Issue 34
Al-Rashed International : Kuwait’s Logistical Companion
With a history dating back decades, Al-Rashed International Shipping Co. has grown into a leading logistics partner for many clients and landmark infrastructure developments across the country.
United Engineering Construction
Building Tomorrow’s Legacy TodayUNEC has successfully established itself as the face of reliable, high quality construction within the GCC region, Chairman Abdul Halim Muwahid explaining how the firm continues to create a lasting legacy Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Ryan GrayDubai. It’s a city brimming with sensational, surprising and admirable achievements.As the region struck oil in 1966, H. H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum laid out a masterplan to turn Dubai into its modern self – what was once a relatively modest cluster of portside settlements now stands as something of an architectural playground, home to the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and a host of other iconic landmarks that wouldn’t look out of place in the dreams of the most revered structural artists.“Look at the explosion of growth in Dubai in the last 20 years,” states Engr. Abdul Halim Muwahid.“The city has drastically changed, having been established as a hotbed for construction for many years. The UAE long had major ambitions for Dubai to become a major hub, not only in the Middle East but around the world. And now we see that – it’s a focal point of business, tourism, air travel and indeed construction innovation.”Engr. Abdul Halim Muwahid himself is able to map out this timeline of transition better than most.After working in the region for a few years as a Site Engineer, he found himself dreaming of a better way of doing things. The dream became a reality in 1976, as he took the challenging and bold decision to lay the…
Al Sahel Contracting Company LLC
Building Values, Upholding QualityA multi award-winning creative construction contractor, Al Sahel is firmly at the forefront of UAE’s urban transformation Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Ryan Gray Few nations can claim to match the pace of change being maintained by the United Arab Emirates.The country has witnessed tremendous development in recent years, underpinned by its key cities – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – that today house some of the world’s most spectacular, sizeable structures. And that trajectory is not set to change by any means, KPMG’s annual Global Construction Survey forecasting the national industry to grow by as much as 10 percent through 2020.One company at the forefront of this transformation is Al Sahel Contracting Company LLC.An organisation four decades in the making, it has to date completed more than 250 projects throughout the Emirates, delivering a wide variety of projects such as residential buildings, commercial buildings, luxury villas, high rise buildings, shopping malls, warehouses, schools, hotels, car showrooms, hospitals and even palaces.“Al Sahel has effortlessly continued its march towards excellence for the past 43 years by developing ambitious business strategies to achieve the company vision of becoming one of the top-performing building contractors in the UAE,” explains Mohammed Hammad, the organisation’s CEO.“We’re firmly committed to adopting a sustainable perspective with three elements – social, business and environmental. This governs the company’s operations and activities.”The evidence of this approach lies in firm’s accreditations, currently laying claim to ISO 9001:2015 (related to quality management), ISO 45001:2018 (related to occupational health and safety) and ISO 14001:2015 (related to environmental management).“The company…
Turbomecanica
Romania’s Aeronautical Engine RoomBucharest-based Turbomecanica continues to fuel aerospace and other industries with high quality components and repair services, the company seeking to expand its civil engine MRO activity Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold Europe’s early aviation industry owes a lot to the work of Romanian pioneers.Take Traian Vuia, who designed, built and tested the first monoplane on the continent which flew using its own onboard power in 1906. Though not as well-known as the Wright brothers, Vuia usurped their achievement, the duo flying the first catapulted aircraft in 1903.Another example is Henri Coandă who, despite his claims being disputed, is said to have designed the world’s inaugural jet aircraft in 1910, an invention he presented at the International Aeronautics Exhibition in Paris. The Coandă effect – the tendency of a moving fluid to attach itself to a surface and flow along it – was also discovered by the Romanian inventor, albeit by mistake during an aeronautical experiment.Fast-forward to today and Romania is home to several companies with a strong expertise in the aerospace manufacturing and maintenance sphere. Multinational giants are also present in the country, the likes of General Electric and Airbus with substantial production hubs.Key partner to such firms is Bucharest-based Turbomecanica. The only Romanian manufacturer of turbo jet and turbo shaft engines and an internationally recognised supplier of high complexity engine and helicopter components, it is one of few native firms certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).“For 45 years Turbomecanica has been the only national manufacturer and provider of MRO services…
Aarhus University Hospital : Rising to the Challenge
