Construction Business News ME - November 2019

November 2019

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THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REGION'S CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS

Construction Innovation Awards 2019 strives to recognise individual excellence, corporate strengths, project success, and innovation

P76 - This month's unsung hero is Nivedha Sridhar

A MEMBERS OF EMIRATES TRANSPORT BUSINESS CENTERS:

CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net

// contents November 2019 // Issue #57

Director Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net Group Publishing Director Joaquim D'Costa jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706

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// Editor's note

editor’s note Residential Market Stabilising According to JLL’s latest UAE Market report, Dubai, the residential and hotel sector remained relatively stable over Q3 while further declines in performance were recorded in the office, retail and hotel markets.

Abu Dhabi has continued to focus on boosting visitor numbers and overall investment in the tourism sector through a series of high profile events, conferences and activations during the past quarter.

Despite multiple initiatives to support the hotel market by increasing the attractiveness of the city as a tourist destination, the Dubai hotel market recorded a softening of performance during Q3, with ADR’s recording a 13% decline compared to last year. JLL’s report indicates the hotel market in Dubai can expect strong visitor arrival growth and international interest during Expo 2020, which starts in a

year’s time, prompting a recovery in hotel market performance.

The residential market showed signs of stabilisation, registering marginal declines of just 1% in both apartment and villa rents and sale prices, while apartment sale prices actually increased by 1% over the quarter.

JLL expect prices and rentals will remain largely unchanged in the Dubai residential market over the next 12 months.

Retail rents in Dubai remained stable over the quarter but softened across all mall categories compared to last year. Market wide vacancies are estimated to have increased to 19% in Q3 2019 from 16% this time last year. Given the level of upcoming supply, coupled with evolving consumer tastes and the rapid proliferation of disruptive technologies, JLL expects rents to remain under pressure over the next year.

On the web Keep up to date with all the latest news, features and much more on our website. www.cbnme.com

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Kasun Illankoon Deputy Editor kasun@bncpublishing.net

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// Update An update from around the region

For News, features and more, Visit www.CBNme.com Follow us on twitter for breaking news: @cbn_ME Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute breaking news

Development

MAG Lifestyle Development announces completion of its MAG 5 Boulevard in Dubai South

MAG Lifestyle Development, the real estate development arm of MAG Group Holding, announced the completion of its AED 800-million MAG 5 Boulevard, the value-housing project in Dubai South. The development, which was one of the first projects to be launched in the area, is now also among the first to be completed, well before its anticipated schedule, and in time for Expo 2020 and considered the biggest handover of units in the area to support the vision of Expo 2020 and government od Dubai.

Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah, 10

Managing Partner and CEO of MAG Lifestyle Development, commented: “Under our ‘MAG of Value’ division, which was established to pioneer value-home construction, we are proud to be exceeding our customer expectations with our handover of MAG 5 Boulevard.

The project was designed to grant mid-income earners value for their money in a residential market that is home to one of Dubai’s most exciting urban developments — Dubai South.

Combined with its strategic location and quality ameni-

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ties, and offering a fully integrated modern community, the project offers residents an entirely new lifestyle with MAG.” MAG 5 Boulevard encompasses 13 buildings, consisting of 1452 units comprising of 498 studios, 732 one-bedroom, 210 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom apartments with most units including a balcony.

The residential project houses a 24-hour walkable community that spreads over 800,000 square feet in the lush Dubai Greenbelt.

It is situated in Dubai South

in proximity to the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 site, along with nearby schools, offices, and hospitals, offering unmatched convenience to residents.

Elegantly designed landscaping and state-of-the-art amenities at MAG 5 Boulevard include a swimming pool, jogging tracks, gardens, outdoor leisure spaces, children’s areas, a community centre, and a series of retail, dining, and leisure outlets. There is ample space for parking, and most of the development’s apartments will feature balconies.

Facilities management

EFS Facilities Services Group Wins Over AED 170mn Worth Contracts In 2019 EFS Facilities Services Group, a regional leader in delivering integrated facilities management (IFM) solutions in Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Turkey announces its business accolades for the year 2019. EFS Facilities Services Group is listed amongst the top fifty private companies in UAE

by Forbes Middle East and is well-acclaimed by Taqdeer Awards for showcasing industry best practices in worker welfare.

This year, EFS marks ac-

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complishments of flagship projects from large government entities in UAE and Saudi Arabia. The Company has maintained spectacular performance in its global operations with further expansion into Bangladesh for providing FM services to multinational banking projects concluding a total award of over AED 170 million in contracts year-to-date.

EFS has a proven track record of delivering stateof-art FM services to some

of the prominent local and multinational clients in the region for the last 19 years with highest-ever contract retention of near 100 percent and at par technology integration, cost optimization, service innovation, client engagement, and operational excellence.

Additionally, the Annual Employee Engagement Survey conducted by EFS recorded an overall global engagement score of 90%, strengthening the employer-workforce relationship

through engaging practices of great places to work.

Commenting on business and people dynamics of the Company, Tariq Chauhan, Group CEO, stated, “EFS continues to build a sustainable institution with a focus on satisfied customers and happy employees.’’

EFS will continue to hallmark its reputation by working in close collaboration with its clients and people while demonstrating results through Quality, Integrity and Partnership.

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// NEWS

Projects

AED12bn Yas Bay completes major milestones as Abu Dhabi’s vibrant waterfront destination sees ambitious vision become reality

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, today announced major progress in the development of Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi’s new and iconic waterfront destination on Yas Island. With key milestones, including the completion of the public realm and infrastructure in December 2019, and the 75 per cent construction 12

progress of Yas Bay Arena, significant momentum has been achieved across the groundbreaking mixed-use development.

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral: “Our latest construction update highlights the significant progress we have achieved on our pioneering Yas Bay project.

The mixed-use development

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will be a vibrant and iconic addition to Yas Island and a new, exciting destination for Abu Dhabi. With key construction milestones being achieved, we look forward to working with investors and partners from across the world to further develop this unique destination that sets a new benchmark for Yas Island and the UAE.”

Miral’s AED 4 billion investment into the AED 12 billion project, includes developing the public realm, the infrastructure, the Hilton hotel and Yas Bay Arena. The 14 million square feet development is comprised of three distinct areas: The Waterfront, Residences at Yas Bay, and twofour54.

F R O M E V E R YO N E AT B N C P U B L I S H I N G

B E S T I N N O VAT I O N I N C O N S T R U C T I O N

ASGC &

COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

COCA-COLA ARENA – ASGC

// NEWS

Infrastructure

Hyperloop Study Reveals $4bn Increase in Saudi GDP and 124,000 High-tech Localized Jobs by 2030 The Virgin Hyperloop One project is expected to significantly support a number of the economic and social pillars of the country’s 2030 Vision, including the expansion of transportation, the development of urban infrastructure and the growth of a technology enabled modern economy.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World and Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, said, “The study highlights that hyperloop is more than a high-speed connectivity for passengers and cargo. The findings have shown a posi14

tive alignment between the project and Saudi Arabia’s ambitious national economic and social development agenda. With this in mind, we are delighted to highlight this vision at the Future Investment Initiative and continue our talks with a multitude of stakeholders.”

The Virgin Hyperloop One Center of Excellence (CoE), if approved, could break ground in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in 2020 and include an integrated test track, as well as explore the feasibility of creating a manufacturing center

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and operating facility that will propel the Kingdom to the forefront of hyperloop development worldwide.

The report also illustrated how the CoE will drive domestic value by adding to the creation of more than 124,000 high-tech local jobs, supporting the technology sector by incorporating advances in robotics and AI and driving an estimated $4billion increase in KSA GDP by 2030.

“This strategic partnership in Saudi Arabia is a result of a shared ambition to harness the power of technology to

drive the next leap forward in transportation. It’s a market that has shown a readiness to embrace transformative innovation to achieve the goal of sustainable, energy efficient travel that will have a huge impact on the economy and wider society”, said Jay Walder, CEO, Virgin Hyperloop One. “This study sets the framework for the advancement of Virgin Hyperloop One’s system, and the creation of a new and unique ecosystem; creating jobs, supporting development and connecting people across the Kingdom.”

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S i lv e r S p o n s o r

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n A l ly

Official tire Pa r t n e r

Construction Innovation awards 2019

A night to celebrate the outstanding achievements of companies and individuals from the construction industry For the fifth year running, the Construction Innovation Awards is one of the leading events applauding the achievements of the region’s construction professionals. The awards strive to recognise individual excellence, corporate strengths, and project success. Companies were invited to nominate the

people, projects, and initiatives of which they are most proud, across a total of 31 categories.

The awards were presented at the Sofitel the Palm – a celebration which has become a great social occasion and essential networking opportunity.

