Construction Business News ME - February 2021

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REGION'S CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS

FEBRUARY 2021 | CBNME.COM

PROVEN SUCCESS VINCENT MONTANET

Chief Business Development Officer, ENGIE Solutions

MEP

POWER

CELEBRATING THE TOP MEP LEADERS IN THE REGION

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WAIVER

DLD

IN THIS ISSUE

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NATHAN HANNS GENERAL MANAGER ALEMCO

40

22 MEP POWER 30 CELEBRATING THE BEST OF MEP A comprehensive list of the top 30 MEP leaders in the region

14 PROJECTS

44 TRUCKS

TERRA Expo 2020 Pavilions Premiere to welcome visitors ahead of the World Expo in October 2021

UD TRUCKS SET TO LAUNCH A “BETTER LIFE” STRATEGY IN 2021 Positive sales growth in key markets drives solid performance for UD Trucks across MEENA region in 2020

18 OPINION REIMAGING THE OFFICE AFTER COVID With the easing of the lockdown, what is the “new normal” for site construction and maintenance?

38 FORMWORK DOKA now includes scaffolding amongst its core offerings

40 INTERVIEW PROVEN SUCCESS In conversation with Vincen Montanet, Chief Business Development Officer, ENGIE Solutions

46 MACHINERY BOBCAT MACHINES Remove surprise snow in Madrid This month’s Storm Filomena surprised the entire community of the Spanish capital city, Madrid

50 REAL ESTATE SOBHA REALTY REPORTS DOUBLED VILLA SALES IN H2 2020 Sobha Realty, the leading premium real estate developer, reports a significant rise in demand for villas and Garden Houses sales in the second half of 2020

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EDITOR’S NOTE

CEO

Wissam Younane

UAE GRANTS CITIZENSHIP AND PASSPORT TO INVESTORS, PROFESSIONALS, SPECIAL TALENTS

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he U.A.E. has approved amendments to the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports allowing investors, professionals, special talents and their families to acquire the Emirati nationality and passport under certain conditions.

The step aims at appreciating the talents and competencies present in the UAE and attracting more bright minds to the Emirati community in a way that contributes to the development and prosperity of the country.

Categories that can qualify to acquire the Emirati nationality include: investors, doctors, specialists,

inventors, scientists, talents, intellectuals, artists and their families (spouse and children), meanwhile the amendments allow retaining the current nationality.

Acquiring the Emirati citizenship will be done through nominations from Rulers and Crown Princes Courts, Executive Councils, and the Cabinet based on federal entities nominations.

Conditions for granting citizenship Under the directive of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Cabinet chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, approved the amendments of the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports.

The amendments specified the conditions that must be met in each category such as: Investors are required to own a property in the UAE. The initiative will certainly give a boost to the construction industry as investors would prioritise investing in property which will boost the demand for new projects in the U.A.E. Kasun Illankoon

Deputy Editor kasun@bncpublishing.net

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REGIONAL NEWS

AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO HANDOVER 10,000+ UNITS IN 2021

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zizi Developments, a leading private developer in the UAE, is gearing up with a continued commitment towards the completion of its ongoing projects, with 46 projects scheduled to be completed in 2021. Moreover, the developer may launch another 40+ new buildings worth around AED 7bn, mostly in its existing communities, and will introduce further ways of reaching international investors with a focus on tapping into markets such Saudi Arabia, China, Nigeria and Israel.

Despite the pandemic-induced challenges that the real estate industry faced, Azizi Developments celebrated a high-performance 2020 by casting over

300 stories, pouring over 239,000 cubic metres of concrete, constructing over 3.68 million square feet of built-up area, and recording more than 17.6 million work hours, underlining its construction-driven and customer centric way of operating.

The developer now plans to deliver on its promises by handing over homes to more than 10,000 families in 2021.

CEO of Azizi Developments, Farhad Azizi, said: “This year threw at the world a challenge that we have yet to overcome.

However, we count our blessings with the closing of 2020. For the UAE, as well as for us at Azizi, this has been a year of achievements and milestones, proving our resilience during the most challenging of times. Our construction was mostly unaffected by the pandemic as we continued catalysing the development of

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this marvellous emirate. We have handed over nearly 3,000 units this year alone — residences that will define the lifestyles of thousands of happy families. It gives me immense pleasure to say that as we enter 2021, we will continue to strive for the very best; our spirits remain high and our ambitions clear as ever.”

“With the UAE real estate sector embarking on a path of growth, with the economy and businesses worldwide beginning to witness a substantial resurgence, we anticipate an even stronger uptick in demand and sales that will become apparent as early as Q1 of 2021; this is when we believe prepandemic levels will be reached and then exceeded. The current global situation allowed the UAE to show its true merits — it grants the leadership and the country’s businesses and people the opportunity to demonstrate how safe, proactive, forwardlooking and innovative this international hub is.” Farhad Azizi added.

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REGIONAL NEWS

SIX FLAGS QIDDIYA BEGINS DESIGN OF WORLD’S FASTEST ROLLER COASTER

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iddiya Investment Company (QIC), in partnership with Intamin Amusement Rides, has kicked off the design process for the Falcon’s Flight, the signature attraction of Six Flags Qiddiya – a one-of-akind theme park scheduled for opening in Qiddiya’s first phase.

The Falcon’s Flight is set to become the world’s longest, fastest and tallest coaster. It will travel across approxi-

mately 4km, feature a vertical cliff dive maneuver into a 160m-deep valley using magnetic motor acceleration (LSM technology), and achieve unprecedented speeds of 250+ km/h.

The Falcon’s Flight will also be the world’s tallest free-standing coaster structure featuring a parabolic airtime hill allowing a weightlessness airtime experience.

Qiddiya’s Chief Executive Officer, Philippe Gas, commented on the signature ride saying: “Rollercoaster fans

around the world have been eagerly anticipating this ride since it was announced as there is nothing quite like it anywhere else. Now we are in the design stage with the experts at Intamin and the engineering team at Six Flags, the excitement is building! Falcon’s flight will dominate the skyline at Qiddiya weave all the way around our destination, right out of the theme park, up the cliffside, and down the cliff face – the greatest drop of any ride in the world; it won’t be for the fainthearted!”

CBNME

REGIONAL NEWS

UAE MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE INK AGREEMENT WITH AASTS

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he UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure will utilise the Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport branch in Sharjah (AASTS’) capabilities and expertise of its workforce to develop the UAE’s maritime sector.

The agreement was signed by Hassan Mohammed Juma Al Mansouri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE and Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Faraj, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport.

Hassan Mohammed Juma Al Mansouri said: “In the UAE, we are determined to be ‘Number One’ in all areas and aim to become a unique example in sustainable development, ensuring the prosperity and wellbeing of the current and future generations in the post-oil era.

“This is the essence of the UAE’s strategy as we prepare for the next fifty years. The maritime economy and the maritime sector are key pillars to achieve this vision. Over 20,000 maritime estab-

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lishments and companies operate in the UAE. “This figure is the largest in the region. Our ports receive over 12 million containers annually, supporting the economic growth in the UAE and other GCC countries. Thus, boosting maritime investments, which are valued at USD65 billion, annually.”

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REGIONAL NEWS

WORLD’S GREATEST GOLFER JACK NICKLAUS TO DESIGN SIGNATURE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE AT QIDDIYA, SAUDI ARABIA

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ack Nicklaus, the globally renowned golf course designer and the greatest champion in the game’s history with a record 18 professional major championships to his name, has confirmed that he is designing his first ever course in Saudi Arabia, a championship golf course for Qiddiya— Saudi Arabia’s capital of Entertainments, Sports and the Arts. The course, located 40 minutes from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, is under design and is awaiting commencement of construction.

Jack and Nicklaus Design are creating the championship course for a private golf and country club, set within an exclusive residential community in the heart of the Qiddiya development, just outside Riyadh, with ground expected to be broken later this year. The golf course will be framed by the majestic Tuwaiq mountain range.

Commenting on Jack Nicklaus’ involvement, His Excellency Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation said: “To have the greatest-ever golfer commit to making his mark upon our developing golf landscape in Saudi Arabia and at a project as significant as Qiddiya gives us great pride. To be part of the Nicklaus legacy will be something that we will always cherish, especially knowing the positive impact it will have on growing awareness of the sport at a domestic level, whilst increasing our national visibility as a vibrant new golf destination.

We are looking forward to welcoming Mr. Nicklaus for his first visit to Saudi Arabia in the coming months.”

Nicklaus, the most decorated player in the game’s history, commented: “I am excited by this project and my

first golf course design in the Middle East. To be selected as one of the first international designers to work in the Kingdom is a great honour. I’ve already spent time looking at the topography of the land, images of the backdrop and terrain, and discussing with our design team a strategy for the course. The design will fully integrate the natural environment and the beautiful Qiddiya landscape, bringing together green spaces and mountainous terrain to form a picturesque canvas for both a beautiful and challenging golf course.”

