Construction Business News

Construction Business News, September 2017

Cover of Construction Business News, September 2017

Construction Business News, September 2017

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www.cbnme.com THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REGION'S CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS ASGC chief, Bishoy Azmy, highlights the importance of selecting the right projects for success SEPTEMBER 2017 We design.. we construct.. we build.. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, PO Box 65697 Riyadh 11566 Tel: +966 11 293 1193 Fax: +966 11 293 1170 www.albawani.net Classified Class 1 ISO 9001 CBNME takes a tour of the $4bn Sobha Hartland project, being developed by Sobha Group Deadlines for nominations extended for Construction Innovation Awards 2017 A monthly round-up of the global and regional construction equipment market

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 3 Ed Note News Comment Portacool talks about negative effects of heat on productivity Comment Bentley Systems’ Andy Smith discusses BIM to redefine modern structures Cover Story The Recipe for success is right selection, says ASGC’s Bishoy Azmy Site Visit A tour of the $4bn Sobha Hartland project by Sobha Group 8 10 24 26 28 34 // contents September 2017 // Issue #31 Keep up to date with all the latest news, features and much more on our website. www.cbnme.com On the web

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// construction business news me // September 2017 6 S U B S C R I B E subscriptions@bncpublishing.net CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net Managing Director Walid Zok walid@bncpublishing.net Director Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net Group Publishing Director Diarmuid O'Malley dom@bncpublishing.net Group Sales Director Joaquim D'Costa jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706 Business Development Director Rabih Naderi rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818 Editor Paromita Dey paromita@bncpublishing.net Photography Dhananjay Shekar Poojari Art Director Aaron Sutton aaron@bncpublishing.net Marketing Executive Mark Anthony Monzon mark@bncpublishing.net PO Box 502511 Dubai, United Arab Emirates P +971 4 4200 506 | F +971 4 4200 196 For all commercial enquiries related to Construction Business News ME contact sales@bncpublishing.net T +971 55 339 5097 All rights reserved © 2015. 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 International Printing Press www.ippuae.com Case Study The UAE’s first 3D printing facility by Immensa Technology Facilities Management The FM industry experts re-adjust to suit the current economic climate CIA 2017 Deadlines extended for Construction Innovation Awards 2017 Supplier News Editor’s Pick 44 48 54 82 84

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Leaders in Project Management Inspiring Innovative Leadership www.hillintl.com

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// construction business news me // September 2017 8 // Editor's note Optimism in the air O ne of the region’s premier real es- tate events, Cityscape Global, is just around the corner and like the previous years, there is a sense of optimism in the air. Developers have started chalking out their plans for showcasing their latest offerings to the investors and the end-us- ers. Last month, Invest Group Overseas (IGO) launched a new tower in Jumeirah Lakes Tow- ers (JLT) – one of the last plots of land to be developed in that area. According to the latest records from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), the first six months of 2017 indicates that Dubai real estate transactions totalled about $36bn, an increase of 16.8% from the corresponding period of 2016. This was achieved through 35,571 sales, mortgages, and other transac- tions, an increase of 25.9% from the first half of 2016. The DLD report showed that land sales generated as much as $24.8bn from ap- proximately 8,000 transactions, while build- ing sales involving 3,887 transactions brought in $2.7bn. Unit sales crossed the $8.4bn mark. Not to forget, the Expo 2020 deadline is inching closer. The UAE is in the process of injecting lumpsum funds in the development of infrastructure, commercial, retail, and de- velopmental projects. The information on the current status of Dubai’s real estate underlines the ambitious steps of the country towards diversification in the face of current subdued economic conditions. In the recent scenario, real estate activity has developed and branched out into varied activities that complemented overall growth in the sector, and broadened the choices and requirements of the end-users. People have pinned their hopes on City- scape Global to infuse the much-needed en- thusiasm in the real estate sector, so do we! It’s a wait and watch game to exactly gauge the situation in the coming months. editor’s note Paromita Dey Editor paromita@bncpublishing.net @paromitadey1 linkedin.com/in/paromita-dey

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// construction business news me // September 2017 10 For News, features and more, Visit www.CBNme.com Follow us on twitter for breaking news: @cbn_ME Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute breaking news An update from around the region Construction Update Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Moham- med bin Rashid Al Maktoum, paid a visit to the Expo 2020 site office, along with HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Moham- med bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Upon arrival, HH Sheikh Mohammed was received by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chair- man of Dubai Airports, chair- man and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group; and Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for In- ternational Cooperation and Dubai Expo 2020 bureau di- rector general, reported WAM. HH Sheikh Mohammed conducted a helicopter tour of the site to see its progress. He was briefed by depart- ment heads and directors on the considerable advance- ments made by the expo team in the areas of real estate and development, international participants, legacy, business development and integration, and youth connect. He also underlined the im- portance of youth being inte- grated into the Expo journey and the key work being car- ried out involving them in planning both for Expo 2020 itself and the social, econom- ic, physical, and reputational legacy that will follow. HH Sheikh Mohammed added that he was pleased to see the progress made by Roads and Transport Author- ity (RTA) in the construction of the metro link to a new sta- tion on the expo site, Route 2020, which will be one stop from the Al Maktoum Interna- tional Airport, which is pre- dicted to become the biggest and busiest in the world, fol- lowing completion of expan- sion in 2025. He concluded by empha- sising the role of thousands of volunteers who will be recruited to ensure that the culture and values of the UAE will be reflected throughout Expo, which is expected to be visited by 25 million, in- cluding 70% from overseas. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum commented: “HH Sheikh Mohammed was a driving force behind our suc- cessful campaign to win the right to stage the next edition of the World Expo in 2020. He has continued to be extreme- ly supportive of our mission on our journey since then towards October 2020 and is always interested in our prog- ress. We have had private and public commitments for par- ticipation from more than 120 countries and have recently announced our seventh com- mercial premier partner. “His Highness’s visit and continuing guidance is a source of great encourage- ment and inspiration as we work towards a World Expo that will have a long and meaningful impact on both the UAE and the wid- er region.” Expo opens on October 20, 2020, and closes six months later, on April 10, 2021. More than 200 participants, includ- ing nations, multilateral or- ganisations, corporations, and educational institutions are expected to take part. It will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) re- gion and the Arab World. His highness Sheikh Mohammed visits Expo 2020 Dubai site

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 11 Construction Master developer, Nakheel, has awarded four contracts, collectively worth more than AED430mn, for Deira Is- lands, its new 15.3 sqkm wa- terfront city, currently under construction in Dubai. The contracts, covering is- lands A and B of the four- island development, are for a sewage treatment plant, a district cooling plant, a sub- station, and piling work for an 800-room resort. Nakheel has now invested nearly AED7.5bn in infrastructure and construction contracts for Deira Islands so far. More contracts are due soon. The latest contracts awards are AED228.3mn to VWS Emirates/Butec SAL (Dubai Branch) under a joint ven- ture for the design, construc- tion, and 10 years’ operation and maintenance of a sew- Nakheel awards AED430mn contracts for Deira Islands age treatment plant; nearly AED100mn to Emirates Dis- trict Cooling (Emicool) to build a district cooling plant for Nakheel’s Deira Islands Night Souk and nearby Na- kheel buildings, with 10 years’ operation and main- tenance; AED90.5mn for a 132/11kV substation to AG Power, covering the south island (Island A); and AED14.5mn to Delta Foun- dations (Dubai branch) for piling works for the 800- room RIU beach front resort, Nakheel’s joint venture hos- pitality project with Spain’s RIU Hotels and Resorts. A construction tender for the resort was issued in May, and is due to be awarded by the end of this year. With a diverse range of retail projects, resorts, ho- tels and residential devel- opments, Deira Islands will transform Dubai’s Deira dis- trict into a hub for tourism, retail and entertainment. The waterfront city will add 40 km, including 21 km of beach, to Dubai’s coastline and pave the way for the development of hundreds of hotels, residences and attractions. Deira Islands is expected to have a popula- tion of 250,000 and to create 80,000 jobs. In April, Nakheel award- ed a construction contract worth AED4.2bn for Deira Mall, the centrepiece of Dei- ra Islands and Dubai’s big- gest shopping mall in terms of retail space. Meanwhile Deira Islands Night Souk, with more than 5,300 water- side shops and restaurants, is under construction and due to open in 2018. Results Dubai-based contractor, Arabtec, reported a net profit of AED- 42mn in the first six months of 2017, as compared to a net loss of AED243mn in the same pe- riod in 2016. Revenue for the period ending June 30, 2017, was reported at AED4.2bn, a 2% increase from AED4.1bn in the same period last year. Net profit attributable to the parent company was AED- 57mn compared to a net loss of AED233mn in H1 2016. Group chief executive of- ficer, Hamish Tyrwhitt, said: “We continue to align our business with our strategic Arabtec reports AED42mn net profit in H1 2017 and sustainable future for all our stakeholders.” The key deliverable in H1 2017 was the comple- tion of the recapitalisation programme in June which has stabilised the busi- ness enabling the group to look to the future. Arabtec has made good progress implementing robust risk management, refocusing on core competencies and key geographies, creating clear accountability, managing and tracking performance, and streamlining business processes which will contin- ue to improve productivity. roadmap which has been re- flected in the performance of the group. The recapitalisa- tion programme was the key deliverable for us in Phase 1 of our strategic roadmap, which we successfully con- cluded in June, leaving us to focus on risk management and business transforma- tion. We will also remain on track to optimise the delivery of our AED17.4bn backlog and continue to work on turning risks into opportu- nities through the resolu- tion of legacy claims and collecting receivables. “Having begun the imple- mentation of the 4-Gate Work Winning Process, we are already seeing an im- provement in our work winning rate, adding to our backlog of quality projects and are optimistic about the pipeline of future tenders. “We are now concentrat- ing on aligning the syner- gies of our operating entities to become more productive and cost effective and have begun positioning the busi- ness to deliver Phase 2 of our strategic roadmap. We continue to look to improve- ments in the future that will contribute to the successful

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// NEWS // construction business news me // September 2017 12 Retail UAE-based conglomerate, Majid Al Futtaim, is set to invest OMR45mn in Oman with City Centre Sohar, due to open in late 2018. Ghaith Shocair, chief ex- ecutive officer – shopping malls, Majid Al Futtaim Prop- erties, said: “As part of Majid Al Futtaim’s growth strategy, we aim to be at the forefront of Oman’s rapid develop- ment in the retail industry and bring the best shopping, food and beverage (F&B), and entertainment experi- ences to Sohar with this con- temporary urban project. “By introducing our City Centre brand to Sohar, we will be enhancing the city’s retail landscape with more than 130 diverse stores, an 8,400 sqm Carrefour Hyper- market, a nine-screen VOX Majid Al Futtaim to develop OMR45mn City Centre Sohar Cinemas, in addition to an array of dining and enter- tainment options. Majid Al Futtaim’s investment in the city of Sohar underscores our commitment to creating great moments for everyone every day.” City Centre Sohar, conve- niently located on Batinah Highway, will add 40,000 sqm of gross leasable area to the Sultanate’s booming retail sec- tor. The construction contract for City Centre Sohar has been awarded to the Oman-based company, Al Turki Enterprise, and the work will commence in November 2017. City Centre Sohar has set a target to achieve LEED Gold status – an energy-efficient design certification – within three months of opening. Contract Arabtec Holding’s wholly- owned subsidiary, Arabtec Construction, has been awarded an AED363mn con- tract for the construction of the Dubai South Mall. The contractor has been awarded this project by the joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai World Trade Centre. The mall will have a built up area of ap- proximately 83,000 sqm, comprising a ground level consisting of a grade level parking and a hypermar- ket, the next two levels will include food and beverage (F&B), cinema, family enter- Arabtec bags AED363mn Dubai South mall contract trust with our shareholders, in our ability as management, to then deliver on those proj- ects. We continue to adopt a selective risk management approach in order to capture jobs within our core compe- tencies and strategic focus.” South Mall and look forward to delivering another project at the Expo 2020 site. Our recent project wins demon- strate the trust we are de- veloping with our clients to deliver projects. “We are also building that tainment facility, food court, and retail shops. With the project work to com- mence this month, the mall will be located in Dubai South, a 145 sqkm city on Dubai’s southern border that encompasses the Al Maktoum International Airport, the Expo 2020 site, and a major logistics district. Group chief executive of- ficer, Hamish Tyrwhitt, said in a statement to Dubai Fi- nancial Market (DFM): “We continue to build strong re- lationships with our clients and are pleased to announce the award from the JV for the construction of the Dubai This will include implement- ing sustainable building best practice with enhanced insulation, LED lighting, and solar panels that will con- tribute to the centre’s en- ergy requirements. Further- more, condensation from air-conditioning and venti- lation systems will be used for irrigation. In addition to City Centre Sohar, Majid Al Futtaim Prop- erties owns and operates the newly upgraded City Centre Qurum, as well as City Cen- tre Muscat, which recently underwent an OMR27mn ex- pansion. Community-centred mall, My City Centre Sur, is also in the pipeline, as is Mall of Oman, set to be the Sultanate’s biggest shopping centre and representing an investment of OMR275mn.

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 13 Results Aldar Properties’ first half net profits decrease 3.8% Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer, Aldar Proper- ties, reported a 3.8% drop in its net profits for the first six months of 2017, to AED1.26bn from AED1.31bn in the same period last year. The company reported H1 2017 revenue of AED2.93bn supported by revenue rec- ognition on developments under construction. In addi- tion, Aldar posted Q2 2017 net profit as AED620mn as against AED654mn in the same period last year. Commenting on the re- sults, HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Aldar Properties, said: “Aldar has delivered a solid set of re- sults for the first half of the year. Robust occupancy across our portfolio of in- vestments demonstrates our resilience as an asset manager and the success of our most recent residential development, The Bridg- es, clearly shows there is strength in the Abu Dhabi property market. The un- precedented response to The Bridges, which sold out in a matter of weeks, showcases the opportuni- ties presented by the mid- market and supports our strategy to continue to fo- cus on this segment. “The Abu Dhabi govern- ment’s unveiling of an AE- D12bn development plan for Yas Island will acceler- ate its transformation into a global urban, entertainment, and business hub. Aldar is pleased to have been cho- sen to develop the AED1bn media and entertainment zone in the project, set to become home to thousands of working professionals, who will further enrich the Yas Island destination.” In April, Aldar launched its 1,272-unit, AED1.3bn mid-market residential de- velopment, The Bridges, on Reem Island. The launch The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) has awarded Siemens a contract for the construction of two new substations. These will transmit electricity from the Burullus power plant, set to become the world’s largest combined cycle station located at Kaft El Sheikh Governorate, to supply up to 15 million Egyptians with reliable electricity. The two new substations at Samanoud and Aboul Matameer will enable power de- livery to Egyptian homes as well as different industries located in the Delta region. They will also help increase the capacity of the national grid, which is a key requirement to foster economic growth as defined by the goals of Egypt’s vision 2030, Siemens said. Gamal Abdel Rahim, chairman of EETC, said: “To enable more resilient, efficient, and reliable power systems, Egypt needs to enhance the country’s transmission lines to accommodate the increase in power generation capacity. This is why the EETC has been redefining the conventional approaches to upgrade the grid infrastruc- ture across the country.” As part of the agreement, Siemens will be responsible for the design, engineering, construction, supply, installation, and com- missioning of the two new 500/220kV substations that will be delivered on a turnkey basis. This includes gas-insulated switchgear (GIS); power transformers; control systems; as well as protection and telecommunication equipment. Emad Ghaly, CEO of Siemens Egypt, said: “An efficient and robust electricity network is an essential part of Egypt’s vision to drive long-term economic growth. We are pleased to build on a trusting relationship with EETC to boost grid infrastructure.” The fasttrack project is being executed in consortium with El Sewedy Electric for the construction work of the substations. Com- pletion is scheduled within 15 months from signing the contracts. Once constructed, the substations are set to become one of the largest turnkey substations ever supplied to the national grid, Siemens said. Siemens wins substation deals in Egypt met with a very positive re- sponse with all three towers released to the market sold out in weeks. This contrib- uted to Aldar’s AED1.8bn of development sales value during the first six months of 2017. During the second quar- ter, twofour54 appointed Aldar as the strategic real estate partner of the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Author- ity, to develop a new, per- manent home as part of an AED12bn development on Yas Island. In addition, it is set to attract 5,000 working professionals from the me- dia sector, further building the Yas Island community. Three key developments, Ansam, Al Hadeel, and Nareel Island, are set for handover from Q4 2017, with construction enter- ing final stages. Al Merief, Meera, Mayan, Yas Acres, and West Yas are all pro- gressing well and on track for their respective comple- tion dates. Aldar achieved stable oc- cupancy above 90% across its residential and office portfolio as well as Yas Mall. The hospitality portfolio re- corded occupancy of 78%, against the Abu Dhabi mar- ket of 70%. During the quar- ter, Aldar’s flagship retail asset, Yas Mall, launched a 24-hour mega sale over Eid Al Fitr, which was the first of its kind in the emirate. Four new investments were committed during the first six months of 2017, completing Aldar’s AED3bn investment programme.