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Best Innovative Project of the year

One Za'abeel by Ithra Dubai One Za’abeel is an iconic, high-rise, mixed-use luxury development currently under construction in the heart of the city, standing at the gateway of old and new Dubai. Designed as a destination in its own right that will draw visitors from the emirate and beyond, the development has now reached a new milestone with the launch of the sliding phase of the world’s largest cantilevered structure.

Suspended over 100 meters above ground level and measuring 210 meters in length, The Link is a panoramic sky concourse that connects the two towers of One Za’abeel.

The timeless structure will house a choice of attractions including Michelin starred restaurants, observation decks, and an infinity pool as well as an immersive experience that is now in its final design stages.

Raad Jarrah, Chief Development Officer, Ithra Dubai comments on winning this award: “It’s good to be recognised for the hard work that you have put into projects like these and when the industry recognises what you have done, this is certainly a reward to our team.

I have been involved in a lot of projects, it never ceases to surprise me, and a city like Dubai always challenges the norms and aspires people to elevate the delivery and it shows that everything is possible in this country.”

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Presented by

Commercial Project of the Year

Coca Cola Arena by ASGC

Coca-Cola Arena at City Walk is a new, state-of-the-art multipurpose arena spanning an area of half-a-million square feet with an approximate capacity of 17,000 seating capacity.

Coca-Cola Arena is set to enhance Dubai’s leisure and entertainment offering and become the ‘go to’ venue for large-scale international music concerts and sporting events. The Arena has www.cbnme.com

multiple capacity configurations.

With nearly 13 linear kilometers of high-quality LED cables embedded within the façade, the structure is designed to light up the night and create various scenes, images and logos, making it a visual landmark.

The use of specially-designed oversized panels of the façade not only accentuated its outer beauty, but also enabled the project timelines to be accelerated by 3-4 months

A truly multi-purpose destination venue is designed to accommodate a huge range of entertainment events starting with concerts and sports, from tennis to ice hockey. All the physical systems are configured to suit the various technical requirements of these events. Smart space-dividing systems include automated draperies, retractable seating, completely mobile stage positioning, and a cutting-edge roof top rigging system to allow the arena to be reconfigured for nearly any occasion—all with a cool blast of air-conditioning.

High Tech Digital Integration between various electromechanical and IT systems is primarily essential for operation and venue control, thus Arena is equipped top market related systems that are jointly integrated and interlinked. Systems including data components, lighting systems, audio/video systems, conveying systems, life & safety systems, dividing draperies, score board & show ribbons.

Coca Cola Arena is a unique mixture between prefabricated, precast materials and steel components. This urban industrial design allowed for the project development to be fast-tracked while also built to international safety and sustainability standards. The crowning of the steel roof was itself a project landmark, requiring the use of two enormous steel trusses put in place by mega cranes weighing 2,800 tons, and joints connected through more than 16,000 bolts.

Nearly 3,000 individuals from construction leads ASGC and its subcontractors worked to bring this design to life.

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Presented by

Residential Project of the Year

MAG 318 Residential Tower – INTERMASS MAG 318 is a premium residential tower located in Business Bay and adjacent to Downtown Dubai. Comprised of 439 two-bedroom, one-bedroom, and studio apartments with views of Burj Khalifa, MAG 318 is luxuriously appointed and features a world-class swimming pool and state-of-the-art gym, as well as retail, dining, leisure, and entertainment facilities.

Meticulously finished to the highest standards, the 23-storey tower is built on a 55,000-square-foot property with landscaped gardens, outdoor leisure spaces, a kids’ area, and a community centre.

Alan Wragg, Commercial Manager of Intermass told CBNME: “This is magnificent!

This is a lot of hard work by the team, not just on-site but in the

back office, and the head office because we have all put the effort in. We all have seen the efforts on-site level but we never lose sight of the fact that it is a team effort for Intermass.

Being a part of this event lifts the profile of Intermass and we have been around for 42 years and we have seen organic growth that has led us to be seen as a successful company, particularly in the UAE.” 20

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Building the UAE’s highest road Jebel Jais is part of the Hajar Mountain Range in Ras Al Khaimah.

It is the highest peak in the UAE. And for centuries unreachable by most.

For 8 years, a fleet of Volvo FMX Trucks carried a total of more than 5.5 million cubic meters around the clock building a 36 km road that goes up more than 1910 meters. The rugged terrain, steep slopes and loose rock were not a challenge for Volvo FMX, which is built tough for such conditions. That is why more than 30 of our Volvo FMX trucks completed this ambitious road project without any major breakdown.

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Hospitality Project of the Year

Hyatt Centric and Cavalli Residences by VX Studio

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Presented by

Sustainable Residential Project of the Year

Samana Greens by Samana Developers Samana Greens distinctive features reflected Samana Developers commitment to be a responsible developer, which judges say made an important contribution to its surroundings, demonstrated construction best practice, and showed how construction techniques and technology have contributed to its success.

To enhance energy performance the common areas for the entire building including corridors, reception, and gymnasium, all have motion sensors installed to ensure the lighting and cooling systems optimise operational efficiencies. In addition to which low voltage light features and energy saving appliances are being used throughout the property.

Alan James, General Manager at Samana Developers, said: “We are delighted that Samana Developers through its debut project Samana Greens has established its mark on Dubai’s real estate landscape as a responsible developer. It is a great honor and we are committed to the care of the environment as well as ensuring we optimise savings for our residents. Today, we have achieved a milestone, which puts us among the leading developers in Dubai.

“As developers, we have a responsibility to the local community and humanity in general to ensure everything possible is done to reduce emissions and we play our part in saving the planet for generations to come for a sustainable future.

Samana Greens’ introduction of air purifying systems in the common areas will help the air quality and the healthy community living”, said Alan. www.cbnme.com

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Presented by

Sustainable Project of the Year

Infinity Box by Parsons Over a million visitors to the Yanbu Flower Festival in Saudi Arabia were surprised and delighted by an enigmatic box offering a view of a mysterious world of infinite possibilities. The 2.6-meter cubic sculpture was designed by a team of landscape architects led by Don Sharp of the Parsons company in Dubai.

“We as a team did a lot to make this thing happen and to get a recognition for it is an absolute delight for us.

We believe that the Infinity Box will continue to be in the minds of the people whom live in Saudi Arabia because 1.5 million people saw this and the people who saw this Infinity Box were quite amazed by the uniqueness of the structure and how illuminated onto them.

Thank you for embracing such a thing like an Infinity Box by a bunch of crazy landscape architects as it stretches the boundaries of what’s recognised in the industry,” said Don Sharp.

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Project of the Year

Deira Enrichment Project by Ithra Dubai Deira is the vibrant cornerstone of Dubai’s trading legacy. A place rich in culture and overflowing with history, the expansion of Deira towards the Waterfront is a tribute to the tradition of trade in the country.

From waterfront residential apartments overlooking The Creek, to an extension of the Deira Souk, the development will create a bustling hub of life that will add to the already rich tapestry woven by communities past and present. It will become a place in which people realise their potential and find the true meaning of home.

Raad Jarrah, Chief Development Officer told CBNME: “This is a validation of the work we have been doing for the past year. It is great to know that there are others out there, including our peers do recognise our work.

We are all one big family, as the CEO of BNC Publishing, Wissam Younane, mentioned during the event, it is a challenge for locals and as well as expats to excel in the construction industry.

We are grateful to be given the opportunity here in Dubai to give our knowledge and expertise to deliver innovative projects such as the Deira Enrichment Project.”

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Presented by

Affordable Luxury Project of the Year

LAWNZ by Danube Properties This payment plan for LAWNZ is an ideal solution for the UAE’s middle income households who were priced out by luxury developments.

Danube Properties believes in inclusiveness and sees affordable homes as the future of the real estate market in the UAE. The project is conveniently located at the International City Phase 1. The amenities include a massive 3.8 acres Promenade which offers canal, Sunken Plaza, a fully equipped health club, swimming pool, steam and sauna room, multipurpose hall, jogging track, barbecue deck, badminton court, multi-purpose court, and a high-tech surveillance system for the protection and security of the residents. The property also comes with a 42m wide entrance and outdoor cinema.

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Presented by

Infrastructure Project of the Year

Al-Mahsama Irrigation Drain Water Treatment Plant by Hassan Allam Holding

“We’re proud to be recognized at the Construction Innovation Awards for the work we’ve put in to build track record of sustainable and innovative infrastructure solutions with a high transformative capacity for Egypt and the region that serve the communities in which we do business every day,” said Eng. Ahmed Shawky, Vice Chairman, Hassan Allam Construction.

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Retail Project of the Year

Silicon Park by CSCEC Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) has proposed to develop Silicon Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis- as a multi-use community with a range of residential & life style facilities which include community center, shopping complex, sports center, fitness & business center. The project development has been planned to be designed as per the USGBC LEED Gold Certification criteria rating system (United States Green Building Council).

