, skid-steer and compact track loader and backhoe loader ranges from Bobcat.” The Bobcat Light Compaction Range includes: > Vibratory rammers > Vibratory forward plates > Reversible vibratory plates > Hydrostatic plates > Walk behind rollers > Trench rollers > Tandem rollers Light compaction machines can be used in a wide range of applications, such as: Construction – Light compactors increase soil strength, improve stability and load bearing capacity by removing voids and interlocking soil particles. Roadwork – Compacting asphalt and base materials improves their capacity to withstand heavy traffic and improves their general durability. Landscaping – Rammers and forward plates are used for gardening and other landscaping applications, as their compact size and low weight ensures they are easy to move between job sites. VIBRATORY RAMMERS The Bobcat line-up of vibratory rammers consists of six models - the R30, R60, R68, R60P, R68P and R70D from 29 to 89 kg and is intended for small compaction works for trenches, drainage and pipelines. Due to their ease of transport they are often used for road maintenance as well. They are suitable for compacting mixed soils, sand, gravel materials, loam and clay. All Bobcat vibratory rammers come with a reduced vibration handle and a state-of-the-art CAD calculated weight distribution, ensuring maximum safety and operator comfort. The R60 and the models above also include an integrated height adjustment system. Launches new LIGHT COMPACTION product range BOBCAT
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 | 73 BOBCAT MACHINES REMOVE SURPRISE SNOW IN MADRID VIBRATORY FORWARD PLATES There are also six different vibratory forward plates, which are suitable for compacting sand, gravel, lean concrete, bitumen coated gravel and paving stones. Again, their compact size makes them easy to transport between job sites, and ideal for compaction in tight spaces (trenches, pipelines and sidewalks) and even landscaping. The FP10.33, FP12.40, FP15.40, FP15.50, FP20.50 and FP20.50D models are the smallest products in the Bobcat vibratory plate offering, ranging from 54 to 115 kg. The smart engineering design of the handles protects the operator from unwanted vibration, while the machine frame enables a secure grip and easy machine control. REVERSIBLE VIBRATORY PLATES Bobcat reversible vibratory plates are suitable for jobs mainly in civil engineering and road construction. They can easily compact all ground materials, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, concrete and sett paving. With machine weights from 109 to 490 kg, there are 12 models in the range - the RP22.40, RP22.40D, RP25.40D, RP25.50D, RP30.50, RP30.50D, RP30.60, RP30.60D, RP40.60, RP40.60D, RP49.20D and RP59.20D. All Bobcat reversible plates operate with a twin-shaft system, enabling change of direction during compaction. The twin- shaft technology also results in dual weight and a better compaction force. Hydrostatic steering controls guarantee ease of operation and a quick change in compaction direction. HYDROSTATIC PLATES Complementing the rest of the compaction plate range, there are four hydrostatic plates - the HP50.75, HP55.75, HP60.85 and HP65.85 models - weighing between 450 and 582 kg. Hydrostatic plates are designed for heavier compaction work in civil engineering and road construction. They can compact all ground materials - such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, asphalt and sett paving - with ease. The Bobcat hydrostatic plate line-up relies on a fully hydraulic system that does not require a V-belt. They operate with a dual (HP50.75 and HP60.85) or unique triple shaft (HP55.75 and HP65.85) excitation system for maximum compaction output and unbeatable climbing ability. WALK BEHIND ROLLERS Walk behind rollers are versatile machines, suitable for compacting bituminous material but also for light earthwork and other compaction tasks. Bobcat offers the WR65 model in two versions offering a choice between Hatz or Yanmar engines, both equipped with dual drums for maximum compaction. They are fully hydraulic machines, with an integrated water sprinkler system as standard. The Bobcat walk behind rollers are also equipped with dual amplitude settings, enabling a change between soil/gravel and asphalt/bituminous compaction in just seconds. TRENCH ROLLERS Trench rollers are mainly designed for trench compaction as their name suggests. Bobcat is offering the 1340 kg TR75 (articulated) and 1305 kg TR85S (skid-steered) models. They also cover a wide range of other applications such as pipeline construction, electric and other cable installations, whilst commercial or industrial developments and even dumpsite and landfill jobsites can take great advantage of these machines. They can be used for soil, sand or gravel compaction and can even tackle hard to compact materials such as clay. TANDEM ROLLERS Tandem rollers are used for larger surfaces of sub-base, asphalt or other ground materials. They are mostly present in small to medium commercial development sites and road construction sites. Bobcat is looking to offer a range of five articulated ride-on tandem rollers and the first two models will be available in March 2021 - the ATR23 and ATR26 weighing 2.3 and 2.6 tonne, respectively. The other three models starting at 1.2 tonne will be rolled out in the summer of 2021.
