Comansa is expanding its range of luffing jib cranes with the launch of the LCH300, its first hydraulic model, which will be presented at Bauma 2022.

According to the manufacturer, the new addition has a maximum load capacity of 16t and reach of 60m, and is available in several versions: embedded, supported on bases of six or eight metres and movable.

The Comansa 16LC260 Flat-Top Crane was shortlisted in the ‘Crane of the Year’ category at the 2022 Construction Machinery Middle East Awards.

According to the firm, the LCH300/16t crane can be assembled with 2.5 x 2.5m tower sections. Its modular jib has a reach of 25-to-60m, with configurations every five metres. It has a minimum working radius of four metres and a minimum radius of nine metres when out of service.

The maximum load capacity is eight tonnes with the one tonne configuration and 16t with the two tonne configuration, while maximum load at the jib end is 3,400 and 3,150kg respectively.

“Comansa luffing jib tower cranes offer optimal performance where horizontal jib cranes cannot move loads freely due to space limitations. Now, with the incorporation of the LCH300 hydraulic model, the luffing mechanism is optimised to offer even greater performance and an efficient assembly, as well as reduction of the radius when out of service,” the company said.

In August 2020, the firm introduced a new generation of its 11LC flat-top tower cranes, while in March 2021, it expanded its flat-top tower crane range with two models.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai-headquartered ALEC has unveiled a new division – Strategic Projects and Developments – that will specialise in alternative engagement models including design and build, construction management and turnkey development.

The firm says the move is in line with its goals to steer the regional construction industry towards a sustainable future, and will enable it to deliver comprehensive value to clients right from the project definition stage.

Discussing the drivers that prompted ALEC to establish the new division, Sean McQue, Operations Director at ALEC stated, “As we focus our efforts on pioneering a more sustainable future for our industry, we recognise that this requires the constant evolution and enhancement of our solution portfolio to deliver the most comprehensive value to our clients.”

Early in August, ALEC told Middle East Construction News (MECN) that in addition to investing in solutions and technology, it was committed to upskilling staff and has appointed a Digital Construction Manager in Saudi Arabia.

He added, “After a rigorous cause-and-effect analysis of decisions made throughout a project’s lifecycle, we found that a disproportionate amount of value can be created if the right decisions are made in the first 10% of the project’s lifecycle. Additionally, a collaborative environment and elimination of outdated practices, can further enhance this value.”

The single point-of-contact delivery solution will be offered to clients as a means to add value and speed, from the outset of the project lifecycle, the firm said. In keeping with the company’s focus on digitalisation of the sector, the firm says the solution will follow a digital-first approach with all stakeholders working in a common BIM and data environment. This will not only enhance efficiency, productivity and knowledge transfer resulting in a more streamlined construction process, but more importantly, it will create a smooth transition into handover and asset management by providing a digital twin of the asset, the firm explained.

The company will be participating in Big Project Middle East’s inaugural Digital Construction Summit, which is scheduled to take place on 14 September. Registration is free for construction professionals.

The new division will be headed by Severin Tenim. He commented, “The launch of the new division aligns with ALEC’s focus on steering the construction industry towards a sustainable future. Research has shown that tremendous value can be created across the entire project lifecycle if the right decisions are made in the critical early stages. Our aim therefore is to serve as the strategic delivery partner from the onset, with the objective of de-risking asset delivery and as a result, enhancing overall investment performance.”

While the fundamental principles of the division’s solution are transferrable across multiple asset classes, ALEC pointed out that Tenim and his team will specialise in owner-operator models, build-to-rent assets, mixed-use hospitality, and projects that lend themselves to a high degree of modularity including serviced apartments, residential apartments, and mid-sized villas.

Later in August, ALEC’s Andy Boutle said that digital construction is critical to sustainable development. In April, the firm also launched a data centre construction company with Prefabricated and Liquid Immersion Solutions.

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Source: ME Construction News

Kim Mayes has been appointed as Head of Soft Services at facilities management service provider Emrill. As part of her role, she will develop and implement strategies to enhance Emrill’s services and sustainability efforts. She’s also tasked with leveraging data to identify trends and developing strategic operations and procedural solutions.

