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Al Shindagah takes an in-depth look at a company that has grown dramatically with the UAE

Few would argue that the United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, has gone through a phenomenal growth period over the past 10 years. No country or city in the world comes even close to the investment that has gone into the construction industry here, and a brief drive around Dubai will confirm that there seems to be no slowdown in sight for this incredible boom.

But it is not just the number of buildings that have gone up, but the exceptional quality, which made Dubai recognized as a city at the cutting edge of modern architectural magnificence. In its search for excellence the UAE has had to hand-pick partners capable of rising to the complex challenges of the 21st century, and one of its key allies has been a local family firm which has had its fingers in a significant proportion of the country's construction pies over the past decade.  Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises Company LLC was the founding organisation of the Al Habtoor Group. It was established in 1970 and its subsequent years of steady success contributed towards the entire group's expansion and diversification. Its establishment was the result of the vision and tenacity of its founders, Khalaf Al Habtoor and Riad Sadik. Its growth is based on the fulfillment of a mission to service the building and infrastructure needs of Dubai initially, and eventually the UAE.

The Company's experienced multinational management team is capable of undertaking construction projects ranging from multi-complex hotels and hospitals to residential apartment towers and villas, and special projects such as military bases and camps. In 1994, Al Habtoor Engineering completed the prestigious Holiday Centre Complex on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Highway, which includes an office block, shopping mall, residential apartment block and a large luxury hotel. In 1995, the 29-storey Dubai Creek Tower was completed, a high-rise residential and office complex that was one of the tallest buildings in the Southern Gulf. These were two major projects that signaled the company's arrival as a heavyweight in the construction industry, and it has gone on to create some of the most magical buildings currently gracing the country's skyline.

The 600-bedroom Jumeirah Beach Hotel is one fine example of the capabilities of Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises, who not only built the superstructure, but went on to fit out the bedrooms. This magnificent landmark was constructed between 1995-1997 by a team with Nasr Al Nasr as a Project Manager. After its completion, it has set totally new standards for the UAE's hospitality industry.

The uniquely-shaped Customs Headquarters building was completed in 1999 and in the same year three other major projects were handed over: The Dubai Airshow 2000, The Dubai Airport Free Zone and the Asab Infrastructure Upgrade. The main features of these projects was to underline the capability of the company in managing and completing fast-track projects, sometimes in remote areas.

The most recent landmarks completed by HEE include the futuristic Dubai Internet City and the magnificent Dusit Hotel. The four main buildings at the Dubai Internet City have a built-up area of 41,000 square meters plus roadwork, general infrastructure and artificial lake construction. This fast-track project was successfully completed in six months, by a team headed by Imad Bassiuoni. The Dusit Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, a new high-rise building, consists of an apartment block and a luxury hotel. Project Manager Osama Taher and his team started the job in 1998 and completed in early 2000.

One significant success has been the astounding Officer's Club in Abu Dhabi, where an estimated 60,000 square meters of quality woods and marbles have been laid under the largest shell span of its type anywhere in the world. In concept and size, the root structure of the club could well be a candidate for the Guineas Book of Records.

Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises are also specialists in hospital construction, having built the main extension to the Rashid Hospital, Al Wasl Hospital and the New Dubai Hospital-Dubai's first modern medical facilities. Additional, major hospitals in the Emirates have been constructed by the company, for example in Dibba.

1994 was a significant year in the development of the company, with it's first contact with the Murray & Roberts Group of South Africa.

In 1995 Al Habtoor Engineering, in a Joint Venture with Murray & Roberts & Fletcher Construction of New Zealand were awarded the superstructure contact for Dubai's landmark project The Burj Al Arab. (Fletcher withdrew from all international construction in 1997 and subsequently dis-invested from the Joint Venture.)  However, the Al Habtoor- Murray & Roberts  Joint Venture continued and has since developed into one of the most successful and enduring relationships in the local contracting industry. No job encapsulates the capability and skill diversity of the  Joint Venture better than Burj Al Arab.  Rising to a staggering 321 metres, the world's tallest hotel was completed in 1999. It was such a success for the Joint Venture that it has gone from strength to strength, and it is currently involved in a number of projects taking shape in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ruwais and Sharjah.

More recently, the Joint Venture has even succeeded in spreading its expertise overseas and together with its Egyptian partner SIAC has received a Letter of Intent for the Dhs.825 million San Stefano Residential Complex in Alexandria, Egypt. The project, spearheaded by  Al Habtoor Murray & Roberts Regional Director in Cairo, Duncan Meredith, is expected to be completed by 2004.