Construction began on the Qiddiya project in 2019 and the golf development will include a high-end resort hotel and spa, as well as exclusive residences, that once finished will position the development as both the premier Golf and Country Club and number one course in the Kingdom. It will be constructed to the highest standards, with a view to hosting the most prestigious international championships in future years, challenging elite golfers while providing casual players with an opportunity to enjoy the sport and develop their skills.

“By being involved in this project, we hope to promote the development and enjoyment of the game in the Kingdom,” Nicklaus said. “We not only want to entice Saudi residents to take up the great game of golf, but we also hope this presents employment opportunities for citizens of

the Kingdom that are within or related to the golf industry. This mirrors the vision of Qiddiya.”

The planning of the course has been undertaken by Qiddiya in consultation with Golf Saudi. The Nicklaus-designed course is the centrepiece of what has been positioned as the most exclusive golf residential community in the Kingdom.

Further expanding the sport of golf in the Kingdom, Qiddiya will be seeking designers for a second course. Together, the two courses will provide top-notch golfing facilities for residents and day visitors to Qiddiya, from elite players to those just learning the sport.

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PROJECT

TERRA THE SUSTAINABILITY PAVILION

Expo 2020 Pavilions Premiere to to visitors ahead of the World Expo in October 2021

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TERRA | THE SUSTAINABILITY PAVILION

The Expo 2020 Pavilions Premiere launched today and will offer visitors an opportunity to be among the first to experience Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, when it opens to the public from 22 January until 10 April 2021.

The Pavilions Premiere is a limited-time opportunity for visitors to preview Expo 2020’s Thematic Pavilions and will provide a glimpse of what is to come when Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region – welcomes the world from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.

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CBNME

PROJECT

Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion, will open to the public from 22 January, while Alif - The Mobility Pavilion and Mission Possible - The Opportunity Pavilion will follow later in the first quarter of 2021. Pavilions Premiere bookings can be made from 16 January with each visit costing AED 25. Visitors are urged to book early as the experience will operate five days per week with limited operating hours and capacity restrictions due to enhanced health and safety measures.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau and UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation said: “We are delighted to start 2021 on such a posi-

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tive note as we welcome the UAE community to be the first to experience Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion at a moment in our history that is unparalleled in terms of its impact on humanity.

“This period of rapid, unprecedented change has brought with it a pressing need to rethink the way we exist, and is further accelerated by a global health crisis that has touched each and every individual on Earth. While 2020 may be remembered as a year that changed us forever, it has also given us a tremendous opportunity to come together as a global society and find answers to our most pressing challenges. This remains the focal purpose of Expo 2020 Dubai and the vision of the

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TERRA | THE SUSTAINABILITY PAVILION

UAE’s leadership, while our Thematic Pavilions – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability – rally the call for collective action to tackle these challenges in order to create a better future for all humanity.”

Visitors in January will be able to explore Terra and enjoy the unique surrounding public spaces which include a children’s playground, gift shop, dining and more. Terra (which means ‘Planet

Earth’) will offer an immersive journey through the wonders of the natural world, including an interactive walk through the roots of the forest, where every footstep affects the ‘wood-wide-web’.

Uncovering the hidden harmful impacts of our choices, the emotive experience is designed to encourage visitors of all ages, and the younger generation in particular, to consider how their behaviour impacts the environment and break the cycle of consumerism, empowering them to become agents of change.

A playful, exploratory experience, Terra will remain in legacy as a Science Centre that will inspire sustainable choices for generations to come.

Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Experience Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai said: “Expo 2020 aims to be one of the most sustainable World Expos in history and supports the UAE’s efforts as a champion of green development, so it is fitting that our first visitors will enjoy a preview of the Sustainability Pavilion – an interactive and personal experience that will highlight the urgency of addressing some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges.

“Showcasing the opportunities that unite us and how we can work together to create positive change, Expo 2020 will empower visitors of all nationalities, ages and interests to make more sustainable choices in their own lives.”

The iconic pavilion, designed by the world-renowned Grimshaw Architects, sets an example for sustainable building design. Built to be net-zero for both energy and water, it features 1,055 photovoltaic panels arranged on a 130-metre-wide roof canopy and atop a series of ‘Energy Trees’. The pavilion also uses cutting-edge water-reduction strategies, water recycling and alternative water sources.

To manage capacity and provide an optimal experience, all visitors are required to make a timed-entry reservation in advance online. Walk-in tickets will not be available. The experience will be open from 1500-2100 on Tuesdays to Thursdays, and 1600-2200 on Fridays and Saturdays, starting on 22 January and closing on 10 April 2021.

World Expos are platforms for collaboration, innovation and inspiration, and Expo 2020 will welcome more than 200 participants and millions of visitors, bringing the world together in a spirit of hope and optimism to help shape a better, more sustainable future for all.

“This period of rapid, unprecedented change has brought with it a pressing need to rethink the way we exist, and is further accelerated by a global health crisis that has touched each and every individual on Earth.”

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CBNME

OPINION

COVID-19 has changed how construction’s back offices run, with many employees keeping business running via remote work

REIMAGING THE OFFICE AFTER COVID

WITH THE EASING OF THE LOCKDOWN, WHAT IS THE “NEW NORMAL” FOR SITE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE? b y M A R K C O AT E S , S T R AT E G I C I N D U S T R Y E N G A G E M E N T S D I R E C T O R , BENTLEY SYSTEMS

B

efore the COVID-19 pandemic, the office was where millions of us spent just under a third of our average working week sat behind a desk of sorts.

Since the lockdown, however, of the 32.6 million in employment in the UK, around 8.7 million people say that they have worked from home; this is less than 30% of the workforce. Some companies have already intermated that this situation could become the future.

COVID-19 has brought major changes to construction’s back offices. Forced

to stay at home, many office employees have kept business operations running via remote work, relying on technology like video conferencing collaborative software, emailing, texting, and even Whatsapp to stay in touch.

If you look to comments from industry leaders, there is a common theme that working from home is the way of the future. Jes Staley, CEO of Barclays, said, “The notion of putting 7,000 people in a building may be a thing of the past” while businessman Sir Martin Sorrell suggested that he’d rather invest the GBP

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35 million that he spends on expensive offices in the people instead.

So, is the game up for the office as we know it?

THE FUTURE OF THE OFFICE While we might feel melancholy about it, I personally believe that the office in its present form is probably a thing of the past. Last week, I was chatting to a client who works at a major design company and he said, “We used to have 768 people coming into this office every day.

For the last eight or more weeks, we’ve had 12 people, and the productivity hasn’t diminished by a great deal.”

He continued, “Anyone who thinks things are going to go back to the way things where is fooling themselves. There are now two key drivers that weren’t there before, and they have increased acceptance of new ways of working and both of these revolve around losing what the team has suddenly gained: independence.

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REIMAGING THE OFFICE AFTER COVID | THE “NEW NORMAL” FOR SITE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

One driver is the fear of returning to the office for health reasons and the other is the “new” family routine of evening meals together and no long-distance commute home. Staff don’t want to give up that freedom by returning to the old routine of going to the office daily. Thus, the desire to adopt and embraced new ways of working has been fully accepted by all.”

The most common thread that I have heard is that organizations were going to roll out Microsoft Teams this year, but instead of taking 12 months to do so, they did it in eight weeks. And because of the mass usage, we have seen the platform develop. For example, before the global pandemic, you could only see four people on a video call at a time.

Recently, Teams has upped it to nine.

However, declaring the end of the office is not a simple process. There is a personal attachment to having a place to go to and we should expect a substantial decrease in the amount of time that people spend in the office; however, office working will not be over forever.

HOW OFFICE-LIFE MAY LOOK POSTCOVID-19 With talks of a recession coming in the wake of COVID-19’s economic impact, people may want to be visible.

Particularly in times of economic crisis, people will start thinking I want to be in the workplace and the boss needs to see me and what I am delivering.

This mentality may have been one of the corner stones that held back data adoption that COVID-19 forcefully removed.

There will, unfortunately, be job losses, companies dissolving, and dramatic changes across industries, including new companies forming as a result of mergers and acquisitions as companies pool their resources. But there will also be a tranche of new companies rising to the top of the job market as the market delivers and fully embraces the availability of technology—new and old. I know that Bentley Systems is working closely with companies like Costain on new methods and ways of working.

An option for office working in a post-COVID-19 world is that offices will remain as central hubs where senior managers are based, with employees

The key drivers for keeping work-from-home practices beyond the pandemic are for health reasons and more time with family.

travelling in once or twice a week to meet with their bosses. This is Twitter’s plan, who announced that it is allowing its staff to work from home forever but will keep its offices open if people want to come in.