Mayes will ensure levels of service excellence are maintained to further consolidate Emrill’s position as a preferred FM services provider, the firm said.

With over 25 years of experience in both service provider and client roles across the UAE, the UK and Australia, Mayes is said to have expertise in managing challenges and providing customer-centric solutions. Emrill notes that she has played an integral role in bridging the gap between on-site teams and office operations, while through extensive training and mentoring, she has shared her experience to empower and grow teams. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Management, a Diploma in Work Health and Safety, MEWPs for Management and 3a and 3b Operator certificates and is IOSH-certified.

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“We’re delighted to welcome Kym to the Emrill team. Kym’s appointment will contribute to our continued growth, and we are confident she will play a significant role in helping us to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations,” said Emrill’s CEO, Stuart Harrison.

“Kym’s wealth of experience and practical mindset will help us to strengthen the culture we have created, in which our teams are empowered to develop and grow, which will assist Emrill in exceeding our growth objectives. Kym’s vision for more sustainable and innovative ways of working aligns with Emrill’s objectives. We look forward to truly making a difference in the facilities management services provider landscape with our efforts and strategies.”

Mayes’ experience in facilities management, event management, shopping centre service delivery, and health and safety training across a broad range of industries, sectors and countries has enabled her to adopt and apply a complete 360-degree approach to support teams and facilitate continuous improvement in the provision of services, the company pointed out.

Commenting on her new role, Mayes stated: “I’m incredibly excited to join one of the leading and best-known integrated facilities management services providers in the UAE. Having worked closely with Emrill during one of the country’s most prestigious mega events in my previous role, it was evident that our expectations relating to standards and systems in soft services were completely aligned. I’m honoured to join a company whose values and integrity are evident throughout its entire team. Emrill has a fantastic reputation among clients in the UAE, and I look forward to being part of a team that recognises the importance of and prioritises sustainability, safety and new methods of working, while not compromising on the high standard of services offered. I believe that, with Emrill, I can make a difference and help surpass our objectives in excellent service delivery.”

In April 2022, Emrill appointed Thomas Friswell as Associate Director of Operations, while in June, the firm expanded its in-house offering via rope access cleaning service.

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Source: ME Construction News

Emirates Steel Arkan, the UAE-based, publicly traded steel and buildings material company, has said that it plans to expand into new markets in Asia and Africa as it looks to enhance its international competitiveness.

According to a WAM report, citing an interview with Group CEO Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Emirates Steel Arkan aims to explore new markets and boost its production and efficiency. He added that the company has been able to increase the number of export markets to 60 by the end of the first half compared to 56 at the start of the year.

Al Remeithi explained that the group’s strategy for diversifying its revenue sources includes increasing exports via various marketing channels, in addition to boosting the competitiveness of national products, supporting the unified industrial identity, titled, “Make it in the Emirates”, to encourage production and support national products.

The export markets currently account for 45% of the group’s sales, he added. Furthermore, Emirates Steel Arkan has maintained a market share of 60% and aims to increase this figure by adding new and sustainable products, he said.

“We expect the group to continue its strong financial performance to the end of this year, by benefitting mainly from the UAE’s economic recovery and the growth of the real estate sector, as well as the continuous strategic partnerships to develop the industrial sector and support innovation and sustainability,” concluded Al Remeithi.

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Source: ME Construction News

South Korea has signed a $2.2 billion deal with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom to provide buildings and components for a new Egyptian nuclear plant, it has been revealed.

Citing a statement from South Korea’s energy ministry, a Bloomberg report said that the state-owned South Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power has won a contract to supply buildings, equipment, and materials for Egypt’s El Dabaa project.

The report added that in December 2021, the Korean group emerged as the sole bidder for the portion of the El Dabaa project. It added that the contract will see it construct the main and auxiliary buildings and structures of the turbine islands for the units between 2023-2029.

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Source: ME Construction News

Roha Realty, a Mumbai-based real estate developer, has announced that it is opening sales and marketing offices in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong as part of its plan to attract investment from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from across the world through these three markets.