Manning Denmark’s single largest medical hub, Aarhus University Hospital is at the epicentre of a masterplan exuding optimisation and transformation across the country’s rapidly progressing healthcare sector. RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Denmark. A Nordic archipelago nation spanning 43,000 square kilometres, dwarfed by Sweden and Norway to the north and Germany to the south, its size is relatively modest compared to its European neighbours. For the historic home of the Vikings, however, the phrase good things come in small packages springs to mind. Described by the World Bank as a supporter of international efforts to promote human and economic development, reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity around the world, it is a commendable country, ranked 11th of the 189 states on the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index (HDI). Ranking each country on education, GDP per capita and healthcare, it is the latter of these key HDI metrics that is particularly interesting in Denmark. In 1999, the country was home to 98 hospitals. Today, that figure has fallen to 21. Indeed, this sheer drop may indicate a declining Danish healthcare system, but the vast change is in fact courtesy of a unique, calculated, two-decade long centralised improvement strategy. “Our country has found a structure for healthcare where a handful of major hospitals now act as the engine for quality medical assistance in their respective regions,” explains Poul Blaabjerg, CEO at Aarhus University Hospital. “By merging the operations of multiple hospitals into flagship centres, we’ve created a network of facilities that offer almost all the healthcare specialities…
TPV Group Corporation
Master of MobilitySlovenia’s TPV Group Corporation continues to create the mobility of the future, its lust for innovation driving progression in sustainable, smart solutions for the automotive industry Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold Slovenia has become synonymous with the supply of quality components to automakers around the world.Nestled in the heart of Europe, the country’s automotive sector generated €4.4 billion in revenue through 280 companies and nearly 17,500 workers in 2018, OEMs turning to its suppliers who have built up formidable competencies since the 1950s.It is something of a remarkable and unexpected rise, for there were barely any vehicles on Slovenian roads when the first clutch of automotive parts specialists emerged.“Slovenia does indeed have a rich tradition in the automotive industry,” comments Marko Gorjup, CEO of TPV Group Corporation, part of this first wave of companies which established in the 1950s.“It also has many advantages, both because of its geographical location in the centre of Europe and its personnel potential – we have very good schools and colleges and, most of all, hardworking, diligent people. Slovenians have always been very innovative, and we are still proving this.”TPV is a case in point. Over the course of many decades’ graft and dedication to inventiveness, the firm has become a trusted partner to some of the most demanding OEMs in the world, its clients today including the likes of BMW, Daimler and Volvo.Indeed, the deal struck with BMW in June 2018 is deemed to be the biggest in the history of Slovenia’s automotive industry, TPV becoming the exclusive supplier…
TeraPlast Group
Products with PurposeFrom developing state-of-the-art polymer applications and delivering critical utilities networks for the Romanian population to grassroots empowerment initiatives and an impressive investment strategy, TeraPlast Group continues to consolidate its position as a leading figure in European manufacturing Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold You wake up. You walk to the bathroom and maybe use the toilet, then flushing and washing your hands before climbing in the shower, welcomed by a stream of warm water. You dry yourself off and dress yourself before filling up the kettle and making a morning coffee.Maybe you make some breakfast too, and eat it, before washing the dishes and running the tap to brush your teeth. You go to the fridge and pull out some pasta for lunch that was boiled the night before, put on some shoes and head out of the door to work after a quick glass of water…Water. It’s easy to take it for granted when it’s available at the turn of a tap. But what if it wasn’t? You wouldn’t be able to function, right?According to a report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization, some three in 10 people worldwide, or 2.1 billion, lack access to safe and readily available water at home, while six in 10, or 4.5 billion, lack safely managed sanitation.We’ve seen huge progress in many of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, but goal number six – to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all – remains arguably the most off track, posing problems far beyond…
SMP Drilling : Fit for Purpose
Operating with entrepreneurial zeal, SMP Drilling continues to provide bespoke solutions backed up by detailed understanding of client challenges and leading-edge technology.
Orange Moldova
Moldova’s Moderniser Multinational telecoms giant Orange has been transforming Moldova’s connectivity scene ever since it arrived in the country in 1998, investing more than $600 million to date Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki Moldova has been on a modernising mission since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nestled between Romania and Ukraine and home to around 2.6 million people, the country has also been climbing the global happiness charts. Famously dubbed the world’s most unhappy place in 2008, the nation is now the 67th happiest according to the most recent survey by the United Nations. And there is good reason for this upward trajectory. In the realm of technological infrastructure, Moldova is emerging as something of a pioneer, not least because of the contribution of multinational telco Orange since it arrived in 1998. Investing more than $600 million in the process, Orange Moldova has become a vital player in the nation’s economy, responsible for 42 percent of the telecoms market, holding 62 percent of the mobile market and generating around 1.4 percent of Moldovan GDP. “With more than 1,350 employees today, of whom around 500 are engaged in the IT factory in our International Operations and Orange Systems divisions, Orange Moldova is generating large numbers of new job opportunities in the country,” says Julien Ducarroz, the company’s CEO. “Meanwhile, our Foundation continues to bring IT education to a higher level with valuable scholarship and educational programmes, such as Super Coders. The numbers speak for themselves – in just 10 years, the…
Oasis Hospital : An Oasis of Healing
We talk to Oasis Hospital in Al Ain, UAE, about the steps they have taken to reduce infant mortality rate from 50 percent to less than one percent.