The project consists of 23 buildings connected by a podium. The buildings consist of Type A-office buildings, Type B Boutique buildings, Type C-Business center, Type D-Residential Apartment, Type E- Hotel & Type F-Fitness Center.

The project design & construction of Silicon Park is aligned towards standards specified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designed (LEED) USGBC for new construction rating system V3.0 that is design to guide and distinguish high performance commercial & recreational facilities for multi-use.

Wu Ming, Executive Vice President, and Feng Rui, President Assistant, CSCEC told CBNME: “Winning this award means a lot to us and it recognises all of our team’s work which also includes our clients and consultants without whom we would not be able to deliver such a wonderful project.

Every year we have taken part at this event and the Construction Innovation Awards is always seen as an important event and happy to participate in such events. The awards is a good showcase for CSCEC to show to our staff, clients and consultants how we are getting recognised for our projects.”

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Presented by

Best Innovation in Construction

ASGC

ASGC have focused on automating our core business processes into integrated systems across all ASGC Construction and Supply Chain operations.

The company’s innovative way of implementing BIM and also the usage of drones have made them stand out. ASGC connect their BIM to A/R via IoT A/R streamlines project processes and gives a detailed view before execution. As the project progresses, Smart Drones with high definition cameras visually inspect the structure. The drones not only identify defects, but www.cbnme.com

also look for safety gaps and compare actual versus planned progress from the planned BIM 4D schedule. In sequence, our ERP calculates and updates the BIM 5D cost status.

Furthermore, ASGC uses of 3D Scanning and Printing to create models of existing buildings for renovation or expansion projects. The scanner creates the blueprints of a detailed model that serves as a progressive overview on the project.

Karim El Shennawy, Business Development Manager, ASGC told CBNME: “The awards stand

as a testimony for the efforts of ASGC teams in implementing new construction techniques and utilizing the latest technologies to deliver iconic buildings. ASGC group is adopting more than 40 innovative projects since we commenced our digital transformation journey 3 years ago.

We are glad that the judges acknowledged the importance of the initiatives carried by ASGC, that led to the delivery of complex projects such as Coca-Cola Arena for example in a record time while following impeccable safety standards.”

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Contractor of the Year

Alec

Sean McQue, Construction Director at ALEC told CBNME: “It is a great achievement, it’s a tough industry that we are in and so it is always a real honour to be recognised by your peers at events like the Construction Innovation Awards 2019 and lot of the people in 32

ALEC have put a lot of work in achieving this award.

It’s good to see Construction Business News get everybody together and recognise companies for their achievements in the past 12 months. This year in particular would stand out for me as we

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heard from Hany Fahmy Aly, du's Executive Vice President, Enterprise Business, during the event, on how industries are converging and how new technologies is important and it’s important to take note of this, particularly in the construction industry.”

Presented by

Consultant of the Year

Aecom As one of the largest planning, design and project management firms in the region, AECOM have used unparalleled breadth of resources, local knowledge and fully integrated multidisciplinary teams of specialists to tackle some of the largest and most complex projects in the Middle East.

AECOM 3,600-strong regional workforce is backed by a global team of over 87,000 people, spread over 150 countries.

AECOM key areas of development over the past 12 months has been their digital transformation. Some of that work is being performed on

www.cbnme.com

projects in the holy sites with an emphasis on enhancing the experience in transportation mobility, urban planning, and urban economics. They’re also working with the Ministry of Housing on a 3D-printed pavilion that will pave the way for the wider application of 3D printing for residential construction, a solution that has the potential to alleviate the pressure on the Kingdom’s social housing stock.

In the UAE, they continue to work on some of the country’s most monumental projects including the first SeaWorld Park outside of the United

States, located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Mario Pishiri, Managing Director, Buildings + Places, Middle East & Africa, told CBNME: “It’s a big honour and it is a difficult market and if you can win an award as prestigious as this, you put yourself out there, ahead of the game, ahead of the competition.

The Construction Innovation Awards 2019, has presented a great opportunity for us to meet contractors, clients, and consultants thus winning an award in front of them shows the importance of being recognised.”

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Presented by

CSR Initiative of the Year

Cundall Diploma by Cundall

As part of Cundall’s CSR Initiative, they introduced structured training programme, the ‘Cundall Diploma’, to give their staff an in-depth understanding of sustainable design – equipping them with the knowledge, tools and confidence necessary to conceive, evaluate, present and deliver sustainable designs for projects. In addition, and as part of Cundall’s moral 34

commitment to influence and create positive change, the Cundall Diploma is open to all staff across all disciplines, both technical and non-technical.

Issam Hammad, Associate – Building Services, Cundall told CBNME, “Winning CSR Initiative of the Year award resonates with Cundall’s vision to be agent of change for a sustainable world.

Business as usual is no longer

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enough and with the Cundall Diploma we aim to not only design sustainably but to make a greater impact on our communities.

An event such as Construction Innovation Awards 2019, is important for us because it gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the Middle East construction industry and serves as a valuable recognition for all the hard work of our team.”

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Facilities Management Company of the Year

EFS Facilities Services Group

“At EFS, we value our people and the efforts of their work to nurture the organization and uphold communities with a sense of 36

Client and End-User satisfaction.

This award belongs to them” – Mr. Satinder Singh, Executive Director at EFS Facilities Services

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Group and Mr. Taher Jhanjharya, Group Financial Controller, EFS Facilities Services Group told CBNME.

Presented by

MEP Contractor of the Year

ASU

One after another successful project, gives ASU a driving force to exceed expectations. ASU having a great deal to deliver extraordinary ongoing projects such as The Sustainability Pavilion Expo 2020, Il Primo, Harbour Cruise Terminal, Marsa Al Arab, and manage the majority station of Expo Link Route 2020.

One of a kind projects, designed in the shape of an open book the www.cbnme.com

Mohammed bin Rashid Library, the biggest cultural project in the Arab world.

Upon winning the award, Ashraf Samy Botros, Managing Director of ASU, and Khaled Sharbatly, General Manager of ASU told CBNME: “This is the third year in a row that we have won the MEP Contractor of the Year which shows we are working hard to be successful. To gain success

is easy but to continue to win year after year is difficult, as it is a challenge each year so we have to work hard to maintain the same level of productivity and efficiency to be the best MEP Contractor in the country.

It is important for our team, to show them that our work has some meaning and this award is dedicated to the team and all the hard work they have put in.�

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Property Management Company of the Year

Transguard Group

Through its Property & Facilities Management (P&FM) division, Transguard provides real estate and asset management services to internal clients (Transguard Group, Transecure, Emirates Group), in addition to its external client base, particularly as a bolton to FM Services.

Transguard continues to grow its portfolio of owned assets, with four staff accommodations added to its portfolio in the last 12 months. The portfolio managed by the P&FM team spans over 45 premises of varying type, with the team managing 26 leases 38

and AED 30M/annum in rentals.

Strategically positioned to service the needs of our clients, a further two accommodations in the Jebel Ali and Muhasinah areas were acquired this year, adding a further c.7,000 beds to the group over the last 12 months, resulting in an increase in Transguard’s portfolio of accommodation by 21%.

Transguard P&FM also rents and manages a number of commercial buildings throughout the UAE, comprising 16 offices, warehouse and training facilities with an annual rent of AED 9mn.

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Stephen Beesley, Chief Operating Officer – Property & Facilities Management told CBNME: “We're pleased to have won Property Management Company of the Year at the Construction Innovation Awards on Tuesday!

Winning this award is a testament to the strong growth of our Property Management division, which provides comprehensive real estate and asset management services to both internal and external clients, particularly as a value added to our Facilities Management services.”

Presented by

Best Readymix Company for Technical Excellence

Emirates Beton

"Emirates Beton Ready Mix L.L.C competing at its highest level is not about winning. It’s about our preparation, courage, understanding and nurturing our people. Success of our company isn't just about accomplishments in the field of work and industry www.cbnme.com

but rather about our employees who inspires to do better and aim for success through teamwork.

We did not do it overnight, we put effort and worked on it especially in difficult projects supplying C90N with the total of 80,000m3 concrete with one of the prestigious

high-rise projects in town under M/s Multiplex – "Jumeirah Gate".

We overcome all the difficulties, challenges, pipeline works and other related matters to have favorable and successful outcome," said Osama Hamad, General Manager of Emirates Beton.

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Presented by

Sustainable Initiative of the Year

Organic Vegetable Garden & Sustainable Park by Emrill

“It was an honour to receive the Sustainable Initiative of the Year Award 2019. Sustainability is at the core of everything Emrill does, and we developed and launched the organic vegetable garden and sustainability park to bring residents together and get the community involved in a new ‘green’ space. We believe 40

that we are all responsible for acting on a community-level to create places in which people can work, live and visit, launching sustainable initiatives that give people the opportunity to interact with nature and each other while reducing the community’s contribution to global warming.