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// NEWS // construction business news me // September 2017 14 Results Damac posts AED1.6bn net profit in H1 2017 Dubai-based developer, Damac Properties, reported a net profit of AED1.6bn and a total revenue of AED3.5bn in the first half of 2017. Damac’s booked sales for H1 stood at AED4bn, and delivered 1,071 units in Damac Hills. Total cash and bank balances stood at AED8.6bn, while earn- ings per share for H1 came to AED0.26. Hussain Sajwani, chairman of Damac Properties, said: “The property market in Dubai continues to demon- strate further stabilisation, and our medium- to long- term outlook remains posi- tive as Damac continues to develop innovative prod- ucts that appeal to both end users and investors. Dam- ac’s strong H1 sales per- formance can be attributed to continued demand for a Dubai-based developer, Meraas, announced that it has launched the sale of Nikki Beach Residences, 63 exclusively branded units, making it the first freehold property in Jumeirah 1 // Snapshot sizes surrounding an 18-hole championship golf course, along with an organic pro- duce market, hydroponic café, luxury wellness centre, outdoor yoga enclave, and retail outlets featuring well- known brands. Construction is almost complete on the Damac Towers by Paramount Ho- tels & Resorts, a four-tower, 250m high development consisting over 2,000 units, and includes a luxury hotel and serviced branded resi- dences in Business Bay. Progress on the Damac Heights, an 86-floor tower with views of the sea and Palm Jumeirah, is also nearing completion. Sa- jwani added: “Thanks to Dubai’s visionary leader- ship and the government’s successful efforts in attract- ing investors and visitors, number of our projects in- cluding Aykon City, Damac Hills, and Akoya Oxygen.” An additional 1,071 units were delivered at its Damac Hills master development in H1 2017, bringing the total number of delivered units there to over 3,100. In February 2017, Damac cel- ebrated its flagship golf de- velopment with the opening of the Trump International Golf Club Dubai, offering world-class golfing on an 18- hole championship course and leisure, dining, and entertainment experiences. Construction continues on the 5,000 villas at its Akoya Oxygen master community in Dubailand, with a further 1,300 villas, scheduled to begin construction in Sep- tember 2017. Akoya Oxygen includes contemporary resi- dential properties of various Dubai continues to show economic growth in spite of the turbulence seen in 2016 with the drop in oil prices and sluggish global trade. GDP growth contin- ues to remain positive at 2.85% in 2016 and Dubai remains one of the most popular destinations for global travellers, attracting over eight million visitors in H1 2017, compared to 7.3 million for the same period last year. “This growth also reflects on Dubai’s real estate sec- tor which, according to the Dubai Land Department, saw property transactions in H1 2017 of AED132bn, a sizeable gain over AED- 113bn during H1 2016. We are optimistic that the sector will continue to sustain this growth through the remain- der of the year.”

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 15 Hospitality The hospitality and lei- sure subsidiary of Emaar Properties, Emaar Hospital- ity Group, announced Vida Dubai Mall, a new hotel project linked directly to The Dubai Mall. Vida Hotels and Resorts already has two operation- al hotels in Dubai – Vida Downtown and Manzil Downtown. Additionally, the brand has seven upcom- ing projects, including Vida Dubai Mall, in the UAE and three in international mar- kets including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt. Opening to direct views of Burj Khalifa, the project is a two-tower develop- ment with the 195-room Vida Dubai Mall hotel and 614 serviced residences un- der Vida Residences Dubai Mall. The hotel and 380 ser- viced residences form part of a 55-storey tower, while the rest of the serviced resi- dences are located in a sec- ond tower, 38 storeys high. The two towers are linked Emaar Hospitality unveils hotel project in Downtown Dubai by a seven-storey podium with a wide range of ame- nities including restaurants, retail, and leisure attractions. The podium-level amenities include an outdoor swim- ming pool, sunbathing deck, kids club, yoga deck, and events spaces. Olivier Harnisch, CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Vida Hotels and Re- sorts has set a distinctive identity in the hospitality sector of Dubai as stimu- lating environments where convenience meets interac- tivity, reflecting the aspira- tions of the new generation of travellers. With its focus on serving as lively and vi- brant hubs where inspiring minds can create, connect, and come alive, Vida ho- tels are fast expanding their footprint with 10 upcoming projects in the UAE and in- ternational markets. “Vida Dubai Mall in Down- town Dubai, linked directly to the most visited destination in the world, underlines the growth of this home-grown brand that offers exceptional ambience and service stan- dards. The hotel project cel- ebrates the brand value of Vida, which means ‘life’ in Spanish, highlighting warmth, simplicity and creativity in uniquely design-led spaces. Highlighting our competen- cies in mixed-use project management, Vida Dubai Mall will be a sought-after destina- tion for the young and trendy, and offer seamless service for guests and residents in a spec- tacular location in the heart of the city.” Vida Dubai Mall will fea- ture a suite of facilities for guests and visitors including signature restaurants, meet- ing rooms, salons, events venues, and other amenities that will be unveiled in due course. It will also have a di- rect link to the retail podium of the upcoming Address Fountain Views residential and hotel project in Down- town Dubai, adding to the choice of residents. // Bitesize news Armani Hotel Dubai has been awarded the prestigious Green Globe certification for their efforts to promote a sustainable environment and community. JCDecaux won with its Emirati partner, DXB Media Advertising, a new street furniture contract in Dubai for 10 years, following a competitive tender by RTA. De Boer Middle East has won the contract to build a high-specification semi-permanent exhibition hall at King Abdullah Economic City, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Dubai-based property developer, Emaar, has launched an exclusive collection of elegantly designed villas, Golf Links, located along an 18-hole championship golf course in Dubai South.

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// NEWS // construction business news me // September 2017 16 International contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering, and offshore projects (oil, gas, and wind), Van Oord, has successfully secured the contract for Dubai Har- bour marine works. To be developed by master devel- oper, Meraas, the project is situated on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, in the area between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, also known as Mina Al Seyahi. The 186ha project is headlined by Dubai Lighthouse, a 135m-high tow- er comprising a luxury hotel and an observation deck. It will also boast a 13,935 sqm cruise liner terminal ca- pable of handling 6,000 passengers, as well as entertainment and retail space, a yacht club, shopping mall, hotels, and residences. The project, which Van Oord car- ries out for Projects Link Contracting Company, is the next step in achiev- ing ‘Dubai Tourism Vision 2020’, Dubai’s strategy to attract 20 million visitors per year by 2020. Jan Willem Elleswijk, the area manager at Van Oord, said: “Our responsibilities will include dredg- ing the 12km navigation channel, reclaiming land and executing vibro compaction. We will be deploying a large trailing suction hopper dredg- er, and one of our high tech self- propelled cutter suction dredgers. We are looking forward to contribut- ing to yet another Dubai landmark. Van Oord will work on the same strategy to which it has contributed since 2001 by building amongst others Palm Jumeirah, The World, and many other artificial islands.” Dubai Harbour awards Van Oord marine works contract Facilities management Deyaar unveils new FM initiative Dubai-based developer, Deyaar De- velopment, has launched Deyaar Al Khair, an initiative that will provide free maintenance services to under- privileged families across the country through its subsidiary, Deyaar Facili- ties Management (DFM). As part of its initiative, Deyaar has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the Beit Al Khair and Dar Al Ber Societies, to identify a list of houses across the country that need immediate intervention. During the first phase of the initiative, which will last until the end of 2017, Deyaar will carry out AED500,000 worth of essential maintenance. Saeed Al Qatami, CEO, Deyaar, said: “Deyaar Development is pleased to launch this initiative, which is in line with the Year of Giving strategies an- nounced by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Za- yed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Deyaar Al Khair stems from the com- pany’s awareness of importance of providing assistance to all segments of the local community through its exper- tise and services, away from focusing on achieving financial profit only. “Such initiatives play an important role in enhancing the sense of coop- eration for both individuals by giving them the opportunity to volunteer and organisations to provide comprehen- sive services to the community.” DFM will manage maintenance ser- vices provided to houses in number of cities across the country. Special- ised teams from the company will be involved in the operations along with volunteers from Deyaar Development’s different departments. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, ex- ecutive director, Dar Al Ber Society, said: “Our participation in Deyaar Al Khair initiative comes in response to HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Na- hyan’s initiative to name 2017 as the Year of Giving. I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Deyaar for considering partnering with Dar Al Ber for this initiative, which reflects the commitment of the UAE’s organisa- tions to corporate responsibility prin- ciples, to the benefit of hundreds of unprivileged families.” Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi, general manager, Beit Al Khair Society, said: “It’s our pleasure to be part of the Deyaar Al Khair initiative, which rep- resents our commitment to developing the Emirati community. Our participa- tion in this initiative comes in response to the UAE Government marking 2017 as The Year of Giving.”

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// construction business news me // September 2017 18 // EVENT Organisers confirm highest number of submissions received for the upcoming Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets Shortlist revealed for Cityscape Awards for emerging markets T he shortlist for the Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets has been revealed, announcing the real estate and architec- ture innovators behind some of the world’s renowned new projects. With more than 300 submissions received, a total of 45 projects have been selected by an independent panel of experts. Representing 13 countries including the UAE, USA, Brazil, Egypt, India, Turkey, and Hong Kong, the projects will com- pete in 11 categories at the upcoming award ceremony on September 11, 2017, at Conrad Hotel, Dubai. The panel comprised 18 experts from prominent organisations includ- ing the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Mace Macro International, and HLM Architects. Christopher Seymour, regional devel- opment director and head of markets MESA, at Mott MacDonald and one of the judges of the Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets 2017, said: “The quality of entrants continues to im- prove and this year we saw a welcome return of some of the big names in regional property development under- lining the prominence of the awards in our industry. “Sustainability as a theme is as strong as ever but we are also seeing a much-needed increase in the planning and application of facilities manage- ment – this is something that the judg- ing panel has been expecting to see emerge over a number of years and demonstrates continuing maturity in the clients’ portfolios where cost of op- eration is becoming just as important as the cost of build.” Covering categories across sectors such as commercial, leisure and hospi- Muhammad BinGhatti, CEO and head of architecture at Binghatti Devel- opers, who are shortlisted in two cat- egories with its UAE projects, Binghatti Pearls and Binghatti Stars, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be selected as finalists for the 2017 Cityscape Global Awards for Emerging Markets. It is an incredible honour to be recognised for our efforts on an international level by such a prominent and reputable organisation like Cityscape.” The Cityscape Awards for Emerg- ing Markets are sponsored by VitrA as Platinum Awards Sponsor and Crystal Gallery for the Official Crystal Trophy Supplier, while the Cityscape Global exhibition is supported by Founda- tion Partners like Dubai Properties, Nakheel; Platinum Sponsors like Al Marjan Island, Binghatti Develop- ers, Union Properties; Gold Sponsor like Tamleek Real Estate Registra- tion Trustee; and Silver Sponsor like Maryapi Real Estate Development; Project Marketing Sponsor like Aqua Properties and Strategic Partner like Dubai Land Department. tality, community, culture and tourism, residential, retail, and sustainability, the Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets offer international architects and leading real estate developers a platform to communicate a shared vision for the future, from culturally integrated city skylines to sustainable urban communities. Carlos Arnaiz, principal at CAZA, shortlisted for the Commercial Project Award – Future with the BCDA Iconic Building in Taguig City in the Philip- pines believes that there are enormous opportunities in the socio-economic milieu of emergence. He said: “People are hungry for new ideas, the market is searching for different ways to cope with chal- lenges and, as a result, architecture has the potential to produce qualita- tive change in how people will live in countries in the emerging world. Our design research has been focused on this unique phenomenon and our goal is to transform it into an architectural trend. It is an honour to be recognised for our efforts.”

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// construction business news me // September 2017 20 // Talking point After only two and half years of construction, parts of Istanbul's new airport will open next year. For rapid progress on this build, the contractor is relying on the formwork solution from Doka. Doka forms new airport in Istanbul A new airport is in the mak- ing, located 35 km north of Istanbul, on the Euro- pean side of the Bosphorus. Covering 76.5 km2, it will be one of the largest in the world. In terms of passenger capacity, it will be one of the biggest: when fully operational on completion in 2028, it will be able to handle more than 150 million passengers a year. The new airport is set to become a hub in the region. Several airlines intend having their headquarters there. In close proxim- ity to the Black Sea, it will have its own port access. It is Istanbul's third airport. The two now in operation – Ataturk Interna- tional on the European and Sabiha Gokcen International on the Asian side of the straits – are too small for the increasing numbers of passengers. the first construction phase are sup- plied by Austrian experts for formwork solutions, Doka. In order to put the best formwork solution in place, a team of engineers from Doka Turkey is hard at work, both in the planning offices and on the ground, provid- ing services on site. On this build, the Doka team are combining timber formwork beams H20 eco and H20 top and load-bearing towers, plus framed formwork Framax Xlife and Frami Xlife and large-area formwork Top 50. The formwork systems from Doka are in use in many areas, including the run- ways, terminals, multi-level car-parking facilities, and hotels, and the wastewa- ter treatment plant. The load-bearing tower frames are steel, eminently suitable for high clear- ances and high loads. On the Istanbul airport build, these circumstances apply Ataturk International Airport is too close to the metropolitan sprawl to be extended, and current planning envis- ages its closure at some time in the near future. So building the new airport is a matter of some urgency. By no later than February 2018, only two and a half years into construction, the first of four construction phases is due for comple- tion so that a large part of the airport complex can go operational. By that time, three runways and one terminal will be available. These facilities will provide sufficient capacity to handle up to 90 million passengers a year. Efficient, fast and saving on materials In all, the construction area on this mega-size project is 2,000,000m2. At times as many as 80 cranes will be in use. Two thirds of the formwork for In terms of both sheer size and passenger numbers, Istanbul's new international airport will be one of the biggest in the world. Photo: Garabet Milosyan About Doka Doka is a world leader in developing, manufacturing, and distributing formwork technology for use in all fields of the construction sector. With more than 160 sales and logistics facilities in over 70 countries, the Doka Group has a highly efficient distribution network which ensures that equipment and technical support are provided swiftly and professionally. An enterprise forming part of the Umdasch Group, the Doka Group employs a worldwide workforce of more than 6,200.

