MIDDLE EAST NEWS UPDATE | 06

EVENTS | 11
LEGAL | 18
BUSINESS LEADS | 33
PRODUCTS | 36
THE LAST WORD | 40
Licensed by Dubai Media City

Essential information for mechanical, electrical and plumbing professionals An ITP Business Publication | April 2010 Vol. 5 Issue 4

PIPES,
GENSETS
A GUIDE TO THE
MAJOR SUPPLIERS
AND PLAYERS

CABLES
DOW WIRE & CABLE
ON THE ROLE OF
INFRASTRUCTURE

GROWTH
MARKET
ANALYSIS
THE LATEST RESEARCH
PATH
Al Habtoor-Specon
or-Specon reveals the
INSIGHTS INTO THE MEP secrets behind
ehind its phenomenal
MARKET IN THE GCC growth, despite
d it th the ddownturn
t

ALSO: EMANUELE STANO FROM ARISTON

ON THERMO ON WATER HEATING
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 APRIL 2010 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 4

CONTENTS

16

23
03 CONSTRUCTION WEEK ONLINE 18 LEGAL latest research report on the MEP
sector in the GCC.
05 COMMENT 20 GENSETS
A round-up of major suppliers and 30 PIPES
06 UPDATE players. A round-up of major suppliers and
players.
14 THE BIG INTERVIEW 23 CABLES
Al Habtoor-Specon MD Thrasos Dow Wire & Cable global mar- 33 BUSINESS LEADS
Thrasyvoulou. keting director Jon Penrice on
infrastructural growth. 35 METAL MONITOR
16 PROFILE
Ariston Thermo Middle East mar- 26 MARKET ANALYSIS 36 PRODUCTS
keting manager Emanuele Stano Senior research analyst Vivek
on the latest technology. Vijayakumar on Frost & Sullivan’s 40 THE LAST WORD

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 1

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 CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM
OM
M

IN PICTURES MOST POPULAR

• Six of the best: Top GCC education projects

• Six projects that didn’t make it
• Al Habtoor-Specon wins AED 320 million
MEP contract
• Emaar’s 29 Burj Boulevard project delayed
two years
• DSWP bags Khalifa City utilities contract

EDITOR’S CHOICE

OCEAN HEIGHTS
DAMAC Properties’ Ocean Heights is an 83 storey, 310 m high residential tower. It was designedd by
best
Aedas, whose projects include the Dubai Metro and the Pentomium. The project received a Bentley ‘best
architecture’ award in 2006. It has a ‘minor’ twist from floor-to-floor level.

For more galleries, check out www.constructionweekonline.com/galleries

COLUMNS AND FEATURES • Middle East faces chronic water shortage

HOLISTIC ENERGY SAFETY TALLY • On World Water Day, DuPont trumpets its
MANAGEMENT Selina Denman, Editor, water-saving technologies
Brett Annesley, Commercial Interior • British plug set for design revamp
Guest Columnist Design
Energy-management Clichés express
• Marshall-Tufflex appoints new technical
approaches to lighting an unavoidable, manager for the Gulf
control and design resounding truth. The
may provide the key much-abused ‘safety
to reducing energy in numbers’ is a case SPOT POLL
consumption within in point.
the commercial What’s your biggest headache
sector.
right now?

BACKTRACK
Greg Whitaker, Editor,
MARKET GAP
Stuart Matthews,
41.4%
Finding new work
PMV Middle East Senior Group Editor
The Emirates Motor A good plumber is
Museum in Abu Dhabi
has a selection of cus-
harder to fi nd than
an odourless camel,
34.5%
Getting the money we’re owed
tomised Dodge Power which can only mean
Wagons. However,
while we have dune-
bashing as a sport,
there’s a gap in the
market. Who will be
the fi rst to fill it?
24.1%
Unhappy workers
Monster Truck racing
hasn’t taken off here
as it has in the US. 0.0%
Materials procurement
For more comments, check out www.constructionweekonline.com/comments

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 3

 COMMENT

Tapping into water conservation

MIDDLE EAST

Registered at Dubai Media City

T
PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE
Tel: 00 971 4 210 8000
he planet marked World Water Day on 22 40% of its demand for drinking from bottled water.
Fax: 00 971 4 210 8080 March. According to the United Nations De- The ‘One Million Taps’ programme aims to edu-
Web: www.itp.com
Offices in Dubai & London velopment Programme, more than a billion cate the public and encourage the widespread use of
ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHING people, or about one in six worldwide, do not water-saving devices, from taps to shower heads, for
CEO Walid Akawi have safe drinking water. More than two billion lack example. Interestingly, the campaign is being pro-
Managing Director Neil Davies
Deputy Managing Director Matthew Southwell access to adequate sanitation. If current water-usage moted as a ‘national duty’.
Editorial Director David Ingham
VP Sales Wayne Lowery trends continue, two-thirds of the world’s population While the government aims to provide a safe and
Publishing Director Jason Bowman
will not have enough clean water by 2025. adequate water supply, it is the duty of every citizen
EDITORIAL The international observance of World Water to conserve water, reduce wastage and adopt mea-
Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews
Tel: +971 4 435 6293 email: stuart.matthews@itp.com Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United sures to maximise water use, according to Al Majal.
Editor Gerhard Hope Nations Conference on Environment and Develop- In addition, companies have a corporate social
Tel: +971 4 435 6252 email: gerhard.hope@itp.com

ADVERTISING
ment (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The Water for Life responsibility to conserve water as part of reducing
Publishing Director Jason Bowman Decade 2005-2015 will give a high profile to imple- their overall environmental impact. Water conser-
Tel: +971 4 210 8351 email: jason.bowman@itp.com
Business Development Manager Atif Majid
menting water-related programmes. The first water vation reduces a company’s risk, and is in line with
Tel: +971 4 210 8155 email: atif.majid@itp.com decade, from 1981 to 1990, brought water to over a consumer preferences, as well as maintaining over-
STUDIO billion people and sanitation to almost 77 million. all efficiency in the supply chain. With regard to the
Group Art Editor Dan Prescott But obviously there is still a lot to do. latter, the Al Majal scheme is designed to provide a
Designer Angela Ravi
According to the Institute for Advanced Strategic total saving of up to 30% to 50%.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography Sevag Davidian
& Political Studies (IASPS), water resources in the At the end of the day, there is no hi-tech solution to
Chief Photographer Khatuna Khutsishvili Middle East are plummeting. While representing 5% water scarcity. As the ‘One Million Taps’ programme
Senior Photographers G-nie Arambulo, Efraim Evidor,
Thanos Lazopoulos of the total world population, the Middle East and shows, what is needed, first and foremost, are a few
Staff Photographers Isidora Bojovic, George Dipin,
Lyubov Galushko, Jovana Obradovic, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh North Africa (MENA) region contains only 0.9% of fittings and a lot of common sense.
Raghav
global water resources.
PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION The number of water-scarce countries in the GERHARD HOPE
Group Production Manager Kyle Smith
Deputy Production Manager Kyle Smith Production MENA region rose from three in 1955 (Bahrain, Editor
Coordinator Devaprakash V A
Managing Picture Editor Patrick Littlejohn
Jordan and Kuwait) to 11 by 1990 (with the inclu- gerhard.hope@itp.com
Image Retoucher Emmalyn Robles sion of Algeria, Israel and the Occupied Territories,
Distribution Manager Karima Ashwell
Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tunisia, the UAE and
CIRCULATION Yemen). Another seven are anticipated to join the
Head of Circulation & Database Gaurav Gulati list by 2025 (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Libya, Morocco,
MARKETING Oman and Syria).
Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell In commemoration of World Water Day 2010, Al
ITP DIGITAL Majal Environmental & Technical Services, a 100%
Director Peter Conmy
Omani environmental company, launched its ‘One
ITP GROUP
Million Taps’ programme under its Oman Water
Chairman Andrew Neil
Managing Director Robert Serafin Mandate (OWM) campaign to address the water
Finance Director Toby Jay Spencer-Davies
Board of Directors K.M. Jamieson, Mike Bayman,
challenges of the country, which reportedly obtains
Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin

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Thrasos Thrasyvoulou from turnkey MEP contractor Al Habtoor-
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Specon, talking about the company’s strong growth trajectory
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COMMENTS
Do you have any comments about the MEP industry in the Middle East? Please e-mail any letters to:
gerhard.hope@itp.com or post to: MEP Middle East, ITP Business, PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE.
Published by and © 2010 ITP Business
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Company Registration number 1402846 Keep up-to-date with all MEP Middle East news at

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 5

UPDATE

New switchboard plant in TechnoPark

Dynergy Technologies specialises in the assembly and supply of LV and MV electrical switchboards
SWITCHBOARDS
A new manufacturing plant for
LV and MV switchboards has
been launched offi cially by
Dynergy Technologies in Tech-
noPark in Jebel Ali. The fi rst
phase of the new facility, sprawl-
ing over 22 000 m², will create
300 jobs and has a capacity to
produce 30 000 switchboard
panels a year. Work on the se-
cond phase is being planned,
with a new extension for MV
panels and a new product line.
“Our expansion to new prem-
ises in TechnoPark follows ex-
tensive market research. The
market for LV panels alone is
estimated at AED1.5 billion,
and Dynergy aims at tapping
this growing market. We target
a turnover of AED200 million by
2012. The new premises, devel-
oped with the support of Emaar Emaar Properties chairman Mohamed Alabbar, EII CEO Mohammed Saeed Al Raqbani and other executives at the Dynergy opening
Industries & Investments (EII),
will help us achieve our goal. establishing banking relations of its economies, institutional re- Al Raqbani said the expan-
“With a seven-fold increase and implementing strong corpo- forms and market liberalisation, sion of Dynergy Technologies
in production capacity, the rate governance measures. EII which all create opportunities to a new manufacturing facility
plant will help us meet our cus- also secured a partnership with for large-scale transactions.” in TechnoPark “will further em-
tomer requirements by provid- ABB Industries for Dynergy
ing high-quality, reliable and products, thus bringing in ad-
cost-effective products,” said vanced power and automation
Dynergy Technologies board technology to the company.
member Mahnad Kashani.
Dynergy Technologies focuses KEY DRIVER
on facilitating energy solutions “The industrial and manufac-
for local communities, hotels turing sector is fast evolving as
and construction projects. It is a a key growth driver of Dubai’s
subsidiary of EII, a member of economy, with small and me-
Emaar Properties PJSC. dium enterprises accounting
EII, as a facilitator of the in- for up to 98.5% of Dubai’s busi-
dustrial and manufacturing sec- ness sector and 61% of the total
tor, supports Dynergy in busi- workforce. EII complements
ness development, marketing, the diversification efforts of the
Dubai government by provid-
ing tangible and strategic sup-
port to industries in achieving

AED1.5 their larger growth goals,” said

EII CEO Mohammed Saeed Al
Raqbani.
BILLION “The region presents an attrac-
tive opportunity for private in-
The market for LV panels vestments in the manufacturing
sector due to the planned growth EII has secured a partnership with ABB Industries for Dynergy products

6 MEP Middle East | April 2010 www.constructionweekonline.com

 UPDATE

Dynergy aims at tapping this growing

Independent Technical Solutions LLC
market. We target a turnover of AED200 P. O. Box: 62447 Dubai
Tel: +971 (0)4 2679885 Fax: +971 (0)4 2679886
million by 2012.“ – Mahnad Kashani
Email: sales@intechsolutions.ae

power the company to enhance as IEC, Dynergy expects the

its production capacity, and new facility to drive its expan-
· · Car
Industrial quality Pressure
Park Induction Independent Flow Control Valves.
& Jet Fan
also seek new geographic mar- sion into new markets in the · Ventilation
Maximize your Delta T and minimize energy use with Flow Control
System.
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· Tunnel Ventilation System.
will further empower Dynergy heres to clean, reliable and safe · · CO
The&only
Smoke Valve that GUARANTEE
Detection System. Delta T performance
to drive growth, create new job manufacturing practices as · High technology
Website: that translates to high Delta T and efficiency gains.
www.hcgroep.com
opportunities and expand its part of its commitment to sus- · Other benefits includes 5 – Year Warranty, 3 Pressure / Temperature
Ports, Lifetime Serviceability, Guaranteed DeltaT, Flow Predictable
product range.” tainable development.
To + / - 5%
Providing turnkey solutions The new plant also has sev- Website: www.flowcontrol.com
in LV and MV switchgear, eral energy-effi cient practices
Dynergy was previously oper- in operation, with production
· High Efficiency Capture Jet Hood · Mist Eliminator
ating out of small rented prem- taking place under a sunlit · Ultra Violet Kitchen Filtration System · Low Displacement
ises with a production capac- semi-glassed roof, and using · Automatic Water Wash Hood System Ventilation Equipment
ity of only 4 000 panels a year. pneumatic tools system to save · Ventilated Ceiling · Grills & Diffusers
TechnoPark was selected as an electricity consumption. · Service Distribution Unit · Chilled Beams
·· Ecology
Car ParkUnit
Induction & Jet Fan · Oil & Gas Dampers
ideal base for its own premises Dynergy is a member of Ventilation System. Hood Control
· MARVEL Intelligent · Blast Valves
following an in-depth survey the Emirates Green Building · System
Tunnel Ventilation System. · Cabin Ventilation Unit
on various zone options in the Council, and currently runs · CO & Smoke
Website: Detection System.
www.halton.com
Emirate. a third-party assessment for Website: www.hcgroep.com
greenhouse gas emission as the
CAPACITY EXPANSION fi rst step to becoming a carbon-
“The capacity expansion and neutral entity.
economies of scale that the new Dynergy offers complete
·Industrial quality Pressure Independent Flow Control Valves.
plant brings will create a com- power distribution solutions
··
Maximize your Delta
High Efficiency T and
Capture Jetminimize
Hood energy· Mistuse with Flow Control
Eliminator
petitive advantage for Dynergy. for 400 V. It will also be provid- ·Ultra Violet Kitchen Filtration System · Low Displacement
DeltaPValves.
The new plant will also assist ing solutions to cater for up to ··Automatic
The Water
only Valve Wash
that Hood System
GUARANTEE Delta T Ventilation
performance Equipment
us in further emphasising re- 22 kV three-phase power. The ··Ventilated
High Ceilingthat translates to high Delta
technology · GrillsT & Diffusers
and efficiency gains.
search and development sup- product range includes LV main ··Service
Other Distribution
benefits Unit5 – Year Warranty,
includes · Chilled Beams
3 Pressure / Temperature
·Ecology
Ports, Unit Serviceability, Guaranteed
Lifetime · Oil & Gas
DeltaT, Dampers
Flow Predictable
ported by adequate technical distribution boards, MV distri- ·MARVEL Intelligent Hood Control · Blast Valves
To + / - 5%
expertise,” said Kashani. bution boards, sub-main distri- System · Cabin Ventilation Unit
Website: www.flowcontrol.com
With all products type-tested bution boards, fi nal distribution Website: www.halton.com
as per the specifi cations of an boards, capacitor banks and
independent quality certifi ca- motor control centres, among
Flow Meters
tion authority in the UK as well many others.
BTU Measurement Systems