Winning this award demonstrates

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we are on the right path and further motivates us to inspire our people, challenge and raise regional FM standards and redefine the client experience, implementing sustainable practices one building, one community and one place at a time,” said Stuart Harrison, CEO of Emrill.

Software Solution Company of the Year

Tekla Software

If there is a major steel or concrete structure to be constructed in the UAE, or even in the World for that matter, chances are Tekla Software has been used for the design and detailing of that structure.

Engineers around the world use the revolutionary BIM software, Tekla Structures, to create accurate, information-rich and “constructible” structural models. Those models can be imported, exported as well as linked with other construction 42

software, tools as well as fabrication machinery.

Tekla software is being used throughout the UAE and worldwide, so we are recognised for fantastic project, fantastic software’s for doing fantastic buildings.

Paul Wallett, Regional Director, Trimble Solutions Middle East & India and Tareq Masri, Director of Sales & Channel Sales, Trimble Solutions Middle East told CBNME: “We have been here for over 20 years and won numerous awards but in terms of the category of

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projects that we have coming up in Dubai such as the Museum of the Future, the Opera House, it’s really great to be recognised as key solution provider in terms of the BIM technology for providing and executing on these buildings and projects.

For the Construction Innovation Awards 2019, it is good to see them wanting to promote the use of technology in construction and how Dubai is pushing the envelope with innovative projects and buildings.”

Presented by

Excellence in the Field of Innovation

Ministry of Infrastructure Development The Ministry of Infrastructure Development; being the execution arm of the federal government in the United Arab Emirates, is continuously aiming towards the development of balanced infrastructure capable to compete through, organising,

www.cbnme.com

planning, constructing and maintaining infrastructure such as highways and governmental building project and organising the federal housing sector in accordance with the world’s best standards and specifications through optimal

investment of resources and in partnership with the relevant authorities.

The Ministry continuous drive for innovation is guarded by the conditions to achieve the intended results with a simple and sustainable solution.

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Technology and Innovation in Facilities Management

Deyaar Facilities Management

“It means a lot to win this award as we have worked extremely hard over the past 12 months to make this come true. The whole team has worked to develop and implement a new software and we worked closely 44

with our software provider Intertek and our project management team Drees & Sommer as well as our team in Deyaar – they all made this happen through their hard work and dedication. Our mission was to

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show how out technology would increase efficiency and transparency to the management in better and smarter way,” said Mohamad Abou Laban, CEO of Deyaar Facilities Management.

Presented by

Engineer of the Year

Faisal Al-Mansour, Saudi Aramco Faisal led the Project Knowledge Management Unit (PKMU) at Saudi Aramco. The main objective for the unit is to maximize Project Risk Management (PRM) and Lessons Learned (LL) utilization across the organization and assure the implementation of these practices’ recommendations.

To meet this objective, the yearly target for practices was set by Faisal, communicated with different stakeholders, and reflected in projects on the KPIs dashboard. He linked this target with the team performance measures and,

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by expounding the link of the goal with the organization’s vision, the team achieved the previous years’ targets. To ensure the team was following a professional approach in supporting stakeholder projects and to maintain similar service quality every time, two main initiatives were led by Faisal to come up with a guideline for each practice. These guidelines will govern the planning, organizing, and executing of PRM and LL practices in capital projects. Faisal and his team have developed a tracking tool for these practice outcomes

and tracked the implementation of all Saudi Aramco capital projects practices outcomes.

Faisal’s efforts during his tenure have made a significant impact to the Project Management Office Department. His skills and abilities have allowed us to promote him to a leadership position where he has continued to demonstrate his capabilities.

His efforts in expanding knowledge management as an organizational development tool are leading to significant improvements in project execution efficiency.

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Presented by

Project Manager of the Year

Anthony Kirkham , ALEC

“Being awarded the Project Manager of the Year is a great honour for me. I have been here in the region for eight years and it has been a challenging region for me on a professional level especially with so many great 46

engineers and the enormous projects that are out there. Also, I would like to point out that this award isn’t just about me but this is a reflection of the hard work put on by the team at ALEC. We are a fast paced industry

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and having a prestigious event like the Construction Innovation Awards 2019 that bring everybody together is absolutely great as we are in an innovative industry.” - Anthony Kirkham , ALEC

Specialized BIM Project of the Year

HPBS - Hard Precast Building Solutions

Adel Samir, General Manager of HPBS told CBNME: “It is a prestigious honor that serves to recognize the best of the best within our industry. In choosing the recipient, several things are considered, all the project stakeholders should be able to design, construct, estimate and operate using the same BIM 48

platform. At any stage of the project life cycle the coordination between all subcontractors and the actual work on site must be at a high level of accuracy.”

“Our design department have introduced BIM because of how useful it can be for complicated projects. From the start of a

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project we collaborate with all the stakeholders by using one BIM model which simplifies the work for all parties involved. Our engineers receive intensive training to use BIM and every six months additional training is provided to keep up to date with new features,” Adel further added.

Presented by

Facilties Manager of the Year

Salam Ilayyan, Khidmah Salam Ilayyan joined Khidmah in 2013 as senior electrical engineer with 6 years’ experience in power and control system in pharmaceutical field, she started managing all High voltage and low current system with the support of all technical team underneath her. In 2014 she became facility manager and lead the projects of Abu Dhabi Tourism and culture Authority affiliates she has worked tirelessly with her client to ensure that the sites are well

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managed from every aspect across the Integrated Facilities Management contracts in place.

One of her remarkable project with Abu Dhabi Tourism and culture Authority is installing new BMS system in Al Qattara community Center in Al Ain, assigning the systematic operation of the chillers as per the cooling needs of the building.

Salam works very closely with Musanada and specialist companies in finding sustainable solution in managing the facilities and

achieve the targeted saving , spread the information between all her technical team with Zero cost sustainability activities such as monitoring the site occupancy and control the cooling load accordingly specially in old building which doesn’t have BMS system, as well as controlling the lighting either manually through RT or installing timers if applicable, as well as many related practice in regular PPM work. She achieved around 15% saving in electricity consumption.

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Presented by

Technical Engineer of the Year

Nency Sarsha, Emirates Beton

Nency Sarsha is a registered Dubai Municipality Engineer in Ready Mix Concrete – Quality Section, as well as registered licensed civil engineer (Grade A) from the Government of India.

She began working in Emirates Beton Ready Mix L.L.C in 2016 as Quality Control Engineer.

50

Nency told CBNME: “During the past 4 years my work is focus on Analyzing our day-to-day quality control operation as per the Internal Quality Control Procedures and preparing concrete design mixes based on the project requirements.”

Some of the major projects Nency has worked on include: Multiplex -

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Jumeirah Gate, ASGC – Sustainability Pavilion (Expo 2020 ), Address Harbour Point, Harbour, Views at Creek Harbour , Dubai Arena / MBR Library, Trojan – Palm Tower , RTA projects – Tristar Engineering & Constructions – Al Khawaneej Community Roads, National Projects & Construction – MBR Gardens.

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CEO of the Year

Dr. Najib Khatib

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Khatib & Alami, Dr Khatib is responsible for guiding the company forward, driving our long-term growth and ensuring we are equipped with the skills and capabilities needed to support our clients with their most challenging projects.

Having led the K&A since 2011, he has been integral to 52

the company’s ongoing growth and emergence as a global player, with headcount currently of 6,076 and more than 30 international offices. Dr Khatib led the change in jurisdiction of K&A’s Holding Company from Lebanon to Singapore, which means K&A is subject to the city-state’s rigorous legal and governance frameworks, while

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gaining access to international capital markets.

Dr. Najib Khatib, CEO of Khatib & Alami told CBNME: “To be recognised in this way by the construction industry was a great honour. The award also belongs to all those at Khatib & Alami who continuously provide their best and are truly committed to excellence.”

Presented by

Entreprenuer of the Year

Hamid Kerayechian, CEO and Founding Partner, Ayana Holding Hamid Kerayechian is the CEO & Founding Partner of Ayana Holding, a prominent international organization headquartered in the United Arab Emirates which encompasses a diverse range of businesses across real estate

www.cbnme.com

investment and development, design, construction, marketing, strategy, technology, IT and infrastructure, asset management, procurement, hospitality advisory and general trading.