Working from home is not new. In fact, it’s become increasingly popular in recent decades, and many companies have already been trying to save money on rent by hiring co-working space such as we-work.

Cost is going to be the big driver when companies make the decision on whether to allow their workers to work from home. Even before COVID-19, several companies had already had a change in mindset, thinking that “we are spending all this money on rent so let’s move to more home-working.” COVID-19 has just escalated the speed and process of an already-occurring change.

USING TECHNOLOGY TO SAFELY RETURN TO WORK Personally, I have spoken to several clients—both asset owners and project delivery teams—about ways of overcoming major issues when reopening and constructing new offices, including maintaining social distancing. It is possible to use existing technology to

“Staff don’t want to give up that freedom by returning to the old routine of going to the office daily. Thus, the desire to adopt and embraced new ways of working has been fully accepted by all.” overcome these key issues, particularly technology from Bentley’s portfolio.

One such product is LEGION®, which gives users the ability to simulate and analyze foot traffic on assets like rail and tube stations, stadiums, office complexes, shopping malls, and airports. It can accurately test designs and operational or commercial plans to enhance footfall, wayfinding, crowd management, and safety and security strategies.

With the new requirements for social distancing, LEGION helps test the impact of changes such as new occupancy levels, barriers, queuing and operational strategies. In April 2020, Bentley had announced that it was waiving subscription fees on ProjectWise® 365 through to September >>>

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CBNME

OPINION

Work is currently underway to combine 4D models with various forms of context capture. From point clouds to photos, we are looking at what happens when we combine these formats together in a web browser. This technology will enable remote observation and digital tracking of work-in-place. Also, with advances in computer vision and both artificial intelligence and machine learning, it is increasingly possible to automatically detect object, machines, people, and conditions in the field.

An option for office working in a post-COVID-19 world is that offices will remain as central hubs where senior managers are based, with employees travelling in once or twice a week to meet with their bosses.

30th, announcing a similar offer for LEGION soon after. This initiative was to help support clients in analyzing their assets and being better prepared for increased traffic follow both on sites and within assets, such as offices. These two products support both the asset owner and the design team.

With regards to site-based projects, several key UK contractors have reached out to me regarding SYNCHRO™ and ContextCapture. They are using SYNCHRO for scheduling and task management to keep a head of the delivery curve, working out how deliveries arrive on site and who needs to be in that location. The applications have already been used for these purposes before the outbreak of COVID-19 by

both Tideway, working on a very large site, and the delivery team on the Shad Thames Pumping Station, which is a very small site. With ContextCapture, contractors are using reality meshes to work out where the project sits and the layout of the surrounding site area. By using these applications, contractors can do all this work remotely.

MAKING USE OF DIGITAL TWINS FOR A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT My final point is the new and increased interest in digital twins, as asset owners look for new ways of remotely monitoring assets.

Bentley’s iTwins enable you to visualize the asset, track change, and perform analysis to better understand and optimize asset performance. As iTwins span the entire asset lifecycle, users at all stages can make better informed decisions for better outcomes.

With this desire to work remote or access asset data remotely, Bentley is supporting independent software vendors and start-ups via the iTwin® Partner Program. This program is for vendors who develop applications on the iTwin platform and bring them to market. We aim to foster a thriving ecosystem of organizations who share our vision of creating infrastructure digital twins.

“With advances in computer vision and both artificial intelligence and machine learning, it is increasingly possible to automatically detect object, machines, people, and conditions in the field.”

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MEP

POWER

30

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE TOP 30 MEP LEADERS IN THE REGION

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MEP POWER 30

ASHRAF BOTROS MANAGING DIRECTOR AL SHAFAR UNITED FOR ELECTROMECHANICAL ENGINEERING LLC

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rom a humble beginning, Al Shafar United For Electromechanical Engineering LLC was a division of ASGC company under the direct supervision of Ashraf Botros. Having a 40-year solid background in engineering, combined with his loyalty and dedication, he carried forward and took the responsibility to define the company’s success into reality.

Today, he holds the prestigious role of Managing Director; his company has gone far and continuously receives high ranking awards under his strong leadership. A visionary leader with strong presence, he is described by his employees as a sharp decision-maker with a good heart, open to

help many in his own way. Fair in his judgements, he builds confidence and brings out the best in every employee.

Throughout the years, this brought ASU remarkable and stable results making it one of the well-known and respected companies in the UAE. COMPLETED PROJECTS FOR PAST 2 YEARS Mohamed bin Rashid Library Signature Residences/ Vivanta By Taj Blue Waters, Coca-Cola Arena Thematic district: Opportunity Expo 2020 Refurbishment of Dubai International Airport-Concourse C, B and Terminal 1 (Hall C & D) improvement Works Sustainability Pavilion, Boulevard Point CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021 | 23

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MEP POWER 30

Nathan has grown ALEMCO from a startup business with a turnover of AED 50 Million to AED 510 Million in 2020.

NATHAN HANNS GENERAL MANAGER | ALEMCO

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athan Hanns has led ALEMCO’s growth since 2006 and is a highly capable, results orientated general manager with extensive experience of leading highperformance teams and of successfully increasing efficiency and productivity whilst reducing costs and inefficiencies.

Nathan’s 24+ years’ experience is a testimony to his commitment to service excellence in the field of MEP. He has proven how to nurture and grow a business, evaluate opportunities and risks and also deliver innovative new solutions to challenges.

He is service oriented which is evident in his excellent client facing and configuration skills and highly successful in helping define company direction, achieving goals and optimizing business. Nathan has grown ALEMCO from a startup business with a turnover of AED 50 24 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

Million to AED 510 Million in 2020.

Nathan has made BIM 3D software compulsory ensuring that ALEMCO remains ahead of the engineering technology curve. Even if the project is designed in 2D by the Engineering Consultant, ALEMCO will transform that 2D design into a BIM 3D model, as we see the benefits from a coordination point of view and also to highlight clash detection.

The company’s clients can also benefits from this implementation by receiving a fully functional 3D model on completion of the project instead of the traditional as built drawings. Clients can then refer to the model for spares, maintenance and any future retrofits or modifications.

Nathan is responsible for promoting this paradigm shift and his commitment approach and vision will ensure that ALEMCO will remain one of the top MEP contractors in the region.

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MEP POWER 30

Alaa has built a team that relishes change and thrives in different working environments, a unit that is constantly developing and learning to continue to meet the changing requirements of clients.

ALAA ABDELMOHSEN SAYED PARTNER | GAJ

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laa is an MEP professional with twenty years of experience in the leadership, design and delivery of MEP services on a wide range of projects. After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, he began his engineering career in Saudi Arabia and Egypt where he gained experience on a wide range of prestigious projects including the major CityStars hospitality development in Sharm El Sheikh, Fairmont Heliopolis and Jolie Ville, Luxor.

On joining the GAJ team in 2017 as an Associate Partner and key senior member of the practice, Alaa’s main responsibilities included the management and delivery of all MEP post-contract services and the man-

agement of the MEP delivery team. He has led the team in the technical delivery of a number of highly complex and challenging projects in a range of end market sectors including hospitality and education.

Alaa has built a team that relishes change and thrives in different working environments, a unit that is constantly developing and learning to continue to meet the changing requirements of clients. Key to the success of his team is their agility. As part of a multidisciplinary firm there is a clear collaboration and coordination between the MEP team and architects. There is an end-to-end quality from design through to construction and completion, something the firm has been doing for some years but which Alaa is particularly focused on in a bid to safeguard the client’s interest.

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MEP POWER 30

AR SURESH KUMAR VP & HEAD IOBG | VOLTAS

ROUPEN SULAHIAN VP, ENERGY DIVISION KHATIB & ALAMI

R

oupen Sulahian works with a strong international team of more than 750 MEP engineers and provides strategic direction to sustainably grow the Energy Division and affirm its role in providing world-class technical and management advisory in the energy sector.

Under his leadership, K&A spearheaded some of the most influential projects in the Middle East such as delivering power distribution system master plans for various cities, the construction of power generation plants, electricity network and systems for smart cities, building complexes and infrastructure projects, as well as the rehabilitation of power distribution networks.

In recent years, K&A has continually expanded its service offerings to become key regional player in the development of smart city concepts and digital infrastructure in the region.

An example is K&A’s role to build the necessary GIS infrastructure for Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and other Smart Grid solutions for several utilities across the Middle East, GCC and North Africa, which is enabling them to provide reliable, resilient and modernized grids, significantly enhancing the experience of end users.