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ONICON offers a variety of flow technologies
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The official tour of the new production facility

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 7

UPDATE

US$144m Abu Dhabi water system

The project is a turnkey mechanical, electrical and automation solution
WATER
ABB has won a US$144 million
turnkey order from the Abu
Dhabi Transmission & Despatch
Company (TR ANSCO) for a ma-
jor expansion of a water trans-
mission system in Abu Dhabi to
help meet the Emirate’s rising
demand for drinking water.
The project will increase the
volume of water supplied by the
Shuweihat Power and Desalina-
tion Plant to the City of Abu Dha-
bi by increasing the capacity of
two pumping stations. The proj-
ect is scheduled for completion
in 2011. The order was booked
in the fourth quarter of 2009.
ABB will be responsible for
the engineering, installation,
testing, commissioning and
overall management of the proj-
ect, and will provide a turnkey
mechanical, electrical and au-
tomation solution for the ex-
tension and modification of the
Shuweihat and Mirfa pumping
stations.
“ABB’s integrated power and
automation technologies will
help to provide a reliable and
efficient water supply to meet
growing demand for water and
support sustainable develop-
ment in the region,” said Peter
Leupp, head of ABB’s Power
Systems division.
The products supplied will in-
clude pumps, with related surge
vessels and piping, energy-effi -
cient drives and motors, as well
as the required extension of the
electrical balance of plant. The
automation systems to manage
the operation and monitoring
of the water pipeline will use
ABB’s state-of-the-art System
800xA control platform.
TR ANSCO is a subsidiary of
the Abu Dhabi Water & Electric- ABB will help to provide a reliable
ity Authority (ADWEA), which
is responsible for developing the and efficient water supply to meet growing
high-voltage power and bulk wa-
ter transmission network in the demand for water and support sustainable
Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
development in the region.“ – Peter Leupp

Marina development in Abu Dhabi remains buoyant

MARINE WORKS
Water-infrastructure specialist
Septech is seeking to boost its
Abu Dhabi-based Marine busi-
ness following its presence at
the 2010 Abu Dhabi Yacht Show.
“Globally marina develop-
ment has suffered enormously
from the economic downturn,
but in contrast we are seeing a
marked growth in demand from
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said
Septech marine business unit
manager Bruce Birtwistle.
“We estimate that the drop
in global demand has reduced
revenues by 20%; we are fortu-
nate to be operating in one of
the few markets still showing
forward progress on marine
development.” The 2010 Abu
Dhabi Yacht Show was hosted
The 2010 Abu Dhabi Yacht Show was hosted on the Septech-constructed Yas Marina
on the Septech-constructed Yas
Marina.
Recent project wins in Oman
for other businesses in the Sep-
tech portfolio have opened the
door for the marine unit to focus
on Muscat, and new projects are
increasingly cropping up in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and
Qatar, added Birtwistle.
“We are very realistic in our
outlook. Whilst the pace of ma-
rina development has certainly
slowed with the contraction of
the regional property develop-
ment market, we nonetheless
feel confi dent our business po-
sition and our exclusive part-
nerships leave us well-placed
to succeed in the current mar-
ket, especially as developers
become more discerning in
their choice of suppliers,” said
Birtwistle.
In addition to the Yas Mari-
na, completed prior to the Abu
Dhabi Grand Prix, Septech is
currently constructing two ma-
rinas in Dubai and a variety of
fi shing harbours in Oman.

8 MEP Middle East | April 2010 www.constructionweekonline.com

 UPDATE

DSWP wins Khalifa A utilities works

Now responsible for all infrastructure, following earlier district-cooling contract
CONTRACT
Drake & Scull Water and Power
(DSWP) has clinched a contract
for the complete utilities devel-
opment works at the Khalifa A
City residential compound in
Abu Dhabi.
This follows an earlier AED118
million contract for a 20 000 TR
chiller plant and two thermal
storage tanks. The value of the
latest contract is not known.
DSWP, a subsidiary of Drake &
Scull International PJSC (DSI),
is now overseeing all relevant
infrastructure works, including
sewer lines, irrigation, telecom
services, fi re-fighting, substa-
tions and related civils such as
roads and paving.
“One of the motivating fac-
tors for us in deciding to form
a business stream dedicated to
managing and controlling in-
frastructure, water and power
works was the surety we would
continuously have a demand in
the market to cater to. This has
indeed been the case till now due
to the non-diminishing demand
for water and power, which are
the basic elements needed in any
community,” said DSWP execu-
tive director Tawfiq Abu Soud.
“This contract win marks the
eighth for DSI in 2010, bringing
the total value of projects award-
ed to date to AED1 billion,” said
DSI CEO and vice-chairman
Khaldoun Tabari.
In related news, DSI reported
net profits of AED333 million
for the fiscal year starting 17
November 2008, the date the
company was incorporated as a
public joint stock company, and
ending 31 December 2009. It
recorded AED2.2 billion in rev-
enue for the same period.
The results showed an annual
profit of AED280 million for the
calendar year starting 1 January
2009 and ending 31 December
2009, a year-on-year profit in-
crease of 32%, up from AED212
million in 2008. Annual revenue
totalled AED1.89 billion, up from
AED1.72 billion in 2008, a year-
on-year increase of 10%.
“DSI had a positive year. Given
that 2009 was challenging, this Khaldoun Tabari
was an extraordinary end to the
year. Our performance in 2009 to invest in our growth strategy
ratified the strength of our man- and engineering capabilities for
agement team, the resilience of the benefit of our employees,
our business model and the in- clients and shareholders,” said
novation of our integration en- Tabari. “The company per-
gineering. As 2010 proceeds, we formed in line with our expecta-
remain optimistic as we continue tions and strategic priorities.”

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www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 9

UPDATE
Technical manager for Gulf region
Appointment will strengthen Marshall-Tufflex’s presence in the region
APPOINTMENT
Cable management specialist
Marshall-Tufflex has strength-
ened its presence in the Gulf by
appointing Svetislav (Bata) Bula-
jic to the newly-created position
of international technical sales
manager.
Dubai-based Bulajic brings
with him a strong technical back-
ground, which Marshall-Tufflex
is keen to exploit fully for the
benefit of customers throughout
the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman,
Iraq and Yemen.
One of Bulajic’s key areas of
expertise is underfloor power
distribution, having previously
worked for EKA Building Sys-
tems in Dubai on a number of
high-profi le construction proj-
ects, including successfully in-
Trane launches Voyager
PRODUCTS
Trane’s new Voyager rooftop
units are now available in the lo-
cal market, bringing increased
energy efficiency and reliability
to supermarkets, movie theatres,
warehouses and other commercial
and industrial buildings in Europe,
Africa and the Middle East. The
easy-to-install systems replace the
existing Voyager rooftop unit line.
The 15-165 kW packaged units
offer a choice of cooling-only,
gas-fired, heat pump or dual-fuel
technologies to meet specific cus-
tomer cooling and heating needs.
Additional energy-saving options
such as plate heat exchanger, heat
wheel, adjustable fresh air volume
and free-cooling are also available.
The new Voyager rooftop units
are Eurovent-certified (Class A ef-
ficiency for a number of units) with
a high Coefficient of Performance
(COP) and Energy Efficiency
Rating (EER). Additional energy
savings can be achieved with tech-
10 MEP Middle East | April 2010
troducing Electrak systems to
the GCC region.
His appointment reinforces
Marshall-Tufflex’s commitment
to supporting its international
customers and helping them
make the most of its recent tech-
nological advances in cable man-
agement and prefabricated wir-
ing systems.
As international sales director
Tracy Masters explained: “We
know our Gulf customers are
keen to adopt our latest innova-
tions, and Bulajic’s appointment
is absolutely key to achieving
this. His background in design
through to commissioning of
a range of solutions, together
with his knowledge and techni-
cal expertise/focus, will give our
clients the opportunity to meet
their ever more demanding re-
nologies such as heat recovery and
a modulating and condensing gas
burner.
The Voyager’s high efficiency
makes it particularly suitable for
cold chain and storage applica-
tions, such as chocolate and flower
storage. The new design allows
the units to perform in extremely
warm or very cold environments.
Its ‘plug-and-play’ design, with a
single-point power connection and
factory-installed accessories, en-
sures easy installation and commis-
sioning. Comfort, operation, safety
and accessibility are improved as a
result of a complete redesign of the
structure.
“Trane Voyager systems com-
bine high reliability and energy
savings, easier installation and less
maintenance to deliver reduced
cost of ownership,” said Pierre
Cazal, vice-president equipment
systems for Trane commercial
business in Europe, Middle East,
Africa and India.
Svetislav (Bata) Bulajic
quirements through what are
virtually bespoke design solu-
tions for power and data provi-
sion. His appointment is critical
to what our customers are trying
to achieve, and we are delighted
to have him on board.”
Bulajic’s main focus will be
on Marshall-Tufflex’s range of
Metito to build sewage
plant in Afghanistan
SEWAGE TREATMENT
Desalination and wastewater
treatment specialist Metito has
been commissioned to design,
supply, build and commission a
sewage-treatment plant for the
local government in Kabul, Af-
ghanistan to serve a population
of 6 000 people.
“Afghanistan has seen its
fare share of misfortune and de-
struction, which has negatively
impacted its infrastructure, and
we are delighted to help with the
rebuilding of the country,” said
Metito group business develop-
ment director Bassem Halabi.
The plant is at the design and
procurement stage. It will em-
ploy the latest in extended aera-
tion technology, which purifies
sewage by the destruction of or-
ganic compounds through the
use of air. These compounds,
which are converted to gas, wa-
prefabricated wiring systems.
The concept behind the MT32
prefabricated wiring system is to
take all the hard work out of elec-
trical installations by providing
completely pre-wired, pre-tested
plug-and-play electrical wiring
for projects.
It is the MT32 technology – the
development of the unique 32A
connector that, in combination
with the entire range of Marshall-
Tufflex modular and prefabricat-
ed plug-and-play wiring systems
– offers a total electrical wiring
solution for a project, eliminating
hard wiring on-site and thereby
saving time and reducing costs.
MT32’s ‘zero harm, zero waste’
properties also provide easy
re-configuration wherever and
whenever re-positioning of sock-
ets is required.
ter and sludge form, are then
removed, and what remains is
clear and odour-free effl uent
water that can be used for vari-
ous applications.
Decades of civil war has led
to the devastation of the Af-
ghani economy, in addition to
the destruction of much of Af-
ghanistan’s critical water infra-
structure, which affects many
of its citizens. “The availability
of sanitation facilities is vital to
the rebuilding of Kabul.
“We aim to improve the situ-
ation with this project, and
allow citizens access to the
most basic of basics: sanitary
services. Afghanistan is not an
easy place to work in, but with
a dedicated team and support
from the local authorities, the
plant is expected to be com-
pleted by 19 May 2010,” said
Bassem.
www.constructionweekonline.com