The firm is a mid-sized developer based in Mumbai and its development portfolio consist of eight delivered and nine under-development projects with a total footprint of three million square feet and a total worth of $200 million. It is the real estate arm of the diversified business conglomerate Roha Group, which has been in operation for more than five decades.

“We do plan to enter Dubai and other international markets for real estate and as a group we have presence in 45 countries,” Harshvardhan Tibrewala, managing director of Roha Realty, said on the side lines of an award ceremony in Dubai. “Obviously, we will utilise the great corporate network we have in all these countries to reach out to a wider global NRI clientele,” he added.

“We are not typical developers in Mumbai, we are industrialists. We have a legacy of 50 years of business excellence as a group. More than just completing the project, what matters to us is the quality of construction and the timely delivery. We have practical and customer centric approach and think of every home as our home,” he stated.

The announcement about the offices comes as the real estate sector in India is expected to reach $1 trillion in market value by 2030, up from $200 billion in 2021 and contribute 13% to the country’s GDP by 2025, according to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).

Between July 2021 and September 2021, a total of 55,907 new housing units were sold in the eight micro markets in India (59% YoY growth), IBEF added in a report. India’s real estate sector saw over 1,700 acres of land deals in the top 7 cities in a year, he added.

As per ICRA estimates, Indian firms are expected to raise up to $48 billion through infrastructure and real estate investment trusts in 2022, as compared with raised funds worth $29 billion to date, it added.

According to Tibrewala, Roha Realty has already delivered eight residential projects while a further nine projects are currently at various stages of development. These belong to all the market segments to cater to different budgets, he added.

“We are developing properties in all segments depending on all the locations, Mumbai has the need of all the segments, and we are providing solutions for all,” observed Tibrewala. “The Indian real estate market will continue to remain buoyant due to growing middle class, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation,” he noted.

“For the next ten years at least, India will rank 1st in terms of industrialisation. Post Covid-19 lot of countries want to shift their operations in India and if Industries come Real Estate market has to perform well,” he concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

DJI has introduced the Avata drone, offering an unparalleled experience of immersive flight, the company says.

Coupled with the company’s newest flight control technology, DJI Goggles 2 and the DJI Motion Controller, the Dji Avata drone can be steered according to the movement of the user’s hand. It can also be controlled with the existing DJI FPV Remote Controller 2 and the DJI FPV Goggles V2.

DJI Avata strips down the chassis of a traditional drone into a body built for speed and agility, weighing only 410 grams while still integrating aerodynamic propeller guards for added safety.

Its stabilized camera features a 1/1.7” CMOS sensor with 48 million effective pixels and delivers premium imaging features of 4K/60fps and 2.7K/50/60/100/120fps video. It has a total flight time of up to 18 minutes.

Drones are increasingly being used in the construction industry for surveying and inspection purposes. The global construction drone market reached a value of US$ 4,579.40 Million in 2021 with market research specialists IMARC Group predicting the market will reach a value of US$ 10,610.30 Million by 2027

“Paired with the DJI Goggles 2 and the DJI Motion Controller, DJI Avata seems to ride with the wind. Whether you fly for the fun of it, to make great clips for social media, or to dazzle viewers in the production studio, DJI Avata will show you why its engrossing flight experience pulls you into a new world of soaring possibilities,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI.

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Source: ME Construction News

Jan Gurander will step down as Volvo Group Deputy CEO as of December 31st, 2022, the company has announced.

His other managerial assignments within the Group will gradually be distributed to other members of the Volvo Group Executive Board while he will stand available to President and CEO Martin Lundstedt´s disposal after the turn of the year.

Jan Gurander has a long and successful career within the Volvo Group, starting as Volvo Group Chief Financial Officer in 2014. He held the role of acting President and CEO for parts of 2015 and was appointed Deputy CEO in 2016. Prior to his career in the Volvo Group, Jan Gurander held the role of Chief Financial Officer in numerous automotive companies and has a background within finance.