26 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

A

R Suresh Kumar joined Voltas as a management trainee over three decades ago (1988). For the most part of the 1990s, as the operations head, he was involved in the design, planning and project execution of air-conditioning systems and building management for wide range of projects in India. He moved to the GCC (KSA) in the year 1998 and worked on MEP projects, air-conditioning projects and maintenance services. Had also set up elevator division and made a breakthrough in this business. In the year 2018, AR Suresh Kumar took over the responsibility of Corporate Business Development for the Organization and became Head of International Operations handling the Electromechanical Business, headquartered in Dubai, along with Voltas entities outside India. During his tenure, AR Suresh Kumar is a firm believer of the use of digital tools which resulted in the formation of the Centre of Excellence. “Today, we are using technology as an enabler to drive productivity at site and ensure safety of our employees. The supervisory staff at our sites are using a tablet-based application to plan and monitor their site activities. Our Managerial staff is monitoring the project progress across Engineering, Procurement and Construction using real time data on data visualization tools. All Senior Management members can access any project report or project data on their phones to monitor the projects. This helps in improving the visibility, faster decision making and reducing project delays. These tools have also significantly reduced the paper at site, thus reducing the risk of spread of pandemic. We have reached a stage wherein these digital interventions are not mere tools but part of our project delivery model.”

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MEP POWER 30

RELIANCE CONTRACTING COMPANY

R

eliance Contracting Company specializes in the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing industry for both onshore and offshore projects.

They are well known by highly qualified consultants, customers and contractors all over the UAE as one of the best professionally managed companies.

Their top priority is to provide the best quality and highest performance in all undertaken projects, and proudly maintain a policy of delivering their work on time.

The company was established in 1991 and has earned an excellent reputation and the respect of their customers through their achievements.

UNICORN ELECTROMECHANICAL WORKS LLC

U

NICORN is a customer-centric company that provides MEP Engineering services as well as Firefighting and Security Solutions to both public and private sectors.

The company strives to become their client’s most reliable source of all MEP services including Air-conditioning, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire protection services.

UNICORN aims to emerge as a market leader in Electro-mechanical Building Services Installations and Contracting Works in the construction industry by consistently providing high quality operational systems & services that meets the clients’ absolute satisfaction and requirements. The company’s mission includes being a MEP Engineering as well as a Firefighting and Security solutions service provider, committed to providing maximum customer satisfaction. UNICORN utilizes its own unique capabilities to provide innovative quality solutions, and strives to be the highest quality service provider at fair prices and on time in all the company’s markets.

DAVID DUFFY MEP GENERAL MANAGER KHANSAHEB

D

avid’s career has been interesting and varied having worked for some of the UK’s national MEP companies, small family run contractors and the past 8 years in the UAE. He was appointed Divisional Manager of the Khansaheb Building services Division now known as the MEP Division in 2011. He has brought his management, technical and commercial experience to grow the MEP business year on year.

The MEP business now delivers various scheme types ranging from new build, fit out, refurbishment and engineering works in the Leisure, Hospitality, Retail & Commercial sectors. Through David’s leadership, the company has built a reputation for quality and on-time delivery in an MEP market often challenged by such achievement.

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021 | 27

CBNME

MEP POWER 30

JOHAN HESSELSØE MANAGING DIRECTOR ATKINS UAE

MICK CAIRNS CEO | BLACK & WHITE ENGINEERING

M

ick has 37 years’ experience in the MEP industry. Having lived in several different regions he has delivered projects in over 20 countries.

Mick is a true explorer and adventurer and rarely does he turn down an RFP in a frontier market. Mick will always believe he can find a strategy to support a client in any location and add value; this has led to Black & White Engineering’s incredible growth and ambition. With year-on-year growth of over 25% planned for the next 5 years, B&W is positioning itself to be not only the region’s leading independent MEP Engineering company but amongst the world’s elite MEP specialists.

Business growth and strategy are a true passion for Mick, yet he still gets the greatest motivation at the outset of a project, being involved with his team, listening to his client’s goals and developing these with his project teams to ensure the company meets or exceeds expectations.

Improvement, added value and ensuring unrivalled client service and technical excellence is the team’s goal at all times.

Mick recognises the importance of individuals in his team and puts staff development and mentoring structures as a high priority in order to carve attainable career paths for the staff in the UAE. He focuses on developing specialists through maintaining individuals’ focus on specific sectors whilst also encouraging staff mobility and access to projects around the global business which exposes them to a broad spectrum of clients, environments and experience.

Mick has a focused client management approach to ensure quality of delivery and has implemented robust processes to ensure clients’ briefs are clearly understood and services are delivered accordingly.

28 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

J

ohan Hesselsøe, Managing Director, UAE, at Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has over 14 years’ experience in the region, most recently as Managing Director, Middle East and Africa for Faithful+Gould.

Previously, Johan also held the role of Managing Director, Atkins Acuity, for over three years where he successfully grew the business while working collaboratively with other Atkins business lines to maximize client opportunities. Johan told CBNME: “As our business continues to transform, our ability to provide integrated end-to-end services to our clients, ranging from front-end strategy and design to cost, project management and site supervision capabilities, is key to driving our growth in the market. Combining these capabilities with a collaborative contracting approach will allow us to partner with clients and other key stakeholders of the supply chain to deliver projects in new ways and address current and future challenges of the UAE construction industry.”

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Etlad carries a long story of success behind our growth. Since their establishment in 2007, they have been a leading company in the field of construction and engineering. Regardless of the size of the project, the company ensures the successful delivery of

all building maintenance, civil and finishing, concrete, MEP, and renovation work with the highest construction standards.

MEP engineering is surely an integral and vital part of any architectural or building projects.

Equipped with a dedicated

A&P GROUP OF COMPANIES The A&P Group of Companies has been operating since the early 70’s, when the foundations for the ambitious industrial and infrastructure development program of the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East regions were laid.

The Group has been at the forefront of the electromechanical construction sector of the region and has been providing superior quality integrated electromechanical services to large and complex residential and commercial projects,

airports, hospitals, hotels and tourist complexes, educational facilities, industrial projects, power stations, complex defense facilities and major infrastructure projects.

The company provides world class project management skills and state of the art technologies coupled with accumulated expertise and strong financial backing. This enables us to undertake and successfully complete the most challenging projects anywhere in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

CHAOUCI YASSINE CEO | TARGET ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY With more than 33 years of widespread experience in the construction sector, Chaouci leads Target as a single source EPC contractor with stand-alone specialties operating in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

He began his career with SAE International - EIFFAGE Group as a site engineer, later on assuming the role of project manager for a period of 17 successful years within the group.

In 2002, Chaouci joined Target Engineering Construction Company as the civil and buildings division man-

ager and was promoted to the chief operations officer in January 2011, before being appointed as the chief executive office in February 2014.

Over the years, he has worked on several oil and gas and highrise building projects, giving him extensive knowledge and experience in various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, oil and gas, power, instrumentation and controls, marine and civil infrastructure and buildings in both offshore and onshore fields.

30 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

execution, and design team, Etlad offers mechanical, electrical and customised plumbing services to our valuable customers. From design, mobilization of products to completion of tasks, our team ensures to deliver high-class MEP services.

EMINENT CONTRACTING LLC EMINENT CONTRACTING L.L.C. was founded in 1994 in Dubai, UAE and have completed over 250 projects.

The organisation was founded as M/s.

Abdul Rahim Obaid Sanitary and Electrical Installation. With more than two decades of experience and roots stemming from successful organisations they provide a comprehensive range of services ranging from Civil Construction to MEP ensuring the highest quality that delivers the best value to our customers in support of their operations. Eminent has developed leaps and bounds and forayed into the field of Electrical Contracting. They execute complete electrical installations for Residential & Commercial Buildings, Private & Group Villas and Labour Accommodation & Warehouses. They have successfully installed various Air Conditioning and Ventilation systems including Chilled Water Systems, DX Systems, Package Systems and District Cooling Systems. All of our installations ensure adequate ventilation with filtration providing appropriate air flow, heating and cooling thereby helping attain the best indoor air quality.

The company has also completed over 100 projects employing the highest quality materials and professional testing to ensure that our clients are assured against any leakages, blockages or breakdown in their water supply and drainage system.

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MEP POWER 30

RASHID AL MAZROUI CHAIRMAN AL MAZROUI GROUP (MAPCO)

O

fficially established in 1974, as an Electromechanical Company, in the UAE, the company is an ISO-9001:2008-QMS certified and one of the oldest Electromechanical contracting companies based in the country.

With over thirty years of handling Turnkey Projects in the Gulf, MAPCO is able to offer complete Value Engineered solutions tailored to the region. Over the last three decades, the company has completed electromechanical works in over 100 medium to large scale projects, spanning the industrial,

commercial and residential sectors. As one of the pioneers of Electromechanical contracting in the U.A.E., MAPCO continues to maintain its leadership within the industry, through its commitment to customer satisfaction. The company’s belief is that customer satisfaction can only be achieved through understanding the client’s needs and

providing cost- effective, efficient solutions while maintaining the highest levels of quality control.

In 2003 the company established its first International branch in the State of Qatar and officially begun its operations as the Electromechanical Contractor for many prestigious projects in that country.