UAE-US trade empowered
Empower CEO discusses means to foster bilateral trade
BUSINESS
The CEO of Empower, Ahmad
Bin Shafar, has discussed ways
to foster UAE-US business re-
lations at a meeting with the
newly-appointed US Consul
General Justin H. Siberell. Prin-
cipal commercial offi cer Robert
W. Dunn was also present at the
historic meeting.
Bin Shafar, the head of the
largest district cooling service
provider in the region, said the
UAE is one of the top places to
do business in the world, and US
businesses are actively seeking
to become a major part of this.
On the other hand, among the
most promising prospects for
US exports to the Middle East,
according to the US Department
of Commerce, is in the area of
air-conditioning and refrigera-
tion equipment.
The meeting stressed the
need for boosting co-operation
Germany in solar JV with Qatar
SOLAR ENERGY
SolarWorld, Germany’s big-
gest solar company by revenue,
has acquired nearly a third of
a Qatar-based polysilicon joint
venture in a move to shift pro-
duction abroad in light of rising
labour costs at home. The joint
venture, Qatar Solar Technolo-
gies (QST), will invest more
than US$500 million in the con-
struction of a solar-grade silicon
plant with a planned annual ca-
pacity of 3 600 tons.
Production is scheduled to
start in the third quarter of 2012.
German solar equipment maker
Centrotherm will be technology
partner for the Qatar-based joint
venture. SolarWorld is to own
29% of the joint venture, while
partners Qatar Foundation and
Qatar Development Bank will
own 70% and 1% respectively.
www.constructionweekonline.com
UPDATE
EVENTS
PROJECT QATAR
12-15 April
Qatar
and exchanging expertise be- www.ifpqatar.com
tween Empower and those US
companies engaged in the en- CITYSCAPE ABU DHABI 2010
ergy sector in particular. The 18-21 April
US delegation praised the lib- ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
eral business climate in Dubai www.cityscapeabudhabi.com
in particular and the UAE in
general. GULF WATER & POWER FORUM
Siberell described the emir- 25-27 April
ate as a hub for the entire region, Bahrain
thanks to the far-sighted vision www.gulfwpf.com
of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Pres- BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY
ident and Prime Minister of the INTO THE MIDDLE EAST
UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The 28 April
delegation agreed that Dubai Dubai
was a success story with world- www.itp.net/events
class infrastructure. Ahmad Bin Shafar
“Empower has succeeded in ARAB ENERGY CONFERENCE
building world-class district tial units are becoming increas- 9-12 May
cooling infrastructure, which ingly aware of the importance Doha, Qatar
is considered an ideal econom- of using district cooling as an http://aec9.oapecorg.org
ic and environmental solution alternative to conventional AC
for residential and commercial systems, leading to energy sav- FM EXPO 2010
units, offices and hotels in the ings and increased environmen- 18-20 May
UAE. I am pleased that residen- tal awareness.” Dubai International Conference &
Exhibition Centre
www.eventseye.com
HARDWARE + TOOLS ME
18-20 May
Dubai International Conference &
Exhibition Centre
www.hardwaretoolsme.com
ME WASTE SUMMIT 2010
18-20 May
Dubai Airport Expo Centre
www.turretme.com
FM Awards 2010
19 May
Dubai
www.itp.net/events
Saudi Aircon
23-26 May
Riyadh Exhibition Centre
www.eventseye.com
Production will be moved abroad in light of rising labour costs at home
CONSTRUCTION WEEK RIYADH
German solar companies are as high labour costs in Ger- 8 June
making great efforts in moving many, the world’s largest solar Riyadh Exhibition Centre
production abroad as looming market, are putting huge pres- www.itp.net/events
cuts in solar incentives as well sure on margins.
April 2010 | MEP Middle East 11
UPDATE
DuPont appoints new ME director
Move reaffi rms company’s commitment to the Middle East market
APPOINTMENT
DuPont has announced the ap-
pointment of Hartmut Reinke as
its director for the Middle East,
Turkey and Africa. The move re-
inforces the company’s commit-
ment to further strengthening
its presence in the Middle East
through the deployment of key se-
nior leadership and coming closer
to customers in the region.
Reinke is based in Dubai. He
joined DuPont in 1985, and has
US$105
BILLION
In infrastructure projects
are planned or are under
construction in the UAE
UAE is still a major source of high-quality contracts
CONSULTANCY
Specialist commercial consul-
tancy Traprain Consultants Ltd.
is consolidating its presence in
the UAE with the opening of
an office in Dubai. Despite the
recent economic turmoil, the
region still represents an ex-
tremely valuable source of high-
quality contracts, according to
CE Peter Foreman.
“Indeed, we believe that the
problems in the construction
market will provide us with
opportunities. We also have a
number of existing clients from
Europe and elsewhere with op-
erations in the region, and this
will enable us to service these
from a local base.
There are large numbers of both
indigenous and JV companies which need
high-order advice and training.“ – Dennis Brand
12 MEP Middle East | April 2010
held various regional and global
management positions in product
management, R&D, sales, market-
ing and administration, and has
played a key role in spearheading
the strategic growth of DuPont in
Germany, France, the US, Swit-
zerland and the UAE. He brings
a wealth of experience served as
DuPont’s director for Central and
Eastern Europe, the Middle East
and Africa for three years.
“DuPont is a science company
creating sustainable solutions es-
sential to a better, safer, healthier
life for people everywhere. Our
growth strategy for the long-term
is based on major global trends
driven mostly by increasing global
population,” said Reinke.
DuPont plans to capitalise on
global growth opportunities by
sharply focusing its innovation
pipelines on four mega trends: to
“This is a significant and
very positive step forward for
Traprain. The office in Dubai
will increase opportunities for
our network of consultants to
access not only the UAE mar-
ket, but also other parts of the
Middle East,” said Foreman.
The consultancy specialises
in offering a range of director-
level services to industries in-
cluding oil and gas, construction
and energy through a network
of top-fl ight consultants. The
company sees the move as offer-
ing further opportunities to in-
crease its reach, and to service
the activities of existing clients
operating in the region from a
local base.
Hartmut Reinke
meet the increasing demand for
food productivity; protect people
and the environment; decrease de-
pendence on fossil fuels; and capi-
talise on the growth of emerging
markets where about one-third of
DuPont’s sales are currently gen-
erated. “I am very excited about
prospects in the Middle East, an
emerging market with immense
potential,” said Reinke.
Dennis Brand, who writes a
high-profi le monthly legal col-
umn for MEP Middle East, will
head up the Dubai operation. His
background is in commercial
and legal areas, specialising in
construction, development and
energy projects. Traprain Con-
sultants in Dubai will work in
association with the UK-based
company, and act as a hub for all
of Traprain’s consulting activi-
ties in the Middle East.
Brand has spent many years
in London with major law fi rms,
advising on infrastructure proj-
ects in both the public and pri-
vate sectors. He later worked
with Kvaerner Hydrocarbons,
then part of the Kvaerner
Group, where he oversaw in
particular its pre-contract and
post-contract award activities,
and the preparation and nego-
tiation of contract terms.
He was later appointed com-
In the past 15 years, the com-
pany has opened offices in the
Middle East and invested in de-
veloping local skills and talent. Its
team is constantly striving to offer
increased benefits, new products
and solutions for its local custom-
ers, based on DuPont science and
innovation. “DuPont is committed
and well-positioned for acceler-
ated growth in the Middle East
region,” said Reinke.
DuPont is also focused on re-
gional opportunities such as the in-
frastructure boom, where US$105
billion in projects are planned
or are under construction in the
UAE. Construction contracts in
Saudi Arabia’s real estate market
are expected to top US$60 billion
in 2010. Egypt and GCC econo-
mies, including Kuwait, Bahrain,
Qatar and Oman, are also evolv-
ing at a rapid pace.
mercial and legal services di-
rector and company secretary
of John Brown Hydrocarbons
Limited, and held a similar posi-
tion at CB&I John Brown Lim-
ited and its subsidiaries.
In 2005, Brand relocated to
Dubai to join the construction,
development and energy group
of the Dubai office of London
law fi rm Berrymans Lace Maw-
er, with particular responsibility
for its non-contentious construc-
tion and engineering practice.
In January 2008, he co-estab-
lished the Dubai office of HBJ
Gateley Wareing, heading its
non-contentious practice, which
included construction, develop-
ment and engineering projects.
“There is a market for good-
quality management consultan-
cy services providing specialist
contractual, commercial and
corporate advice on a cost-effec-
tive basis,” said Brand.
www.constructionweekonline.com
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Growth
trajectory
Turnkey MEP contractor Al Habtoor-Specon is showing strong growth despite the
downturn. MD Thrasos Thrasyvoulou explains why.
he company doubled its turn-
over from 2008 to 2009, and
has enough projects in hand
“to grow 50% this year as well.
Our strategic planning for
the next three years is based
on a growth rate of 25% a year,
based on our projections and
the specific jobs we are being
called to tender on. This is
reasonable growth under the circumstances,”
says Thrasyvoulou. “Our aim is to get involved
in projects with other major contractors in the
region and abroad, and to have exposure to a
broader client base.”
An indication of just how fast the market
has changed is that when MEP Middle East
spoke to Thrasyvoulou in July 2009, he was
confident that the company was well on its
way to an impressive AED2 billion target.
“We have not achieved this level because of
the downturn, especially in Dubai, where a
lot of projects have been postponed or re-
designed, which will affect cash flow for a
long period. In the interim we have become
an AED1 billion company, and our immediate
plan is to reach the AED1.5 billion level,” says
Thrasyvoulou.
Al Habtoor Engineering and Specon Lim-
ited signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) in October 2005, with the partnership
registered officially in July 2007. Both parties
were already highly credible and experienced
players in the market, so it was an auspicious
beginning for the new company. The immedi-
ate result was “tremendous growth within a
short period of time,” says Thrasyvoulou.
This was due to the complementary na-
ture of the two parties, together with their
well-established presence. “The second fac-
tor that contributed to quick growth was the
pipeline of projects available to us immedi-
14 MEP Middle East | April 2010
ately through Al Habtoor Engineering. This tractor, with the traditional scope of HVAC,
was a boom time for contractors, who were plumbing and sanitary, electrical and BMS.
in search of reliable and qualified MEP spe- We also had a lot of experience in MV and HV
cialists to do an almost impossible quantity of substation work and transmission lines.”
work in terms of the timeframes and demands Hence an energy and power division was
of the industry,” says Thrasyvoulou. formed, culminating in the signing of a MoU
to enter into a consortium with VINCI Ener-
INITIAL SUCCESS gies of France “to participate in and execute
The initial success was also largely due to the projects in Qatar for MV and HV substations.
vast experience in MEP of the combined core The prequalification and representations to
team, which had garnered 20 to 25 years’ ex- the relevant ministry have been completed,
perience prior to Al Habtoor-Specon arriving and we are in line to obtain documents for
on the scene. “Most of the senior personnel the first tender. This three-billion Qatari Riyal
were part of an earlier establishment led by project will increase our works in hand sub-
myself,” says Thrasyvoulou. This also helped stantially,” says Thrasyvoulou.
to mitigate the impact of the global downturn
in late 2008. “In fact, due to the pipeline avail- DIVERSIFICATION
able with our partners, the downturn in the “Our diversification also covers the infrastruc-
area, and specifically in Dubai, has not affect- ture, MV and external facilities in projects like
ed the growth of Al Habtoor-Specon as much, Sheikh Zayed University, Paris Sorbonne Uni-
though the growth would have been higher if versity and Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone
there had been no downturn, of course.” that the company is currently carrying out.
Thrasyvoulou says diversification was a We also have qualified engineers and design-
conscious strategy right from the beginning.
“Even though our project pipeline was big
enough to sustain us during the immediate
shock of the downturn in this area so that we
kept on growing, I have always been a firm
believer in not keeping all your eggs in a sin-
gle basket. So at the time of the downturn we
only had about 20% of our business in Dubai,
and were not heavily affected.”
This was due to geographic diversification,
as “you do not want to be in one area only.” As
a result the company “expanded cautiously
and steadily,” moving into Abu Dhabi and
Qatar. “Geographically we are now tendering
for projects in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain
and Oman as well, and other areas where we
hope to get business in order to diversify our
portfolio.” Then there is diversification of spe-
cialisation. “We began as an A-Z turnkey con- Paris Sorbonne University
www.constructionweekonline.com

ers in-house who are LEED-accredited, which
is another trend in terms of green building
and sustainability. Needless to say, within
MEP we cater for complex systems like ELV,
audio-visual, CCTV, fire alarm and fire fight-
ing, for example,” says Thrasyvoulou.
Commenting on the current state of the
market, he says: “Personally I believe that
after the initial shock of the downturn in late
2008, the market in general has absorbed this
and stabilised. I do not foresee a much bigger
downturn; I cannot say we have reached the
absolute bottom either, because there are so
many factors involved.
“From a personal point of view, I do believe
we are nearly at the bottom. One thing I am
sure about is that the liquidity, the availability
of money through the banks, is better than
a year ago. During the downturn, finance for
projects was largely unavailable, as banks
were in a more difficult position than contrac-
tors even. These days I am optimistic that
even if we are not at the bottom, we are nearly
there and that the liquidity is getting better.
“I believe that opportunities are good in
areas like Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and
Bahrain for an MEP contractor of our qual-
ity and depth. Weaker companies have closed
down or merged, and the number of major
competitors capable of executing big projects
has been reduced,” says Thrasyvoulou.
However, increased competition for a
diminished pool of projects has placed in-
creased pressure on pricing. “I have recently
seen a drop in prices. A lot of MEP contrac-
tors, in order to sustain themselves, are be-
coming more competitive. I hope they will not
www.constructionweekonline.com
THE BIG INTERVIEW
go to the extreme of dropping prices to the
level where quality is sacrificed and projects
cannot be executed properly. This is a danger-
ous thing in my opinion. Clients must be very
cautious in this respect.
DUBAI HAS SUFFERED MOST
“Certainly the global economic recession
has affected all countries. In the UAE, Dubai,
due to the previous unsustainable boom and
the sudden global downturn, has suffered
more than other areas in the Gulf in terms
of growth, fewer new projects, a slowdown in
existing projects, especially hotels and resi-
dential/commercial developments. I believe
that, after the initial shock in 2008 and the
sustained recession in 2009, 2010 will still be
a low-growth year – specifically in Dubai, but
even in general in the Gulf region.”
Thrasyvoulou says this view is reflected in
a shift in the market. “In terms of work, there
is a definite shift from the residential/com-
mercial sector to education/healthcare and
industrial/infrastructure work – what I call
the traditional sectors.
“Our recent success in carrying out two of
the major educational projects in the area –
Sheikh Zayed University (in a joint venture
with Hastie) in the magnitude of AED540
million and Paris Sorbonne University (in
the magnitude of AED240 million) – is itself
evidence of this shift. “Both of these projects
include related infrastructure works and
complex specialised systems. In addition, the
Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone project we
secured recently, in the magnitude of AED320
million, verifies this further.
We may not see the
levels of the previous
boom again for some
time to come, but I
believe that there will be
enough business in Dubai
in the future. “
Thrasos Thrasyvoulou
“There are many other projects in the pipe-
line, like New York University, Tawam Hos-
pital, Al Ain University and the Abu Dhabi
Airport. At present we are participating in
almost all of these tenders, and are optimis-
tic that some major projects will be secured,”
says Thrasyvoulou.
Such optimism is based on the company’s
good engineering background and in-house
design capability. A big problem to date has
been the time constraints demanded by cli-
ents in order to enable them to capitalise
speedily on their returns.
“Often the design is not completely finished
and the scope is not very well defined. Then
if the MEP contractor does not have the capa-
bility to check the design in terms of system
workability, the end result will be a project
with problems. MEP is the biggest single ele-
ment after the main contractor in a building
project. Buildings suffer if the air-con does
not perform properly or there are plumbing
problems at the end. We are a major part,”
concludes Thrasyvoulou.
CURRENT PROJECTS
• Paris Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi
• Sheikh Zayed University, Abu Dhabi
• Rotana, Shangri-la, Merweb in Doha
• Saadiyat Island accommodation, Abu Dhabi
• Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone, Abu Dhabi
• Kempinski Residences, Dubai
• Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
• Works on Dubai Pearl
• Business Bay Hotel, Dubai
April 2010 | MEP Middle East 15
PROFILE

HEATING UP
Ariston Thermo Middle East marketing manager Emanuele Stano explains why the
water-heating market in the region is hotting up.