Hamid has full responsibility

for executing the strategic direction and ongoing operations for Ayana Holding’s impressive wide-ranging portfolio of companies which include Alt Technology, Aquila Hospitality, Ayana Properties, Brand Capital, Detay Homes, Detay Living, M2L Concepts, Manya Décor, Mount Kelvin, Nioum, Opaal Interiors, Performaa, Retail Boutique, Siren Global, VX Studio and WrkBay. With a strong desire to continually rise to new challenges, Hamid’s mission is to continue building a network of powerful companies on a global level and for Ayana Holding to become the most recognisable brand across real estate, an industry he’s extremely passionate about. With over 17 years of robust experience in the luxury development space and a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, Hamid is inspired by an innate sense of boldness, integrity and resourcefulness – qualities that he injects to all of his companies, projects and developments.

Hamid believes that the quality and veracity of each project is enriched by explorative and open collaborations with all stakeholders, he says, “collective creativity enhances each endeavor, resulting in strong and distinctive solutions.

Our inventive methods drive global brands to partner with us, cultivating and refining ideas for ambitious environments of all kinds.”

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Presented by

Visionary Leader of the Year

Joumana Hosri, Sacotel

Joumana is a board member of the Fernand Hosri Group. The group which was founded in 1966 by her father Mr Fernand Hosri operates in different fields of activities in the Middle East such as Renewable energy, Telecommunication, Security, Fire suppression, FMCG, Office equipment, Insurance brokerage.

Graduated from the SORBONNE University (Paris) in economics she currently holds the position of CEO of SacotelZnshine a JV company 54

between Sacotel and Znshine PV tech a tier 1 Chinese manufacturer of Solar panels ranking 10th globally.

This JV has put SacotelZnshine in a leading position as supplier of solar panels in the Middle East market. Under her guidance Znshine has won DEWA tender for solar modules that were supplied for 5000 villas in 2019.

A leader in every way possible, she is charismatic and passionate about her work, her positive energy and optimism are

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contagious and empowering.

She is very ethical and reputed for communal involvement and social responsibility she has led the company to become part of the UNGC (United Nation Global Compact). And she gives back to community by being an active member of various associations and syndicates.

In September 2019 she has received the “Energy Awareness Award� from UNDP and IPTEC for a Solar project that Sacotel had implemented.

Presented by

Lifetime Achievement Award

Abdulla Lahej, Chariman and Founder, Ayana Holding Abdulla is the Chairman and Founding Partner of Ayana Holding, and plays an integral part in leading the firms tactical path and ongoing processes, leading the organization to build a growing portfolio of thriving companies.

His bullish attitude when it comes to business, gives him the drive to continually seek out new challenges. With this determination, he envisions Ayana Holding to become one of the world’s biggest players in the Real Estate industry.

Abdulla instils Ayana Holding with a spirit of ambition, progression and initiative, enabling him to gather an impressive portfolio of the most esteemed international organizations.

He prides himself on his active and original leadership style which has produced a team of highly talented and skilled professionals, who have helped propel Ayana Holding and its partner companies to success.

With deep-set roots in the United Arab Emirates, his robust 21-year career began in 1997.

Keen to expand his skillset in Real Estate, he progressed to Emaar Properties in 2000, and after 14 years of hard work and dedication proceeded to becoming Group CEO of the organization. In 2016, Abdulla went on to become Group CEO of Dubai Properties.

Now, as Ayana’s Chairman and Founding Partner, he is ambitious and excited to see what the next 56

stage of developments will bring to Dubai and is eager to continue growing the city’s global presence as a leader in innovation.

Abdulla says, “I am privileged to play such an integral part in

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Dubai’s incredible revolution and transformation over the past 21 years of my career. With perfectionism, attention to detail and a positive attitude, I believe that the impossible can be achieved”.

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// Feature

Battersea Roof Gardens and Power Station

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Sustainable developments Clementine Malim, Savills Associate for International Residential Sales, Middle East on why regeneration is essential in the construction industry As the world’s population grows, we see cities expanding and countryside disappearing. Regeneration is one way that planners and governments can manage urban development and growth in a sustainable way, without simply swallowing up more and more land. In a lot of cities around the world, such as London, there has been a lot of success in developing industrial sites into vibrant communities – and in this way breathing life back into these areas.

Urban regeneration is no longer just about the physical housing itself either, it has become apparent that for regeneration projects to truly be sustainable, they need to stimulate social and economic regeneration. They need to make better use of existing and proposed infrastructure, increase productivity in the area, and attract more visitors and investment.

If we take London as an example, major global companies have been incentivized to locate in the UK capital, with Google investing £1bn into a new King’s Cross HQ, which will generate 3,000 jobs by 2020, and Apple creating another 1,400 jobs to fill its new world-class hub at Battersea Power www.cbnme.com

Station HQ. Transport links across the city are improving too with the new extensions proposed for the London Underground and over ground, and easy access to key road, rail and air transportation hubs. The new development at Battersea Power Station for example, will benefit from a Northern Line extension, which will provide a Zone 1 station at Battersea, and transform the iconic riverside building into a thriving mixed-use community.

Strong access to good schooling and healthcare facilities are also increasingly becoming part of the decision making process. In the UK, being within the catchment area of a school which has high GCSE results and a strong Ofsted rating greatly increases its value. Returning to our previous example, Prince George being a pupil at a Battersea prep school has greatly increased the demand for the area.

These essential physical attributes are only part of the appeal however.

Over the last few years, there has been an increased focus on mental health and our overall state of wellbeing.

Numerous studies have shown that community and our surroundings have a huge impact on our state of mind.

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// Feature

Clementine Malim, Savills Associate for International Residential Sales, Middle East

Triptych Bankside

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We want to feel connected, not just physically by having easy access to transport links, but psychologically too, through public spaces and community facilities.

Community means something different to everyone, and in this Internet generation, we are all looking for personalised experiences and offerings, yet there are some common desires, such as facilities for entertainment and leisure, fitness, retail options, nature and green spaces. The new canal-side Grand Union development in London has recognised this, offering 11 acres of public green spaces including landscaped gardens and waterside walks.

Triptych Bankside meanwhile offers an enviable location close to key leisure and cultural hotspots such as Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and The Shard, whilst at the same time remaining an easy transport hub for the City.

These communities give us a sense of identity and authenticity. The way that they are developed, and the amenities that they offer are fundamental

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to establish the character of the area, whether this is through sporting facilities, retail stores, restaurants and bars, artwork, events programmes, green spaces or leisure facilities. In London, Kings Park Road is a new multi-phase development that has been specifically designed to create its own wellequipped community, with their top of the range facilities including two inhouse cinemas, 25m swimming pool, gym, spa, and golf simulator.

These new developments are becomingly increasingly popular with investors from the Middle East too.

People in this region have always loved London, with many looking to make London a home away from home, traditionally in areas such as Mayfair, Kensington and Knightsbridge. However we are now seeing more and more demand from the MENA region for ‘newer’ areas of London and the regeneration hot spots already identified, which is encouraging not only for those investors, and for London and the UK, but for the entire population of the planet.

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// Interview

TAKING CHARGE Interview with Dr. Najib Khatib, Chairman and CEO of Khatib & Alami What were your overall goals and objectives for 2019?

A key aspect of our long term strategy is to keep developing the business by diversifying into new sectors and geographies, while continuing to invest in new technologies and innovations. We’ve made good progress in meeting these goals in 2019.

For example, we have established ourselves as one of the leading providers of PMC services, including our role to set up and run a Project Management Office (PMO) for the Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia.

This is a hugely exciting project which involves working closely with hundreds of stakeholders to help shape the future of some of the most socially, culturally and economically important projects in the Kingdom.

The highest profile aspect of the PMO involves the expansion and renovation of the Two Holy Mosques, which is set to benefit around 30 million pilgrims a year by 2030. This is a once-in-a-lifetime project, and it is a tremendous honour for our people to be playing their part in it.

Another area in which we are developing our capabilities is project finance. We are seeing a growing need for this expertise across the region, and in response we established K&A Infrastructure Development & Advisory division, which is focused on the advisory and co-development of infrastructure projects that are privately-funded, including PPPs. Because we understand infrastructure assets in such detail, as well as the risks associated with project finance, we can play a key role in helping governments with the allocation of 64

risk between the public and private sectors. We can also develop risk allocation strategies for private sector clients to protect the interests of construction contractors and banks.

In terms of our geographic expansion, we have been growing our reach for more than a decade, and would describe ourselves today as multinational. We have a significant and growing presence in the CIS countries and in Southeast Asia, and are currently working on our first

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project in the European Union, the Valetta Grand Harbour in Malta.

What are the latest innovative technologies that the company is investing in?

Our commitment to technology leadership has been a part of K&A’s DNA throughout our history. We were among the first engineering consultants in the region to digitise our systems, and we were the first to bring Geographic Information Systems

(GIS) to the region for a project in Oman more than 30 years ago.