SUNNY SAM CEO | AL KHANEZI ELECTROMECHANICAL LLC Established in 1996, Al Khanezi Electromechanical Works has accumulated rich experience over the past two decades whilst building up operational knowledge combined with technical and commercial expertise. Based on the profound vision of its founder, AK has grown to become a major MEP Contractor in providing all major services such as electrical, mechanical, plumbing and drainage works along with in house designing, thereby enabling Major Clients, Contractors and Consultants to rely on one Company to complete the job. This integrated coordination of multiple disciplines enhances efficiency as AK brings insight and expertise to challenging projects

which enables the ability to reduce risks and surmount obstacles by bringing up professionals from different areas of the firm to coordinate and work together towards a successful project delivery. Sunny Sam, CEO of Al Khanezi Electromechanical LLC, said: “The leadership is fueled by our basic principles; high quality, efficiency and skillfulness. This enables us to participate in honorable competition with credibility, capability and competence raising the bar for self-reliance, mutual respect and appreciation for each and every initiative the company participates in to help make its objectives and expectations a tangible fact.”

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021 | 31

CBNME

MEP POWER 30

RIDVAN ÇELIKEL

ETTS

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | ANEL GROUP Prior to establishing Anel Elektrik in 1986, Ridvan completed his undergraduate education at Yıldız Technical University, Department of Electrical Engineering. Following that, he started his career in Oneren Engineering in 1975, and worked as a partner in Aktek Elektrik from 1983-1985. Today, Ridvan is the chairman board of directors of companies within the Anel Group. He is also a founding member of the Electrical Installation Engineers

Association (ETMD). With a team of 3,200 personnel, Anel has MEP operations in UAE, Qatar, the UK, Netherlands, Turkey and Azerbaijan. Till date, it has carried out more than 200 MEP contracting projects in a total area of over 13 million sqm in three continents and 14 countries. Anel also offers MEP services in operations and maintenance, low voltage panel production, recycling and ship electric and electronic systems (defence industry).

MAHNAD KASHANI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | IAN BANHAM & ASSOCIATES Ian Banham & Associates is a specialized building services (MEP) consulting firm with its headquarters in Dubai. Since its establishment in 1976 IBA has successfully delivered thousands of projects for hundreds of returning clients in the MENA region.

They cater to a number of different types of projects, including commercial and residential buildings, housing complexes, hotels, education facilities, hospitals, shopping centers and malls, resorts, palaces, sports facilities and stadiums, and industrial projects.

IBA designs and manages a project portfolio valued at over $5billion,

and invests a substantial percentage of its earnings into staff training and personnel development. Ian Banham & Associates services consist of the design and supervision of Mechanical and Electrical systems and installations for buildings and specialized facilities. This includes feasibility studies, investigative reports, conceptual designs, cost estimates and analysis, production of specifications and bills of quantities, bids evaluation and recommendation, contract negotiations, detailed designs, working drawings and 3D models, project management, supervision and site management.

HAJA KAMALDEEN DIRECTOR | COMFOTEC UAE A qualified mechanical engineer, Haja has over 19 years of experience in design, execution, testing and commissioning and consultancy. He has gained a substantial understanding of the industry especially in superstructures and high rises 32 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

ETTS, established since 1995, is one of the leading companies specialized in the field of Electro-Mechanical Contracting with a Special Category Classification.

The company has operated servicing both large and small projects in building construction and industrial applications. Ever since its inception, ETTS (headquartered in Abu Dhabi) has significantly grown and established a reputation as a leading MEP contracting company within the U.A.E. backed by a team of highly experienced and qualified professionals. The company has been experiencing substantial growth over the years and shows no sign of stopping. With the awarding of new prestigious projects along with its internal objective for excellence, ETTS is advancing towards a successful horizon. The company’s growth and success is largely due to the innovative vision of its management and the strength and experience of its loyal employees. The conglomeration of talent combined with its quality management environment has resulted in ETTS’s solid reputation within the industry.

having worked on Burj Khalifa as mechanical engineer from the piling stage to completion. Haja has garnered an immense know-how in Indian, US, BS, ASHRAE and CIBSE codes, and hands on experience on softwares like HAP, TRACE, Autocad and Revit. He has worked on design of different projects such as residential, commercial, mixed use complexes, retail, hospital and shopping malls. During his career, Haja has gained valuable technical knowledge and learned best design practices. He had been involved in developing and managing new teams and processes in various companies.

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MEP POWER 30

HELMI BADAWIYEH MANAGING DIRECTOR | MENASCO Helmi has garnered more than 40 years of experience running and operating property contracting businesses in various regions with a focus on engineering design and cost modelling. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree and is a member of the US, Jordan and UAE Society of Engineers.

Helmi has been instrumental in starting two contracting businesses and managing them to growth where both claim multi-million dollars in projects annually to this day.

Starting in the power generation and water desalination field in Kuwait and previously with Fawaz Refrigeration & Menasco Electro Mechanical contracting, Helmi’s keen interest in global providers of civil, HVAC, plumbing, electrical and firefighting suppliers, established relationships, cost modeling skills and experienced engineering designs provides organisations the knowhow needed to create differentiation and market penetration.

HAZEM FRAIJ SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER | HORIZON GULF ELECTROMECHANICAL SERVICES Hazem is an experienced CEO and senior general manager running Horizon Gulf Electromechanical Services with a history of working in the electromechanical engineering industry. With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) focused in Project Management from Inter American University, DC Washington, Hazem is skilled in value engineering,

risk management, cost management, project control, and design management. Prior to joining Horizon Gulf in November 2017, Hazem worked with EC Harris/ Arcadis for 13 years. Under Hazem’s leadership, Horizon Gulf Electromechanical Services execute all building engineering services and systems including HVAC, plumbing and

drainage, firefighting, electrical, fire alarm and low-current systems and building automation and monitoring systems. The firm has successfully performed installations across the diversified construction landscape including hospitals, hotels, colleges, industrial plants, shopping malls, edutainment centres, villas, palaces, residential and office buildings.

ANTHONY MCCARTER BUILDINGS DIRECTOR | RAMBOLL MIDDLE EAST Anthony McCarter is Ramboll’s Buildings Director for the Middle East.

Anthony joined Ramboll in 2019 and is responsible for the buildings’ market portfolio across the Middle East and India.

Since joining Ramboll, Anthony’s focus has been to strengthen the multidisciplinary engineering offering, enhancing digital delivery and stakeholder coordination. He has supported Ramboll’s drive to embed best practices in sustainability, includ-

ing reducing embodied carbon and the drive to net-zero, in ongoing projects in the region. He is also encouraging the use of new technologies, including SMART systems, parametric design and modular construction.

Anthony told CBNME: “Since I joined Ramboll in October 2019, the market changed very rapidly as the global coronavirus pandemic took hold. Ramboll immediately focused on ensuring our delivery commitments were met and understanding our

34 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

clients changing priorities and needs.

We seek to innovate continuously and apply new technologies for the benefit of our projects. We are engaging with municipalities, clients and contractors through the region regarding modular construction to bring our experience in this field from across the globe, especially the UK and Singapore. Fully prefabricated volumetric modular construction includes pre-installed MEP systems and allows for on-site connections.”

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MEP POWER 30

KHALED DERHALLI

MARTIN MCFADDEN

DIRECTOR OF MEP ENGINEERING | KEO

REGIONAL DIRECTOR EFECO Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Birzeit University in West Bank, Khaled Derhalli has spent the last 18 years with EFECO. During his tenure with the firm, he has held various roles in its operations department. He has more than 20 years of professional experience in the fields of global engineering and construction within the UAE and Middle Eastern. Khaled has a proven track record in project execution, planning, and engineering, cost control, commercial, BIM modelling and contract management.

EFECO is a family run business, established in 2001. It initially undertook small and medium scale villa projects. Since then, it has grown to become one a successful MEP company in the region and is now listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) exchange under the Arabtec Holding Group. Under Khaled’s leadership, EFECO has completed some noteworthy projects such as Nation Towers – St Regis Hotel Abu Dhabi, Palazzo Versace Hotel Dubai, Dubai International T2 Expansion, and more 14,000 villas in the UAE.

Martin McFadden is a fully qualified Chartered Engineer with over 38 years of professional experience in the design, supervision and management of MEP Building Services Engineering. Prior to being appointed KEO’s Director of MEP Engineering in 2019, Martin held the position of Technical Director – MEP with our firm.

As Director of MEP Engineering, Martin is responsible for all aspects of MEP team management, including divisional profit & loss account responsibilities, technical advisory, technical review, implementation of business objectives, strategy development and client key account management.