74 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM CBNME EQUIPMENT T he Portable Power business of Doosan Bobcat has announced a new global leadership structure to provide the company with increased efficiencies in terms of global operational footprint, global product platforms and other key initiatives. This change is aimed at streamlining the performance of Portable Power products within Doosan Bobcat. Jan Moravec has been ap- pointed as General Manager, Portable Power for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Jan has been with Portable Power for over 18 years and is based at the Doosan Bobcat EMEA campus in Dobris in the Czech Republic. Jan Moravec commented: “I’m delighted to be taking on the new role of General Manager for Portable Power EMEA. Our business has more than 100 years of experience in providing superior products and services for our customers, with a great team of people offering the drive, focus and passion to continue this suc- cess. Our key goals for this year include the completion of our Stage V compressor range with the introduction of a new family of small compressors, enhancing our product offering for MEA markets and to con- tinue to strengthen our dealer- ship network and to fulfill all of our customer’s needs in the EMEA region.” In his new role, Moravec will retain responsibility for product and program management as well as taking on responsibility for sales, service, along with supply chain sales, inventory and operations planning and responsibility for the company owned stores in EMEA. Jan will report to Lance Mathern, Vice President, Global Portable Power. As well as portable compres- sors for the construction, rent- al, quarrying and many other industries, the Portable Power range from Doosan Bobcat in- cludes generators and lighting products aimed at the same markets. APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER Portable Power EMEA “OUR BUSINESS HAS MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING SUPERIOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.” Jan Moravec, General Manager, Portable Power for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
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76 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | MARCH 2021 WWW.CBNME.COM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES > To underline Al Masaood’s credibility as investors in Abu Dhabi and position the group as a national thought-leader while growing with the nation. > Increasing brand reach with target media by showcasing brand crafted and curated stories. Ensuring that our lead- ership team is being profiled. > Build and maintain effective innovative solutions for Al Masaood using the latest digital marketing solutions such as search engine optimization, search engine marketing, and social marketing. POSITIONING AL MASAOOD GROUP AS ONE OF THE MAR- KET LEADERS Our role is to provide strategic marketing and planning services to the Group’s commercial businesses. This in- cludes annual and quarterly business marketing plans and budgeting exercises. We work alongside the Group’s com- mercial business units to achieve those plans. Where possible and beneficial, we aim to achieve synergy between corporate brand and business unit brand or across brands. In under three years, we achieved over 200 million in OPR value for the Group and its businesses. We created the Group’s digital presence by launching a complete and fresh eco-system of digital channels that range from a new website, corporate blog, online magazine, SEO optimized presence and excellent presence in online forums and on LinkedIn. KEY ATTRIBUTES > Centralized communication > Synergies across our family of brands > A unified and captivating corporate story across the in- dustries we operate in; automotive, power, energy, marine, construction, and business services such as logistics and IT solutions. IMPORTANCE OF TEAMWORK Teamwork is not an objective; it is an outcome. A result of many quests to manage from the heart, celebrate passion for excellence and attempt to work collectively towards a bigger purpose, one that goes beyond the tasks of a job. MARWA KAABOUR GROUP MARKETING & CORPORATE COMMUNICATION MANAGER, TALKS HER ROLE AND HOW SHE IS HELPING CONTRIBUTE TO AL MASAAOD GROUP’S SUCCESS “Where possible and beneficial, we aim to achieve synergy between corporate brand and business unit brand or across brands.” CBNME UNSUNG HEROES
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