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Delivering National Pride The United Arab Emirates Pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan, designed by the world-famous architecture studio Foster +Partners, takes its inspiration from the desert landscape and the highly innovative and futuristic ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� be relocated to the UAE. After a successful delivery in Milan, the Pavilion has been distmantled and relocated to Masdar City. Now, we are working on the ultimate reconstruction of the Pavilion, to showcase sustainability projects embracing UAE’s National Pride. We are very proud to be a part of this ambitious mission. www.cimolairimond.me | info@cimolairimond.me For the past decade, we’ve provided integrated turnkey construction services for highly challeging and complex projects to make our Clients‘ vision a reality.

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// construction business news me // September 2017 22 for the big downstand beams, which are 12m above ground level and on which the precast slab is laid. Because they are so strong and because of the wide frame span, moreover, the load-bearing towers are very safe. They also help speed up progress overall on the build, because vertical stacking is easy and assembly is a no-tools operation. In all, 30,000 load-bearing tower frames and 100,000 running metres of timber formwork beams H20 eco and H20 top are in use on this proj- ect. Large as the numbers are, they represent the optimised formwork solution on a construction project of this magnitude. Because the Doka load-bearing towers are designed for materials-saving use - the frames are oversized, so all in all few are needed to prop the structure. Framed formwork and timber-beam formwork systems are used for the walls and columns. First choice for the walls are the lightweight and eas- ily handled framed formwork Frami Xlife with strong, hot-dip galvanised steel frames and the Framax Xlife steel framed formwork, which is used for crane-lift forming of large areas. Large- area formwork Top 50 is used for the columns. It is pre-assembled and meets customer-specific requirements. A total of 5,000 sqm of framed form- work is in use. Forming and rebar- placement operations are assisted and facilitated by reinforcement platforms from Doka. Faster and safer Doka also compellingly demonstrates the high level of safety designed into the systems. The stair towers enable the site-crew members to reach their workspaces quickly and in safety. Essential safety is provided by more than 4km of guardrail in the form of the Edge protection system XP. Safety starts with correct set-up and opera- tion of the formwork. That's why the site crew on the new Istanbul Airport build has the onsite support of Doka Formwork instructors. Their job is explaining how to use the formwork effectively and safely. A team of experts from Doka Turkey is tasked with implementing the best formwork solution Photo: Garabet Milosyan The Doka load-bearing towers have steel frames, so they are ideal for high clearances and high loads. Photo: Garabet Milosyan Project: Istanbul New Airport IGA Location: Istanbul, Turkey Construction company Cengiz-MAPA-Limak-Kolin-Kalyon consortium Start of construction: 2015 Scheduled completion: 2028, four phases; partial opening: February 2018 Type of structure: Airport Passenger capacity: 150 million per year (after full completion), 90 million after 2018 In short // Talking point

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// construction business news me // September 2017 24 // Op-Ed Thomas Morrison, marketing director, Portacool, talks about the negative effects of heat on productivity and health of the construction workers Beat the heat A ccording to a recent report by BMI Research, governments are pouring investment into in- frastructure across the Middle East and North Africa. This massive growth means private and govern- ment organisations need to ensure productivity remains high throughout the summer months to reach develop- ment demands and goals. In today’s business climate, pro- ductivity is crucial. Moving faster and more efficiently often contributes to a company’s success or failure. Out- doors, or in large, open facilities that lack air conditioning, excessive heat, and heat-related stress can dramati- cally slow workers down. In fact, American scientific studies in plants have shown that as tem- peratures rise over 85oF, output drops by 18% and accuracy suffers due to a 40% increase in errors. Therefore, cool working environments should be a necessity to combat the toll taken on the worker and the company’s bottom line. From a health perspective, it is important to understand how the body handles heat and hot condi- tions when evaluating the potential for employee heat-related illnesses. As temperatures rise, the body re- leases heat more slowly. As humidity increases, sweat evaporation de- creases and stagnant air makes sweat evaporation even more difficult. When these three factors are com- bined, you have a higher potential for health and safety concerns. The chances for accidents due to sweaty hands, dizziness, and decreased men- tal alertness increase considerably. Additionally, higher body tempera- ture and discomfort can lead to irrita- bility and frustration that could lend to more careless behaviour. Workers who are not properly prepared for the heat put themselves, their col- leagues, and workplaces at risk. Dubai’s updated strategic plan for the period of 2016-2021 states that the government’s top priorities include sustainability of the city’s en- vironment, providing world-class and high-quality services, and efficient urban planning, as well as ensuring excellent infrastructure is available to achieve these goals. The region’s construction pipeline remains robust – and that is unlikely to change in the near future. Mega projects contin- ue to create immense opportunities, not only for the construction sector, but also for the economy of the UAE as a whole. That being said, it also means organisations in the region will have to increase the labour force to provide the manpower necessary to help build these high-rises and roads. The groups must share the responsibility of ensuring that every individual involved is protected. For- tunately, there has been an awaking of consciousness when it comes to how companies deal with worker's health and safety in the UAE and the wider region. Portacool has been taking steps to educate business owners and man- agers about the need for keeping work environments cool to limit the strain on productivity when tempera- tures outside are uncomfortably hot. Fortunately, there has been an awaking of consciousness when it comes to how companies deal with worker's health and safety in the UAE and the wider region.”

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 25 Fans simply circulate stale air. Por- tacool evaporative coolers come in a variety of sizes to cool any space where traditional air conditioning is impractical or cost-prohibitive. • Take it easy. Your body will tell you when it’s time for a break. Don’t ignore it. Take a rest period in a cooling station to reduce core body temperature and refresh yourself be- fore continuing with your activities. These represent precautionary measures that is suggested for those working outside to follow in order to avoid heat stress. Of course, educat- ing employees to recognise the symp- toms of heat illness, the steps to take to reduce their risk and first aid in the event of a co-worker suffering from heat exposure are also be essential. As record-breaking temperatures continue to make an impact this summer, Portacool portable evapora- tive coolers provide a cost-effective, mobile option for cooling spaces of up to 511 sqm, helping firms achieve rapid cooling when and where it’s needed the most. Portacool stresses the importance of interventions to ensure employees operating during the extreme heat are considered and well looked after. The company is working with contractors in the region to raise awareness about the dangers of heat stress. Portacool will be a fundamental supplier for the development of cooling stations for labourers on various construction sites. These cooling stations are designed spe- cifically for workers to withstand the soaring temperatures keeping them safe and productive. As temperatures continue to soar in this region, here are key factors that can help mitigate the effects of heat stress or heatstroke and cut work- related accidents and ill-health: • To prevent dehydration, take a fluid break at least every 15 minutes and avoid diuretics such as coffee, tea, alcohol, or soda, as these can deplete body fluid. Take breaks in cooler, shaded areas and rest regularly. • Avoid rapid exposure to tempera- ture extremes. Allow your body to adjust naturally by incremental ex- posure to extreme temperature ver- sus heating up and cooling down and then repeating this process. • Use cooling pads that can be in- serted into hard hats or around the neck to keep the head and neck cool. Vented hard hats or neck- bands soaked in cold water also can be used to minimise prolonged heat exposure and prevent the body from overheating. • Wear light clothing that allows your body to cool itself using natural evaporative cooling produced from sweat and circulated air. • Wear sunscreen. When you are active outdoors for long periods, sunscreen needs to be applied regularly. • Watch for symptoms. Symptoms of heat stress include excessive sweat- ing or no sweating at all, nausea, goosebumps, weakness, tightening muscles, or dizziness. • Consider energy-efficient cooling methods, such as evaporative cool- ing, to cool large, open air spaces.

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// construction business news me // September 2017 26 Andy Smith, director product management - building design modeling at Bentley Systems, talks about how BIM continues to redefine the modern skyline A Better Way B uilding information modeling (BIM), the digital representation of the physical and functional traits of buildings, continues to exert a major influence on the way facilities are planned, designed, con- structed, and maintained. This impact is reflected in how digitalisation has revolutionised the modern skyline. A single application is simply not enough for executing a project, despite the development of various software and systems that optimise the facility lifecycle. Rather, it takes a diverse team of people, organisations, and applica- tions to ensure success. As a result, emphasis should focus on collaboration and data interoperability to minimise disruptions in production workflows. It is also critical to support industry stan- dard exchange formats to permit users to re-purpose models for construction management and facilities operations. At Bentley Systems, we incorpo- rate the latest BIM advancements in design modelling and project delivery to support workflow processes, data standards, and cultural changes to maximise project results and business performance. The CONNECT Edition of our AECOsim Building Designer, multi-discipline building design appli- cation, for example, enables designers to explore design alternatives, ef- ficiently produce construction docu- ments, and create compelling visual communications. This solution pro- vides a connected data environment to improve data sharing, team collabora- tion, and personal productivity. The directive of the UK govern- ment last year to offer construction projects only to companies using Level 2 BIM software (managed computer aided design in 2D or 3D) has further intensified discussion regarding the // Op-Ed BIM technology is a constant work in progress and managing issues will remain.”

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 27 connectivity between projects and teams through capabilities such as data aggregation for a single go-to source for design representation, cloud services for scalable engineering and simulation, and hosted managed services for supplementing or even outsourcing IT services. BIM technology is a constant work in progress and managing issues will remain. For instance, the engineer- ing, architecture, construction, and operations sector will have difficulty achieving effective information reuse and data interoperability, and the sector will face problems, efficiently capturing “existing” conditions to manage the expanding inventory of brownfield projects and decommis- sioned buildings. Our industry must work closer with its users to develop appli- cations, services, projects, and resources to improve design excellence and asset performance through BIM advancement. importance of BIM technology, pres- ently and in the future. As practitioners come to terms with the repercussions of this mandate, adeptness at data quality management will become necessary. On the other hand, facility owners will need to specify what data is needed for what intended purpose. The future of using BIM applications looks promising; contractors are using data-rich models for construction man- agement and owners are beginning to repurpose as-constructed data for facility operations. Bentley users constantly voice their appreciation over how BIM technology allows them to consider more design alternatives and evalu- ate engineering performance, leading to improved project performance and significant cost reductions. Our project information management and collaboration cloud services continue to increase co-operation across teams through data sharing and project de- liverables management. For instance, China Aerospace Con- struction Group Co integrated a BIM methodology with Bentley’s AECOsim Building Designer for its Inner Mon- golia Ethnic Minorities Cultural Sports Center project. The use of the BIM strategy from design through construc- tion helped reduce earthwork from 370,000 to 70,000 cbm – resulting in savings of nearly AED11mn. The adoption of BIM advancements for project delivery will continue to grow as the technology becomes the architecture, engineering, construc- tion, and owner-operated standard for benchmarking professional practice and the accepted natural progression from CAD to digital design and simula- tion. We can expect major industry changes over the next 12 months, es- pecially in places such as the UK and Singapore where governments have introduced legislation associated with BIM technology. Looking ahead, we see great value in BIM advancements that improve

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// Cover Story Lead Born to Bishoy Azmy, chief executive officer (CEO) of ASGC, talks about the importance of selecting the right clients and projects for the company’s success T he man behind the home-grown contracting company, Al Shafar General Contracting (ASGC), Bishoy Azmy, believes in two factors – selecting the right clients and provide quality service to them. Present in the market for 30 years, the contractor has worked on numerous prestigious projects across various sectors including residential, commercial, retail, indus- trial, hospitality, and healthcare. The past two years have been quite fruitful for the company, according to Azmy. “In 2016, we have witnessed double-digit growth as compared to 2015. We did not have any issues with our profitability as well; it was a posi- tive year in all measures. The kind of projects we have delivered and the ones we have been working on are also an upgrade from what we have been doing previously. It’s a positive step in terms of maintaining revenue growth and the profit margins.” One of the projects under its kitty is the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, located in Dubai Culture Village, and expected to be complete in 2018. The main building comprises basement, a ground floor, and seven storeys, includ- ing a central warehouse for books and a preservation lab. The project will also include specialised libraries such the information centre, an Arabic library, a popular library, a children's library, a family library, an international library, and a media library. In addition to it, ASGC is also working on the much-awaited ex- pansion of the Dubai Mall to cater for its 100mn annual visitors. The construction of the expansion will be approximately 275,308 sqm and will extend the existing Fashion Avenue, enhancing the city’s high-end retail offerings and further catering to the international demographics of Dubai’s tourists. // construction business news me // September 2017 28

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 29 We do not depend on our contract conditions; we mostly focus on the positive relations with our clients. ” Bishoy Azmy, ASGC

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// construction business news me // September 2017 30 // Cover Story Along with these, some of its other projects include the refurbishment of Dubai International Terminal 1, Waldorf Astoria on Palm Jumeirah, Damac’s Oceanscape on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, and the Business Central Towers on Sheikh Zayed Road to name a few. Azmy says: “We are very selective about who we work with; we have a huge checklist of criteria and we go through each one of them very care- fully before we accept any project. We decline more projects than the ones we accept. I think they are a big part of our positive financial position. “Once the project starts, we try to remain focussed on the requirements of the clients to ensure that they are satisfied. We do not depend on our contract conditions; we mostly focus on the positive relations with our clients. It comes from not only being nice with them but from trying to see what makes the client happy and try to accommo- date as much as we can. Hence, we have never faced any cashflow issues with our clients since 2009.” Challenges on the way Despite the sombre state of the current regional economy, Azmy says that the company’s last two years have seen positive upwards growth. “Of course, we are aware of the tremors in the market in terms of the financial chal- lenges. We know that the price of oil is low and we can see that affecting the government spending and the projects. “But we have been lucky that the few projects that we have been working on continues to be of utmost importance to our clients. Hence, they have been prioritised over others, and as a result, we have insulated from the financial challenges. We do worry about the general environment but so far we have had not seen any adverse effects.” Other than the UAE, which is the company’s predominant market, ASGC has a presence in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Azmy believes that there are considerable risks associated with being present in the UAE only, hence they are now looking towards Africa as well. “We recognise that we are only present in the UAE and there are risks associated with that. We first looked at the GCC for expansion but we believe this is not the ideal time for penetration in the market. Hence we are looking in Africa for our need to grow.” All the efforts put in to make a project successful depends on the team Dubai International Airport Concourse - D

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// construction business news me // September 2017 32 and the client, Azmy mentions. He says: “The client decisions come at the beginning of the job mostly. The clients we work with are mostly develop- ers; they know what they are doing. We don’t work with clients who are not aware of their interests. With our clients, important decisions are mostly taken early at the job and no major changes are incorporated at the end. From the beginning itself, we select the right clients and projects, so that the job doesn’t get delayed.” Azmy also points out that the UAE-based contractor believes in working with local suppliers be- cause Dubai has a pool of talented and successful enterprises. Future outlook Azmy doesn’t claim that the company does amazing things for its workers but “we are doing a lot.” He adds: “The first and the most important thing we do is that the labourers are paid properly. We pay salaries that are either in line with the market or slightly better. We look at how we can be efficient and continue to pay our workforce properly. “Secondly, our camps are in very good condition; they are clean and we try to maintain as much as humane conditions possible in the accommoda- tion. This is to achieve better productiv- ity. We regularly organise cricket and rugby tournaments for our workers. Recently we had a collaboration with the Dubai Municipality to ‘Clean up Al Quoz’ campaign.” For the remainder of 2017, the contractor will be focussing on winning a couple of projects in the UAE and also on digital transfor- mation of the company processes. Azmy says: “We have appointed a new chief information officer (CIO) to focus on changing the processes. Everything is online and on the cloud. We are currently looking for- ward to challenging ourselves; re- working on all our processes and trying to become more efficient. It was something we have thought of doing gradually.” The company doesn’t plan to be- come a regional or a global player any- time soon. Azmy concludes: “We are very thankful for the positive growth that we have witnessed in the UAE. We believe that the country will remain to be the most vibrant market for con- struction and real estate, and for us as well in the future.” Etihad Museum // Cover Story