Metinvest
Modernising Metallurgy Metinvest is striving to become Europe’s leading vertically integrated steel producer, the organisation investing intuitively in equipment, technologies, employee empowerment and CSR in pursuit of this goal Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold I can recall an instance in my family, when my father was choosing his future profession. “He asked my grandfather for advice as he wanted to become a metallurgist, but at that time plastics were emerging and consolidating, and people were saying that composite materials would soon replace steel. “My grandfather was a wise man – he said to my father: I think there will be enough steel for you, your children and even your grandchildren, so choose metallurgy. “Since that conversation, global steel production has tripled. It remains one of the world’s most universal products – it can be strong or soft, ductile or elastic – and is able to embody practically any physical property necessary for downstream production. “If you ask me, steel will continue to be a key commodity within the global ecosystem for many years to come.” Mining and metals is in the blood of Yuriy Ryzhenkov. Coming from a family of engineers, his mother, aunt, uncle and grandmother having also pursued a similar profession to that of his father and grandfather, the industry became a part of his life from near enough the day he was born. “Living and studying in Donestk, it is difficult not be associated with metallurgy,” he muses, divulging that his first visit to a steelmaking plant occurred when he was…
Metal Yapi
Extraordinary ExteriorsA melting pot of speed, flexibility and innovation comprises Metal Yapi’s recipe for success, the firm striving to position itself as the best façade company in the world Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Ryan Gray “Can you picture 12th century architecture? The interiors of buildings often received no natural light owed to the absence of any attainable technology resembling glass. Early stage stainless glass had been invented, but only churches were able to afford this expensive material.“The Tudor era saw glass become more common, but even then, houses were rented without it and tenants had to bring in their own temporary windows.“The most important industry bounce came in the 20th century with the impact of major innovations in steel, aluminium, glass and also in supplementary sectors such as air-conditioning and elevators which made high rise buildings feasible.“Digitalisation and developments in the software market that came at the turn of the millennium then gave architects and façade engineers the freedom to design and produce the most complex geometries while rationalising cost and time.“Just think how much easier and quicker Gaudi could have realised his projects in Barcelona should he have had today’s software.”For Bulent Ozgul, the historic time- line of architectural transitions is a subject of fascination.Buildings have been transformed from century to century as new technologies, materials and techniques have added to the arsenal of construction practitioners throughout the ages.Yet in the eyes of Ozgul, an individual well placed to comment on the current state of construction as the President and CEO of world leading Turkish façade specialist Metal Yapi,…
Injazat
Create. Transform. Empower. Injazat is best described as a catalyst of change, combining cutting-edge technologies with industry expertise and experience at scale to deliver benefit to customers across the UAE Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki It is strange to think that video games are still a relatively new phenomenon in the grand scheme of history, their origin dating back to a 1958 interactive exhibition resembling digital ping pong at the Brookhaven National Laboratory open house in New York. Today, games consoles can be found in 70 percent of US households as developers and producers battle it out in what has become a $135 billion global industry to create and market the next big hit. AAA titles released week after week are unbelievably detailed and incredibly life-like, built on motion capture and 3D scanning technologies that often best the world’s leading movie sets. And that’s without mentioning the ever-evolving world of virtual reality gameplay. Indeed, the big budgets; the heavyweight productions; the 4k all-immersive experiences have created a global entertainment phenomenon. Yet it may come as some surprise that it was the now-retro titles of the 1980s and 1990s which played a huge role in paving the career paths of many of today’s technology enthusiasts. “I have always been fascinated with technology!” declares Mohamed Al Qubaisi. “I remember sneakily using my father’s Tulip computer and launching Flight Simulator and other games from the big old floppy drives. Gaming had a big influence on me, and I appreciated the yearly updates and constant enhancements…
Forte Partners
The Romanian RevitaliserForte Partners prides itself on identifying areas of Bucharest with potential to grow, executing developments to exacting international standards Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Ryan Gray Romania is home to a busy construction industry.Having suffered profoundly in the years following the global financial crises, the sector has shown remarkable levels of resilience and is now enjoying a period of sustained growth.According to research carried out by the European Commission, there were 89,943 enterprises and 608,715 people engaged in the broad construction sector in Romania in 2016, figures which represent respective increases of 7.6 percent and 2.9 percent since 2010.The same period also saw building production activity grow by 21.4 percent, while civil engineering production increased by 9.7 percent. Crucially, profitability has strengthened alongside this expansion in business, which has seen turnover across the construction sector grow by 19.8 percent to reach €30.6 billion in 2016.It is an exciting period for local developers such as Bucharest-based Forte Partners, one of continuing opportunity to grow business and uplift industry standards.“The market is maturing at a steady rate,” comments Co-founder and President of the Board Johny Jabra. “Having tenants and buyers that have higher expectations than before means we as developers must meet and go above their demands.“Our biggest challenge is to identify the right places that can accommodate our vision of developing communities, not just buildings, whether they are offices or residential structures. At the moment, Forte Partners is a local Romanian company that follows international standards as a work ethic.“Being active in a small real estate market like…
Ford Romania : Mobility Mastery
The esteemed 6,000-strong workforce and state-of-the-art Craiova plant of Ford Romania have become key for the group’s global mission – to make people’s lives better through automotive and mobility leadership.