MCMASTER McMaster is a leading MEP Company in Dubai, with the primary goal of rendering quality MEP Conctracting and building maintenance services in the cities of Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

McMaster, founded in 2009, has focused its efforts on delivering the highest quality MEP services through its team of carefully selected engineers, technicians and staff who are regularly trained, tested and mentored to

maintain the same outstanding performance on every project.

McMaster has had the privilege to work with reputed MEP consultants, contractors, and clients on a large number of prestigious projects of varying values and scales including residential buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, commercial buildings, restaurants, churches, mosques, airports, and interior fitout projects in the UAE.

THRASOS THRASYVOULOU CEO, MANAGING DIRECTOR AND PARTNER | SPECON Under Thrasos’ leadership, Specon and his core team have successfully delivered MEP projects valued over USD2.5 billion for landmark developments such as hotels and residential buildings, office and commercial towers, large-scale infrastructure developments/mega-projects including airports, hospitals, sports complexes, military establishments and ports. The firm specialises in high voltage turnkey projects (design and build) involving sub-station works, overhead lines, underground cabling, power and water distribution

networks. Thrasos has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Surrey in England, graduating with First Class honours. He later completed a Master of Science in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning from the University of London. Thrasos is also the founder and managing director of several European-based companies that specialise in the delivery of MEP works, the distribution of electromechanical equipment and the provision of energy audits and solutions.

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021 | 35

CBNME

MEP POWER 30

HOSSEIN MOLTAJI MANAGING DIRECTOR, TORONTEC Hossein began his career in 1987 at Ian Banham and Associates in Dubai as a resident partner, after earning a bachelor’s of science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, US. In 1990, he moved to the Canada and joined Torontec, and since then he’s

been with the Toronto headquartered MEP consultants, building services and HVAC system designer firm. When Totontec began operating in Dubai in 1993, Hossein, moved to Dubai as the managing partner. Hossein’s career spans 34 years in the M&E industry.

At Torontec, he leads the team to utilise the latest developments and innovations

in environmental engineering, including green and sustainable building, renewable energy integration, and energy water conservation.

Since 1977, Hossein has been a member of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and a member of UAE Society of Engineers since 1987.

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Electromechanical works are an integral part of any interior works. Performance of key building services like HVAC, water lines, electrical works, depending on the quality of the MEP design adopted. Such professional MEP design needs to be adopted in its full capabilities to deliver a successful implementation of the project.

Celcius, being a fast-growing electromechanical company in Dubai, can assure top quality industry standard installation of MEP works.

Celcius use reputable brands when installing of main distribution boards, sub-main distribution

Boards, switchgear. Additionally, the bus bar system meets all standards and provides modern and cost-effective solutions for electrical power distribution.

Celcius HVAC Services includes providing heat load calculations. Furthermore, design, fabrication & installation of ducts, chilled water pipes, fittings, valves & accessories, and calibration of FCU & AHU. We assure the best of our services being best mep and electromechanical companies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the whole of UAE.

SCOTT MCKEEVER TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – MEP, ARCADIS MIDDLE EAST As Regional Director of MEP, Scott’s role in the business is to oversee the MEP teams across the Middle East region and our Global Excellence Centre Middle East delivery team based in the Philippines. He is responsible for recommending policy and procedure improvements, monitoring performance against agreed criteria, and ensuring contractual obligations are fulfilled in every project. His contributions to the business’ MEP discipline have made significant impacts, from the successful delivery of key MEP projects to the continued learning and development of Arcadians under his team. During his tenure as Regional Director for MEP, Scott has 36 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

restructured the project delivery model within the regional MEP team to optimise efficiencies. Realising that the global pandemic has changed the way that construction professionals work, Scott has recognised this as an opportunity to focus on better alignment between our onshore and offshore teams, and provide the best solutions for our clients by choosing the most suited people from across the region. Scott’s leadership has also helped in the successful completion of the DGDA Bujairi F&B Terrace in Saudi Arabia, La Mer project (Jumeirah Open Beach) in Dubai, Lusail Plaza Towers in Qatar, and several Red Sea Development Hotels.

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FORMWORK

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D

oka now stands for formwork and scaffolding.

While much of the construction industry has remained stagnant for the past forty years, some businesses, such as Doka have continued to invest throughout their development in order to provide, faster, more costeffective and safer products for their clients.

Sharing this ethos is AT-PAC, a U.S-based business with over 25-years’ global experience, which has solely focused on developing and enhancing its Ringlock product to meet performance - based demand,

while gaining significant experience in the industrial sector, something that was clearly identified by Doka as it sought to capitalise on the synergies of formwork and scaffolding.

Designed as a versatile, high quality performance system, Ringlock provides a reliable solution for today’s fast-paced market, where time, efficiency and safety are paramount towards ensuring that business is able to operate effectively, not to mention profitably in the post-COVID economy.

As a modular system, Ringlock is designed with 30% fewer main components when compared to traditional scaf-

38 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

folding, while offering a multifaceted system, for which up to 80% of its components can be used for different applications. Not only do the minimal components mean a reduction of commissioning quantities, it is also 30% lighter per m3 and 50% faster to assemble when compared to other scaffolding systems, making it easier to handle while enabling a faster turnaround on projects.

Besides Ringlock, Doka is now able to provide a State of the Art Scaffold Management Software, Hi-Vis®. This software is widely compatible with other scaffolding systems, its value as a digital management tool for Ringlock means project managers can monitor real-time scaffolding requests, management processes and up-to-the-minute data on re-

sources, labour and existing material deployed.

Certainly, as the world continues to assess the fastest return to economic stability after the challenges faced in 2020, products such as Ringlock and Hi-Vis will ultimately support the construction and industrial sectors by providing a clear and transparent way to assess the volume of material used or required; a lean and efficient use of manpower and a safe and practical product that prioritises the welfare of site teams, as well as the sustainability of our environment.

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CBNME

INTERVIEW

PROVEN SUCCESS In conversation with

VINCENT MONTANET

Chief Business Development Officer, ENGIE Solutions

40 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

WWW.CBNME.COM

PROVEN SUCCESS | IN CONVERSATION WITH VINCENT MONTANET

Providing a unique value “ENGIE Solutions believes in delivering turnkey client solutions, not services, which offer unparalleled value to our customers by helping them improve their bottom line while contributing towards becoming carbon neutral. As part of the ENGIE Group, a global energy leader, we draw on global expertise from offices present in 70 countries. Our global presence gives us access to the most advanced technologies, vast skills and resources, and significant investments in R&D and sustainable research. When coupled with our local expertise, this enables us to provide our customers with locally relevant, energy-efficient and sustainable solutions that are right for our partners, and which yield real business results. Our clients know that they can count on us to properly assess their needs and to propose customized solutions based on this assessment – and they also know that we will deliver on our promise.

Throughout the region, our clients benefit from ENGIE Solutions’ extensive lowcarbon energy and innovative technology driven asset optimization solutions. We offer these to cities, communities and industries alike. What sets us apart is our ambition to become a world leader in delivering sustainable energy solutions to anyone who is committed to reducing their carbon footprint. This could include businesses or government entities – our experts have the knowledge and understanding to deliver unique solutions based on each client’s particular needs.

Reducing carbon emissions is a significant investment, which is sometimes an inhibitor for clients who wish to operate more sustainably. Our solution to this is to drive low carbon energy transition as a service that is cost-effective, financed, and tailored specifically for each customer.

To do this, we review a client’s energy use and identify potential reductions in carbon emissions. Based on this, we upgrade or replace inefficient existing infrastructure equipment, and deliver a supply of greener energy, either on or off-site. We manage and optimise the operation and maintenance of all installations, leveraging smart technology, artificial intelligence and big data to ensure seamless operations, including predictive maintenance and remote operations. This enables us to continuously

“THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR ALL INDUSTRIES, BUT IT HAS ALSO ENCOURAGED THE REGION TO ACCELERATE THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND ENERGY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS.” improve our systems based on data analysis, which contributes in turn to greater sustainability and energy efficiency. What sets us apart is that we provide financing options for these solutions, making us a solid partner in the carbon neutral transition journey.

Across the Middle East, ENGIE Solutions has proven successes. We have 111 GWH accumulated energy reduction; 54,653 tonnes accumulated CO2 abatement, and around USD 14,426,280.6 accumulated cost savings. ENGIE Solutions manages 45 million sqm across the region, via more than 200 live projects.

Results like this prove that ENGIE Solutions brings knowledge, expertise, and outcomes that our clients can rely on.”

Goals and objectives in 2021 “ENGIE Solutions has built a reputation as a strong energy services partner across the region. As we progress towards 2021, we will continue to focus on providing energy efficiency solutions to cities, communities and industries, in alignment with ENGIE Group’s core vision to accelerate the transition towards a carbon neutral economy. In line with the visions and strategies set by the GCC countries, we’re

determined to continue working closely with businesses to take the first step towards becoming carbon neutral. We have a unique ability to bring ENGIE’s global expertise locally in energy efficiency, digitalisation and renewables across all types of infrastructure. It is also our role as a leading international organisation to continue our investment in the local workforce and financing turnkey energy efficient projects.”