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// construction business news me // September 2017 34 In the lap of // Site visit Construction Business News takes a tour of Sobha Hartland, a $4bn mixed-use project spread across 74ha and surrounded by 22ha of green spaces G reen and open spaces coupled with luxury living in the heart of Dubai – sounds a bit un- realistic. But one of the most eminent developers in the country, Sobha Group, is making it possible with its flagship project, Sobha Hartland. The $4bn project is spread across 74ha area and comprises freehold studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes, townhouses, and four-, five-, and six-bedroom villas. The entire community is surrounded by 22ha of greenery, which constitutes 30% of the entire project. Its location within the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City and the three kilometre proximity to Dubai’s attractions makes Sobha Hartland the most-sought after plots in the emirate. The development also boasts a selection of amenities such as international schools, nurser- ies, healthcare facilities, swimming pools, tennis courts, yoga centres, Nature

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 35 gyms, playgrounds, and parks. Francis Alfred, chief executive offi- cer, Sobha, tells Construction Business News: “Sobha Hartland is a self-con- tained city. It’s a mixed-use develop- ment and consists of a lot of open spaces – you don’t get so much of open space in any city. The develop- ment has everything, starting from resi- dential, hospitality, and educational.” In April 2016, the developer launched Sobha Hartland Greens within its project, which includes eight floors of residential apartments comprising studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. Overlooking the Dubai Water Canal, the luxury apart- ments begin at a price of AED804,000 with handover of the units scheduled from December 2017. 90% of the units in building one and four as part of Hartland Greens have been completely sold out with few limited options left. In addition to it, Sobha also an- nounced the Hartland Estates, com- prising 48 luxury villas and 27 quad homes as part of phase one, all due to be completed in December 2018. Alfred says: “Phase one of construc- tion includes two apartment blocks comprising approximately 161 units, 48 four- and five-bedroom villas, and 27 quad homes. We will start handing over units in building one and four in December this year, which is few months ahead of program. Most of the structural works are completed for the villas and the quad homes, which are also due to be handed over in December 2018. “Also, we have two schools as part of phase one of the development. The Hartland International School was launched in 2013 and commenced op- erations in September 2015. The other school will be opening in the next few weeks. We want to create a lively colony for our residents, where they can feel the essence of community liv- ing right from the beginning.” Construction timeline Currently, there are around 874 construction workers present onsite working on the phase one of the proj- ect. Alfred claims that the developer always believed in taking entire con- trol of the process, hence there are no third-party contractors and subcontrac- tors involved in the process. He says: “We give a lot of emphasis on ensur- ing that the quality we promised to our customers is delivered. If we take the conventional route of subletting the work to the third-party contractors and subcontractors, there lies a huge We give a lot of emphasis on ensuring that the quality we promised to our customers is delivered.” Francis Alfred, Sobha Group

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// construction business news me // September 2017 36 challenge, where it is not possible to take full control of the process. So, we believe that it is much better to man- age the construction process inhouse. “This has been a successful jour- ney for us like a backward integrated real estate model. We start our work from the concept drawings which is prepared by our own design studio. They design the masterplan, the ar- chitecture, the structural designs, the mechanical, electrical, and plumb- ing (MEP) designs, interior designs, and the landscape designs. Once the design aspects are taken care of, we have our own construction division, which takes care of the construction. We have our own glazing company to do the glassworks, our own interior division to do the designs, and so on.” In the last 40 years, the in-house construction division has delivered close to 836ha of built-up space, helped by a 2,000-strong team. Alfred points out: “The prime objective is to ensure the quality control is in place. As an integrated real estate operation, we have a quality control team, mainly consisting of Germans. This is because our chairman, PNC Menon feels that when it comes to quality assurance, Germans are non-compromising, and it has been proven in the last 15 years in our company. This model is started back in India, where we employed around 20 German master craftsmen; // Site visit

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// construction business news me // September 2017 38 we have the similar model here. They audit every aspect of the project, right from the design, construction, manu- facturing, to fabrication.” Having all the processes in-house gives an edge to the developer over others, according to Alfred. He points out that in this process, the company is not controlled by market condi- tions and can dictate its own delivery timelines. Alfred continues: “There are advantages and disadvantages associ- ated with every aspect. But for us, the advantage of having all the processes under one roof lies in the fact that we are not controlled by market condi- tions and are able to dictate our own delivery times. We control it and there is a lot more certainty in our delivery and quality because we can cater to our customers according to their needs.” Alfred also mentions that the compa- ny has been sourcing its raw materials, both locally and internationally. Future path In November last year, Sobha Group announced phase two of its Hartland Greens project, comprising two additional eight-storey apartment buildings. In addi- tion to that, the developer also launched Hartland Estates Forest Villas, a selection of four- and five-bedroom L-shaped units, available in eight floor plans. As a part of phase three of Hart- land Greens, Sobha unveiled Hartland Aflux, a twin-tower residential com- plex, featuring one-, two-, and three- bedroom apartments spread across two L-shaped buildings. Alfred says: “We are coming out with more apartments and villas as a part of phase three. Designs are in progress currently. We have to plan the design almost a year ahead, be- cause that’s where the approvals are taken care.” He also asserts that the response to all the products, so far, have been quite positive with the mar- ket. He concludes: “The positive response encourages us to come up with more projects catering to the requirements of the market. We are known for our quality and possess one of the best standards in the international market.” // Site visit

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The SDLG operational service network covers more area than any other value brand manufacturer. Which means that, with our teams of highly trained technicians, you can rely on SDLG to keep your machines working and earning. When it’s time to think about buying a new machine, remember this name: SDLG. Go online to find your local SDLG dealer: www.sdlgme.com More service network. More dedicated technicians. Trust SDLG.

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// construction business news me // September 2017 40 A Breath of Fresh Air Zaal Mohamed Zaal, chairman and founder of Al Barari, talks to Dhairya Negandhi about why he chose to move forward with such an ambitious project in Dubai // Interview A l Barari, often described as a property that was meticulously designed to emulate a desert oasis, is one of Dubai’s most attrac- tive, luxurious, and elegant real estate developments. What makes Al Barari so unique is the copious amount of nature assimilated into the community. As we enter the property, we are immediately taken aback by the striking greenery on display, the profuseness of which is truly a sight for sore eyes in a hostile, desert environment like Dubai. Can you describe your philosophy and objective when developing a property with the scale and vast magnitude of Al Barari? Al Barari’s ethos is to give residents boundless living – a continuous space between outside and inside, a place for contemplation and relaxation – and is the product of my passion to create something never before seen in the region. Guided by my passion, Al Barari’s vision of an exceptional botanic haven, unrivalled in its eco- logical sensitivity, has been realised. It is this vision that continues to propel Al Barari to keep discovering and become the benchmark for sustainable luxury in the region. The idea was to create a community where residents

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// construction business news me // September 2017 42 // Interview tion of the landscape and waterways is recycled water that is then cleaned and polished in the on-site polishing plant. The landscape’s high-density plant- ing keeps the ground cooler and re- duces evaporation, enabling the use of less water; irrigation is controlled by computerised central control sys- tem, which constantly communicates with controllers and weather stations installed in the field. This ensures application of precise quantity of water with no wastage for healthy plant growth. In fact, the level of plant density has resulted in the cre- ation of Al Barari’s own microclimate which is about 2oC cooler than other areas in Dubai. Six elegantly themed gardens al- ready completed under Phase 1 within the villa precinct and with more to come in Phase 2. The completed gar- dens cover over 14ha include balinese, contemporary, mediterranean, renais- sance, water, and woodland gardens, in addition to the showcase gardens. Our team of over 175 trained garden- ers tend to the maintenance of the gardens and open areas, with all green waste being sent to the plant nursery for recycling. The Reserve is a new development within Al Barari. What does The Reserve have that makes it different from the other properties within the same? The Reserve at Al Barari is a collection of freehold parcels of land designed to accommodate large bespoke vil- las with six or more bedrooms. The opportunity to create own bespoke dream home in a beautiful, secure and private location is now available in The Reserve. It is an exclusive com- munity within Al Barari with its own private entrance. Tell us about some upcoming projects that are slated for the coming years. We are currently building apartments. Seventh Heaven is now 77% com- pleted. Seventh Heaven homes will be among the most spacious available in Dubai, starting from 154 to 551 sqm. Ashjar has reached 71% completion. This collection of residences is sur- rounded by a dense forest landscape and unparalleled refinement. The homes are low-rise and low-density, with very few apartments per cluster. Each is set into the natural tree canopy with landscaped gardens and beautiful skyline views. The Nest, a collection of 55 four- bedroom villas, will be ready by Octo- ber 2017. Al Barari’s Phase 2 will see the creation of a resort hotel, business school, medical and assisted living facilities, retail offerings, and further residential development. feel home and welcome, where they can spend time outside and let their kids play in the gardens, as well as interact with their neighbours. What factors do, in your opinion, render a property a success? Do you believe that Al Barari has been successful? Al Barari has been a success; it was a dream and now it is a reality. In the current competitive real estate environ- ment, and with new projects starting every week across Dubai, develop- ers have to focus on key aspects that end-users are looking at when buying a property nowadays. The location, sustainability, quality, concept, vision, deliverables, and deadlines are the main factors. Al Barari has succeeded in its vision to create one of the most desirable, environmentally-conscious developments in the UAE. What efforts have you made to make Al Barari a sustainable property? The villas employ an acute awareness of natural light and shade, and have been grouped in leaf-shaped clusters to minimise the impact of infrastruc- ture on the land. Each residence supports its own energy-efficient home system and residents are encouraged to recycle domestic waste through the underground waste system that sepa- rates organic from inorganic waste, while being invisible and odourless. All the water that is used for the irriga- Zaal Mohamed Zaal, chairman of Al Barari Al Barari’s Phase 2 will see the creation of a resort hotel, business school, medical and assisted living facili- ties, retail offerings, and further residen- tial development.” Zaal Mohamed Zaal, Al Barari

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www.cbnme.com Envision a truck that could do more with every minute, hour and day. A truck so reliable, you’ll spend more time on the road thanks to longer servicing intervals. A truck with a cab designed to offer more comfort and driveability, as well as on-board fuel coaching systems. A truck with the power to move further, and the efficiency to keep your business running like clockwork. With the all new Croner, we’ve turned that vision into a cutting-edge reality. Keep Your Business Running On Time, Every Time.

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// construction business news me // September 2017 44 // Case Study The future is Fahmi Al Shawwa from Immensa Technology Labs talks to CBNME and highlights 3D printing as the next important step for contractors in the region A n intriguing concept like 3D printing has always attracted the attention of the masses in the recent times; and Dubai has always been in the forefront in adopting such innovative ideas. In April 2016, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’, a unique global initiative that aims to exploit technology for the service of human- ity and promote the status of the UAE, especially Dubai, as a leading hub of 3D printing technology by 2030. The Dubai 3D printing Strategy will make Dubai the world’s 3D printing hub. The strategy adopts an emerging technology that will help cut costs in many sectors, especially the medical and construction sector in the emir- ate. The technology will restructure economies and labour markets, and redefine productivity. It is estimated that the market in the UAE for 3D printing would be over $300bn by 2025. According to this 3D printing strategy, Dubai forecasts for a graded 70%, 80%, and 90% reduction in labour, time, and cost respectively. The emirate ambitiously also wants 25% of every new building to be 3D printed by 2025. In line with the strategy, the UAE- based additive manufacturing (AM) company, Immensa Technology Labs, launched the first 3D printing facility in Dubai, which comprises eight 3D print- ing systems and more than 30 materi- als for production. The new facility is equipped to build and manufacture the

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 45 ticated moulds, which hopefully will be ready by end of September 2017. So, we understand the technology very well. We are active in the medical sector, where we’ve worked on 3D printed medical guides. We are a completely private and independent company.” He also mentions that Immensa works very closely with German companies for the supply of raw materials. The onsite team mainly comprises 13 people, out of which six are engineers from different disciplines in engineering. Most of the machines in the lab have been imported from Germany. Al Shawwa points out: “One of our machines is from Germany-based EOS Electro Optical Systems (EOS), one of the high-end companies for industrial 3D printing processes. There are four of them in the UAE, out of which three of them are with the New York University in Abu Dhabi. We are the only private company to possess the machine. “Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is an AM technology commonly used for production quality parts, components, and one-off prototypes for the custom- ers across a variety of industries. The opening of the new 3D printing facility is expected to increase the use of 3D printing in Dubai. It also aims to ben- efit the country’s other projects, including the plan to create a 3D printed skyscraper and 3D printed research laboratory. Talking to CBNME, Fahmi Al Shaw- wa, the chief executive of Immensa Technology Labs, explains: “There has been more of a hype surrounding 3D printing in the last couple of years. With regards to the construction sector, the industry generally tends to be one of the last sectors to adopt technology. But it is changing fast - now construc- tion is leaning towards 3D printing. And Dubai has been one of the leading cities in trying to advocate 3D printing in construction. “The government strategy for 3D printing has been pushing a lot of construction and technology companies to look and invest into it. And this is where we come in. We have set up to bridge the gap between the technology and practicality across different sectors.” The company has been working with leading regional contractors, one of them being Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC). Al Shawwa says: “We are jointly working with CCC on sophis- The government strategy for 3D printing has been pushing a lot of construction and technology companies to look and invest into it.” Fahmi Al Shawwa, Immensa

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// construction business news me // September 2017 46 modelling, prototyping, and produc- tion applications. We have five FDM machines, which are commonly used for making customised moulds.” The company is currently in the pro- cess of copyrighting a lot of its designs. Al Shawwa asserts that there have been a lot of companies that have an- nounced 3D printed structures, but are Road to glory Immensa Technology Labs was recently awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification in the field of ‘Design and Additive Manufacturing Services.’ The certification makes Immensa the first 3D printing company in the Middle East and one of only a few in the world to be recognised with the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard. In a statement, Al-Shawwa says: “Following months of challenging work and external audits, we are delighted to have been awarded this ISO certification, which is a testament to the exceptional quality and global competitiveness of our services. While the region has lagged behind the rest of the world in the adoption and integration of 3D printing technology, Immensa has forged ahead and bridged the gap by offering cutting-edge services that are on par with the top international providers out there. We are proud to be one of a few 3D printing companies internationally with this certification.” To be granted the ISO 9001:2015 certification, organisations are required to implement a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) that encompasses all facilities, services, equipment, and employees, as well as regular inspections and audits. Immensa’s ISO certification marks a turning point for the AM industry, further cementing its position as a viable, effective, and high-quality alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. no longer around. He concludes: “The technology needs a lot of testing; it is actually more viable than traditional construction methods. We don’t keep off-the-shelf products and only produce customised goods for the clients. We have been present in the market for less than a year now, but already envi- sion a big opportunity for us.” // Case Study