Our deep GIS and systems integration expertise gives us a great platform today because smart urbanization demands high-level integration of geoenabled technologies for everything, from the energy network to mobility solutions and low-carbon buildings.

We are already providing expertise to support a number of ambitious smart city developments, and are also investing heavily to ensure that we are able to support clients with all aspects of the digital transformation. This includes developing our capabilities in BIM, IoT, VR and other Smart City enabling technologies, and driving adoption across the entire organization.

How has Khatib & Alami performed overall in the UAE, GCC, and Middle East this year?

The determination of our 6,500 talented people to deliver both outstanding quality and value has been the foundation of our success, and we are privileged to be working on critical projects for major clients such as Saudi Aramco, the Ministry of Finance

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in Saudi Arabia, Majid Al Futtaim and Emaar, to name just a few.

Some of our projects which have been completed or achieved major milestones this year include Haramain High Speed Rail in Saudi Arabia, Saadiyat Rotana Hotel and Resort Complex in Abu Dhabi, the new Port and Dry Dock Complex at Duqm, Oman, the Bahr El Baqr Water Reclamation and Treatment Plant in Egypt, and the upgrade of Fahaheel Expressway in Kuwait. This diversity of work across the region is what really excites our people, because it means that they are able to have a big impact on the future of the region and its communities.

What are the future projects in the pipeline for Khatib & Alami?

We are in a very healthy position, with a strong backlog which is very diverse in terms of geographies and sectors, and also in terms of the scale of projects – we believe it is important to have a mix of mega-projects and what we might term traditional, business-as-usual projects. The megaprojects provide the dynamism to

drive market growth, while businessas-usual projects generate a strong and consistent cash flow.

We are also working on more and more Design-Build projects for both private and government organisations; as well as public private partnerships (PPPs), which includes forming Design-Build JV partnerships.

How is Khatib & Alami contributing to the future of the region’s construction sector?

It is vital for companies such as K&A to show industry leadership, especially in areas such as health & safety and talent development. For example, we put a great deal of effort into driving consistently outstanding QHSE standards across the K&A Group, and this has been recognised over the past year with many best practice awards from clients. There is now an increased understanding that investment in health and safety best practice pays back many times over through the wellbeing and motivation of staff, which improves, reduces lost time to injury and ultimately improves the bottom line.

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// Event review

P r e s e nt e d by

Platinum Partn e r

Silv er Sp o n s o r

G old S p ons or

Cat e g ory A lly

T r a ns p ortat i on A lly

Construction Innovation & Design Forum 2019 taps the pulse of these two dynamic industries in the region raising crucial questions and inviting the leading experts to share their valuable opinions.

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Topic 1: What's next in Fit-out technology Michael Dudnyk, Head of Company and Project Consultant, MUSE Interior Design, Sunil P Stanley, Principal Architect, Inner Space Interior Design LLC & Dimitri Papakonstantinou, Managing Director, ASI Michael Dudnyk: “Next steps in construction and fit out, there will more common usage of 3D-printing, bigger choice of materials for this technology.

Companies will start using more robotics for dangerous works. Of course - wider usage of artificial intelligence. Finally, new technologies probably will close some professions but at the same time they will give us more safety, more time and opportunities for creativity.”

Sunil P Stanley: “To me the term technology means employing intelligence to solve problems which cannot be solved otherwise. Like using fire for cooking... that might be the first technology mankind ever implemented.

Now the use of technology in ‘fitout’ which for simplicity we shall call interior design and build.

Particularly the ’Design industry’ must empathize the human needs which is inclusive of emotional needs which are best done by human in-

teraction and assistance. Any tools to improve human interaction shall be welcomed. But, and that’s a big fat but, the so-called digital technology is taking away the human touch and its nuances should be carefully evaluated before implementing.”

Topic 2: A look into real estate and property investment in the UAE Swapnil Pillai, Associate Research Middle East, Savills, Alan James, General Manager, Samana Developers & Joumana Hosri, CEO of Sacotel Swapnil Pillai: “The Construction Innovation & Design Forum 2019 was a unique platform to share and discuss innovative and sustainable concepts around the construction and real estate sector while also looking at current real estate dynamics in the city. With a renewed focus on sustainability, the discussion surrounding sustainable practices for greenfield and brownfield real estate projects (as built environment constitutes roughly 40% of all carbon emissions globally) was quite pertinent.”

Alan James: “Customers are king and never truer than in the current market. Customers are knowledgeable of market trends, pricing, and sustainwww.cbnme.com

ability and are more attuned to environmental issues and generally want a product that meets their various needs whether as an end user or investor.

Supply and demand always an interesting point if the quality of the build, location, payment plan and price is

right there is always a demand in any market. Customers are looking to move to newer builds that have better facilities, have sustainable features that not only help the environment yet help reduce the operating costs of the building.”

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// Event review

Topic 3: Can a good design solve all problems?

Riccardo Robustini, Founder and Director of UNICA Architects, Andrea Sensoli, Architect & Founder, AZS Architetti and SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*, Sanmita Patel, Architect & Senior Designer, AAID, David Mandredi, President / Sector Lead, Design and Consultancy Services - Parsons, Melani Sabhaney, Partner & Director Design, Interspace & Alastair Mitchell, Director - MEP, Ithra Dubai Riccardo Robustini: “The human history could be written throughout the history of design. The human evolution has been determined by new discoveries and new inventions that allowed us to progress. Any intent of creation is the fruit of our creativity. Design is like a matrix, it’s everywhere, in any object we see, touch use and consume. This is exciting and in the same way magical and helps us to understand the importance and the power of good design. Creation was always an act of education. In the middle age churches were used as the book of the society and the importance of the medium (the church, let’s say the “shape”) was relevant as much as the content (the religious significance).

Nowadays we underestimate the importance of good design, which has a direct impact on human education.

In-fact, what we see and use daily determine our level of creativity, happiness or frustration and we should all fight together for a better design.

We should all stand together for a better world”

Andrea Sensoli: “There is no good design without sustainability. Sustainability nowadays is a technical branch of design, with scores and procedures but in the basic principles of sustainability, we’re born even before architecture was recognised as a practice.

Sustainability is the reason why they build in wood in northern Europe, in bricks in the Mediterranean region and mud & straw in the desert areas. Of 68

course, a distinction is needed after the industrial revolution, as we have started organising in megacities, which makes sustainability a very complex matter that can be dealt with only through complex technologies, orientation, ventilation, relationship with the ground are no longer enough to solve a problem that is a global scale.”

Sanmita Patel: “Executing a good design is a complex and layered process, one that requires a collaborative interdisciplinary approach. When various design disciplines work together

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in translating the client’s requirements to a design that is inclusive in approach and adaptive to change, we get a step closer to shaping a better future. This is a challenging process and as agents of change we need to account for sustainability in a wholistic sense. One that caters to the environment, wellness, culture, societal, historical, technological and economic sustenance. It is about collectively informing the design process by making conscious choice and taking effective decisions that have a positive impact on how designs are inhabited”.

Topic 4: Embracing disruption and preparing for the digital future Mansour Faried, Chief Engineer and Director of Engineering Department, CSCEC Middle East, Sherief Elabd, Director of Business Development, Oracle & Alan Wragg, Commercial Manager, Intermass ture of construction industry, through various setup of data collection sensors and analysis schemes to enrich the end users experiences. However major challenges towards wide applications were also identified such as the readiness of the supply chain, copy rights protection, and recovery method of application Capex.”

Sherief Elabd: “Digital transformation is shaping the worksite of tomorrow as internet of things (IoT), 5G, drones, AI, modeling, autonomous vehicles— and whatever comes next—enable better and smarter ways of working, via the cloud. We are witnessing an increasing demand in GCC for exploring the worksite of tomorrow, today.

Through our Oracle Construction and Engineering Innovation Lab, we provide a simulated worksite demonstrating the transformative power of above mentioned and other developing technologies. Technology is driving rapid change across the project and asset lifecycle. The Innovation Lab helps organizations experiment, learn, and stay on the leading edge”

Mansour Faried: “The digitalization concept hits the construction projects over its various life cycle stages, starting form design stage, where digital transformation and advanced visualization techniques are currently enabling stakeholders to confirm that what is being designed is meeting their expectations, as well as predict buildings performance post completion, moving www.cbnme.com

forward to construction stage, where Digital technology can help massively to avoid clashes and accordingly abortive works, as well as enabling contractors to have tighter control over construction resources which in return pays off in terms of higher productivity and safer work environment, ending by operation stage, where the concept of Smart Building is dominating the fu-

Alan Wragg: “Developers of new technologies need to take the inspiration and drill down into the construction process to develop sub-divisional benefits for new technologies, which are required to be integrated with existing industry technologies. The Construction business is a very competitive environment, and competition can be extremely fierce, businesses need to get a competitive advantage and the technologies we use and deploy are critical to each business.”