What is Ariston Thermo’s history in the Mid-

dle East?
In the water-heat
water-heater sector, Ariston is
The Ariston Thermo Group, oup, formerly the
Merloni TermoSanitari Group,
roup, has been op-
the major player in the UAE market
erating in the Middle Eastst region for more
than 30 years, together with our partner
today, with internal marketing
Paul Weil Company LLC, C, which operates
in some of the countries of the region. We
estimations giving us a market share
entered the market with our historical core about three times
tim larger than our
business product, electricc storage water
heaters, and have sold several
everal million of nearest
nea competitor. “
them in our long presence e in the market.
Nowadays Ariston has a unique recogni- Emanuele Stano
tion in the market thanks to the proven qual-
ity shown over three long g decades. In the
last five to six years we have also launched 10 to 3 000 lit
litres. We are also commercial-
new product lines such as gas boilers and ising instantan
instantaneous electric and gas water
solar systems. st
heaters, gas storage water heaters, gas boil-
ers and solar sy
systems. In 2010 we are launch-
How important is the MENA NA region to revolutio
ing a revolutionary range of sanitary water
the global group? heat pumps, andan as per the evolution of our
We have launched our different
ferent water heater rrange, in accordance with the
product lines in the 13 coun-
un- latest Europea
European directives on energy saving,
tries that we are managing g introd
we are introducing a comprehensive new
from our Dubai offices. product range with new aesthetic and tech-
These do not include nical features.
North Africa; but from
Dubai we also cover Can you tell us a bit more about your Nanomix
the Levant countries, innovation?
KSA, GCC, Iran and Af- This provides m more hot water in comparison
ghanistan. The Ariston with a traditio
traditional water heater of the same
Thermo Group has a Spe cally, a special water inlet
capacity. Specifi
total turnover of above guara
pipe guarantees 10% more hot water out-
US$1.8 billion, with a put. It is based on improved mixing
global sales network efficiency: during a water draft,
which distributes in more e no
normally the cold inlet water
he
than 150 countries. It is the ‘di
‘disturbs’ the hot water inside
most international player in th tank, so that the outlet water
the
its sector, with almost 50%% of te
temperature will go below the
sales coming from outside e EU co
comfort value of 40°C. The spe-
countries. cial inlet pipe keeps the cold and
w
hot water layers well-separated, so
ces do
What products and services that th
the water draft can last longer
you offer here? outle hot water will reach later a
(the outlet
In our product portfolio for the temperature b below 40°C).
ffer dif-
Middle East region we offer
ferent models of electric storage liatio with Europe obviously means
Your affiliation
ties from
water heaters with capacities tre
the latest trends and developments get in-

16 MEP Middle East | April 2010 www.constructionweekonline.com

 PROFILE

troduced to the MENA region quite quickly? Thanks to our presence over the last 30 years
Exactly. With six million water heaters pro- and the recognised quality of the products,
duced a year, and 19 factories all over the
world, the group must always respect the
latest and strictest regulations coming from
SIX Ariston continuously increased its presence
in this market, with several competitors ap-
pearing and disappearing in terms of the
any of the major markets. The Middle East
market, being supplied from the same facto-
ries which manufacture goods for Europe,
MILLION
The number of water heaters Ariston
competitive scenario. In the water-heater
sector, Ariston is the major player in the UAE
market, with internal marketing estimations
offer only CE-certified model ranges, which giving us a market share about three times
comply with European regulations in terms Thermo manufactures globally per year larger than our nearest competitor.
of safety and performance.
What are some of the major trends impacting
Do your products have to be adapted at all for and retail. With the booming growth in the on the market here? Are green building and
local conditions? real estate market over the last decade, a big sustainability major drivers?
Our product lines have been calibrated on effort was placed on tender sales, and this As a group, yes, this is a focus, with big in-
the most extreme conditions to satisfy the guaranteed us the biggest market share and vestment in solar systems, heat pumps and
market demands coming from any of the premium recognition today. We can answer energy-saving appliances. In the Middle East
150+ countries where we sell our goods. the demands for any hot-water requirement, we are in the starting phase, with a lot of in-
In our region, only KSA requires a special from domestic use to industrial. Nowadays terest being expressed in solar. It will still
safety valve to respect the SASO regulation. the opportunities are coming from the take some years to reach a mature market
Therefore we have a specific full line of prod- ‘green’ technology approach in new build- level in this regard. Sensitivity to energy ef-
ucts equipped with this accessory for our ings, but also from neighbouring regions ficiency has still not matured here. I am sure
Saudi customers. such as Eastern Africa and Central Asia. this will happen in the next few years. The
low cost of electricity is not pushing users to
What are the main markets you serve? What gives you the edge in such a highly com- save on energy consumption. However, the
We have dedicated sales teams for projects petitive market? government is putting much effort into this
new green trend, and the results will soon
LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MIDDLE EAST become apparent, with solar systems becom-
ing more and more popular in both domestic
The Ariston Thermo Group has launched a and commercial buildings.
new range of electric storage water heaters
(50 to 100 litre capacity) in the Middle How has the economic downturn affected
East. Anticipating continuous technological business regionally and globally?
innovation, and in respect of the latest Of course, the second half of 2008 and the
European standards on energy efficiency, whole of 2009 presented us all with a chal-
the Ariston worldwide product offering has lenging scenario. From this altered econom-
been updated. Commercialisation of the ic perspective, new opportunities emerged,
updated range in the Middle East began in and if markets such as Dubai showed a slow-
January 2010. down, others such as Abu Dhabi, Qatar and
Technical specifications such as the KSA kept on at high levels, guaranteeing
heating element power rate, voltage, tank an overall good performance for the area.
working pressure and external dimensions have not been changed at all. However, building on Emerging markets are still showing strong
the strong foundation of the renowned quality of Ariston products, certain improvements have growth. Globally this has been the occasion
been introduced to all models in the range. to revise some procedures in order to con-
These include Nanomix technology, which guarantees improved performance due to new solidate the growth of previous years and
internal components, a new unbreakable external thermometer, new finishing technology for to be even more competitive as soon as the
the external casing, new Italian-designed aesthetics and more resistant carton boxes. markets again start pulling in the sales.
The new PRO ECO model, thanks to electronic control, presents a wide range of features,
including the BEST control system, the ECO function for energy-saving, a front LED control What is your outlook for the year ahead?
panel with a ‘smart’ thermometer, an ABS safety package that includes active electric safety, In our sector we probably still have to face
an anti-overheating system, an anti-dry heating function, an auto diagnosis function and an the impact of the stopping of many real-
anti-bacterial function. Titanium Plus glass-lined is offered on the PRO ECO model. estate projects in the region. Few new con-
The existing Ti Tronic and Ti Tronic BEST ranges will be replaced by the new PRO ECO range. struction projects have commenced in the
The existing SG R range will be replaced by the new PRO R range, while the existing SGHP last 18 months, and this will mean little de-
range will be replaced by the new BLU R range. mand for water-heating appliances during
The Ariston Thermo Group, a global leader in heating and hot-water products, has a leading 2010 and 2011. However, as stated, this will
position in three key sectors: water heating, central heating and air-con, and components. Its be compensated for by new markets that we
range includes wall-hung and floor-standing boilers, water heaters, solar systems, heat pumps are exploring, along with new opportunities
and air-con. arising from the new product lines that we
are launching.

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 17

LEGAL
All about the
SET-OFF
Dennis Brand from Traprain Consultants sets out what is
involved in a ‘set-off’.
A
sk almost anyone what ‘set-
off‘ (sometimes called ‘contra-
charging’) means, and they
will quickly provide an answer
to the effect that set-off is
where the amount of a claim
is deducted from another lia-
bility, following which only
the net sum is paid. Ask the supplementary
question as to whether there is more than one
type of set-off, and not so many answers will
be forthcoming, and certainly not with such
speed; however, more of that later.
In construction and engineering contracts,
where set-off is to be applied within the same
contract, it is usually allowable if the claim
and liability are both liquidated sums – that
is, defined amounts. Such contracts usually
provide for set-off in any event, although may
require notice to be served. Some contracts,
particularly those being industry-standard
forms, will include provision for set-off and
describe the provision as such, whereas
others will include provisions which clearly
amount to set-off, but without mentioning
the term.
Where set-off is to be applied as between
different contracts, this generally can only
be done if the contracts contain clear provi-
sion for it. However, this is not so unusual
where the same parties have entered into
more than one contract between them, as in
the case of supply contracts. What is more
unusual, however, is where set-off is allow-
able between different parties to different
contracts – for example, where at least one
of the parties, and possibly both, to a con-
tract are corporate entities and part of larger
groups.
Provision can be made in the contract that,
where there is a claim from another mem-
ber of the same group in respect of another
contract, one party may set-off against the
other the amount due (or claimed) by that
other member of the same group. This may
be considered somewhat unfair, as the party
18 MEP Middle East | April 2010
who is having the set-off applied against it
has no real opportunity to challenge the set-
off until it has been applied. However, set-off
in such circumstances can only occur if such
provision is expressed in the clearest terms.
Set-off, however, is important where it
may be difficult to pursue the other party by
legal action, or if they are at risk of becom-
ing insolvent. Let us return to the subject of
types of set-off. There are four basic types:
legal set-off, equitable set-off, banker’s set-
off and insolvency set-off.
Legal set-off can only be used as a de-
fence to court proceedings, and the claims
in respect of which set-off is to be applied
must be defined or liquidated sums, which
can be proved. It is important that the claims
be both due and owing at the time when the
claim is made. It is important also that the
claims or debts be between the same parties
and that they are held in the same capacity.
Unlike the examples discussed above in
respect of construction and engineering
contracts, legal set-off claims do not have
to result from the same or even closely re-
lated transactions. It is important, however,
to keep in mind that contra-claims which are
not defined or liquidated sums but estimates
when the set-off is proposed can only be con-
firmed following a court judgment or arbi-
tration award, and cannot of themselves be
accepted as valid claims for set-off.
Equitable set-off is different from legal set-
off in that it does not need court proceedings
to make it an available option for the debtor;
moreover, contra-claims must be as a result
of related, if not the same, transactions. Un-
like legal set-off, claims can be for undefined
or unliquidated sums – for example, damag-
es. The sums concerned must, at the time of
the set-off being applied, be due and owing.
If for an undefined or unliquidated sum, the
amount must be a reasonable assessment
and made in good faith.
Banker’s set-off is where the customer of
a bank has more than one current account or
loan account with the same bank, not neces-
sarily the same branch, and one of the ac-
counts is behind in terms of repayment of the
debt. The bank may in such circumstances
transfer funds from the customer’s account
which is in credit to pay the account which
is in debt. Although banker’s set-off does not
require either a judgment of a court or arbi-
tration award before it can be applied, many
banks will inform customers by including
such set-off provision in the literature which
customers are required to sign when apply-
ing to open a bank account.
Insolvency set-off is available in certain
jurisdictions where there is an established
insolvency law and procedure, as in the UK.
Insolvency set-off cannot be varied by terms
written into a contract. There are very lim-
ited circumstances where set-off is permis-
sible in a bankruptcy or liquidation, because
set-off in such circumstances goes against
the rule in insolvency that unsecured credi-
tors must be treated equally in respect of
their claims.
Insolvency set-off aside, it is acceptable to
include a clause within a contract which lim-
its or even excludes the right to set-off be-
tween the parties. If drafted properly, such
clauses are enforceable and are not consid-
ered as being contrary to public policy. How-
ever, that being said, such clauses must be
drafted properly if they are to be enforced.
Note, however, that the right to apply set-
off is variable in different countries, and it
is better to establish such a right in the con-
tract itself. Again, remember that each com-
pany is a separate ‘person’, and set-off rights
generally only run within a particular con-
tract and between the same parties. If you
want something more extensive, it needs to
be stated clearly (and may be difficult to en-
force in practice).
Dennis.Brand@traprain.com
www.constructionweekonline.com
GENSETS

Genset suppliers
you should know
Gensets are used to supply electrical power in places where utility power is
unavailable, or where power is needed only temporarily.

ACTION AGGREKO ATLAS COPCO

Action’s fleet of gensets vary according to the
size of the project, and the power required.
The biggest demand from the company at the
moment is units between 500 kVA and 1 250
kVA. Some of these run separately, while oth-
ers are connected to each other, thereby creat-
ing a small power station. At present the bulk
of Action’s business is derived from Dubai,
but the company is also serving Abu Dhabi
from its office and yard in Mafraq.
Aggreko can supply generators from 15
kVA to 2 000 kVA in single units, as well as
multi-megawatt packages using 1 250 kVA
units linked together. Smaller sets are used
to power Portacabins, piling machines and
hand tools, while construction cranes are usu-
ally powered by 250 kVA or 320 kVA genera-
tors. Large-scale construction projects often
require multi-megawatt power packages to
power labour camps.
Altas Copco provides portable and stationary
generators. The company has reported in-
creased activity in the larger 500 kVA to 1 000
kVA category due to power shortfalls in some
urban areas, but it mainly supplies contractors
who require units in the 20 kVA to 275 kVA
range. The company believes there is a trend
towards buying as opposed to renting, as only
25% to 30% of generators sold go to rental com-
panies.