Closer to home, the Joint Venture is continuing its work in the leisure industry after recently being awarded the new Al Jaber Complex / Shangri-La on Sheikh Zayed Road in

Dubai. The twin-tower hotel, commercial and residential project is headed by Nasr Al Nasr and Andrew  J Durrant and is expected to be completed in 2003 at a cost of Dhs.302 million.

A major project under construction is the New Head Quarters for National Bank of Abu Dhabi in the capital, which when completed next year will become the tallest building in the city.  Project Manager Said Hassan and his deputy Richard Bodenstein and their team are currently at level  19 on a building which will make it as eye-catching as its height, and one of the most ambitious projects to have been undertaken in Abu Dhabi.

Recently completed in the capital by the Joint Venture was the Marina Mall, which has become an instant hit with shoppers in the city. The Dhs.255 million shopping complex was built under the management of Ziad Ammous and Peter Fell and was based on the City Centre concept in Dubai, with a multiplex cinema and occupying an exquisite location on the waterfront.  The Joint Venture's shopping spree has also spread to Sharjah, which will open a plush new Shopping Centre located in the main business hub of the emirate later this year.  The completion of retail centre under the auspices  of Nasr A Nasr and Grahame Waite will offer Sharjah an additional 42000 m2 of shopping.

The Joint Venture's expertise spreads further than leisure and shopping projects, and it is undertaking the civil construction of the massive Polyethylene Plant in the desert of Ruwais for the Italian firm, Tecnimont.  This represents the Joint Venture's first voyage into the civil industrial market. To address its new area of expertise, the Joint Venture needed to acquire specialised staff, and Les Ward, the project manager, says that the team

put together to tackle this job has performed admirably.  By the time the job is completed, it is expected that the Joint Venture will have placed 60,000 m3 of concrete, 46 kms of underground pipe work, 83,000 m2 of road works and 150,000 m2 of block-paving. The man-hours dedicated to the job is expected to top 3.5 million by the completion date. Once completed, the Polyethylene Plant will have the capacity to produce 450,000 tones of pellets every year.

Just off the press is the news of yet another prestigious building project being awarded to the Joint Venture.  The Takreer Atheer – ADNOC Twin Towers project on the Abu Dhabi Corniche for approximately Dhs. 250m was clinched in June.  Each tower has 28 floors and is scheduled to be completed in 2003.

While these jobs are ongoing or approaching completion, examples of finished work can be found all across Dubai, starting with the moment of arrival.  The Sheikh Rashid Terminal Concourse building project under the leadership of the JV's Project Director, Duncan Meredith was opened in April 2000 and it has made Dubai International into one of the most modern airports in the world. At 800 metres from nose to tail, the concourse is equipped to handle up to 20 million passengers every year.  It houses a five-star hotel, 10,000 sq.ms of shopping, numerous food outlets and even an Irish pub.

Completing the portfolio of Joint Venture projects is the Kendah House building on Sheikh Zayed Road, a commercial tower which was completed under the guidance of Imad Bassiouni in 1999.

It is difficult to argue that in the last six years Al Habtoor Engineering & Murray & Roberts have become the UAE's most successful Building and Civil Engineering Joint Venture, with a track record to prove it. It has been a key to the success story of Dubai, and with the order book continuing to fill up, there seems to be no slow down of this remarkable growth.

From humble beginnings in Deira, Dubai, Al Habtoor Engineering has risen to be a main player in the construction industry in the Gulf Area. Its expertise is diverse, its capability tried and tested, its partnerships relations successfully proven and its aim is to be number one in the UAE and abroad. The goal has almost become a reality.

Awards:

Awards received by Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises include:

Appreciation Certificate: Presented for outstanding performance on ADCO's Asab Infrastructure Upgrade Project, particularly to the remarkable and endless efforts in delivering high quality end product, diligent execution of finishes work and excellent safety record throughout the Contract Period.

Certificate of Appreciation, awarded by Government of Dubai, Department of Civil Aviation in recognition of their contribution to the success of Dubai 2000 International Aerospace Exhibition, held in Dubai between 14-18 November 1999.

Department of Civil Aviation distinguished Contractor award to the Al Habtoor Murray & Roberts Joint Venture resulting from their achievements on the Sheikh Rashid Concourse Building.