Projects “This year has been a tough year for all industries, but it has also encouraged the region to accelerate the acceptance of new technologies and energy-driven solutions.

Despite the challenges in 2020, ENGIE Solutions has brought substantial wins in the energy efficiency sector. Our local and regional skills and investment capabilities in supporting project financing have been a strong contributor in developing strong client partnerships. We’re looking forward to another successful year with a strong pipeline of businesses that are in alignment with our group strategy.”

Coming out stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic “As many of the services provided by ENGIE Solutions are essential, we have thankfully seen less of an impact than other industries have in the last 12 months.

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated facilities management or building services to a strategic priority for many public and private sector entity, as proper management solutions can help to minimize disruption by making indoor environments as efficient and safe as possible. >>>

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021 | 41

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INTERVIEW

Aside from driving down energy or environmental costs, we have driven technology-driven solutions to improve air quality or reduce manpower interaction in client environments. We have been working with numerous clients to implement new measures that will enhance safety and wellbeing for employees, particularly in indoor environments. There has been a shift towards value and performance as a major differentiator, and this is something that ENGIE Solutions is highly qualified to deliver – especially in terms of hitting service level agreements and key performance indicators. Long-term value and impact in terms of the bottom line and sustainability are what we do best.”

“REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS IS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT, WHICH IS SOMETIMES AN INHIBITOR FOR CLIENTS WHO WISH TO OPERATE MORE SUSTAINABLY. OUR SOLUTION TO THIS IS TO DRIVE LOW CARBON ENERGY TRANSITION AS A SERVICE THAT IS COST-EFFECTIVE, FINANCED, AND TAILORED SPECIFICALLY FOR EACH CUSTOMER.”

Technology “Our clients have seen the financial and service level benefits of integrated and performance-based solutions. As a provider of energy, asset, and smart building solutions, the combination of these services allows us to provide value to the client and outperform traditional service models in the market.

We have demonstrated that the deployment of IoT technology has a sufficient return on investment in relation to operations, maintenance and energy; and the key is deploying the right level of required technology.

Our experience in utilising technology to increase efficiencies leverages both local knowledge and global expertise which is vital to operate in the region. Our IoT platforms already have over 7,000 companies worldwide, which allows us to leverage global best practices as well as experience from 110,000 colleagues who deliver solutions worldwide. We empower our skilled staff with technology to identify and capitalize on further efficiencies and savings that were not possible before. This achieves energy, O&M, and time efficiencies, whilst boosting service standards.

Our Smart Buildings Platforms include AI and Machine learning and are moni-

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toring asset and energy data in real-time to optimize operations and make datadriven decisions with regards to operations in the future. Data is collected from existing systems and assets using smart gateway technology, otherwise, we deploy wireless sensor technology to collect data for parameters that are not traditionally recorded within buildings.

We have already seen a rapid uptake in IoT and automation since the beginning of the pandemic. From an IoT point of view, we have been deploying wireless sensor technology for remote monitoring services including air quality and condition-based maintenance. With regards to automation, our clients want to be able to remotely control their buildings and ensure minimum energy consumption during low or no occupancy.

The market continues to grow with technology, however, it’s important to remember that hardware and software alone does not provide value. Partnering with the right organization for digital transformation is key to realizing value.

The outsourcing of these solutions gives our clients peace of mind and allows them to concentrate on their core business, whilst we bring knowledge and expertise to keep things running in the background with minimal disruption.”

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Scania Touring HD range

a privilege to own The Scania Touring is a coach designed to meet your needs for occasional service and regular service over long distances. You will enjoy full support from a single point of contact since all parts, maintenance and repairs are backed by Scania’s comprehensive

global service work. The possibility of fast deliveries gives your business plenty of flexibility. If you’re focused on good total operating economy, this coach is destined to be a profit source for years to come.

CBNME

TRUCKS

UD TRUCKS SET TO LAUNCH A “BETTER LIFE” STRATEGY IN 2021 Positive sales growth in key markets drives solid performance for UD Trucks across MENA region in 2020

U

D Trucks continued its journey of growth across the Middle East in 2020. Despite the challenging business environment caused by the pandemic crisis, the Japanese commercial vehicle brand improved its market share in the majority of its regional markets, while also registering increased sales in many of the countries. Total sales across the year rose by six percent versus 2019, in a market that experienced an overall decrease.

The positive performance was built on the company’s continued, comprehensive and consistent strategy for growth, which is based on customer focus and satisfaction, a strong partnership with its regional partners and employees’ engagement.

UD Trucks’ full range of modern heavyduty and medium-duty vehicles, which introduced new features to the region,

combined with a total solution approach for trucks and services, were key to this growth, and will continue to play a critical role as the company pursues further growth in the future.

UD Trucks’ MEENA team demonstrated a high level of agility and resilience in facing up to the unprecedented challenges, placing health and safety first for its customers, employees and partners, as well as supporting its customers and helping partners to minimize any negative impacts of the crisis.

Against the backdrop of extremely challenging economic conditions, UD Trucks succeeded in almost doubling its sales in the key market of Saudi Arabia, whilst also growing by an impressive 14 percent in Qatar. At the same time, the brand maintained stable sales in other key regional markets, including the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Ethiopia.

With the confirmation of Zahid Tractor

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as UD Trucks’ new exclusive importer and distributor in Saudi Arabia shortly before the start of the year, 2020 was always going to be a transition year for the brand in the Kingdom. There was a focus on raising customer service standards and support to the highest levels, reflecting UD Trucks’ ambitions and Zahid Tractor’s long-standing reputation as a customer-centric organization. The new partnership was marked by a series of celebratory launch events in Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh.

Simultaneously, UD Trucks continued to invest significant resources in East Africa as it rolled out ambitious new plans for its Kenya operations. CMC Motors Ltd, the local distributor, developed and expanded the brand both locally and regionally. The importer offers customers the new range of the Quester and Croner models, which deliver unique solutions for every application.

As the year developed, UD Trucks shifted its focus to take measures during the pandemic outbreak to support customers and business partners.

Warranty terms were extended for customers whose contracts expired within the lockdown period to alleviate any concerns they may have had regarding vehicle maintenance and repair needs during these challenging times.

The pandemic has been a trigger for disruption in many industries and businesses. And digitalization is a key for the adoption and acceleration of this disruption. As a smart-thinking, modern company, UD Trucks accelerated its focus on implementing a digital approach to stay connected and keep its partners informed of the latest news and announcements. Several systems were made available to partners, allowing unlimited access to E-Learnings and online module and virtual training sessions. Remote commercial and technical training sessions were delivered to over 450 participants around the region. Two virtual conference with MEENA partners took place, with strong engagement from all participants, helping to strengthen the UD Trucks family spirit.

With attention now firmly on 2021, UD Trucks is set to launch its “Better Life” long term strategy to demonstrate the brand’s commitment to provide a WWW.CBNME.COM

UD TRUCKS | “BETTER LIFE” STRATEGY IN 2021

better life for people and the planet by delivering sustainable logistics solutions.

The company will aim to have the lowest impact on the environment, be a leader in customer satisfaction, and provide customers with bestin-class trucks and services.

Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks MEENA, commented: “2020 was a difficult year across all market segments with many challenges and uncertainties.

Thanks to our customers’ trust and our partners and employees’ engagement, the solid performances we recorded have given us a lot of confidence and motivation to continue our sustainable growth journey. I would like to thank all my team at UD

Trucks MEENA and all our partners in the region for their efforts, dedication and hard work in prioritizing our customers’ needs and making 2020 another successful year, despite all the complications.”

Hedna continued: “In 2021, our focus will be on continuing to deliver our core business objectives by ensuring that the customer feels supported and satisfied at all times. We will continue to work with our local partners to ensure the right partnership mindset and the required flexibility to adapt to each market’s needs.

“Simultaneously, as a company with a long-term focus, it is essential that we provide visibility to our key stakeholders, including our

Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks Middle East and North Africa, commented that 2020 was a difficult year across all market segments with many challenges and uncertainties.

customers, our partners, and our employees, of our longterm strategy and ambition beyond 2021 and the pandemic. That is why we will

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start implementing our “Better Life” strategy, which will only continue to strengthen our presence and contribution to the region”.

CBNME

MACHINERY

Bobcat Machines

remove surprise snow in Madrid

T

his month’s Storm Filomena surprised the entire community of the Spanish capital city, Madrid. Its streets, parks, roads and airport woke up to a great accumulation of snow, as what was predicted to be just 20 cm of snowfall instead turned into a much bigger storm.