20 MEP Middle East | April 2010 www.constructionweekonline.com


CUMMINS
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a
corporation of complementary business units
that design, manufacture, distribute and serv-
ice engines and related technologies, includ-
ing fuel systems, controls, air-handling, filtra-
tion, emission solutions and electrical power
generation systems.
Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana in
the US, Cummins serves customers in more
than 160 countries through its global network
of 550 company-owned and independent dis-
tributor facilities, and more than 5 000 dealer
locations. Cummins reported net income of
US$755 million on sales of US$14.34 billion
in 2008.
Cummins Middle East FZE, the first whol-
ly-owned dependant distribution entity of
Cummins Inc. in the region, was established
in early 2000 in order to strengthen its distri-
bution network’s reach and better support
the increasing engine population in the area.
It is headquartered in the Jebel Ali Free
Zone in Dubai, and is responsible for the
UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar, Jordan, Oman,
Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq.
For more information, visit www.uae.cum-
mins.com, e-mail cummins.middleeast@cum-
mins.com, or contact +971 4 8830461.
CAT GENSET FOR CHP APPLICATIONS
Caterpillar has announced the availability of
the G3512E advanced natural-gas-fuelled
genset, designed for maximum efficiency in
extended-duty distributed generation and
combined heat and power (CHP) applications.
Driven by a Cat electronically-controlled,
lean-burn gaseous-fueled reciprocating
engine, the G3512E genset has been
designed to offer a high power density and
excellent fuel efficiency, while maintaining
tight NOx control. It provides flexibility
to operate on pipeline natural gas with a
wide range of methane numbers without
sacrificing efficiency and performance, and
delivers up to 41.7% ISO electrical efficiency
without water pumps.
The Cat G3512E genset operates at 50
Hz/1500 rpm with the Miller combustion
cycle, is rated at 1 000 ekW, and has a
standard NOx emissions rating of 500 mg/
NM3 at a separate circuit aftercooler (SCAC)
inlet water temperature of 54˚C. It is built
on a heavy-duty, diesel-based platform and
uses an advanced camshaft and turbocharger
design to achieve high mechanical efficiency.
www.constructionweekonline.com
FG WILSON
FG Wilson designs and manufactures diesel
and gas gensets. Its most popular products
for construction sites range from 60 kVA to
500 kVA. It also gensets from 10 kVA to 2 200
kVA so as to be able to cater for customer de-
mand. All these can be supplied as sound-at-
tenuated and weatherproof canopied gensets.
FG Wilson offers technical support from pre-
sales and aftersales support from installation
to commissioning. Its Middle East business
includes Iraq and Afghanistan.
HIMOINSA
Founded in 1982, Himoinsa is a manufacturer
of gensets based in Spain. It has suppliers
across the world, including the Middle East,
which distributes its products and supplies
spare parts. The products found most popular
on construction sites are Himoinsa’s 100 kVA
to 500 kVA units.
INGERSOLL RAND
Ingersoll Rand supplies 20 kVA to 600 kVA
diesel gensets. Its business comes from al-
most all sectors that require electrical power.
Business fluctuates from one sector to an-
other depending on the general economy. For
example, the construction industry has tradi-
The Cat G3512E genset
It additionally features an open combustion
chamber design, which allows for a low-
pressure fuel system of 10 to 35 kPa.
A standard feature is a digital microprocessor
gas engine control module that automatically
and precisely regulates ignition, engine
governing and air/fuel ratio for optimum fuel
GENSETS
tionally lead growth in the GCC. However, the
slowdown due to the global economic crisis
has lead to a resurgence in renting as the pre-
ferred method of acquiring gensets for the
construction sector.
KIRLOSKAR
Kirloskar’s 250 kVA genset is widely used
at construction sites to power Portacabins,
labour camps and various other equipment
and accessories required on-site. Over 50 000
Kirloskar green gensets are manufactured
annually, and all are ISO 9001/9002 accred-
ited. Kirloskar Middle East FZE is located in
Ajman, from where it supports the entire re-
gion. Kirloskar has a substantial share and a
presence in the engine and diesel genset seg-
ment in the GCC.
MANLIFT GROUP
Manlift Group distributes a large fleet of
gensets built specifically for harsh conditions
and extreme temperatures. These feature
large internal fuel tanks for 24 hour opera-
tion. They range from 30 kVA to 1 250 kVA.
The company supplies the UAE and Qatar,
and has worked on the Dubai Metro, Palm
Jumeirah, Dubai Festival City, Motor City, Al
Raha Beach and Yas Island.
econom
economy and stringent NOx
con
control. Its patent-pending
ai
air/fuel ratio control
m
monitors charge air
density and maintains
NOx within tight
tolerances under a
variety of ambient and
load conditions.
It features an individual-
cylinde detonation sensing
cylinder
and tim
timing control, with a
precham
prechamber-type spark plug
design for
f extended service life
without adjustment. Additional
functionality includes an emergency
stop fuel-purge cycle and programmable
protective relaying functions.
The genset is easily tailored to specific
applications. Additional features include
exhaust options, alarm and remote
annunciator modules and battery chargers.
It is also available with an optional 250 mg/
NM3 NOx emissions setting and 54˚C SCAC
temperature rating.
April 2010 | MEP Middle East 21
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 CABLES

Wired for growth

The Middle East as a developing region is boosting global growth in electricity
consumption, which is good news for cable makers. This was the message from Dow
Wire & Cable global marketing director Jon Penrice at Middle East Electricity 2010.
enrice said that, although
the global recession has re-
sulted in a dip in electricity
consumption, particularly
in the West, “We foresee
consistent growth in the de-
veloping economies of China,
India, Latin America, Africa and the
Middle East. These are all markets
that will grow at plus 5% on average.
So that is going to put tremendous pressure
on infrastructure. The infrastructure is not
there to be able to accommodate that kind
of electricity growth today. That 5% consist-
ent growth is going to require 5%, 10%, 15%
growth in infrastructure.”
Dow Wire & Cable has entered into a
collaborative partnership with local cable
manufacturer Ducab. “Our philosophy is
very much that you cannot have a quality
cable without quality compounds. The trick
in terms of delivering long-term reliability is
two companies working very closely togeth-
er. We are fortunate to have a partner like
Ducab, with whom we have been working
for 12 years now. The development of that
partnership and technical collaboration has
been truly exceptional. That is what really
lies at the heart of quality.”
Dow Wire & Cable is a business unit of
Dow Chemical Company that focuses ex-
clusively on the wire and cable industries.
“We do not make wires and cables, but the
components that are critical to those cables.
We engage across the entire value chain, as
we believe in understanding the entire needs
all the way through from the industrial end
user, and trying to bring that back into our
R&D. As a group we spend US$1.5 billion on
R&D, so we have a tremendous capability in
this regard.”
Penrice pointed to four mega trends that
Dow Wire & Cable has identified that will
drive future opportunities across all its busi-
Dow Wire & Cable, a business unit of Dow Chemical Company, manufactures critical ness interests, which run the gamut from
components for wires and cables heavy and medium voltage to consumer
electronics, automotive and building and

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 23

CABLES
construction. These are health and nutrition,
energy, transportation and infrastructure
and consumerism.
ASPIRATIONS
“Some 6.5 billion people have the same as-
pirations in terms of the cars they drive and
the type of air-con they want for their homes,
which we believe will drive electricity con-
sumption in a significant and sustained way.
There is a huge need for infrastructure de-
velopment, as very much highlighted in
the Middle East. Infrastructure needs will
be a long-term mega trend that will drive
growth,” said Penrice.
“The issue is not just about growth in
emerging markets. In developed markets,
the power infrastructure -- especially in the
US and many parts of Europe -- is old and
needs renewal. The power infrastructure of
24 MEP Middle East | April 2010
about 12 years from starting a project to
getting approval. It really has become such
US$ a political process it is almost impossible to
get new overhead lines.
1.5BN “So increasingly as the technology contin-
ues to develop, and high-voltage technology
in particular, the alternative of transmission
The Dow group’s R&D budget underground has grown from what has
been a relative niche in the industry to very
much a mainstream, and one we believe will
become even more competitive and main-
New York, for example, is 100 years old and stream as a means of transmitting electric-
is crumbling. So there are investment oppor- ity,” said Penrice.
tunities not just in developing markets, but Growth in the global cable industry is
in mature markets as well. predicated on finding solutions for transmis-
“Then there are the new challenges sion efficiency and longevity. “How do you
posed by climate change and renewable en- get more out of your existing infrastructure?
ergy. I think energy efficiency has always How do you put the economic case for reli-
been something this industry has not re- ability and longevity? In terms of installation,
ally focused on, in that the 9% average loss it costs roughly three times more to bury a
between the generation and an consumption cable than it does to make it. So if we are go-
of electricity has always be been one of those ing to make underground cables more cost-
things that nobody talks ab about. As soon as effective, then the cost of installation needs
you start putting a price on that 9% in terms to come down.”
of how much you are goin going to have to pay On the issue of environmental awareness,
for carbon emissions, that 9% becomes real Penrice said that “although green is a very
money, at which point there
the is going to be broad subject, it refers to sustainability of
a tremendous focus on reducing
re it. There materials and energy efficiency in particular.
is not one magic solution,
solution but we believe Again this is something that this industry
that energy efficiency iis going to be a has not really focused on. There are many
major driver. other industries that have green as almost
Another trend is the g global investment their number one driver. But we see it as
in renewable energy. “For the cable indus- coming in the cable and power industry as
try, solar power is an even bigger opportu- political pressure, and climate change in par-
re
nity. The average yield of renewable energy ticular, is brought to bear.
is 20% due to weather variab
variables, but you still
infrast
need the same cable infrastructure. Renew- RELIABILITY
able energy also tends to ffocus on remote “What matters to everyone is having a sys-
locations, which meameans concomitant tem in the end that is the most reliable and
t
growth in the transmission and cost-effective. What often happens with a ca-
distribution sectors,” said ble buyer is they want the cheapest cable …
Penrice. so is the cheapest cable the lowest cost ca-
ble? No. The cost of a cable is around US$3/
URBANISATION
URBAN
Rapid urbanisation is
le
also leading to growth
und
in underground cable For the cable industry,
instal
installations. “The
days of running ca-
solar power is a big
bles in overhead
line
lines is getting
opportunity. Renewable
more
mo and more
dif cult. As big
diffi
energy focuses on remote
cit
cities
gr
ground
grow, under-
installa-
locations, which means
ti
tions are growing growth in transmission and
fa
faster. I think in
th US now for
the distribution. “
a new overhead
line you need Jon Penrice
www.constructionweekonline.com
 CABLES

There is a huge need for

infrastructure development,
as very much highlighted
in the Middle East.
Infrastructure needs will be
a long-term mega trend that
will drive growth. “
Jon Penrice

foot. However, the major cost is not the cable
itself, but in the operation. The initial cable
costs 14%, what we call the lifetime cost of
the cable, while the installation is nearly
three times that at 40%. This is where the
longevity and reliability issues come in, to-
gether with asset management. If you end
up in an asset-replacement strategy, you will
end up facing significant replacement costs,”
said Penrice.
An invisible element of the cost calculation
that is often ignored is the issue of energy
DUCAB CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
Ducab, a leading manufacturer of high-quality
power cables in the Middle East, showcased
its latest technologies in cable manufacturing
at this year’s Middle East Electricity Exhibition
at the Dubai International Convention and
Exhibition Centre. The company displayed
products from its Special Cables Unit,
launched a new range of Ducab Connect
loss. “The average is 9%, which is a global
figure, but it can be much higher if you have
commercial losses. Best practice globally is
4% to 5%. In terms of a cable with a 40-year
lifespan, that energy loss accounts for about
a third of the cost. That is just the cost of
the electricity losses; it does not include the
carbon costs that may accrue.
“So our philosophy is really to tackle the
big picture: the cost of installation, reliabil-
ity and longevity, and see how we can bring
solutions to bear to reduce that cost. Dow
products, and hosted a series of joint seminars
with Dow Wire & Cable and FM Sudafix.
“This year Ducab is celebrating 30 years
of powering the region as a manufacturing
leader,” said MD Andrew Shaw. Ducab has
launched a new office in Qatar and is also
planning a number of expansions outside of
the UAE market.
Inside is really a strategy aimed to try and
raise awareness of the importance of quality
in the industry. The lowest-cost, most relia-
ble cable system is built on high-quality man-
ufacture of compounds and semi-conductive
all the way through to the cable itself.
“Our approach with Dow Inside is to go to
the marketplace itself and point out the im-
portance of these quality standards. Quality
standards around the world are very varied:
some are demanding, while some are not.
Standards tend to be negotiated in commit-
tees, which will go for the lowest common
denominator, and so standards get diluted.
In the end they become minimum standards,
which I think is normal.
“But there are better alternatives. We
see the opportunity for high-performance
cables. Rather than change the standards,
which can be a very long process, it is far
better to have high-quality cables from the
start and say these are the benefits that can
be achieved. But this can only work if we
have a combined collaborative approach in
the industry,” said Penrice.

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 25

MARKET ANALYSIS

The big MEP rebound

Senior research analyst Vivek Vijayakumar talks about Frost & Sullivan’s latest
research report on the MEP sector in the GCC.

How has the economic crisis impacted on

the MEP sector?
The growth rate of
MEP services are an integral part of build-
ing activities, and the most demanded serv-
MEP services in the GCC
ices within the construction sector, as it is
required to keep building functions fully op-
over the last three years was
erational. So any impact on economic growth
will directly impact the growth of the con-
around 19% ... it tumbled to
struction sector – which, in turn, will impact almost 5.5% between 2008
the growth of MEP services.
The growth rate of MEP services in the and 2009.“
GCC over the last three years was around 19%,
a period when there was a boom in the con- Vivek Vijayakumar
struction sector and oil prices were soaring.
However, the growth rate showed a slight dip
in 2008, and tumbled to almost 5.5% between one or two of the three types of services by
2008 and 2009 due to the sluggish economic competing directly with other contractors
and financial outlook, thereby reflecting the or by sub-contracting with top companies,
reduction in construction activity. thereby providing more opportunities for the
We expect the market to grow at a com- growth of local players.
pound annual growth rate of 11% during the We have noticed that many civil contractor
next five years, showing a gradual incline companies/real estate developers are try-
in growth during the end of 2010 or at the ing to enter the MEP services market with
beginning of 2011 till 2013 owing to higher their in-house technical capabilities in order
investments in real estate and infrastructure
projects, mainly because of the GCC’s signifi-
cant market characteristics and resilience. MEP Services Revenue in GCC
You state the sector was valued at US$13.53
billion in 2008. What are the criteria for
this figure?
The criteria are based on the comments and
25000
estimates from major market participants on
the overall market size across GCC coun-
tries; their perceptions and expectations on 20000
Revenue (in USD million)

the current and future market have also been

taken into consideration. Finally we summed
up their revenues using a bottom-up approach 15000
to estimate the market. We also considered
the overall population of small, medium and
large companies in each of the six GCC coun- 10000 22446.4
tries and the percent share they account for
based on the revenue bracket they fall into
through considerable sample-size coverage.
13539.9
5000
You talk about a ‘fragmented and highly
competitive market’?
The market is fragmented and highly compet- 0
itive mainly because of the presence of many
2008 2010
small and medium scale companies at the lo- Year
cal level, which have capabilities to do either