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// Trucks

F-MAX Al Tayer Motors Launches Ford Trucks F-MAX in the UAE. ‘2019 International Truck of The Year’ Title Winner Offers Comfort, Power & Efficiency and Cutting-Edge Technology

The F-MAX takes its name from Ford’s legendary F Series, and stands out in terms of its size, high level of comfort and durability. These attributes helped the F-MAX win the prestigious International Truck of the Year award - a competition adjudicated by judges from 23 European countries “The launch of Ford Trucks F-MAX heralds the beginning of a new era in commercial transportation in the UAE. With its class-leading features such as a powerful engine, fuel efficiency, cabin comfort and competitive cost of ownership, the award-winning vehicle is poised to offer a reliable and comfortable option for customers,” said Ashok Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Al Tayer Motors.

The F-MAX comes with two year unlimited kilometre warranty and can be serviced at Al Tayer Motors in Dubai and the Northern Emirates as well as Premier Motors in Abu Dhabi. A wide range of service contract options are also available.

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“F-MAX, with its 2.5-meter full-width cab and 500 PS engine power, becomes a major player in the international transport industry. The new Ford Trucks F-MAX, is a global player with its 12.7 litre, 500 PS, 2500 Nm Ecotorq engine and 400 kW braking power.

Our modern design language based on prestige and power combines professionalism, innovation superior aerodynamics, optimum calibration and technical specifications of powertrain and transmission, as well as a significant reduction in fuel consumption when compared to the current model. The new tractor also decreases maintenance costs and offers longer maintenance intervals up to 60,000Km, delivering lower total cost of ownership. This new tractor is the product of five years of research and development,” said Abdullah Bahattin Topçu, Managing Director MEA, Ford Trucks.

Comfort of home The F-MAX offers comfort and luxury

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with its 2.5m-wide spacious cab along with its modern design and driverfocused approach. The design of the cockpit-style dashboard ensures all functions are within easy reach with a lot of attention paid to minor details to enhance the driving experience.

The F-MAX has a flat floor providing 2160mm of floor-to-ceiling height and offers a range of storage that is roomy and easily accessible. Airplane-style overbed storage, spacious overhead storage as well as exterior storage areas on both sides of the vehicle are easy to use and to clean. The F-MAX also offers a 90-degree foldable upper bed, an inclined head frame on lower bed, comfortable and large bed mattresses, a remote control unit in the bed area, providing an ideal area for drivers to relax when taking a break.

The vehicle’s three-level door opening angle provides easy accessibility positioning it among the leading vehicles in its class The fully sealed and water/ dust-proof step cover makes drivers

feel that they are stepping into their own homes.

Powered interior lightning controls from the bed area and driver compartment, automatic climate control systems and steering wheel adjustment features all enhance cabin comfort.

The F-MAX’s driver’s seat provides maximum comfort. This top-of-therange seat with a 260mm adjustment range, high-quality, breathable fabric and ergonomic design provides optimal lumbar support on the road.

Power & Efficiency Cost of ownership is a key attribute of the new F-MAX. Production and product development combined with increasing vertical integration give Ford Trucks a competitive edge in terms of its cost base.

The new F-MAX offers a high performance engine with 500PS, 2500Nm torque and 400 kW braking power.

Superior aerodynamics, powertrain calibration and technical features also ensure outstanding performance in terms of fuel consumption with a six per cent margin of improvement over previous models. Technical features include E- Auxiliary Power Unit (E-APU) technology, eco-roll function, predictive cruise control (Max Cruise). Up to 7% lower maintenance costs and long service intervals reduce the total cost of ownership. F-MAX’s Ecotorq engine offers maximum performance and miniwww.cbnme.com

Abdullah Bahattin Topçu, Managing Director Middle East & Africa, Ford Trucks, Ashok Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Al Tayer Motors, Mustafa Caner Sinanoglu, Managing Director, Ford Trucks and Helal Hanei Omar,

mum fuel consumption under any road conditions.

A 12-speed ZF automated transmission and different drive modes such as Eco-Mode and Power-Mode help optimize fuel consumption. The new FMAX is also empowered by a variablegeometry turbocharger, a water pump and compressor with multiple working speeds, 400 kW engine brake power which achieves 1000 KW total braking power with the optional intarder.

Cutting-Edge Technology The F-MAX provides drivers invaluable assistance on the road thanks to features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Predictive Cruise Control (Max Cruise) with speed tolerance choices, Advanced Emergency Brake System, Hill Launch Assist, Lane Departure Warning,

Adjustable Speed Limiter Device and Electronic Stability Control.

The 8” TFT color wide cluster screen allows everything from tire pressure, temperature status to driver evaluation functions to be displayed on the same screen. Control switches on the leather steering wheel allows the driver to navigate between cluster screens.

Truck-specific embedded navigation, web link and Apple CarPlay implementation, Bluetooth connection functions are presented within the 7.2” LCD multimedia soft touch screen.

The F-MAX’s spectacular headlight design illuminates the road more brightly, making sure nothing escapes the driver’s line of vision. Attractively designed maneuver-assist lighting, LED daytime running lights also enhance the vehicle’s lighting features.

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// Interview

Providing Real Solutions Kasun Illankoon spoke to Amjad Abbas, CEO of Maisonette Holding, on their PropTech software and how it provides real solutions for their clients PropTech is a key transformational element impacting literally all aspects of the real estate industry from design and planning to construction, operations and even marketing. The impact is also cross-sectional taking in commercial, governmental, hospitality and residential real estate as the industry leverages digitisation, 3D printing and artificial intelligence to deliver intelligent buildings and smart cities which are arising worldwide including the Middle East.

Maisonette Holding is a PropTech company that is striving to provide smart solutions for property management companies and developers in the region.

It provides a fully-integrated system with a full cycle for operations, finance, and facility management, which enables effective coordination and communication among departments; and it automates all property operations processes, and cross-departmental operations within a real estate company.

The company focuses on providing software and technology solutions for the real estate industry in the MENA region, especially in the UAE, GCC and Egypt.

The software also boasts a built-in customer relationship management (CRM) system, a document management system and smart marketing tools, making it an all-in-one solution for real estate organizations of any size.

Amjad Abbas, CEO of Maisonette Holding, brings over 22 years in experience of senior experience in IT, planning and implementation. Experience in building state-of-the art smart cities, real estate ICT infrastructure and systems, IT systems, Data Centres, network & security operation centres (NOC & SOC), financial systems (SAP & ORACLE ERP), CRM, GIS map systems, and other busi72

ness applications.

Amjad, reveals to us that there are several benefits that come out of using Maisonette real estate software: “The software connects all departments together and streamlines and automates operations of different departments together – including finance, property leasing, property sales, project costing, and facilities management with built-in CRM and marketing tools. Hence, all real estate processes and functions within a company, such as finance, property management, and commercial

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departments, are integrated and connected, so there is no need to insert data twice, which is often the case with many real estate organizations. ” Maisonette’s software is user-friendly, specialized and tailor-made especially for the real estate market. It is specialized, cost-effective and quick to implement. Other software can be implemented for companies in different sectors, so it takes a long time to implement and customize the service for each company, whereas Maisonette takes a much shorter time. Because the

software is built for real estate businesses, it is easy to use. Maisonette also saves time and provides accurate reports and dashboards for the client’s top management.

The software also provides accurate data as data-entry is done only once; there is less risk of human error. Additionally, Maisonette enhances the productivity of employees as most of the work is automated – reminders, streamlined tasks, number of projects and due dates, client information, and more data, are all accessible.

Maisonette has a promising roadmap to adopt the latest progressive technologies which give the clients a competitive advantage to maximize their sales. Managers can take control of business operations, get better visibility on the health and performance of the organization.

Maisonette also has a mobile app for both tenants and the technicians.

This app can be used directly by the tenants to raise maintenance complaints right from their mobile. This saves a lot of time and investment on setting up dedicated call centers. Tenants can log, track and give feedback on their www.cbnme.com

requests real time with a click of a button. The process of raising a request is very simple and user-friendly. For technicians, Maisonette has not only made it easy for the tenants to raise maintenance requests but also made it easy for the facility management team to receive, assign, schedule and resolve these requests. The Technician App makes it easier to schedule tasks, track the accurate ticket work status, time taken to resolve etc. Communication between the tenant and FM team has never been so transparent.

Currently, Maisonette is serving around 85,000 units and more than 40 clients (all medium to large real estate companies) in the region and there are plans already in place in expanding across Morocco and Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, and is already used with large firms in the GCC and Egypt.