Euro Mechanical
A Champion Of TrustAbu Dhabi-based Euro Mechanical is at the forefront of progress in the energy sector, empowering its employees and embracing ‘oil and gas 4.0’ at every opportunity Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Ryan Gray Why don’t spiders get stuck in their own webs? Why can’t I see my eyes? Why were swear words invented if we’re not allowed to say them?It’s almost impossible to spend time around children without avoiding a barrage of the most common of childhood queries: “Why?”Curiosity is a fundamental part of human cognition. It’s not long after we’re able to talk that the intuitive desire to understand the motive behind any action or process begins to spill out of our mouths, often in the most weird and wonderful ways. Recent research has in fact shown that children ask more than 70 questions every day…a study that is undeniably ironic; a catch-22 of human nature.While it may fade over time, our innate inquisitiveness never truly disappears. And in the world of business, this aptitude can often be more useful than many might realise.“Have you heard of a man named Simon Sinek?”Euro Mechanical CEO Jon Rawding poses me a question of his own as we sit down for a long discussion over the phone. “He’s the author of a number of books including Start With Why, and a thought leader that our company takes great inspiration from.“When I came on board in 2018, I asked a simple question: What is the purpose of Euro Mechanical? Why does it exist?”Originally set up in…
ELBA
Staying switched on With its centenary celebration on the horizon, Romanian lighting solutions specialist ELBA continues to innovate in response to industry trends, the company fully invested in ‘LEDification’ Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold Not many would guess that Timisoara was the first city in Europe to install electrified public street lighting.In November 1884, Romania’s westernmost city, lying on the Bega River, switched on 731 lamps spanning almost 60 kilometres, kickstarting a period which saw trams converted from horse to electrical power and hydroelectric plants commissioned.In the realm of lighting, Timisoara has remained a pioneer.1921 saw the foundations laid for what is now known as ELBA, the largest manufacturer of lighting solutions and systems in Romania, its longevity owed to a culture of innovation, passion for technology and dedication to quality of performance.“I strongly believe that innovation is synonymous with progress, so I am always looking for new solutions and effective approaches,” adds CEO Bogdan Cocian.“That’s why ELBA devotes all its efforts to transform the challenges in our business sector into profitable opportunities. We focus on continuously adapting, as we push to remain the leader in lighting technology in the domestic market and to continue our sustainable development, especially in the EU.“Another secret of ELBA’s longevity is in the long-term commitment of the shareholders, consisting of around 2,000 current and former employees of the company.”Cocian joined the enterprise in 2012, returning to Romania after studying in Paris and working in business strategy roles with clients across Europe, Asia and South America. CEO since 2015, it is his job…
Albonian International
Never giving no for an answerAlbonian International has been built up by CEO Jamal Nachabe on a simple yet effective promise – to always deliver for clients on MEP and now facilities management projects Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Ryan Gray The 1980s were a difficult time in Lebanon.A country in the midst of civil war, it wasn’t until the end of the decade that the conflict ended and a degree of stability and rebuilding emerged, the 15-year dispute coming to an end with a newly unified government under President Hrawi.For Jamal Nachabe, setting up the now vastly successful mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractor Albonian International in 1987 was no easy feat.“I worked different jobs for the majority of the 1980s after graduating as a mechanical engineer,” he recalls. “It was towards the end of the unrest in Lebanon and I was living in Beirut –the times were rather tricky, the market was uncertain, and no one was quite sure about what was on the horizon.“That being said, I wanted to work for myself, be my own boss, and have my own business. I learned the basics of how to manage engineering, trading, and financial works and, relying on my previous experience, I decided to establish my own company, Albonian, dealing with local suppliers on sales, engineering and contracting.”Fast-forward to the present day and the business stands as a leading MEP contractor in the UAE and wider region, working for both governmental and private clients across a huge variety of projects in its home country and abroad.The company’s home…