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// construction business news me // September 2017 48 // Facilities Management Time for Change The facilities management sector, dominated by non-profit organisations and industry leaders, finds itself adapting to the reorganised economic habitat. Dhairya Negandhi writes T he facilities management (FM) industry has always been vital to the construction sector of the Middle East. As the oil-dependent region attempts to diversify itself away from the energy sector, other industries have found that they need to adapt to the changing economic climate or be swallowed up in the tide of firms going out of busi- ness. The FM industry has displayed a progressive attitude and introduced modern, cutting-edge technology that heavily impacts its performance and allows firms to stay afloat. When asked about the utilisation of this technology to aid the performance of Middle East, Facility Management Association (MEFMA) president, Jamal Lootah, says: “We are constantly on the lookout for new technological in- novations with transformative impact on the entire FM industry and integrate the same into the regional com- munity’s processes and procedures. This ensures that we are in sync with the latest developments in terms of industry modernisation and automa- tion through the aid of next-generation tools and devices. Technology also plays a key role in MEFMA’s goal of facilitating standardisation at an op- erational level across the Middle East. As such, we help provide an interac- tive platform where stakeholders can discuss and implement measures for harnessing the power of technologies and their full potentials to guarantee industry acceleration.” In recent years, sustainability and environmentally friendly measures have steadily become an issue that has sprung to the forefront of industry leader’s minds when considering, planning, and taking on a new proj- ect. Yet, many fail to realise the all- encompassing nature of sustainability, and that it does not end merely with environmentally friendly implications. FM firms have strived to substantially change the way in which they pro-

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 49 savings. An EPC implemented at Dubai Marina Towers with estimated projected savings of 25% is currently exceeding expectations by delivering up to 30% savings.” Another significant aspect of the perennially changing FM industry is its customer engagement. Firms of large and small scales alike endeavour to improve their customer engage- ment and create a loyal customer base through various practices. Customer satisfaction, as with any other industry, is an integral factor in running a busi- ness and companies aim to escalate these figures to improve sales and attract clients. vide services and, as greater pressure is put on them to pursue sustainable practices in all projects. Alex Davies, managing director of Emrill Facilities Management, says: “For myself personally, sustainability reaches far wider than the simple environmental credentials. This also stretches to how we treat our people, how we manage the finances of the business, and how we approach partnerships with our cus- tomers. Testament to this area of sustain- able business is that existing customers contributed to 77% of new work wins and our high retention rates of contracts. On subject of environmental impact, this year, we have seen our fleet of fully electric customised club cars increase, a solution that reduces the petrol driven vehicles operating on Emrill sites. We encourage recycling and that starts within our staff accommodation and our own office as well as reaching out with solutions to our customers. “Furthermore, Emrill Energy is a core part of our business deploying retrofit solutions to existing buildings to achieve demonstrable energy savings. This is achieved through so-called Energy Performance Contracts (EPC). Emrill Energy designs, funds, installs, and manages the EPC scheme as a unique turnkey solution and offers the building owner guaranteed minimum We encourage recycling and that starts within our staff accommodation and our own office as well as reaching out with solutions to our customers.” Alex Davies, Emrill

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// construction business news me // September 2017 50 www.cbnme.com Davies adds: “Emrill runs a customer experience programme called ‘ServEx- cel’. This measures the views of Emrill customers on our various services through an informed client survey. This survey collects the necessary data that can then be internationally benchmarked. The ‘ServExcel’ suite of tools includes the ability to develop end user surveys to understand how users of a certain place feel about their experience. As a final measure, we pay significant attention to our contract retention rates. Whilst this is a reactive measure, it is also a key statistic to ensure that Emrill is truly delivering the service customers want at a value they can afford.” In this harsh economic climate, it has become increasingly apparent that companies must combine their efforts and collaborate frequently if they are to survive. A joint venture is more profitable than working alone. undergone an integration, spearhead- ed by MEFMA. MEFMA took the initiative to unite the industry and, perhaps, helped it flourish and not stagnate. When asked about why MEFMA decided to become the unifying factor of the sector, Loo- tah says: “As a non-profit professional organisation formed under the Dubai Association Centre (DAC), MEFMA seeks to support, represent, and ad- vance the region’s steadily growing FM industry. Our philosophy of building an integrated regional FM market is fundamental to achieving this objective and is at the core of our mission. We need a cohesive and unified FM com- munity that maximises all resources to respond as one to impactful and trans- formative global changes and trends. “The association facilitates con- tinuous industry enhancements and improvements in line with relevant regional and global developments. // Facilities Management We have already lined up several activities and initiatives to bring the FM community to new heights of development.” Jamal Lootah, MEFMA As a result of the rigid economic situ- ation that a plethora of firms found themselves in, they discovered that it was easier to work in tandem and complement each other rather than compete directly. The FM industry has

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// construction business news me // September 2017 52 We start by focussing on the people. A number of FM professionals have been empowered through our training and knowledge sharing initiatives and efforts to build a sustainable, safe, and resilient work environment. “In addition, the association con- ducts research, gives assistance to FM organisations, and helps establish a standardised framework for FM profes- sionals and stakeholders to ensure sus- tainable FM strategies that will benefit not only the community but the whole international industry as well.” Finally, the future of FM remains in- tact. Firms such as Emrill and MEFMA display an uninterrupted stream in business, in part due to their tireless efforts in promoting the use of more FM-based services. The advance- ment of technology used in the field allows firms to innovate and develop themselves into pioneers, guiding their peers towards a different era. Lootah, when asked about upcom- ing projects for MEFMA, responds: “We have already lined up several activities and initiatives to bring the FM com- munity to new heights of development. These include educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and focus groups and conferences that will attract major players and stakeholders, not only in the Middle East, but the rest of the international community as well.” When Davies was asked about the future of Emrill, he says: “Our vision for the future is to redefine service experi- ence to create great places to work, live, and visit across the UAE. We will deliver a quality service through valued partnerships, delivered by excellent people who constantly innovate to im- prove customer experience. By 2020, Emrill plans to have a fully developed ‘Asset Care’ package reliant on IoT sensors, highly productive mecha- nised techniques, delivering predictive, energy efficient, and business centred services that meet the individual needs of each site and its users. “Our focus remains on growing our current key sectors of aviation, residential, master community, retail, corporate, and healthcare. These are absolutely aligned with our long-term strategy and goals. We are focusing on some of the mega projects, currently under planning or construction in the UAE as core targets moving forward.” Davies concludes: “We will continue to bring international best practices and accreditation to everything we do. Looking further into the future, we are developing our skills and competen- cies further in areas such as workplace planning, allowing us to be ready for agile working practices that digital disruption is likely to create.” // Facilities Management

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The Middle East’s premier Exhibition, Conference & Awards for Lighting Design and Technology 17 – 19 October, 2017 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Experience innovative products and solutions along with enlightening insights shaping the lighting industry right now. Pre-register to visit www.lightME.net/Register10

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It’s time For the second year running, the Construction Innovation Awards 2017 is one of the leading events applauding the achievements of the region’s construction professionals. The awards strive to recognise individual excellence, corporate strengths, and project success. Companies are invited to nominate the people, projects, and initiatives of which they are most proud of, across 19 categories. Entries will be judged by an eminent jury of industry experts. Nominate yourselves now to stand a chance to win at the much-awaited construction industry awards event of 2017. // Awards preview // construction business news me // July 2017 54

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construction business news me // July 2017 // 55 Company Awards • Contractor of the year • MEP Contractor of the year • Consultant of the year • Real estate developer of the year • FM Company of the year • HSE Initiative of the year • Sustainability Initiative of the year • CSR Initiative of the year • Supplier of the year Project Awards • Infrastructure project of the year • Commercial project of the year • Retail project of the year • Hospitality project of the year • Residential project of the year • Sustainable project of the year Individual Awards • Project manager of the year • Engineer of the year • Construction Executive of the year • Lifetime Achievement Award Wall of fame • Lifetime Achievement Award: HE Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO, Wasl Asset Management Group • Master Developer of the Year: Dubai South • Contractor of the year: Trojan General Contracting • Developer of the year: Azizi Developments • Commercial Project of the year: Citywalk by Meraas • Project Management firm of the year: Parsons • MEP Contractor of the year: ALEMCO • Leisure Project of the year: Dubai Parks and Resorts • Consulting firm of the year: Hill International • Fastest growing company: KBW Investments • Hospitality project of the year: The Palm Tower by Nakheel • Residential project of the year: Gardenia Residency by Shaikhani Group • Engineer of the year: May Faraj, Arcadis • Infrastructure initiative of the year: China State Construction Engineering Corporation • FM Company of the year: EFS Facilities Services • Project of the year: The Residences at Marina Gate by Select Group • Sustainable project of the year: Ted Jacob Engineering Group • HSE initiative of the year: Arcadis • Engineering solution of the year: Kirby Building Systems • Formwork company of the year: Doka Gulf • Innovation of the year: KIMMCO Key facts Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2017 Time: 7:30pm Venue: St Regis, Dubai Social media Twitter - @cbn_me (#cbnmeawards17) Facebook – cbnme Linkedin – construction business news Instagram – @cbn_me www.cbnme.com

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// construction business news me // September 2017 56 The 9th edition of the International Exhibition for Intralogistics, Warehousing, Supply Chain, Ports, Port Equipment – Products & Services www.materialshandlingME.com 11 – 13 September 2017 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Visit and meet leading suppliers providing smart solutions for supply chain and warehousing. From logistics and robotics to automation and innovation, connect with game changers that are transforming the materials handling industry. Register online to visit at www.materialshandlingME.com/AD6

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 57 // Machinery & Vehicles Our monthly review of the workhorses of the construction industry Muscle & Might Muscle & Might A round-up of the important updates from the global construction equipment market JLG throws light on its decade-long journey to success regionally and globally Euro Auctions highlights the auctioneer’s first big event in the Middle East 58 66 76

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// NEWS // construction business news me // September 2017 58 Technology Trukkin brings cloud-based B2B transportation to GCC Trukkin Middle East has launched its new cloud-based B2B platform and app that unites customers with ship- pers and truckers in the Mid- dle East region with the aim of creating new business op- portunities while streamlining logistics solutions. The start-up is the brain- child of entrepreneurs from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and co-founded by Ahmed Al Nafie and Janardan Dalmia. Trukkin is headquartered in Dubai with offices in Saudi Arabia and India. Its logistics platform enables on-demand services for clients, who can request bids through the app or on the web portal after reg- istering. For clients, Trukkin provides transparent sourcing of new suppliers, services on demand, and promises lower transport overheads. For fleet owners and individual driv- ers, the Trukkin platform offers a new channel for business development. “We’ve launched Trukkin with the mission of making it the preferred logistics enabler region-wide by providing a state-of-the-art mechanism to connect suppliers and cli- ents,” said Trukkin CEO and co-founder, Janardan Dalmia. “Trukkin answers a genu- ine industry need for greater transparency, choice of pro- viders, and the ability to re- quest transport services from available fleets. The team has developed the product after extensive on-the-ground mar- ket research, working very closely with partners from Saudi Arabia. “We have honed the user journey to make registration, placing orders, accepting bids, and making payments very simple, leading to an ex- cellent user experience from start to finish. I am extremely confident that Trukkin will enhance and simplify logistics across industries in the whole GCC region.” The Trukkin ecosystem comprises a multi-lingual cus- tomer app on iOS, Android, and a web portal. Fleet own- ers and individual drivers can also take advantage of the multi-lingual online portal and apps. Customers, fleet own- ers, and independent drivers, all register on the Trukkin platform after going through a verification process. Custom- ers can then request services to transport their goods/load and provide order details via the app and web platforms. Customers choose a pre- ferred supplier and give the go-ahead. Drivers from the logistics firm or fleet opera- tor then arrive to pick up the goods and start the provi- sion of services. Once the driver has reached the drop- off point and off-loaded the goods, proof of delivery is uploaded to the app, and the service is officially con- cluded. Customers then have a variety of in-app methods to offer payment. Customers and fleet own- ers can also track their ship- ments in real-time through Trukkin’s tracking system. The Trukkin team also pro- vides clients with operation- al support throughout the transaction experience. “Cloud based app solutions are revolutionising the provi- sion of services – from rent- ing holiday homes to hailing cabs. We’ve brought a similar model to the logistics, driving and trucking industries, put- ting technology at our core to unlock efficiencies,” added Dalmia. “Trukkin’s potential is very exciting and is already garnering strong support and we are in advanced discus- sions, regarding investment from key captains of industry region wide. We are working very closely with our backers and partners to make Trukkin the industry’s de facto enabler across the GCC region.”

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 59 Expansion Raimondi Cranes, the Italian crane specialist owned by Dubai-based KBW Invest- ments, said it is expanding its presence in the Austral- asian region with the ap- pointment of Heavy Lift Designs (HLD) as its official agent for New Zealand. Raimondi Cranes has been scoring success in the Austra- lia and HLD recently complet- ed the erection of a Raimondi MRT48 in the Sydney suburb of Cremorne, executing the crane’s placement and base design engineering on behalf of Strictly Cranes. HLD was founded in 2014 by its managing director, Eng Blake Hammon, and its new- ly-established New Zealand headquarters situated in Wel- lington, will serve both the North and South Islands. HLD will immediately commence representing Raimondi Cranes across the country, including all Raimondi installations and dismantling procedures. According to Hamman, HLD will endeavour to pro- vide specialist engineering solutions to New Zealand’s heavy lifting machinery seg- ment, building on its previ- ous successes in New South Wales, Australia. “New Zea- land is my home, so I’ve al- ways had a keen interest in the country’s construction market and economic pros- pects. I see New Zealand as the opportune place for HLD to launch new technologies; there is substantial activity in the construction and en- gineering sectors with room for a successful entrepre- neurial-driven market entry. “I’ve noticed a trickle down of machinery and technologies from similar projects in Austra- lia into New Zealand’s market, and I believe our Wellington office is well-positioned to capitalise on this increasing level of interest.” HLD end-to-end crane engineering solutions, in- cluding technical lift plan- ning, erection, dismantle and site planning, together with feasibility assessments, third-party verification, and equipment sourcing. Hammon continued: “HLD’s entire value proposition is based on bringing modern en- gineering solutions, developed and drafted with precision and care, to the construction indus- try. Raimondi Cranes is a fan- tastic, forward-thinking crane manufacturer; for this reason, we actively pursued the Rai- mondi agency appointment, and we’re looking forward to bringing the company’s high- ly-reputable, solution-based products to market.” Under the agency of HLD, Raimondi’s ranges of topless tower and luffing jib cranes will now be made available to clients in New Zealand, together with after sales care and technical support. Spear- headed by Raimondi Cranes commercial director, Mauro Masetti, the crane manufac- turer’s goal is to increase market share in global con- struction hubs has recently appointed agents in South Germany and the UK. KBW’s Raimondi enhances New Zealand presence

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// NEWS // construction business news me // September 2017 60 Technology Trimble and Komatsu in 3D data deal Trimble and Komatsu have revealed that they are collab- orating to improve their cus- tomers’ ability to exchange 3D construction site data be- tween the companies’ con- struction software to make managing mixed earthworks fleets easier and allowing for a more holistic view of site operations. As part of the collaboration, Trimble and Komatsu are working together to devel- op an Application Program Interface (API) to enable compatibility between their software platforms. Trimble Connect software, a cloud- based collaboration ecosys- tem, will support Komatsu’s KomConnect platform for sharing digital construction data that can significantly benefit contractors and proj- ect managers. The collaboration is in re- sponse to customer demand for mixed-fleet interoper- ability as well as support for Japan’s i-Construction initiative, a plan to drive in- novation and revolutionise productivity on construc- tion sites through the use of information and commu- nications technology (ICT), promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Trans- port, and Tourism. Trimble Connected Site so- lutions provide contractors a complete view of site pro- ductivity including materials quantity and movement, vol- ume and compaction data, and fleet and asset manage- ment information, regard- less of machine make or model. Trimble Connect is a collaboration environment allowing customers to com- bine and share data from multiple sources, including those from outside of the Trimble ecosystem. Komatsu introduced SMARTCONSTRUCTION, an Internet of Things (IoT) solution for construction site operations, in Japan in 2015. The solution enables customers to visualise site operations using ICT about workers, machines and sur- faces on the KomConnect cloud-based platform to cre- ate a safer and more produc- tive site. "Through SMARTCON- STRUCTION, Komatsu will continue its efforts to create safe and high-productivity job sites,” said Chikashi Shike, executive officer and president of Komatsu’s Smart Construction Promotion divi- sion. “Our collaboration with Trimble is an important step in supporting our customers who operate mixed machine fleets as well as address the requirements that will enable construction con- tractors to support Japan’s i-Construction initiative.” “Trimble is committed to providing a complete con- struction ecosystem for all customers. We believe that the optimal solution is one that is open and supports all manufacturers’ machines,” said Bryn Fosburgh, senior vice-president of Trimble. “We are excited to work with Komatsu to improve the interoperability with our respective solutions to broaden our support for mixed fleet customers so we can ultimately cre- ate an intelligent jobsite for the future.”