26 MEP Middle East | April 2010 www.constructionweekonline.com


to maintain their profit levels. Many inter-
national companies are entering/expand-
ing into the market either through tie-ups
(with existing and established civil or MEP
contractors) or solely into potential markets
such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Apart from this there is not much consolida-
tion happening in the GCC market in terms
of MEP services.
MEP service providers are trying to get
into the FM services business as a value-
added resource (aftersales services) mainly
to streamline their profit levels and to main-
tain their sustainability levels in order to of-
fer a comprehensive, one-stop service solu-
tion and to balance the risk involved in both
businesses.
Have the entry barriers into the MEP sector
changed significantly as a result?
Due to the reduction in construction activ-
ity, increase in construction material and
labour costs, players are likely to assume
higher risks and finally end up with lesser
profits, thereby resulting in limited or lesser
entry into this market currently, which may
likely change in the future once MEP costs
go down. These are some of the barriers that
are likely to impinge the entry of global, re-
gional and local players.
The sector ‘is likely to take off in 2011’?
Yes, the reason is an increase in investment
from both the public and private sectors in
real estate and infrastructure, which is ex-
pected to boost the market further during
the end of 2010 or at the beginning of 2011.
The factors that could impinge on this take-
off are:
MAJOR FINDINGS
• The most demanded services within the
construction sector are MEP;
• The market was valued at US$13.53
billion in 2008. This is estimated to reach
US$22.44 billion in 2013, at a compound
annual growth rate of 10.6%;
• The fragmented and highly competitive
market is likely to take off in 2011;
• Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are
expected to shore up the market for MEP
services till 2013;
• Many civil contractor companies/real
estate developers are trying to enter the
MEP services market; and
• MEP service providers are trying to get
into the FM services business as a value-
added resource.
www.constructionweekonline.com
MARKET ANALYSIS
MEP Services Market Revenue in GCC by Countries
2.9%
41.8%
3.8%
5.2%
12.3%
34.1%
• Delay in the commencement of construc-
tion projects due to lack of availability of
funds;
• Lack of investor confidence;
• Decrease in oil prices;
• Volatility in exchange rates; and
• Higher inflation costs and construction
commodity prices etc.
Has the downturn brought to light any
structural problems or deficiencies within
the MEP sector?
The following structural problems or defi-
ciencies are prevalent within the MEP sec-
tor:
• Higher attrition rates is a major problem
during the downturn, as emerging econo-
mies are drawing labourers away from the
region, posing a threat to manpower;
MEP service provi-
ders are trying to get into
the FM business to main-
tain sustainability and
to balance risk.“
Vivek Vijayakumar
UAE
KSA
Qatar
Kuwait
Oman
Bahrain
• Reluctance of existing players to take on
large-scale projects that require a high level
of technical expertise and innovation and in-
volve a high risk due to the increase in con-
struction commodity/material prices and
labour costs;
• Delay in payment to the contractors due
to insufficient fund reserves, which result in
stoppage/postponement of projects;
• Volatility in exchange rates and material
prices, which tends to result in the resched-
uling of projects/tenders;
• Higher inflation costs are affecting project
development directly by a delay in com-
mencement or sometimes even the stalling
of projects. In light of this, contractors are
instituting a two-stage tender process, which
will allow them to keep a project moving
without stalling, thereby removing risks as
well as enabling efficient management of
pricing and price inflation.
You state that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu
Dhabi are expected ‘to shore up the market
for MEP services’?
Yes, the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi
economies are relatively insulated from the
financial downturn due to their surplus cash
reserves and the latest stimulus packages
announced by their governments, providing
more opportunity for MEP services going
forward. According to Proleads, there are
around 2 837 real estate projects estimated
April 2010 | MEP Middle East 27
MARKET ANALYSIS

to be worth in excess of US$2.4 trillion un-

der construction, with the bulk of the devel-
opment being carried out in Saudi Arabia
MEP Service Market Revenue in GCC by Services in
and the UAE.
Moreover, the Saudi Arabia and Qatar
economies were considered to be profitable
for MEP services in the range of 9.5% to 10%
due to their uninterrupted construction ac-
tivities, backed by government spending, es-
pecially in the infrastructure sector, whereas
the UAE is considered to be even more prof-
itable than its neighboring counterparts, in 19.2%
the range of 10% to 11%, and it will remain the
same due to its steady focus on huge iconic 37.6%
and sophisticated projects.

Has there been much of a ‘brain drain’ due

to the downturn?
Yes, the downturn in GCC nations has cre-
ated job insecurity, thus causing higher at-
trition rates. These are some of the reasons 43.2%
for drawing labourers away from the region
as the emerging economics are providing Mechanical
opportunities in terms of job securities and
higher salaries. The impact is greater on the Electrical
informal sector due to reduced profit mar-
Plumbing
gins as a result of players being unable to
sustain their competitiveness amidst higher
inflation, construction material and labour

MEP GETS A LEG UP WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY,

A surge in population, economic expansion
and subsequently higher investments in
real estate and infrastructure projects have
generated considerable oil revenues and
consequentl, cash reserves, aiding the
exponential growth of the GCC construction
sector. This development of the construction
industry bodes well for the MEP services
market, since it is considered an integral
service within the construction industry.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, entitled
‘Strategic Analysis of the Mechanical,
Electrical and Plumbing Services Market in
the Middle East’, finds that the market earned
revenues of US$13.53 billion in 2008, and
estimates this to reach US$22.44 billion in
2013, at a compound annual growth rate of
10.6%.
The fragmented and highly competitive
market is likely to take off in 2011, once the
effects of the recent economic slowdown and
reduced construction activities wear off and
the economy rebounds. Nevertheless, Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are expected
to shore up the market for MEP services
till 2013, as their economies are relatively
insulated from the financial downturn,
thanks to their surplus cash reserves and the
latest stimulus package announced by the
government.
“Moreover, improved awareness about energy
and environmental sustainability, as well as
public health and safety concerns, are expected
to go a long way in boosting the market for
MEP services in the next five years,” says Frost
& Sullivan research analyst Vivek Vijayakumar.
“Already the most in-demand service of the
construction industry, MEP’s popularity will
soar further with the strengthening of the
GCC’s commercial, residential, hospitality,
infrastructure, and educational sectors.”
Meanwhile, the GCC has mandated all types
of buildings to install technologies and services
that will make them environment-friendly.
Owing to such constant demand, contractors
are continuously upgrading their services by
investing in in-house pre-fabrication, design,
and service capabilities to diminish the strong
bargaining power of the end users.
Such measures will involve dealing with the
escalating cost of construction, construction
commodity prices, and labour cost. The prices
are not likely to decrease due to the steady
global demand and rising accommodation costs
of labour, which could severely constrict
contractors’ profi t margins.
The market could also be adversely affected
by the labour drain, as emerging economies
are drawing labourers away from the region.
In such a scenario, it has become vital for
a company to recruit and send employees
to training institutions to hone their skills,
initiate training in-house or provide on-the-
job training.
However, contractors can skirt the
issue of manpower through technological
developments, which will limit on-site
prefabrication and thereby lower time
and manpower needs on-site and boost
productivity hours. Additionally, the
involvement of design engineers in the early
stages of construction and correct selection
of materials will ensure proper building
integration and sustainability by reducing its
operating costs.
“To gain a competitive edge, it is critical
for MEP contractors to offer scalable and
comprehensive contracting service solutions
as a one-stop shop, and back it up with
effective qualified manpower for project
design, installation and service support,”

28 MEP Middle East | April 2010 www.constructionweekonline.com


costs, weaker financial background and lack
of regional presence, track record and tech-
nical expertise. Only the top MEP service
providers are currently providing training
for their employees, either in-house or on-
site. Some are sending them to institutions
to become qualified, and then reabsorbing
these employees.
What is the future outlook for smaller MEP
companies?
The smaller MEP companies with strong
technical capabilities and a local presence
are trying to establish themselves through
a tie-up (either JV or acquisition) with top
companies (either MEP service providers or
with developers with an in-house MEP divi-
sion) having a presence in all six GCC coun-
tries, or at least with companies having a
presence in the top three potential countries,
so as to expand themselves regionally.
These smaller MEP companies will nor-
mally end up doing a limited number of
projects either through sub-contracting or
self-performed. There is a chance that these
companies will sometimes end up not do-
ing any projects in a year; some might close
Electric
Hot water & steam systems
Energy & space saving
SHERATON HOTEL, HONG KONG
_ 782 rooms, ballrooms & meeting spaces,
restaurants & lounges, cafes & bars
_ Electric hot water system 800 kW, 4x 2500 litres
_ Heat pumps, 4x 350 kW
_Electric steam boilers, 2x 1800 kg/h, 10bar
ECOTHERM Middle East
P.O. Box 299350
Dubai - U.A.E
www.constructionweekonline.com
MARKET ANALYSIS
down after a year. These companies gener-
ally have a profit margin in the range of 5%
to 7%, depending on the economic conditions
of the country and the type of projects they
get involved in.
You state that ‘contractors are continu-
ously upgrading their services’. This im-
plies a new focus on quality, customer
service and value addition?
Yes, in order to cope with the growing de-
velopment of next generation/green build-
ings, huge iconic or sophisticated projects,
island projects and multi-tenant/mixed-use
developments, MEP contractors are upgrad-
ing their services continuously by invest-
ing in in-house pre-fabrication, design and
service capabilities. The increasing focus
on next-generation developments is mainly
due to the need to be cost-competitive due
to energy-efficiency and environmental sus-
tainability factors, and also to enhance the
market dynamics.
What is the forecast in terms of material
and labour costs?
Due to the rise in construction commodity
Turnkey Hot Water & Steam Systems
Boiler Steam
Skid mounted units Specification support
Hygienic hot water Compact design
BURJ TOWER, DUBAI GRAND HYATT HOTEL, DOHA
_ Armani Hotel, residences, offices _ 249 rooms & 93 villas, 39000 litres/hour
71000 litres/hour hygienic hot water at 60 °C hygienic hot water at 60 °C
_ Gas condensing boilers & skid mounted _ Steam boilers, 3x 4000 kg/h, 11 bar
heat exchanger packages, 11x 300 kW _ Stainless steel high capacity water heaters,
6x 450 kW, 6600 litres/hour at 60 °C
Tel. +97144226944
Fax. +97144226943
info@ecotherm.com
prices and labour costs, we expect the direct
material cost to go higher in future. Also, the
cost of direct labour will increase in the fu-
ture due to rising staff accommodation costs.
Finally, net profit margins are likely to de-
cline further, placing added pressure on con-
tractors going forward. All material prices
related to construction are an important end
consideration in terms of profit margins.
Technologies such as BIM are becoming
more important?
BIM software currently does not play a ma-
jor role in the sustainability of MEP serv-
ices in the construction sector in the GCC,
as the construction industry still has a long
way to reach such a high level of technical
proficiency. It is dismaying to note that eve-
rything concerning MEP design has been
done manually in 2D to date, especially in a
region like the UAE, where there are mas-
sive and incredible projects taking place.
BIM software will allow MEP engineers to
slash overall project costs, speed up the de-
sign process and improve build quality by
reducing mistakes. The usage of BIM is not
under the scope of the study.
Solar
Leading-edge construction
High-quality stainless steel
SHORELINE APARTMENTS, DUBAI
_ 6 buildings, each with 156 apartments,
10000 litres/hour hygienic hot water at 60 °C
_ 200 m² solar panel area, solar gain 80 %
_ Gas condensing boilers for back-up heating 2x 80 kW
_ Stainless steel calorifiers, 3x 4000 litres
www.ecotherm.com
April 2010 | MEP Middle East 29
PIPES
In the pipeline
From water to wastewater and district cooling, piping plays a major role. We look at
some of the major players in this vital infrastructure sector.
ABU DHABI PIPE FACTORY
The Abu Dhabi Pipe Factory LLC (ADPF) was
established in 1981 in technical collaboration
with Cord International of France. It is a leading
manufacturer of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)
pipes and fittings in the Gulf. It uses dual heli-
cal filament winding for core pipes from 25 mm
to 2 000 mm, and continuous filament winding
for jacket pipes from 250 mm to 3 200 mm.
The factory has a total area of 150 000 m², of
which the production area is 40 000 m² (Abu
Dhabi and Dubai combined). The production
capacity is 50 000 tons of pipes and fittings a
year. It has a combined total of nine production
lines for dual helical winding and four for con-
tinuous winding.
ADPF pre-insulated GRP pipes are used
widely in piping networks for district cooling
systems. A pre-insulated GRP pipe consists
of a core pipe, also called a carrier pipe, and a
jacket pipe, also called a casing pipe, with poly-
urethane foam in the annular space between
the pipes. Insulation provides the primary
thermal resistance against heat gain in chilled
water systems. Normally two pipes are laid in
parallel in the same trench to serve as a sepa-
rate supply and return.
30 MEP Middle East | April 2010
BOROUGE
Borouge is a leading provider of innovative
plastics solutions. Established in 1998 as a joint
venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company (ADNOC) and Borealis, a leading
European plastics provider, Borouge employs
Borstar technology for end-use plastics appli-
cations throughout the Middle East, the Asia-
Pacific and Africa.
Its petchem complex is located at Ruwais in
Abu Dhabi, with a multi-billion dollar expan-
sion due to commence production this year.
This will effectively triple existing production
capacity to two million tons a year, including
– for the first time – polypropylene. Borouge
700
Failures a day in the US in ageing
water-distribution systems
provides a range of differentiated products for
high-value infrastructure applications, includ-
ing water, gas and industrial pipe systems and
power and communications cables.
CORYS-HEPWORTH PME LLC
Hepworth PME LLC is the Middle East’s pre-
mier manufacturer and supplier of a range of
high-quality plastic pipes, fittings and accesso-
ries used for the distribution and transmission
of water, wastewater and gas. Corys is the hold-
ing company. Distributed in Dubai for over 35
years, all products are represented by a chain
of offices throughout the area. Hepworth prod-
ucts conform to the highest of international
standards used in the region. Its substantial
stockholding ensures it is able to consistently
satisfy the requirements of the industry.
Hepworth PME offers a range of PVC-U
pressure pipes and non-pressure pipes and fit-
tings, PVC and ABS fittings and PP, PP-R, ABS
and PE pipes in imperial and metric sizes. Its
engineered fittings have been installed on sew-
erage, water supply, irrigation, fire mains, soil
and waste contracts throughout the Middle
East. Grease traps, end caps, land drain slot-
ted pipes, long radius bends for street lighting
www.constructionweekonline.com