“As Deputy CEO, CFO and Chairman of several Business Areas over the last nine years, Jan has been one of the key drivers to the positive growth and profitability development of the Group, as well as the strengthening of our financial position”, said Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO on the announcement.

“Jan has also been one of the main contributors when setting our strategic direction to lead the transformation into sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. I want to express my appreciation for a significant contribution throughout the years, and I look forward to the continuous collaboration,” he added.

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Source: ME Construction News

Group AMANA, the regional design-build construction firm, has said that it has delivered its first-ever vertical farm in the region, which is a project that will boost the UAE’s long-term food security and self-sufficiency.

In a statement, the company said that the high-tech hydroponic facility in Dubai South was construction by its subsidiary AMANA Contracting in collaboration with Crop One Holdings and Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC).

The $40m Bustanica hydroponic farm is considered to be the largest in the world. It spans 330,000sqft and is located in Dubai World Central, and will produce more than a million kilos of high-quality leafy greens annually with 95% less water than conventional farming.

The project will boost the UAE’s food security, the statement added. Produce will be available on certain Emirates flights and for consumers to purchase across stores in the UAE under the Bustanica brand.

Joe Labaky, General Manager of UAE and Emerging Markets, AMANA Contracting, said: “AMANA continues to push the boundaries of innovation using the latest building techniques. Being a part of a revolutionary project in the UAE’s agriculture industry to ensure long term food security and strengthen national resilience is a great privilege for the AMANA team.”

To construct the vertical farm, AMANA brought in the best and latest innovations in building and construction. The construction leader executed and installed specialised systems to ensure maximum sustainability and environmental conservation.  The project was completed on time, by leveraging advanced to maximise output on site.

AMANA Contracting delivered the project while adhering to the highest quality and safety norms, using off-site construction techniques. AMANA executed and installed specialised systems throughout the project, such as LED lights in the grow room and germination room, grow fans, grow room controls, pack house equipment, grow kit, racking, nutrient dosing systems, and germination room equipment, among other facilities.

Labaky added that BIM technology was leveraged to develop all the workshop drawings and executed MEP using offsite construction. Given that modular techniques are more efficient, leaner and result in less waste production, AMANA ensured that the project was executed in the most sustainable way possible. AMANA also achieved a milestone of 1+ million work hours without any LTI at the project.

Last month, Group AMANA revealed its revitalised brand identity. Now organised into three verticals: Construct, Manufacture and Enhance, the transformation reflects the Group’s offerings for an evolving business landscape and the drive to build cleaner, greener, and smarter. AMANA has built a formidable reputation over three decades of operations in the region, with its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and digitalisation.

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Source: ME Construction News

Saudi Arabia is set to pay billions of dollars to settle a dispute with contractors over the Riyadh Metro, it has been revealed, bringing the long-delayed project one step closer to completion.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, a Bloomberg report said that two out of three consortia, which include Bechtel Group and Alstom, have already reached an agreement for the disputed payments. Furthermore, the report added that the third group, which includes Italy’s Webuild, is expected to sign a deal soon.

Contractors working on the project have been pursuing billions of dollars in payments in total, with Bechtel alone asking for approximately $1 billion. However, the report added that the terms of the settlement are unclear.

An agreement to resolve the dispute would be a significant milestone for the Kingdom as it would allow work to resume on the mobility megaproject, which has been touted as a solution to the capital’s traffic congestion woes.

Furthermore, moving to resolve the dispute would help ease concerns about the Kingdom’s attitude towards contractor payments, the report added.

Tens of billions of dollars owned to construction firms and suppliers were withheld during and after the 2015 oil slump in a bid to rein in a ballooning budget deficit. However, with the price of crude rebounding this year, the country is set to record its first budget surplus in nearly a decade.

Representatives for Bechtel and Alstom have not immediately responded to requests for comment, Bloomberg said. It added that the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, which oversees the project, also didn’t respond.

Riyadh Metro was originally scheduled to begin light operations in 2019, with full operations set for 2021. The project consists of six metro lines, 85 stations and will span a total distance of 176km. Construction work began in Q2, 2014 and the project is expected to serve some 3.6m passengers per day once it is fully operational.

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Source: ME Construction News