Sonia Royo, President of the community of the Polígono de Albresa de Valdemoro commercial area of the city covering 36 hectares and incorporating almost 600 affected companies, called in Bobcat Of, the Bobcat Authorised Dealer for the area, for help in carrying out snow removal tasks throughout the district.

Bobcat Equipment Reopens Routes into Valdemoro

46 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

Bobcat Of made available a fleet of Bobcat equipment for the snow removal, including two S510 skid-steer loaders and two TL30.70 telehandlers and four operators, who worked continuously over four days. The telehandlers operated on the wider avenues and in wider areas, while the compact loaders were engaged on the narrower streets or at the entrances to industrial buildings, clearing the way for vehicles and workers to access offices and warehouses.

The Bobcat S510 compact loader is ideal for this type of work owing to to its long wheelbase, providing greater traction force than other skid-steer models. This provides excellent stability for snow removal, whilst the radial lift design offers the perfect kinematics for pushing and loading snow, further aided by the greater reach at mid-height that it offers. This model can be equipped with heating and WWW.CBNME.COM

BOBCAT MACHINES REMOVE SURPRISE SNOW IN MADRID

complicated, with the access roads to the Polígono área and the warehouses totally blocked by snow. We received an avalanche of calls from private and public companies requesting Bobcat machines to remove snow and ice in different areas. With all of our Bobcat compact equipment working on the streets of Madrid, there was nothing else left to offer from our Bobcat rental fleet for several days. We have met all requests within our means. Nobody foresaw such a thing happening.”

air conditioning, which allows operators to work in all conditions.

The TL30.70 telehandler has a reach of 7 m and with its compact dimensions, guarantees good access, excellent manoeuvrability and great comfort for operators, who worked for long hours without rest. Combining this with a lift capacity of 3 tonne, the TL30.70 offers a very good solution, that utilises its excellent short turning radius to manoeuvre and clean up in tight areas and hard to reach places.

Upon seeing how effective the Bobcat compact equipment from Bobcat Of was, the Valdemoro City Council also requested that the machines be used to clear the access roads in the Polígono area, including many of the entry roads and streets in the municipality.

Ferran Recio, Manager of Bobcat Of, comments: “The situation has been very

REBUILDING ROADS: WHEN RECLAIMED ASPHALT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE This industry faces many challenges with high hauling and material disposal costs while also protecting the environment. Anyone with an ongoing road construction project knows this industry’s hurdles on any job scale, from the reconstruction of a main road to a small side road. The same restrictions also affect those who process and distribute bituminous conglomerates.

Main obstacles? The high costs of hauling and disposal of removed pavement material and the subsequent cost of new aggregate.

“Every day – business owner says – that we work on a road rebuilding project, we need to consider the price of asphalt: once we mill the old pavement, we need to haul and dispose of it. This process impacts the overall costs, project duration, and our impact on the surrounding environment.”

Thanks to MB Crusher’s presence on job sites worldwide, we focused on this weakness and transformed it into a new advantage.

The secret? MB’s mobile crushers can be mounted on any brand and sized heavy machinery right there on the job site.

This transforms your equipment into a powerful crusher. Any asphalt can be crushed down to the required size to be ready for immediate reuse, such as base material for a new road.

Any company can become autonomous and more competitive with MB. In the words of an experienced foreman: Asphalt, bitumen, and old sidewalk or city square pavement has become a valuable resource. We can reuse the material right there and then, or sell it.

With MB’s mobile crushers, we increased our job’s margins and have new business opportunities.”

The results achieved by a Chilean company that specialized in road construction services are awe-inspiring.

Using an MB-L200 Crusher bucket, they recycled material to use it as a sub-base: new material in no time and zero cost.

With MB Crusher, you can quickly reduce the material to different sizes, even on the same job site.

In Brazil, a company used a BF70.2 crusher bucket to make reclaimed asphalt – RAP ready to use on-site.

The material processed with MB Crusher equipment creates new business opportunities in a single project, eliminating downtime, hauling, and disposing expenses. The landing strips, In Reykjavík, the largest airport in Iceland, were rebuilt by using the old asphalt as a base material, thanks to the use of a BF70.2 crusher bucket.

Each MB Crusher bucket is designed to adapt to all requirements of a job site >>>

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021 | 47

CBNME

MACHINERY

“THROUGH INNOVATION AND SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN BOTH COMMERCIAL AND AFTERMARKET SERVICES, CSE IS CONFIDENT TO CONTINUE TO BE MARKET LEADER BY DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION-RELATED SECTORS.” easily: you can pair it with any heavy equipment, it crushes any type of asphalt and hard material, it doesn’t require specialized mechanics for its maintenance, and it works non-stop.

Our experience on many job sites highlighted that MB Crusher attachments are the most qualified and reliable allies for a company that wants to recycle asphalt, paving the way to a new revenue stream and more attention to the environment.

of a fully-owned CNH Industrial legal entity based in South Africa. The other divisions are the agricultural distributor Northmec; spare parts distributor NHSA; and Landboupart, a distributor of agricultural equipment spare parts and implements.

By taking full operational management of its commercial distribution and aftermarket network, CNH Industrial aims to further develop its brands’ presence together with aftermarket sales and services in South Africa and other Southern African markets, strengthening its position and ties with its customer base.

CSE is a well-established equipment distributor operating for more than 50 years in the market and the sole

distributor of CASE CE’s full product offering. Commercial and aftermarket sales and services will continue to be delivered at the high standard expected by customers, said Graham Forte, CSE’s Managing Director.

Through innovation and specialized technical support in both commercial and aftermarket services, CSE is confident to continue to be market leader by delivering exceptional customer service and comprehensive solutions for constructionrelated sectors.

Following the final approval by South Africa’s Competition Commission and the subsequent conclusion of the deal, the newly appointed Managing Director of CNH Industrial Agriculture and Construction SA, Federico Bellotto, confirmed the brand aims to devote a strong focus to its business in this territory, provide customers with the best all-round support and ensure its product offering for the market perfectly matches the specific requirements of local agriculture and construction.

Bellotto, who was previously the Business Director for New Holland Agriculture and Construction, said this investment marks an evolution for CNH Industrial in the Republic of South Africa, one of the most important markets for the company in Africa and the Middle East, as well as the wider southern Africa area.

It also proves the company’s confidence in construction’s potential in the region, which accounts for almost a third of the entire continent’s production.

STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO STRENGTHEN CASE CE’S POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA Following collaboration stretching over several decades, Case CE’s acquisition of South African distributor CSE by the brand’s parent company, CNH Industrial aims at bringing the brand even closer to its customers and market as a whole, further enhancing on-ground service and exceptional customer support.

CSE is one of the four divisions of Capital Equipment Group (CEG), which CNH Industrial has purchased from Invicta Holdings Limited, and forms part 48 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

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NEXT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AT BOBCAT

We invented the compact equipment industry, and now we’re reinventing it.

Get the complete solution for any jobsite with our line-up of powerful and versatile machines: R-SERIES BACKHOE LOADERS M-SERIES COMPACT LOADERS LIGHT COMPACTION RANGE SMALL ARTICULATED LOADERS For more information, contact your local dealer or visit www.bobcat.com

CBNME

REAL ESTATE

SOBHA REALTY REPORTS DOUBLED VILLA SALES IN H2 2020

S

obha Realty, the leading premium real estate developer, reports a significant rise in demand for villas and Garden Houses sales in the second half of 2020. With the increasing appeal for larger homes and outdoor spaces due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, H2 sales of villas and Garden Houses in 2020 has doubled at the company’s eight-million sq. ft. flagship development Sobha Hartland situated in Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City.

Sobha Realty’s portfolio of villas and townhouses at Sobha Hartland includes the Gardenia Villas, Forest Villas, Waterfront Villas and Garden Houses, all of which saw a strong interest from

buyers. With these results, the company projects achieving 70 per cent of its annual target for 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents have been largely confined to their homes, and living spaces have transformed to incorporate the requirements of work, leisure, and education. According to Property Finder, the number of villas and townhouses searches have increased by a remarkable 400 percent since the beginning of the year. Between April and November 2020, there have been over 4000 villa transactions, with approximately 63 percent of these for ready units.

Additionally, Property Finder reported that Mohammed Bin Rashid City is among

50 | CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS NEWS ME | FEBRUARY 2021

the top five neighbourhoods for buyers searching for villas and townhouses.

Speaking on the company’s performance, Jyotsna Hegde, President of Sobha Realty, said: “As we see positive signs of recovery within the UAE’s real estate market and in Dubai specifically, we are encouraged by the sales results we have recorded in the second half of this year, particularly for villas. The global COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way people live while creating a need for more space indoors and an appreciation for outdoor areas. The Sobha Hartland master development offers high-rise apartment buildings and villas surrounded by verdant greenery and ample open spaces and we foresee a continued demand for our offerings that combine quality craftsmanship with a unique design philosophy.”

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