bends, road gulleys, catch basins and sealed
dry manholes are just some of the fabricated
products from Hepworth PME.
In March 2009, Hepworth PME entered into
a joint venture with George Fischer, a global
corporation across 130 companies worldwide
with 50 production sites (80 companies are
based in Europe, 35 in Asia and the Middle
East, 12 in America and two in Australia.) The
company’s core competency is piping systems,
plastic and metal fittings, valves and shut-offs
for water, gas and other liquids.
Another recent joint venture is with MDS
Meyer GmbH, a German specialist in the pro-
duction of rubber seals and gaskets. The new
company formed under this agreement, Corys
MDS LLC, will produce a range of MDS brand-
ed rubber gaskets in Dubai. This latest step in
the group’s growth will help reduce the high
costs of importation and the attendant delays in
transportation. It will also help expand its cus-
tomer base worldwide.
Corys has manufacturing units in Rashidiya
in Dubai, Dubai Investment Park and Qatar, as
well as fabrication workshops in Sharjah and
Abu Dhabi. A new unit is due to open in 2010
that will double the production capacity to ac-
commodate expansion within the UAE and
other export markets. Corys employs over 800
staff across all its sites, and offers its customers
a range of more than 25 000 products. A fleet of
over 50 vehicles permits site delivery within an
efficient timeframe.
Production is achieved with the use of Eu-
ropean equipment of the highest quality from
suppliers such as KraussMeffai, Battenfeld,
Weber and Engel, and raw material from sup-
pliers such as Borouge and Sabic. Hepworth
PME is an industry leader in installing and in-
tegrating the Oracle ERP (Enterprise Resource
Planning) system. This automated system al-
lows supply chain excellence, real-time man-
agement and communication, and gives Corys
a major administrative advantage.
Recently recertified for ISO 9000, Hepworth
PME has worked on iconic projects such as
The Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab
and Atlantis, and is one of only three approved
suppliers to Dubai Municipality. It is aiming for
ISO 14000 in environment management.
DUBAI PIPE FACTORY
Established in 2001, the Dubai Pipe Factory
Company LLC (DPF) is located on a 150 000
m² facility in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area, of
which 5 000 m² comprise manufacturing and
testing facilities, in addition to storage areas
for glass and resin and other consumables. It
employs the continuous filament winding proc-
ess to manufacture a range of GRP pipes, tanks,
manholes, fittings and accessories.
www.constructionweekonline.com
US$36
BILLION
The yearly cost of corrosion on the
water and sewerage system in the US
DPF is part of the Amiantit group, a leading
manufacturer of pipe systems. The group’s
pipe systems division comprises almost 30
wholly-owned, majority-owned or joint-venture
manufacturing facilities in 18 countries. Using
the latest technologies, pipes are produced in
a wide variety of materials such as glass rein-
forced plastic (GRP), glass reinforced epoxy
(GRE), thermoplastic (HDPE, PVC and PP),
concrete, polymer concrete and ductile iron.
International brands include AmPlas,
Amipol, Amipox, Flowtite, Meyer Polycrete,
Speedmark, C-Tech, AmiGrip and Vectus. The
comprehensive range of Amiantit products in-
cludes pipes and accessories for water, sewage,
hydro-power, gas, oil services, construction,
engineering, municipal, industrial, agricultural
and marine applications.
ELIPS
The UAE’s largest pre-insulated pipe manu-
facturing facility, Empower-Logstor Insulated
Pipes Systems (ELIPS), was launched officially
in Jebel Ali recently by HRH the Crown Prince
of Denmark Frederik Andre Henrik Christian
and HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum.
ELIPS is a joint venture (JV) between Emir-
ates Central Cooling Systems Corporation
(Empower), a leading district cooling company
in the UAE, and Logstor, the world’s largest
manufacturer of pre-insulated pipes. The US$25
million facility will cater to the requirements
of the district cooling and oil and gas sectors
across the Middle East.
ELIPS will ensure high quality of insulation
and casing of pipes, enhancing efficiency and
maintenance costs of district cooling services.
It will also ensure price control by improving
supply chain and eliminating artificial price
fluctuations created by various players due to
the demand-supply gap, added Bin Shafar.
Logstor has been serving the Gulf region
since 1992, and is now marking its commit-
ment to serve the region by establishing an
anchored presence with the ELIPS factory. De-
pending on dimensions and output from 100 to
300 pipe joints a day, the factory will offer job
opportunities for a wide range of competences,
PIPES
from operators to highly-skilled engineers.
ELIPS will use spray technology for manu-
facturing large-diameter pre-insulated pipes,
which will ensure high-quality products and
also result in savings in raw material costs as
compared to traditional injection technology.
This technology also enables the JV to enter
the oil and gas industry, which is not possible
with traditional injections. Currently, only one
out of five existing pre-insulated pipe manufac-
turers are using spray technology.
FUTURE PIPE INDUSTRIES
The Future Pipe Industries group (FPI) is a
global leader in large-diameter fibreglass pipes,
developing, manufacturing and supplying sys-
tems in over 50 countries. Headquartered in
Dubai, it comprises ten factories and a global
network of sales offices across four continents,
serving customers and end users in a variety
of sectors, including, oil and gas, infrastructure
and municipal, water distribution, desalination
and power, petchem and industrial.
FPI was established in 1984 when Fouad
Makhzoumi acquired a stake in Gulf Eternit
Industries, the first company in the group. As
a manufacturer of a comprehensive portfolio of
fibreglass pipe systems, FPI has successfully
promoted fibreglass as a substitute for pipe
systems based on traditional materials.
Polyester and vinylester based fibreglass
reinforced composites (GRP/GRV) offer excel-
lent performance in terms of corrosion resist-
ance and resistance to loads (buried installa-
tions) in high pressure and high temperature
applications. GRP pips have been used exten-
sively in the desalination and power industries
(salt water systems, intake and discharge/
outfall, cooling water systems, flue gas desul-
phurization and utility piping), water distribu-
tion and municipal/infrastructure applications
(storm and surface drainage, sewer and district
cooling and heating.)
SAUDI PIPE SYSTEMS
Saudi Pipe Systems Company is based in Jed-
dah in Saudi Arabia, and manufactures valves,
cast iron and ductile iron fittings, GRP and
HDPE pipes and pre-insulated pipes and fit-
tings. PE100, considered the most heavy-duty
among polyethylene pipes, is ideal for water
and gas mains due to its maximum working
pressure. It has enhanced toughness, higher
permissible design strength and improved
resistance to crack propagation. High-density
polyethylene pipes (HDPE) offer the water
engineer substantial benefits in performance.
PE100 pipes are used in various applications,
including sewage pumping mains, fire mains
and chilled water. Pipes are manufactured in
diameters from 25 mm to 3 000 mm.
April 2010 | MEP Middle East 31
 ADVERTISEMENT

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landmark accomplishment for NAPCO. This is further coatings and sealants for over 15 years, with projects
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 BUSINESS LEADS

PROJECTS IN QATAR
MEP Middle East and Ventures Middle East have teamed up to provide you with essential project information.

OFFICE TOWERS, LUSAIL

MARINA
Client: Salam International/QDREIC
Consultant: M.Z. & Partners
Main contractor: Not Appointed
MEP contractor: Not appointed
Value: US$275 million
Status: Under Design
Type: Commercial Buildings
Contact: Salam Bounian Development Company, T: +974 493 25 24,
info@salam-bounian.com

Salam 4 comprises four office towers in the marina district of Lusail City.
Situated on four pieces of adjacent lands and yet connected internally, the
towers will enjoy views of the Doha Golf Club and the Lusail beaches.
Due to this prestigious location, the project is expected to attract many
international companies. It will comprise fully-equipped ‘smart’ com-
mercial offices with the latest commercial technology, facilities, conve-
niences and retail shops to create an optimal business environment. Salam 4 in Lusail City

Project Title Client Consultant Main Contractor MEP Value Project Type of
Contractor (US$. Mn) Status Project
Model School at Najma - School Public Works Authority In House Inshaa Contracting Not Appointed 11 project under Educational
No: 23 Company construction Facilities

Al Emadi Twin Towers Mr. Mohammed Esmail Al Emadi Arab Consulting Not Appointed Not Appointed 101 - 250 project under design Commercial
Engineers Buildings

Residential Building in Fox Hills Buzwair Real Estate/QDREIC Faim Design Not Appointed Not Appointed 2.5 - 15 project under design Residential
Buildings

Apartment Building at Al Sadd Mr. Nasser Abdul Aziz Nasser Consulting Engineering Not Appointed Not Appointed 16 - 30 award awaited for the Residential
Al Nasser Group main contract Buildings

Labour Accommodation at Public Works Authority Al Aqsa Consulting & Ramco Engineering Not Appointed 5 project under Residential
Wakrah - Phase 2 Engineers construction Buildings

Office/Residential Building Mr. Abdul Jaleel Abdul Ghani Consulting Engineering Not appointed Not Appointed 41 award awaited for the Mixed Use
at Najma Nasser Group main contract

Hotel & Office Buildings at Al Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Mufta South West Architecture Al Mufta Contracting Not Appointed 16 - 30 project under Mixed Use
Rayyan Road construction

Al Dar Hotel Mr. Mohammed Al Majed Al Jazeera Engineering Not Appointed Not Appointed 16 - 30 project under design Hotel
/ EGEC

The Regent Doha Ghanem Al Thani Holding KEO International Not Appointed Not Appointed 101 - 250 award awaited for the Hotel
main contract

Corporate Building for Energy Energy City Qatar ABS Not Appointed Not Appointed 101 - 250 award awaited for the Commercial
City Qatar main contract Buildings

4 Office Towers in Marina Salam International/QDREIC M.Z. & Partners Not Appointed Not Appointed 275 project under design Commercial
District of Lusail Buildings

Shopping Mall in Abu Nakhla Al Meera Consumer Goods Consulting Engineering Noors Engineering Not Appointed 12 project under Shopping Centre
area Company Group Company construction

Entertainment District - ADIH/Majid Al Futtaim/QDREIC RTKL/Forrec Not Appointed Not Appointed 1,500 project under design Mixed Use
Precinct A & B

Community College in Dukhan Qatar Petroleum Technital Qatar Not Appointed Not Appointed 16 - 30 project under design Educational
Facilities

For the latest Middle East MEP project information, visit

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 33

 METAL MONITOR

NON-FERROUS METAL PRICES

The London Metal Exchange (LME) is the world’s premier non-ferrous metals market. The LME offers futures and options contracts for aluminium,
copper, lead, nickel and NASAAC, among others. Many of these materials are indispensable in the MEP sector. The latest historical data from the LME is
presented to give readers insight into this dynamic trading market. For further information visit www.lme.co.uk.

FEBUARY 2010
THE LONDON METAL EXCHANGE LIMITED AVERAGE OFFICIAL AND SETTLEMENT PRICES US$/TONNE
Primary Aluminium Copper Lead Nickel NASAAC

$6825
Aluminium Alloy
(dollars) (dollars) (dollars) (dollars) (dollars) (dollars)
Cash Buyer 2,048.23 1,885.03 6,847.20 2,121.23 18,964.75 1,978.98
Cash Seller & Settlement 2,048.93 1,892.93 6,848.18 2,123.68 18,976.00 1,988.50
Copper 3-months seller
Cash Mean 2,048.58 1,888.98 6,847.69 2,122.45 18,970.38 1,983.74
3-months Buyer 2,079.10 1,913.00 6,870.30 2,139.93 19,034.00 2,008.25
3-months Seller 2,079.95 1,923.25 6,872.45 2,142.20 19,052.00 2,018.75
3-months Mean 2,079.53 1,918.13 6,871.38 2,141.06 19,043.00 2,013.50
15-months Buyer 2,172.20 2,019.75 6,876.50 2,140.45 18,983.00 2,112.25 LME AVERAGE SETTLEMENT
15-months Seller 2,177.20 2,029.75 6,886.50 2,145.45 19,083.00 2,122.25 PRICES IN EURO
15-months Mean 2,174.70 2,024.75 6,881.50 2,142.95 19,033.00 2,117.25 Metal Euro
27-months Buyer 2,246.80 2,102.25 6,810.25 2,107.45 18,701.00 2,185.25 Settlement
27-months Seller 2,251.80 2,112.25 6,820.25 2,112.45 18,801.00 2,195.25 Conversion Rate
27-months Mean 2,249.30 2,107.25 6,815.25 2,109.95 18,751.00 2,190.25
Primary Aluminium 1,497.12
Aluminium Alloy 1,383.15
THE FOLLOWING STERLING EQUIVALENTS HAVE BEEN CALCULATED, ON THE BASIS OF DAILY CONVERSIONS:
Settlement Conversion Copper 5,004.76
Copper Cash Seller & Settlement: £4,385.77 Exchange Rates Lead 1,552.13
Copper 3-months Seller: £4,539.08 Stg/$ 1.5621
Nickel 13,871.06
Lead Cash Seller & Settlement: £1,360.13 $/JY 90.23
Lead 3-months Seller: £1,372.84 Euro 1.3687 Nasaac 1,452.98

JANUARY 2010
THE LONDON METAL EXCHANGE LIMITED AVERAGE OFFICIAL AND SETTLEMENT PRICES US$/TONNE
Primary Aluminium Copper Lead Nickel NASAAC

$7165
Aluminium Alloy
(dollars) (dollars) (dollars) (dollars) (dollars) (dollars)
Cash Buyer 2,234.53 1,955.98 7,384.98 2,367.03 18,430.00 2,063.20
Cash Seller & Settlement 2,235.15 1,965.35 7,386.25 2,368.38 18,439.25 2,072.20
Copper 3-months seller
Cash Mean 2,234.84 1,960.66 7,385.61 2,367.70 18,434.63 2,067.70
3-months Buyer 2,265.95 1,985.25 7,409.68 2,390.28 18,477.50 2,095.00
3-months Seller 2,266.65 1,996.25 7,412.03 2,393.25 18,500.00 2,106.80
3-months Mean 2,266.30 1,990.75 7,410.85 2,391.76 18,488.75 2,100.90
15-months Buyer 2,359.95 2,095.75 7,403.25 2,398.75 18,524.75 2,202.50 LME AVERAGE SETTLEMENT
15-months Seller 2,364.95 2,105.75 7,413.25 2,403.75 18,624.75 2,212.50 PRICES IN EURO
15-months Mean 2,362.45 2,100.75 7,408.25 2,401.25 18,574.75 2,207.50 Metal Euro
27-months Buyer 2,428.75 2,178.25 7,342.00 2,385.05 18,429.50 2,273.75 Settlement
27-months Seller 2,433.75 2,188.25 7,352.00 2,390.05 18,529.50 2,283.75 Conversion Rate
27-months Mean 2,431.25 2,183.25 7,347.00 2,387.55 18,479.50 2,278.75
Primary Aluminium 1,565.37
Aluminium Alloy 1376.79
THE FOLLOWING STERLING EQUIVALENTS HAVE BEEN CALCULATED, ON THE BASIS OF DAILY CONVERSIONS:
Settlement Conversion Copper 5,173.20
Copper Cash Seller & Settlement: £4,569.57 Exchange Rates Lead 1657.98
Copper 3-months Seller: £4,588.35 Stg/$ 1.6165
Nickel 12,918.19
Lead Cash Seller & Settlement: £1,465.36 $/JY 91.30
Lead 3-months Seller: £1,481.67 Euro 1.4277 Nasaac 1,451.42

Neither the LME nor any of its directors, officers or employees shall, except in the case of fraud or wilful neglect, be under any liability whatsoever either in contract or in tort in respect of any act or omission (including negligence) in
relation to the preparation or publication of the data contained in the report.