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// construction business news me // September 2017 62 // Transportation Al Akhilaa General Trading’s CEO, Hashim Sharif Mudhir, talks about how protecting its truck fleet has helped the company serve the UAE construction sector better Ready to go F or three decades, Al Akhilaa General Trading has been the go to company for construction con- tractors, many of which operate in the readymix sector where timing is critical, and needs a reliable and pro- fessional partner to ensure the timely delivery of materials at the job site. Founded as Al Ashraf General Transport, the company was created to serve public works and government projects in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. To- day, it is one of the top 10 suppliers of aggregates and building materials for projects across the emirates, relying on a large fleet dominated by MAN trucks. With the country building towards hosting Expo 2020, Al Akhilaa General Trading’s CEO, Hashim Sharif Mudhir, explains that his company is excited to be a part of the preparations and estimates that business activity could increase by as much as 40% during the run-in to the event. He says: “We feel confident that our business will grow, especially consid- ering Expo 2020 is coming up. We will expand our fleet, as construction proj- ects surrounding the event ramp-up.” Al Akhilaa General Trading’s success has been built on a three-pronged strategy of strong recruitment policy, strict safety controls, and a profes- sional approach that has helped build a reputation for quality among its gov- ernmental and private sector clients. Mudhir says the company’s well- maintained fleet is under constant review and frequently renewed where necessary. In a business where uptime is everything and delivery times from the crushers in quarries to the proj- We feel confident that our business will grow, especially considering that Expo 2020 is coming up.” Hashim Mudhir, Al Akhilaa

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 63 ect area must be strictly adhered to, he says that the MAN fleet of trucks and the support – including utilising its United Motors and Heavy Equip- ment Co (UMHE) workshops for full services – that comes with them has been essential. “They provide peace of mind because we need to ensure that ag- gregates will be transferred on time from one location to another – and UMHE ensures timely delivery and high-quality of service,” he says. “From a logistics point of view, MAN is a trustworthy partner, so we don’t need to worry about anything.” Uptime is a major concern for Al Akhilaa. Comparing the quick turn- arounds from MAN and UMHE to those of a crack Formula 1 pit team, he says: “They speed up the servic- ing of our trucks, so we can get them back to work quickly. Our customers expect fast delivery, so that’s where MAN trucks are helping us to provide the best possible service to our clients. They help us to make our customers happy by getting things delivered on time and effectively make us more qualified for the job.” The company currently owns and operates a fleet of 65 MAN trucks. A further 100 trucks are available for leasing to contractors on a project-by- project basis. Together, he says, the company’s trucks and their trailers meet “the requirements of customers to supply and deliver material to sites anywhere in the UAE”. During the early years of the com- pany, Al Akhilaa played its part in the development of a series of projects in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, including the building of the high-end Ajban Palace and the Al Raha Beach resorts; the supply of rock for the sculpting of the canal works in Al Wathba; as well as supporting the construction of low-cost housing projects in the more remote town of Sweihan. He explains: “At the beginning, most of the work was for the Government of Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. Early on, we were focusing on filling works, but then afterwards, we started entering into the construction business and hauling aggregates for road works and construction contractors. Within a short span of time, the company’s excel- lence in service came to the forefront and we put in place a dedicated team of staff and people, which meant we could cover all the capacities needed to carry out jobs” To date, Al Akhilaa has executed more than AED2bn worth of projects. Fleet management and deployment across the country is currently handled by a team of 20 people. Trucks are constantly monitored by GPS software, ensuring the company always knows the location, speed, and fuel consump- tion of its fleet. While onsite, Mudhir explains that the company works alongside contractors with its own staff available to manage vehicle productiv- ity and, importantly, oversee safety. He adds: “We have people continuously on site to ensure that the area is safe for the trucks and will pass site and safety inspections.” Operating across the UAE, its trucks are continually moving through remote

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// construction business news me // September 2017 64 locations. In an effort to provide sup- port far from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it has set up a workshop and garage in Al Madam close to the Omani border. The 25-strong support crew based there are dedicated to maintaining and managing the trucks in the area. The company is also expanding its presence in the emerging Western re- gion of the country towards the Saudi Arabian border. “The latest development un- der the banner of Al Akhilaa is Al Akhilaa General Transport, which has an office based in Beda Zayed,” he explains. “This will enable the company to gain a greater grip on the all recent activities in the Western region of Abu Dhabi.” Whether they are in its remote and rugged mountainous areas or busy, modern cities, driving in the UAE always presents challenges to truck drivers. Mudhir says that the company continues to place driving and safety training firmly at the centre of its op- eration. Conducted on annual basis, it has chosen to put drivers onto MAN’s driver programme ‘MAN ProfiDrive’. The programme, consists of seminars and practical sessions lead by profes- sionals to encourage safe and efficient vehicle utilisation. He concludes: “We hire qualified people and experienced drivers to deliver jobs; in fact most of our drivers have more than 10 years of experi- ence. MAN ProfiDrive, however, en- sures that our drivers are also familiar with the principles of economical driv- ing, the technical background informa- tion, as well as safety related topics. Logistics and quality is what we always provide and that’s why the customers always choose us.” We will expand our fleet as construction projects surrounding the event ramp-up.” // Transportation Hashim Sharif Mudhir, Al Akhilaa

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// construction business news me // September 2017 66 // Access Platforms The big lift Ian Hume looks back at JLG’s near-decade of success and the boon of Expo 2020 N ext year will be the 10th anniver- sary since JLG first established its office in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) on the outskirts of Dubai. Talking to CBNME, Ian Hume, sales director, emerging markets, JLG Middle East, explains how the access work platform (AWP) specialist has tweaked its approach to the market over that decade. “When JLG established its office 10 years ago, we focused on growth in the region - increasing our install base, seeking distribution, and lo- cal partnerships. Now that we have reached the maturity stage and are steadily delivering customers premi- um quality product, we are increas- ing our focus on providing service in the region. Another focus area is to expand the company's footprint in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia.” Hume adds that JLG has witnessed a progressive and greater awareness of what AWPs have to offer over the years. Able to reach multiple storeys in height but also reach the parts other equipment cannot; AWPs like scissor lifts and, particularly, boom lifts are as useful on construction sites as they are at helping to maintain a building, de- cades after it has been commissioned. Hume says adoption has also been accelerated by moves to improve work safety in the region. “The market has adopted AWPs as the solution for working at height. With the growth in population, a more stringent focus in the region on employee safety has developed,” he explains. “Today, we no longer need to explain the concept and benefits of an AWP over other means of access.” JLG has continued to develop its of- fering in the region, bringing in prod- ucts that are robust enough to stand the rigours of construction work. Hume says: “Typically, our large boom lifts and scissors are very well accepted in the region. Ranging from mid-size working height to our flag- ship product, the 1500AJP (introduced at Bauma in 2016 and currently the largest articulating boom lift world- wide), these products have built a strong track record of being reliable assets in increasing efficiency and productivity on construction sites. Most recently, we have upgraded our mid- size boom lifts, not only offering more durability but also an increased capac- ity – allowing operators to bring more materials into the platform.” Beyond construction, the facilities management (FM) sector has also proven to be an increasingly fruitful hunting ground for JLG. “The FM sector is becoming increas- ingly important with the total cost of the building now going far beyond the initial build. Previously, where work

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 67 was done on ladders and scaffolding, we are seeing our customers see the real benefit of adopting access equip- ment to improve efficiency and safety. Electrical equipment is key for this segment as much of the work is done indoors. We have developed specific ranges of our scissor lifts, compact crawlers (narrow articulating boom lifts on crawler tracks that provide low ground pressure without a compro- mise in working height and outreach), and low-level access products with the facilities management sector in mind.” Wherever and however they are used, part of the charm and the suc- cess of AWPs are its ease of use. A thorough read of the manual and a short training session is enough to get an operator ready to press the few controls and joysticks that are onboard. Recognising the dangers pre- sented by this false sense of security, JLG has worked hard locally since entering the market to encourage and support training. “We strongly promote training,” Hume affirms. “Training is offered through IPAF - an organisation that promotes the safe and effective use of AWP's. Alongside IPAF, we see training being a cornerstone for our customers The market has adopted AWPs as the solution for working at height. With the growth in population, a more stringent focus in the region on employee safety developed.” ship and innovation. All three were high on the agenda earlier this year, as the US-headquartered company un- veiled its latest products at ConExpo, the construction equipments event of the year, including its new electrically powered R-Series of scissor lifts that is being pushed at rental businesses needing a compact design. “At ConExpo this year, JLG show- cased an array of equipment which is about to come to the market, if not already. This summer, the R-Series of scissors were launched into the market,” he informs, before adding that a range of all-new rough terrain diesel-powered scissors are “on the edge of introduction” with its hybrid boom lifts, H-Series, to follow later in the year. Hume adds that JLG is continuously evaluating its products and reviewing market developments to help its swelling list of rental partners. “Combining the two, we focus on bringing innovative and practical improvements to our product range,” he explains. “One example is the Du- ratough hoods. Almost unbreakable, these hoods save costs for owners as they hardly ever need to be replaced in case debris fall at a construction site. Another example is designing our and we will be introducing regionally focussed training programmes for our partners to reinforce the safe use of JLG equipment.” He continues: “Generally, safety is more widely accepted today than it was 10 years ago. With the growth of an AWP population and the efforts from organisations such as IPAF (Inter- national Powered Access Federation) that promote the safe use of AWPs, we've come a long way.” Safety is integral to JLG’s global strategy alongside total cost of owner- A new breed of hybrid JLG celebrated its 20th year of hybrid technology at ConExpo with the launch of its new, parallel H800AJ 80ft (24m) articulating boom lift. Along with this launch, the company said it was expanding its hybrid or H line of products by rebranding its M Series booms and scissors to a unified H Series, to more accurately identify them as Hybrid models. The machines not only feature a new nomenclature, but also new decals, easily identifying them as “eco-friendly” machines. The consolidated H Series will be one of the broadest hybrid offerings in the access equipment industry. JLG introduced its first patented hybrid aerial work platform (AWP) in 1987. “Since that time, the company has taken a measured and purposeful approach to hybrid technology,” said Paul Kreutzwiser, JLG Industries global category director, AWPs. “Our engineers carefully consider specific equipment scenarios or applications and the power they require. Then, match the hybrid technology that best meets these requirements. We do not take a one size fits all approach.” JLG showcased two parallel hybrids at ConExpo, an H800AJ, and an H600AJ concept machine to show the transferability and scalability of its hybrid technology across a range of products. With the exception of its power plant, the machine is virtually the same as JLG’s popular 800AJ model, with common parts for ease of operation and servicing. The H800AJ will be available in some markets in late-2017 and can be used for indoor or outdoor applications, boasting diesel- like performance with reduced or zero emissions, excellent fuel economy, and reduced noise. “These parallel hybrids are just the beginning,” said Kreutzwiser. “As demand increases across the access equipment industry for eco-friendly products, we are proudly assuming a leadership role in hybrid innovation and expansion, pioneering new technologies for different applications, product categories, and fuel types.”

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// construction business news me // September 2017 68 products with a high commonality of parts or engineering our product to provide ease of maintenance. On the safety subject, JLG is the first to make SkyGuard (enhanced operator panel protection) standard on all its boom lifts. At ConExpo, the first concept of a self-levelling boom lift was presented alongside our continued expansion of our hybrid range (eg the H800).” According to Hume, the all-impor- tant rental market continues to grow in the region and he has observed more new entrants coming to market over the last year. “We pride ourselves on the support we offer our rental partners in the region with our service team continu- ously traveling throughout the region to give them the best customer expe- rience. Our machines are built tough and with serviceability in mind. This has led to the continued faith being placed in JLG as they grow their fleet or decide to start an access rental fleet themselves.” Behind JLG’s success to date has been a strident set of distributors, with long-standing UAE-based partner, GENAVCO, leading the way, ready to provide the support needed at ground level to customers. “Our distributor network through the Middle East is vital to our success in region,” he enthuses. “With partners like GENAVCO in the UAE, who have been with us for 30 years and also our recently appointed Qatar distributor, Rumaillah Motors, our customers have fantastic support in all the countries in the Middle East. Our distributors are there to support our customers with stock machines and parts avail- able 24/7. Our coverage in the region is such that a JLG representative is never far away, which has led to the development of new customers and industries - all backed up with the growth of our aftersales services on the ground.” A major trend across most sectors has been a focus on getting better // Access Platforms Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Airport Midfield Terminal

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www.cbnme.com EVERYTHING YOU WANT IN A 19 FT SCISSOR LIFT. Meet your go-to rental machine. The new 1932R was designed with reliability, serviceability and affordability in mind. This workhorse of a scissor lift features an all-steel swing out tray, improved battery charger and strategically placed components for quick and easy maintenance. While active pothole protection provides optimal ground clearance when you need it. All of this, and more, at an affordable price. Learn more at www.jlg.com/1932R YOUR NEW, AFFORDABLE WORKHORSE EVERYTHING YOU WANT IN A 8 M SCISSOR LIFT. Meet your go-to rental machine. The new 1932R was designed with reliability, serviceability and affordability in mind. This workhorse of a scissor lift features an all-steel swing out tray, improved battery charger and strategically placed components for quick and easy maintenance. While active pothole protection provides optimal ground clearance when you need it. All of this, and more, at an affordable price. Learn more at www.jlg.com JLG Industries | JAFZA View | PO Box 262728 | LB 19, 20th Floor, Office 05 | Jebel Ali | Dubai | measales@jlg.com

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// construction business news me // September 2017 70 value out of the capital spending or costs. Echoing the JLG message from ConExpo, Hume says the total cost of ownership is a major focus permeat- ing the brand, although how that benefits a customer or rental house can vary widely. “First, there is no unified definition for total cost of ownership. For that reason, it is very difficult to compare data as the drivers that lead to TCO are interpreted in many different ways. The metrics that JLG uses for TCO are built from acquisition costs, operational costs, resale value - the so-called hard costs and then there is a more flexible component added to it - machine reliability (maximum uptime) and machine versatility (maximum utilisation),” he says. Turning his thoughts to the future, he sees a huge opportunity to build on its record of benchmark projects in the region, particularly the UAE, as activity builds towards the country hosting Expo 2020 in three years’ time. “JLG is very proud to have played a role in the shaping of Dubai and the rest of the emirates,” he says. “JLG has had a strong presence on major projects over the past 18 months such as Midfield Terminal, Louvre Museum, Dubai International Expansion, Dubai Parks Resort, and Blue Waters Bay. The Expo 2020 project has and will see an increasing demand for access equipment as the project speeds up construction by the end of 2019. We expect to see over 1,000 JLG machines working on that site alone.” // Access Platforms Previously, where work was done on ladders and scaffolding, we are seeing our customers see the real benefit of adopting access equipment to improve efficiency and safety.” Ian Hume, JLG