Amjad Abbas further added: “The real estate market in Dubai and UAE is a very big market that had attracted thousands of investors in the last 20 years. We believe that the market is evolving and going through a natural cycle, and it will continue to attract

customers and investors. Moreover, we see an increasing number of Real Estate companies who are looking for Technology solutions like Maisonette Software to automate their operations, optimize cost, and maximize sales and leasing. Because of the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and predictive analytics, properties will be smarter.

This will empower tenants to receive a better quality of life.”

“For example, when it comes to maintenance, tenants would have to call landlords and wait. Now, communication is faster and easier through mobile and PropTech. Interaction between the landlord, tenant and buyer is becoming more seamless because of technology. Maintenance is becoming more preventive and proactive because of technology. The software and devices give reminders and alerts before there is an actual failure. Facilities management will become smarter and more preventive; eventually, this will make buildings live longer. Ultimately, PropTech is improving the quality of life, and Maisonette is adapting with the new trends in real estate.”

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// Machinery

MAKING GREATNESS

An MB Crusher drum cutter MB-R500 has been working in creating the Aldilonda walkway in Corse Bastia in Corse – a marvelous citadel that is undergoing two projects signed by the municipality. With the ambition to ‘’reconnect’’ the city, open it onto the sea and promote travel for pedestrians, cyclist and people with reduced mobility.

The construction of the Aldilonda, on the southern quay of Bastia’s old port, a 450-meter-long bridge around the citadel and of the Mantinum, a breath-taking sea view green theatre and the elevator to connect the lower and upper parts of the city.

Since spring, an MB Crusher drum cutter MB-R500 has been working in creating the Aldilonda walkway. A road that goes around the citadels’ ramparts on the seafront. A complex and unique site, full of technical constraints, but the MBR500 was chosen as able to overcome all of them.

With its compact size it was mounted on a Bobcat E85; it is the smallest model of the MB’s line of drum cutters but extremely versatile as it can be fully accessorized: dust suppressor, drum cover, cutting depth adjustment are few of the accessories that can be added in order to customize the unit to the specifics of any job site.

Access to work on the Aldilonda it is a constraint, it is an out of the ordinary site, made even more complicated by the sea cliff and the patri74

monial importance. Referred in several occasions as ‘’acrobatic work’’ by the on-site traders. Moreover, the rocks under the citadel are not homogeneous and for all the 450 meters operators don’t know what they will encounter, to cope with it reliable equipment is necessary.

It is one of those times

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where to fit in, you need to stand out.

In fact, the MB Crusher drum cutter performance is exceeding all expectation, with a whopping 3 linear meter daily, the project is well underway.

Grinding away the rocks going around the ramparts of the citadel, the location

does not represent any complication for the MBR500. Indeed the access is small and very complicated but as the excavator entered the drum cutter attached began to make the path.

Compact, stable and reliable the MB-R500 is shaping the footbridge scheduled to be opened the first quarter of 2020.

Bobcat Expansion

The company is opening its European headquarters in Dobříš, Czeck Republic. In total, it has invested almost 3 billion CZK and employs 1,400 people

Doosan Bobcat EMEA today announced the opening of its headquarters for the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), marking a further expansion in the Czech Republic. As part of its Dobříš campus, the newly erected building houses the company's management and other employees and complements the production plant and the training and innovation center, where Bobcat machines are created for Europe and the rest of the world.

Record investment, turnover and increase in production This year alone, the company's investments in Dobříš will reach EUR 20 million.

In 2018, Doosan Bobcat’s www.cbnme.com

revenue for the EMEA region amounted to EUR 765 million, with the Dobříš factory producing a record 17,206 machines. This year, the company plans to increase production by 20% and break through the barrier of 20,000 machines for the first time.

Bobcat's history dates back 60 years and has become synonymous with skid steer loaders in most of the world. It has been operating in the Czech Republic since 2001. A major development came in 2007 with the construction of a new production plant for loaders and mini-excavators and the takeover by the global Doosan Group.

In addition to the new production capacities, Doosan Bobcat has also built an ex-

tensive training center, and, above all, an innovation center. The development of the entire campus is symbolically crowned by the opening of the company's EMEA headquarters, which moved from Waterloo, Belgium, to Dobříš, Czech Republic.

Worth EUR 10 million, the three-storey headquarters building covers a surface area of 1,561 m2 and will offer more than 3,370 m2 of office space for 200 employees. Investments were also made to create more than 7,000 m2 of green areas around the building.

The ample parking facilities include charging stations for electric vehicles.

Socio-economic importance for the

whole region Gustavo Otero, President of Doosan Bobcat EMEA, comments: “With the opening of the new headquarters in Dobříš, we are completing an investment which – thanks to the concentration of development, production and management of the company in one place – is of socio-economic importance for the whole region and exceptional within our industry. During Doosan Bobcat's operations in the Czech Republic, we have invested approximately EUR 120 million, increased production five-fold, and more than tripled the number of employees. In the future, we expect a further recruitment of blue-collar professionals and expert positions in development.”

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N ov e m b e r 201 9

Unsung Hero

Sridhar Nivedha Srihar, Product, Content & Growth Manager, tells us about her role and how she he is helping to contribute to Facilio’s success Goals and Objectives Our goal at Facilio is not just to create a new category of real-time facilities management (FM), but to also help the industry evolve into a future-ready version of itself, driven by technology, data and insights.

Marketing is a customer’s first experience of our product and our objective is to help all the stakeholders – from facility managers & real estate owners to MEP contractors & end-users - instantly appreciate the potential value of our approach.

Positioning Facilio as one of the market leaders Facilio began with the aim to declutter FM and this has been the north star of all our marketing and messaging efforts.

Whether it’s blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, web pages, social media, emails, or more; we try to shift the momentum in FM towards unlocking the value inherent in data-driven operations. Our marketing engages, builds trust, and actively involves customers as part of this transformation.

We constantly try to identify themes and build an empathetic connect with customers – using calls, events and interviews - to understand the priorities that drive their decisions. Our annual ‘FutureProof’ FM Summits are a strategic knowledge initiative, to take the conversation beyond limited paradigms. As one of the co-creators of the event, it has been most satisfying to engage with the insights of progressive facility managers and commercial real-estate leaders, and help build a consensus for the future.

Strong Attributes Prabhu, our CEO, often reiterates that we have to aspire be the ‘gold standard' 76

in anything we do, and the pace at which the Facilio product is gaining acceptance has forced us to pick up new skills, experiment with new tactics, and walk in the shoes of our customers.

Some of the biggest names in the industry are now our customers, within a brief span of two years. We already have over 30 million sq. ft. of space under management, across continents. Our recently announced partnership with Digital X, a subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), is a huge endorsement of the edge our solution offers. Accolades like ‘Startup World Cup 2018 winners for India’ and ‘Built World Technology’s Most Innovative Startup in Proptech for 2018’ are proof of our product strength and impact.

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Importance of Teamwork Every day is an exercise in prioritization. As a member of the founding team, I’ve been lucky enough to define the priorities of the marketing function, but we regularly brainstorm with our co-founders, as well as the sales and engineering teams.

Bringing about a tech-driven disruption in a traditional industry requires commitment across all functions, and it’s this holistic approach to delivering transformational value that our customers respond to the most. Individual and team objectives are aligned to our larger goal of reimagining FM for the modern world, and we have a strong model and culture that passionately works towards this.

The perfect ambience.

Health and wellbeing, nature and sustainability form the basis of the keynote theme ATMYSPHERE at the world’s leading trade fair for floor coverings in 2020.

Discover the latest product trends and interior design solutions. Be inspired.

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// Save the date

Save the date Mark your calendar

November

4-5

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PropTech Middle East Dubai, UAE Dubai Land Department is spearheading innovation in the property sector with the adoption of smart services and applications and launch of several innovative projects. Against this backdrop, the second edition of PropTech Middle East, the only event of its kind in the region is scheduled to take place on 4th and 5th November 2019 in Dubai. Across two days, the event will focus on the digital-led innovations impacting the real estate sector, along with the trends, best practices and challenges in adopting technologies such as AR, VR, and blockchain, amongst others.Across two days, the event will witness an attendance of over 400 senior real estate professionals representing property development and management, community management, and asset management, to name a few.

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November

6-9

November

25-28

International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure Los Angeles, USA Date: 06-09 Nov 2019 At International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure learn about innovative approaches to infrastructure project financing, Learn from and network with industry leaders and sustainable infrastructure practitioners from around the world, Learn from successful case studies and examples of sustainable infrastructure, Learn how to plan infrastructure for climate change and resiliency and much more.

Event: The Big 5 Location: Dubai, UAE The Big 5 brings the entire portfolio of building materials, construction products, and solutions together under one roof. Manufacturers, suppliers, traders and service providers from Middle East Asia, Europe and the Americas would be showcasing thousands of advanced technologies and solutions.

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