www.constructionweekonline.com April 2010 | MEP Middle East 35

PRODUCTS
PRE-WIRED OFFICE FURNITURE
Cable-management specialist Marshall-Tufflex
has launched a new range of pre-wired office
furniture desk units as part of its underfloor to
desk solutions range.
The units provide a neat, safe and stylish
method of delivering power to desktop devices
such as computers and printers, replacing messy
and potentially dangerous trailing power cables.
Power can be delivered directly from Marshall-
Tufflex’s MT32 plug-and-play 32A power
distribution system or via its Series 507 or any
other powertrack system.
The system is fully segregated with Clean
Earth (CE) and standard versions available,
UTILITY MANHOLE COVER LIFTER
General Machine Products Company Inc. of the
US has introduced a utility manhole cover lifter
to its range of safety tools and equipment. The
lifter allows an individual to lift and remove
heavy utility manhole covers quickly and
safely in a variety of work environments and
applications.
The tool securely attaches to and raises the
most stubborn covers – with the lifter doing all
the heavy work, instead of the technician’s back.
One lifter can work on a wide range of cover
types, as each lifting hook attachment (or key) is
designed to accommodate a broad selection of
manhole covers.
The long handle of the lifter provides the
precise leverage necessary to easily raise bulky
manhole covers. The lifting process is simple.
First, select the appropriate lifting key for the
36 MEP Middle East | April 2010
together with optional MCBs and RCD protection.
The desk units comply with BS 6396 for
Electrical Systems in Office Furniture and with
BS 1363-2, where applicable. Colour-coding
indicates red for 3.15A and yellow for 5A.
The desk units are also compatible with a
range of prefabricated wiring systems using
standard 16A connectors and compact 32A
connectors. Units are supplied as standard in
black ABS and aluminium. However, aluminium
units required with a silver-grey anodised finish
are also available by contacting Marshall-
Tufflex’s technical team.
www.marshall-tufflex.com
cover to be removed. Insert the key into the
cover’s hole or lifting pocket.
Next, brace the lifter’s foot with one of your
own feet while having the handle pointing away
from you. Then pull the lifter’s handle backward
toward you. Keep moving the foot of the lifter back
to change the angle and allow for additional pulls
of the handle to clear the manhole cover from its
frame.
Added design features include rubber hand grips
and a spiked foot for secure traction on unstable
ground surfaces. In addition, the lifter’s durable,
plated-steel tubular body is engineered specifically
to lift the heaviest utility manhole covers.
The company offers several key options,
including a small J-hook, a large J-hook and a
heavy L-hook. All keys are made of heat-treated
steel for added strength and durability. While
BOILER SAFETY
FEATURE
Sussman Electric boilers cater for
a range of applications, including
industrial steam and hot boilers,
HVAC, direct steam heating, hot water
for process and comfort heating,
humidification and air-water-oil
preheating and booster heating
applications. Its latest SSB stainless
steel model introduces a safety low
water cut-off level control.
Sussman’s boiler safety feature
showcases an electric steam boiler
with a float type that automatically
maintains proper water level for safe
operation and shuts off the boiler when
the water supply falls below a safe
level. An auxiliary low-water cut-off is
supplied in addition to primary control
as standard.
Other features include a water-
level sight glass, main on-off switch,
steam stop-valve and long-life heating
elements, as well as industrial-
grade, heavy-duty 0.42 inch diameter
stainless steel sheath heating elements
with one-piece resistance-welded
terminations for added life and
security.
www.sussmanboilers.com
stock keys can accommodate the majority
of utility cover types in use worldwide today,
the company wcan also engineer custom key
designs to fit unique applications.
www.GMPtools.com
www.constructionweekonline.com
 We create the world’s best indoor
climate for people and the environment
We help our customers to save money by improving their energy saving potential SwegonSolutions TM

whilst conserving the environment. We achieve this by offering energy saving

systems with chilled beams and high efficient energy recovery.
Swegon is one of the leading manufacturers of equipment for air treatment
in Europe. However, our vision is to create the world’s best indoor climate for
people, with the least possible impact on the environment.
Swegon’s development of ventilation products focuses on four key objectives:
High energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint
Maximum comfort
Low installation costs
Minimum space requirement

For further information, please contact:

Gunnar Svensson, Swegon Bassel Anbari, InterCool

Mobile: +971 50 919 7181 Mobile: +971 50 667 0527
E-mail: gunnar.svensson@swegon.ae E-mail: Bassel@intercool.ae

www.swegon.com
PRODUCTS
The V-Cone steam flow meter from McCrometer
REDUCING PIPING INFRASTRUCTURE
The V-Cone steam flow meter from McCrometer
delivers accurate steam-flow measurement in a
space-saving design ideal for district energy facilities.
According to McCrometer, the V-Cone
eliminates many of the common equipment lay-out
problems associated with steam processes in
HVAC systems and electric power co-generation
systems. It is designed for steam process lines
connecting boilers with HVAC systems or co-
generation energy systems.
At the same time, the self-conditioning flow
design of the V-Cone eliminates most of the
straight-pipe requirements typically needed with
many flow meter technologies by controlling swirl
and other flow disturbances in the pipe that affect
measurement accuracy.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL OVERHEAD SHOWER
The Raindance Rainmaker AIR from Hansgrohe,
with its 680 mm shower head and flush-
ceiling mounting, adds a new dimension to
sanitaryware. Now a new rectangular option
has been launched to complement bathrooms
designed along geometric lines. Its spray surface
accounts for almost the entire area of the 680
mm by 460 mm ceiling element.
The central part of the unit, with a diameter
of about 240 mm, can also be used on its own.
When required, the two outer segments can be
added to the stream as well. The wide-spreading
spray enhances its functionality, preventing
contact with the cold outside air.
Three downward-projecting conical whirl
jets can be added to the stream as required
to provide a powerful and relaxing massage
effect. This multi-functional overhead shower
system again employs the innovative AirPower
38 MEP Middle East | April 2010
The company claims that the V-Cone is accurate to
+0.5%, with a repeatability of +0.1%, and requires
only 0-3 straight diameters upstream and 0-1
diameters downstream from the meter. Many other
types of flow meters require as many as 10 pipe
straight diameters upstream and five pipe diameters
downstream from the meter.
With space constraints an increasing issue in
modern building, the V-Cone typically reduces real
estate, piping material, associated pipe support
structure and installation labour by 50% or more.
With the V-Cone, larger line sizes mean larger
savings.
The V-Cone flow meter features built in flow-
conditioning and advanced differential pressure (DP)
technologies. Operating over a wide flow range, it
technology, which draws in air to enrich the
water, thus producing a voluminous rain
instead of the needle-like jets experienced in
conventional showers.
www.hansgrohe.com
The Raindance Rainmaker AIR from Hansgrohe
supports line sizes from 0.5 to 120 inches. It can be
installed virtually anywhere in a new district energy
piping system, or be easily retrofitted into an existing
piping layout.
McCrometer claims that, because the flow-
conditioning function is built-into the basic
instrument, the V-Cone flow meter’s design is
inherently more accurate than traditional DP
instruments such as orifice plates and venture tubes.
The V-Cone conditions fluid flow to provide a stable
flow profile that increases accuracy. It features a
centrally-located cone inside a tube.
The cone interacts with the fluid flow and reshapes
the velocity profile to create a lower pressure region
immediately downstream. The V-Cone features two
pressure-sensing taps to measure the pressure
difference that is exhibited between the static line
pressure and the low pressure created downstream
of the cone. One tap is placed slightly upstream of the
cone and the other is located in the downstream face
of the cone itself.
The pressure difference can then be incorporated
into a derivation of the Bernoulli equation to
determine the fluid flow rate. The velocity of the liquid
flow at the point of measurement is optimised by the
central position of the cone in the line. It forms very
short vortices as the flow passes the cone. These
short vortices create a low-amplitude, high-frequency
signal for good signal stability. The result is a highly
stable flow profile that is repeatable for continuously
accurate flow measurement.
McCrometer is a leading global flow
instrumentation specialist focusing on the design,
manufacture, installation and testing of flow metering
solutions. Its MENA office is located in Jebel Ali.
www.mccrometer.com
THREE-PHASE
HVAC COMPRESSOR
SOFT STARTERS
Carlo Gavazzi Automation has launched its
RSBT series, a three-phase soft-starting
solution that optimises current reduction for
HVAC (scroll) compressors, mainly used in heat
pumps. The RSBT series is equipped with a
patent-pending auto-adaptive algorithm that
reduces energy consumption each time the
compressor starts by self-adjusting appropriate
parameters.
In this manner it limits current inrush up to
65%, compared to direct-on-line starting. The
RSBT series is compliant with Class B (resi-
dential) requirements for emissions, does not
need any external settings and is provided with
a compact housing (45 mm). It also provides
phase sequence and imbalance protection.
www.GavazziOnline.com
www.constructionweekonline.com
THE LAST WORD
GREEN
PARAGON
Swegon business development director Carl
Tobisson talks about going green.
To what extent does the green per-
formance of a building influence the
purchase decision?
The launch of Sheikh Mohammed’s
green building initiative at the end
of 2007 was the first step towards
changing the criteria so that people
pay more attention to energy-effi-
cient and green building solutions.
Such solutions are on their way to be-
ing at the forefront of people’s minds.
There is a slow move away from
building fast, cheap and then selling.
How should developers take an inter-
est in the lifespan of a building?
There must be some kind of educa-
tion. There are two types of inves-
tors, namely owners and speculators.
Owners are going to pay the bills for
energy, water and so on. The prob-
lem is with speculative buyers. When
somebody else is paying the bills, it is
not so easy. We must remember that,
if you have a LEED-certified build-
ing, you can get more money out of
it, which remains an advantage, even
for speculative investors.
How have you encouraged clients to
pay the premium for green building?
We are showing our customers that
you have to look at the long-term
costs. You have the investment cost,
the running cost and the mainte-
nance cost. The running and main-
tenance costs stay with the building
its entire lifespan. What we are try-
ing to indicate is that you have to
look at the pointers – not only at in-
vestment, but the life-cycle cost.
Has the construction industry lost the
will to go green in the face of the eco-
nomic climate?
The recession could help in some
40 MEP Middle East | April 2010
ways. People will be more discern-
ing. Before, everybody could build
and sell. But now the market should
be more stable, as opposed to people
simply looking to build fast and sell.
That’s why Sheikh Mohammed’s
green proclamation was a big step.
Someone has to take the lead, or
practical steps will never be taken.
What health benefits are to be gained
from using Swegon in hotels?
The first thing that comes to my mind
would be the silent cooling. When
most people stay in hotel rooms, they
can hear the fan coil unit (FCU) op-
erating. And also there is the draught
element that can keep people awake.
Those are two key areas that need to
be addressed. The other one would
be the risk of bacterial growth.
Our system operates above the
dew point, whereas other systems
operate below the dew point. This
means you need to have a tray under
the FCU, and you need to lead the
water away. As it is a wet system and
there is dust present in the room, you
need to clean this unit carefully. Bac-
terial growth is one area where there
is a definite higher risk.
What our system does is, first of
all, with the Gold handling unit, it has
filters that obviously filter and dehu-
midify the air. So the system supplies
primary air that is filtered. This is
not a problem if you require a normal
supply of air. Also, you need to have
the right amount of air exchanged.
In addition, you have emissions
from carpets and walls, for example,
and this is dealt with by the extract
air and ventilation. We would never
recommend switching a system off
completely and not having exchange
of air in the room.
Swegon business development director Carl Tobisson
How important is indoor air quality?
That is a good question. I think that,
to a certain extent, say up until two
years’ ago, the hotel industry has
focused on the façade and exter-
nal aesthetics, with cost-cutting
on things inside that people can-
not really see. But now in the UAE
and the region as a whole, people
are looking at reducing the total
amount of energy consumed by
their buildings. A total of 40% of
energy is consumed by buildings.
This is because people acknow-
ledge that the well-being of people
is of the utmost importance.
What challenges are you facing?
First of all, the economy needs to start
picking up again. The biggest hurdle
would be that lots and lots of consul-
tants and property owners in this re-
gion like to use traditional systems.
So in order to get your products into
these new buildings, you have to be
patient. You need to be able to show
people the system already installed
in existing buildings. Above all, you
have to be persistent.
Can you retrofit your products?
We have not looked very much at
that, but obviously this is an oppor-
tunity as well. The Paragon pro-
duct is very new, and is part of our
aim to target not only new develop-
ments, but existing ones as well.
We are very much trying to meet
the needs of the builders.
What is Paragon?
This is a new induction cooling unit
for the hotel industry unveiled by
Swegon at The Big 5 last year. The
product has just been launched in
the UAE market. Swegon has al-
ready secured a 300-room contract
for an airport hotel in Oslo. Unlike
a traditional FCU, Paragon has no
need for filters or drainage, so there
is no risk of bacterial growth.
Another advantage is that Para-
gon is available as a standard mod-
ular unit, with all the necessary
actuators and valves premounted.
This results in a significant overall
saving in installation costs. The
small size of the unit, which is only
180 mm high, means that the false
ceiling space can be reduced dra-
matically as well.
Paragon has other unique fea-
tures: air distribution is parallel
with the ceiling, which means it
can be placed at the rear of a room;
adjustable supply air grilles direct
the air vertically; an anti-draught
function controls horizontal dif-
fusion or air direction; and the
enclosed unit means that the recir-
culated air never comes into con-
tact with the space above the false
ceiling, further enhancing indoor
air quality.
www.constructionweekonline.com
 Delivering MEP construction excellence
Providing MEP specialist construction to the building industry since 1976

Al Habtoor – Specon LLC has We have successfully delivered MEP

successfully delivered a number of
prestigious projects throughout the
UAE and Qatar.
Our team of highly qualified engineers
and key management personnel bring
vast knowledge and experience in MEP
Construction, Design, Supervision,
Service and Maintenance.
multi-disciplined projects for both the
public and private sector, including
hotels, airports, hospitals, sports
facilities and residential towers.
We pride ourselves in providing clients
with timely execution, high quality,
competitiveness and excellent
after-completion service.

P.O. Box 87134 P.O. Box 26923 97 El. Venizelou Ave.

AL HABTOOR - SPECON LLC
MEP Specialist Construction
Dubai, UAE Abu Dhabi, UAE P.O. Box 139
Tel: +971 4 294 0420 Tel: +971 2 626 2036 17123 Athens, Greece
Fax: +971 4 295 3856 Fax: +971 2 626 3073 Tel: +30 210 931 1440
Fax: +30 210 931 1441
P.O. Box 22478
Doha, Qatar
36D Grivas Digenis Ave.
1066 Nicosia,Cyprus
Tel: +974 413 0044 Tel: +357 22 66 2775
Fax: +974 413 0055 Fax: +357 22 66 2871