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Powered by a groundbreaking 430PS E3 Ecotorq engine that yields impressive torque values, the 2017 Ford Trucks 1843T Tractor is made for any road and any load. Stop by your authorised dealer today to experience its sheer power. The new 1843T Tractor, hitting the road with full power. Innovation in design Power in motion TRUCKS – Almoayyed Motors – Manama / sheehanford@almoayyed.com.bh – Al Kasid Commercial Agencies Ltd - Erbil, Baghdad / ahmed.ali@al-kasid.ae – The Commercial & Industrial Company - Amman / w.albajjali@cic.com.jo – Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC - Muscat / bhaskar@mhd.co.om – Almana Motors Company W.L.L – Doha / oghobrial.aa@almanagroup.com – Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co Ltd – Riyadh / mbuhsuli@aljazirahford.com – Al Tayer Motors – Dubai / selzokm@altayer.com – Premier Motors – Abu Dhabi / selzokm@altayer.com Bahrain Iraq Jordan Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates

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// construction business news me // September 2017 72 // Trucks Ford Trucks discusses with CBNME about how technology and strong partnerships are helping it cement its position in the region Ford Trucks on the right track N ow well into the second half of 2017, Ford Trucks is beginning to see the benefits of its ongo- ing strategy to bolster its dealer network across the GCC. Barely few years since its entry, it has already made huge strides into what had been a stale market dominated by few long-standing brands. Ford Trucks figures have been increased in comparison to its 2016 results. The past year has also seen the fruition of its bold approach to the Saudi Arabian market. This first phase of its entry into the market has seen it estab- lish three centers of operations with its dealer partner Al Jazirah Vehicle Agen- cies (AJVA) and the company will soon open at five further locations. Ford Trucks has an ambitious growth strategy in the Saudi Arabia and is cur- rently represented in the three major cities of Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. During its second phase, Ford Trucks will expand its operations to Jubail, Madinah, Qasim, Aseer, and Jizan, fully confident in the Kingdom’s long-term strengths and capabilities. Its success to date has been enhanced by the comprehensive network of Al Jazirah which gives it an opportunity to cover the large country. In addition, 38 service points of Ford in the Kingdom enables it to support customers in every corner of Saudi Arabia whenever and wherever it is needed. The Saudi market remains an impor- tant territory by volume for the heavy vehicles industry and Ford Trucks has settled into the role of a newcomer with a refreshing approach which has seen it concentrate on getting its teams into the offices and job sites of AJVA’s custom- ers. The Saudi market is changing from an economic and social development perspective and fleets are adjusting by seeking out reliable technology that lower costs in their business. There are opportunities too for fleets willing to invest. The opening of Ford Trucks’ main office for the Kingdom in Riyadh in 2016 was an important dem- onstration of its commitment to meet market demand, as well as its belief that national development programmes such as Vision 2030 would help drive further demand for new vehicles and new tech- nology. Ford Trucks understands that the market needed a much better service from the industry and has been able to react quickly on their behalf. It has benefited greatly from the new office in Riyadh and its smooth coopera- tion with AJVA. It has also reached out to communicate directly with stakehold- ers in the country like fleet customers, municipalities, public authorities and superstructure companies (that build trailers to haul materials). The recently launched Ford Trucks 8x4 Construction Truck, the 4143M is also proving to be perfectly aligned

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 73 with the market’s requirements. It is also securing repeat business from the customers. The 4143M has a 430hp and 2150 Nm torque engine and is equipped with a 12.7 cbm mixer, and it is already the leading product in this seg- ment. Ford Trucks believes that once a customer has on its trucks in their fleet, it is very likely that their next order will be a Ford trucks. With the Vision 2030 national de- velopment programme placing a great deal of emphasis on reforming business culture and road safety, the onus is on manufacturers to enable fleets to meet the directives that have been laid out by the government. Ford Trucks has a number of features that, it say, can help fleets to make the transition. Products and services in line with Vision 2030, including its safety features which ensure traffic safety and reduce traffic accidents, such as its electronic brake system (ESP), electronic stability control (ESC), hill launch assist, dif- ferential lock, and intarder. It promises effective and efficient outlay for custom- ers with a three-year unlimited mileage, bumper to bumper warranty, 40,000 km service intervals, and reduced mainte- nance costs on to support customers in their businesses. The company has also targeted qual- ity and comfort in its trucks with an extra high roof cab with double bed, air suspended driver seat, lumbar support, tinted glass, power cab tilting and elec- trical controls designed to make driving efficient and comfortable. Beyond the Saudi Arabian market, the company has built up a widespread dealer network in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon. Understanding that sales and service network structuring is key to success in its business, it has developed a strong partnership with its experienced roster of dealers, providing best business solu- tions and services throughout the region. In the Middle East, Ford Trucks and its dedicated dealers serve regional custom- ers with a complete support programme which also includes on-the-spot repairs. Ford Trucks after sales services are rep- resented by mobile services and a wide network of service centers operated by official Ford Trucks dealers. “Ford Trucks is aiming to build long term relationships with its regional cus- tomers by understanding their concerns of saving operational cost,” says Mustafa Caner Sinanoglu, managing director of Middle East. “All of Ford Trucks vehicles boast a reassuring combination of durable components (driveline, cab, chassis…etc.) and the range is served with wide network of aftersales to sup- port uptime and the two years warranty which can be extendable for 3 years and with optional customised service con- tracts and a telematics system through- out the Middle East. Looking ahead, Ford Trucks is prepar- ing to launch its new 6x4 tractor range or the first time in GCC towards the end of the year. It follows a success- ful roll out its tractors, road trucks and its Construction Series to customers in the Middle East market. It has been particularly strong in the construction, long-haul transport, public works sectors in the region. Sinanoglu argues that the company has found a sweet spot of of- fering high quality and durable vehicles at a low initial investment point with low operating cost. It has also mastered the art of offering choice, complemented by customisation. Popular Ford Trucks models, tractors, tippers and mixers can be customized with transmission and cabin types for on road and off-road conditions. Tractors and construc- tion vehicles are offered with 10 mm 500 Mpa chassis frame which further improves the durability of the vehicle. The mixer series for construction applications are offered in 6x4 and 8x4 versions with 12.7l Ford Ecotorq powerful engine (4x2 and 6x2 models feature the 9.0l Ford Ecotorq powerful engine). Its public and special trucks are mainly used for municipality, army and various applications which are offered with many superstructure al- ternatives and capable of fulfilling the market needs. Through all the models, its ‘Hot Cli- mate Package’ provides comfort in hot and dusty environments with increased A/C performance, improved radiator performance, improved cabin isolation and improved filtration. During long- term development period for the Hot Climate Package, vehicle durability tests including laboratory tests that simulate the region’s high temperatures, humid- ity and dusty conditions and also the specific customer expectations were studied and considered with road tests in the region. Ford Trucks’ experience, dealer support and technological knowhow is currently being poured into its next models. Coming in Q4 2017, it is planning the official launch of its new construction series and new 6x4 tractor range which will be introduced for the first time in GCC. “By empowering our line-up with a new range, we are expecting to keep our positive results in Q4 2017 and will keep growing up unto 2020,” Sinanoglu concludes. The Saudi market remains an important territory by volume for the heavy vehicles industry and Ford Trucks has settled into the role of a newcomer with a refreshing approach.”

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// construction business news me // September 2017 74 // Event preview This year’s UK Construction Week promises to be the largest and most impressive yet, with an anticipated 35,000 visitors and more than 650 exhibitors UK Construction Week H osted once again at the Birming- ham NEC, the UK Construction Week will feature nine shows, taking place from October 10-12, 2017. It’s Britain’s biggest construc- tion industry event, with an emphasis on business networking, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge-share and, of course, the first public viewing of plenty of innovative products. As ever, it’s completely free to attend for all con- struction industry professionals. Nine shows The nine shows will be taking place simultaneously, covering every facet of building design and construction, from planning to interior fit-out - the Build Show sponsored by Easy-Trim; Timber Expo; Smart Buildings 2017; Surface & Materials Show (featuring Kitchens & Bathrooms Live); Energy 2017; Grand Designs Live; Plant & Machinery Live; HVAC 2017; and Civils Expo. Among the exhibitors are some of the industry’s best-regarded specialists, including Rockwool, Velux Easy- Trim, Portakabin, Steico CAT, Cemex, Gripple, Screwfix, HS2, and HP, as well as a long list of international names such as Bisen Smart Access Co, Hauff-Technik, Kessel, Randek, and the Jiangxi Songtao Bamboo Industry Company. There will also be interna- tional pavilions from Turkey, China, Belarus, and Poland. World and UK Premieres Along with demonstrations of the latest construction techniques, materials, and new products benefitting every domes- tic and international sector, the event will be hosting a world premiere. Ten Fold will be giving the world’s first live demo of the TF-64 – a fully relocat- able, self-deploying building that offers the tantalising possibility of fully relocatable, expanding buildings that arrive, self-unload, and self-deploy in minutes using almost no power. These units are furnished and ready for im- mediate use and can fold away and move on as effortlessly as they arrive. This approach could solve the chal- lenge of annual and seasonal varia-

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 75 tions in demand faced by educational institutions, the NHS, and the Housing Sector. At the Surface & Materials Show 2017, the event will be hosting the ÖÖDHOUSE - a rapid-construction pod building made from timber and privacy glass so that it reflects its exte- rior surrounding – seen at UK Con- struction Week for the first time. Three major motifs Offsite construction is a recurring theme - it’s the future of the way we build, and there are more exhibi- tors focusing on offsite and modular construction at UK Construction Week than any other area. This part of the event is supported by the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) and Structural Timber Asso- ciation (STA), organisations heavily in- volved in promoting the benefits and advantages of offsite and volumetric modular construction. The Building Research Estab- lishment (BRE) is hosting the BIM Prospects Theatre, where experts will share their insights on delivering col- laborative 3D BIM. Building safety is an absolute priority at this year’s event. Visitors will benefit from free CPD advice covering changes to legislation on safety, guidance on product safety, and fire prevention strategies, among other insights. Seminal speakers UK Construction Week has an impres- sive line-up of speakers for 2017. Well-known TV architect, George Clarke, and architecture expert Tom Dyckhoff will feature alongside Heath- row Airport, Network Rail, Zaha Hadid Architects, drMM, Arup, Pier Architects, Design for Homes, and HS2 Growth Partnership. There are experts in every subject from the future of architecture and infrastructure, interior design to sustainability, from smart cities to stan- dards supporting international trade. This year, there are extra zones and theatres, including the Off- site Theatre in association with the Modular and Portable Building Association, the Development and Regeneration Hub, the BIM Pros- pects Theatre delivered by BRE, the Education Hub featuring BSI Con- struction Forum, and the How To Theatre sponsored by Trimaco. The Innovation Trail UK Construction Week is bringing back the Innovation Trail, a show- case for the newest and most exciting construction-related products on the market. Zip Panelling will bring its latest composite panel board design that is set to revolutionise external party, internal cladding, and flooring construction. Grundfos will introduce SCALA2, a new fully integrated, vari- able speed, water booster pump that has been specifically designed and built to deliver perfect water pressure to wherever it is needed. What else is happening? New specialist awards are added to the awards ceremonies this year, too, including the Offsite Awards, BIM Awards, and several new World Archi- tecture News awards to be presented. In a communications partnership, the Chartered Institute of Building and ITN Productions are producing a news and current affairs-style programme which explores the opportunities, chal- lenges, and future of the UK construc- tion industry live at the event. Construction Careers Week will take place for all Birmingham and Solihull senior schools from October 9-13, 2017, designed specifically to tie in with the dates of UK Construction Week 2017.

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// construction business news me // September 2017 76 Jonnie Keys, operations manager for Euro Auctions, previews the auctioneer’s first big event for the Middle East, to be held in JAFZA in Dubai The big sale P romising to shake up the auc- tion scene in the Middle East, leading auctioneers of indus- trial plant, constructional, and agricultural equipment, Euro Auctions will open the doors to its first sale on September 13, 2017. The two-day auction marks the culmination of preparation dating back several years and operations manager Jonnie Keys tells CBNME that, while it has always welcomed Middle East participation at its sites globally located sites and on- line, Euro Auctions is excited to finally bring its experience to Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). He explains: “The Middle East has long been part of the continued global expansion plans for Euro Auctions and, in particular, the UAE was the obvious destination to establish a strong and stable operating base. Euro Auctions has always had very good relationships with consignors and buy- ers in the Middle East and Africa. This new auction location will enable the business to create stronger relation- ships with customers in this region. Euro Auctions has seen increased par- ticipation from the Middle East in sales in Europe and the USA over the past 12 months and the new Dubai facility will contribute to building a stronger customer base in the region.” With a trading base in Brisbane, Australia, and with a new sale site in Hong Kong coming online in Sep- tember 2017, Dubai will be a pivotal point in triangulating the Pacific Rim, // Auctions

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 77 he adds, “and creating secure logisti- cal and operation points through which Euro Auctions can best serve this region”. While this will be the first time it has held a physical auction in the region, Keys stresses that Euro Auctions has been close to the market for some time. “Euro Auctions markets to over 100,000 prospects in over 95 countries around the world. As a result, the business communicates regularly with its global community and our teams know personally the majority of sellers and buyers in the region.” He explains: “For Dubai, Euro Auc- tions has a large contingency of con- signors and buyers on that database that reside in the Middle East with whom the business will communicate. On the ground, Euro Auctions has employed local specialists with local knowledge and contacts. The number of territory managers for the Middle East will increase over time.” The operation in Dubai is led by a three-man team of general manager Derek Bleakley, territory manager Richard Sweatt, and UAE auction veteran and sales manager Amjad Abu Faroukh. Keys says that the com- pany’s business model is always to recruit a core team in every country from locals who understand the lan- guage and culture. “This local team is then bolstered at each sale from key staff across the world,” he continues. “For example, the customer service team who man- ages the administration aspects, the IT department, the financial department, and many more that provide essential support for each sale. This way, the whole Euro Auctions family values are maintained and buyers and sellers attending multiple events see recogni- sable team members at each sale.” The concept of family and family values is brought up by Keys time and again in conversation, and like many of Euro Auctions’ Middle East sellers and bidders, he is part of a family- owned and family-run business. The company was founded in the UK by Derek Keys and his broth- ers in their home town of Dromore, Northern Ireland. The first sale in 1998 boasted just 371 lots of industrial plant, construction equipment, and agricultural machinery, but attracted over 1,500 bidders. While that may have excited talk over the family dinner table two decades ago, Derek and his brothers now oversee a global operation that runs sales in seven countries spread over four continents. Over 70,000 pieces of equipment will have been sold to over 10,000 buyers (with 6,000 vendors and 30,000 bid- ders) at Euro Auctions' 60 sales by the end of the year, but, despite its global footprint, Euro Auctions has not lost

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// construction business news me // September 2017 78 touch with what has made it a popu- lar destination for sellers and buyers for close to 20 years. “Euro Auctions has built a sound reputation by listening to its clients, working with them and helping them to solve any logistical problems that are inevitable in this industry. We spend time with our clients getting to know them better. We also deliver what we promise,” says Keys. “We are always fair, and that coupled with having a very ‘can do’ attitude, sets us above the rest. We have many customers who have been with us for many years and we have worked with them when times have been challeng- ing and the economic environment has been more positive. “These experiences have promoted terrific customer loyalty. From an or- ganisational perspective, Euro Auctions has a fairly flat and compact structure, meaning we can be extremely agile and responsive to economic changes or to any opportunities that we see in the market.” He continues: “When Euro Auctions opens its doors in Dubai in September, the first impression that attendees will get is that the sale is a very friendly affair with buyers and sellers being treated with high levels of customer service. As Euro Auctions knows its customers personally, there will be a lot of familiar faces in the sale room as well as looking at and testing equip- ment and machinery. “Friends in the Middle East are regu- lar visitors to other Euro Auctions sales around the planet, and are regularly seen in the UK, Germany, Spain, and Australia. The friendly atmosphere will be apparent and the Keys family will be evident at each sale and have a real ‘hands on’ approach. Overall, the sale will be friendly and efficient with lots of familiar faces as well as having great machinery on offer.” Speaking in early August, Keys says that Euro Auctions is deep into the throes of arranging consign- ments for the September sale. The reaction from the market to its entry into Dubai has been overwhelmingly positive, he adds. “Interest to date has been excep- tional and with many loyal buy- ers and sellers in the region, Euro Auctions expects trade to be good,” How it works Euro Auctions photographs and compiles a comprehensive specification of all lots which are then posted on the auction platform site www.euroauctions. com. Before all sales, Euro Auctions conducts an extensive global marketing campaign to promote, not just the auction, but specific pieces of specialised equipment to target audiences. All auctions exist physically at the sale site as well as online through the Euro Auctions free to use auction platform. Bidders can watch and listen to the auction in real time and on an average, 40% to 50% of all bidding activity is conducted through the internet. All sales are ‘unreserved’, meaning each lot is sold to the highest bidder. Once purchased, the buyer typically goes through an efficient post sale process of payment, completion of necessary documents, and the arranging of any logistics where necessary, with Euro Auctions trying to keep everything as simple as possible. Euro Auctions ensures that at all sites around the globe, the seller and buyer experience is seamless regardless of location and many consignors and buyers will sell or bid at multiple sales globally each year. So, making the experience identical on each occasion is key to ensuring they buy or sell well. The only local or cultural differences will be confined to language, currency, or international legislation. Practically and logistically, Euro Auctions helps its consignors to prepare lots for sale, with jet washing, carrying out cosmetic and mechanical repairs, collections and deliveries, hence, keeping all the machinery for sale in one place is the way to achieve this, making a case for physical sales moving forward. // Auctions

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// construction business news me // September 2017 80 he states. “With the inaugural sale, Euro Auctions is looking to provide consignors with a real alternative in the region at which to sell. For buy- ers, it provides the opportunity to buy some really good equipment and machinery. Once that is achieved, Euro Auctions will continue to build the numbers as sales follow.” It remains to be seen how other auc- tioneers based in the UAE will react to the entry of one of the world’s most famous names, but Keys is keen to emphasise that his company is purely focused on providing access to the global market. “Local auctions have their place, but their organisation and structure means they are dependent on local buyers,” he says, “The merit of choosing a large reputable plant auction specialist is added professionalism and expertise, including how the asset is presented, how it is advertised to the correct mar- ket, where it is advertised, presenting it appropriately, and having the right mix of buyers both local and interna- tional who will compete aggressively ensuring a good price – this is what Euro Auctions is best at.” where and when to sell to optimise the price. Regardless of market prices, what vendors want to achieve is fair market value, knowing that the seller has done his best and the asset has achieved what it would make at other auctions worldwide.” An added advantage the larger plant auctioneers have over the smaller opera- tors is market knowledge, he comments. “Many of the vendors known to Euro Auctions have also been buyers, so we know the equipment they have and can offer them the best advice on // Auctions

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// construction business news me // September 2017 82 Power Global construction equip- ment manufacturer, Chi- cago Pneumatic, is set to provide the essential power required for the construc- tion of a luxury residential development besides the Dubai Water Canal. The or- der was secured by autho- rised Chicago Pneumatic distributor, German-Gulf Enterprises, with 14 genera- tors forming a crucial part of a project that will see 6,000 new homes built by 2021. The order includes six CPSG300, five CPSG200, one CPSG105, and two CPSG60 machines. Sushil Kumar, di- visional manager at German- Gulf Enterprises, says: “We put forward CPSG genera- tors, in response to the ten- der from the project contrac- tor, as they provide excellent durability and are built to withstand tough worksite conditions while operating at high working temperatures. These features were deemed essential by the contractor as positioning of the genera- tors, both on and offsite, the project contractor also requested that all the larger CPSG300 machines were equipped with an optional lifting beam. Edmerlito Gonzales, re- gional business line man- ager for Chicago Pneumatic Construction Equipment in Chicago Pneumatic to power Dubai luxury project the project needed a power supply capable of perform- ing continuously over a long period of time.” As part of the order, Chi- cago Pneumatic installed its advanced BSE7320 control panel on all of the genera- tors, which enables users to operate the machines re- motely. To facilitate faster the Middle East, said: “We congratulate German-Gulf for securing this significant order which further increas- es recognition of our brand in the UAE. Our generator range offers premium power at a competitive price and we’re pleased that they are being used in a leading con- struction development.” Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) reported that the net income for the first half of 2017 rose by 111% year-on-year to $115.2mn as to $54.5mn for the same period in 2016. The company generated a net income of $47.1mn in Q2 2017, up by 8.5%, compared to $43.4mn in Q2 2016. The company reported total sales of $476.9mn in Q2 2017 versus $441mn for the same period in 2016, up 8% year-on-year. Total sales in H1 2017 stood at $983.3mn, up by 15%, versus $56.8mn in H1 2016. Alba’s topline and bottomline for the second and first-half of 2017 were primarily driven by higher London Metal Exchange (LME) prices, an increase of 22%, and favourable employee performance. Commenting on the financial results, the chair- man of Alba’s board of directors, Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, said: “Alba improved its bot- tom-line despite the impact of the power outage. I would like to thank our employees and contractors for their efforts in safely restoring Line 5 produc- tion to normal operations.” Alba’s chief executive officer, Tim Murray, added: “We delivered exceptional results taking into account the strain that Line 5 recovery put on our operations." Alba reports 111% income rise in H1 // Supplier News

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construction business news me // September 2017 // www.cbnme.com 83 Performance Al Jazeera Steel posts 12% hike in Q2 sales Omani steel manufacturer, Al Jazeera Steel Products, re- ported a 12% rise in year-on- year sales volumes during the second quarter of 2017. The group's sales in H1 2017 came to OMR46mn, 31% higher than H1 2016's sales of OMR35.3mn. In a filing on the Muscat Securities Market, Sulai- man Mohammed Shaheen Al-Rubaie, chairman of Al Jazeera Steel, said: “The company's Q2 sales growth came on the back of its am- plified marketing efforts. The second quarter was a chal- aged to increase sales vol- umes and maintain profit- ability. This was achieved predominantly due to cost optimisation and diversifica- tion in product mix." Al Jazeera also acquired the stake of its joint venture (JV) partner in Saudi Arabia dur- ing Q2 2017. Al-Rubaie said: "This will now lead to bet- ter operational control and realise the purpose it was conceived for. This move is expected to help the com- pany increase its penetration into the Saudi market in the coming years." The revenue for the GCC materials handling equipment market, which was worth $3.78bn in 2014, is set to maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 4% while reaching an estimated $4.8-$5bn in revenues by 2020, according to Frost & Sullivan. Saudi Arabia with about 46%, and the UAE with 35%, make up the largest mar- kets in the region and are expected to continue to spearhead market expansion going forward, the research found. Key drivers for the continued expansion in demand for materials handling equip- ment continue to be the ongoing focus of the GCC countries in large-scale infrastruc- tural and logistics development, including that of key transport and shipping hubs, export processing and free zones, as well as the high dependence of many countries on import of goods and services that call for increased reliance on materials handling and logistics facilities, according to the research, presented by Messe Frankfurt Mid- dle East, the organisers of Materials Handling Middle East 2017, which will run from September 11-13, 2017, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Among the global giants showcasing their latest offerings are the likes of Swiss- log, Daifuku, and Kardex. Major local players, such as GENAVCO, SPAN Motors, and United Motors and Heavy Equipment will also participate in the event, where they will be joined by debutants such as Feralco from France, MPM from Italy, and Saudi manufacturer Power Rack Factory. GCC materials handling equipment market to hit $5bn by 2020 lenging period as anticipat- ed, due to various reasons. The summer months, cou- pled with reduced working towards the end of the quar- ter, due to the Holy Month of Ramadan, and various events in the region, led to lower incremental demand." A downward price cor- rection in China also put pressure on the prices of finished products both, re- gionally and globally, which Al-Rubaie said, "had a direct impact" on the firm's bottom line. He added: "Even with a competitive environment, coupled with lower demand growth, the company man-

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// construction business news me // September 2017 84 // Editor's pick Despite political instability, the MENA infrastructure markets have been fairly stable over the last quarter, according to a recent report by BMI Research A ray of hope The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) infrastructure markets have been largely stable over the last quar- ter; the GCC remains best able to offer a balance of strong opportunities and low risk business environments despite the increased political risk. Accord- ing to BMI Research’s Risk/Reward Index (RRI), MENA ranks as the third strongest region globally, placing it in the middle of the pack behind North America and Western Europe (NAWE) and Asia, but ahead of Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The UAE and Saudi Arabia out- perform the smaller markets of Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Overall, the financial firepower and relative political stability of the GCC make them the more attractive markets to operate in for infrastructure develop- ers and investors. However, the index notes that the GCC risks eroding its advantage over markets such as Egypt and Jordan as the rift between Qatar and other re- gional peers continues to drag on. On the other side, Egypt is the strongest scoring non-GCC market in the MENA RRI. With solid structural demand for infrastructure driven by a positive demographic profile and a government which has actively looked to the sector as means to win popular support and prop up economic growth, Egypt's rewards profile is strong and registers a score of 68.7 overall, behind only the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Egypt’s till re- mains a significantly riskier infrastruc- ture market to operate in, however, with a weak legal environment, poor logistics, and quality of labour, as well as elevated crime and security risk. That said, the report highlights a more positive outlook on the country's long-term economic outlook following the free float of the currency in 2016 and the removal of restrictions of capi- tal transfers out of the country, which will encourage an ongoing recovery in foreign investment inflows. Under the stewardship of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), this improved sentiment in the eyes of investors will buoy the country's infrastructure sector as they look to tap into Egypt's burgeoning public-private partnership (PPP) market. Iran, this quarter, has seen an improvement in its RRI scores for economic risk due to an improved out- look for inflation and investment into the country. The report suggests that President Hassan Rouhani's re-election to a second term will ensure Iran's continued relative openness towards foreign investment over the coming years, encouraging non-US companies to engage with the country. This is positive for Iran's economic outlook - though the improvements will only be gradual, as the hardline elite continues to constrain the President's ability to introduce major reforms. Within this context is a construction sector which is forecast to return to robust growth in 2017-2018 and remains the third largest in the MENA region, coupled with significant pent-up demand for infrastructure investment from a large population following years of sanc- tions, offers a great deal to those com- panies willing to look to the market. Languishing at the bottom of the regional and global tables are Ye- men, Iraq, and Libya. Notably Yemen comes at last place (105 out of 105 countries ranked globally) on the back of severe weaknesses in industry outlook and institutional, political, and security capacity. Libya is in 94 places out of 105 globally and penultimate place re- gionally. Prior to the current state of conflict, Libya had attracted several construction majors into what was one of the largest infrastructure mar- kets in Africa. However, the sector has come to a complete standstill as the security and political situation remains one of the most precarious globally, effectively preventing any activity from taking place. For Iraq, an impressive rewards score driven by a significant backlog of projects and pent up demand for infrastructure, is utterly undermined by some of the weakest scores globally for risks. In particular, an opaque and corrupt business environment affects contract awards and security and sta- bility will remain extremely fragile for the foreseeable future.

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// construction business news me // September 2017 86 // Save the date Mark your calendar Save the date Infra Oman Muscat, Oman It is dubbed as one of the largest build- ing and construction expo in the Middle East and has been continuously defining the industry’s development for the last six years. Organised by Al Nimr International Exhibition Organisers, it is considered as the annual meeting place for indus- try leaders, suppliers, and buyers in the Sultanate. Infra Oman has proved to be an ideal starting point not only for the local companies, but also for foreign entities that are more determined to be part of Oman’s growing market. Saudi Build 2017 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Saudi Build has been Saudi Arabia’s largest construction trade exhibition, attracting thou- sands of international manufacturers, exporters and businessmen, as well as tens of thousands of regional engineers, importers and industry professionals to connect and engage with the latest technology that the Kingdom’s largest sector has to offer. The exhibition will have more than 870 local, regional, and interna- tional companies under one roof and will also offer networking opportunities with decision makers from the public and private sectors. 2nd Annual GCC HVAC Summit Dubai, UAE The event plans to have all stakehold- ers under the energy program across the GCC under one roof. The event would focus on environment policy and planning, sustainable development, HVAC technolo- gies, challenges and opportunities in the sector, sustainable options – clean energy and regulations, and many more topics. Organised by Gulf Learning, this summit will showcase the prowess and potential of HVAC technologies that will secure air conditioning and power consumption to its most effective level, and organisations in the region and globally, who are intending to expand their portfolios into emerging markets such as district cooling, energy, and power efficiency and sustainability. Cityscape Global Dubai, UAE Cityscape Global 2017 is the largest and most influential real estate investment and development event for emerging markets globally. Bringing together investors, developers, government officials, and real estate professionals, there is no better place to find investment opportunities and new business partners. It is recognised as the annual barometer for the real estate industry in emerging markets and is one of the largest and most influential real estate events held globally. The event sup- ports real estate growth worldwide to an international audience, highlighting iconic architecture, significant developments and unparalleled investment opportunities. October October November September 9-11 23-26 14-15 11-13

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1 ST DUBAI AUCTION Richard Sweatt (ME) T. +971 5581 30321 E. richard.sweatt@euroauctions.com Amjad Faroukh (UAE) T. +971 5074 56262 E. amjad.faroukh@euroauctions.com Mohammed Awni (UAE) T. +971 5056 79917 E. mohammed.awni@euroauctions.com Wednesday 13th September 2017 @ 9:00am 2006 Rigo RT 500 Rough Terrain Crane - choice of 12 2008 Hyundai R290LC-7 05-07 Grove 50 Ton All Terrain Crane - choice of 2 Unused Mercedes Benz 2040 4x2 - choice of 7 Derek Bleakley (General Manager) T. +971 5825 16411 E. dbleakley@euroauctions.com • Wide Selection of Equipment • Top Makes & Models • Free Internet Bidding • Everything Sells to the Highest Bidder • Competitive Commission Rates • Worldwide Audience & Marketing • Inhouse Transport Team • Accurate Machine Valuations MAKING BUYING & SELLING EASY THINKING OF SELLING YOUR EQUIPMENT? Contact Your Local Sales Representative Today: PO Box 263536, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE | + 971 4884 6880 | E. info@euroauctions.com www.euroauctions.com Visit our website for full inventory رسوم املزاودة عن طريق االنرتنت مجانيه