Enigma showcases tracking solutions
Enigma Vehicle Systems of the UK will showcase its latest global positioning system (GPS) and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking and security products at this month’s Gitex exhibition in Dubai (October 19 to 23) through its new joint venture with Dubai’s Bushager Ready Mix called Bushager-Enigma.

They will include the latest wholly internet-based version of Enigma’s Skyline GPS, which offers faster response, better functionality and enhanced flexibility through increased data analysis features. As the new version of Skyline is fully web-based, this allows customers to access their account from any computer, PDA, Blackberry or mobile phone with internet access. This requires no special tools, only industry-standard browsers, so there is no need to install additional software on the customer’s devices
Tripp Lite to expand range
With the aim of leveraging the booming power market in the Middle East, Tripp Lite, a leading manufacturer of power protection and connectivity equipment, has announced plans to expand its range of power protection and continuity products.
“We will be rolling out a specific plan, which will involve new product launches and further investments into our product development to fully maximise the potential of this market, says Vipin Sharma (right), vice-president of EMEA (Europe and Middle East Area) and India sales, Tripp Lite.
Tripp Lite has service centres and more than 15 in-country distributors spread across the region.
Call for stringent electrical protocols
An industry specialist has highlighted the need for electrical maintenance protocols to be observed, following recent fires at the Al Quoz Industrial Area in Dubai and at the Atlantis resort on the Palm.
These fires could possibly be linked to poor adherence of basic protocol for electrical fault prevention including earthing, such as those applicable in the EU where enforcement of maintenance protocols is stringently followed, says Sonjib Banerjee, the technical director of Duval Messien, a French manufacturer of earthing systems.
EGBC elects new chairman
The Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC), the representative body of the green building industry in UAE, has elected Ali bin Towaih as the new chairman, taking over from Dr Sadek Owainati.

Commenting on his appointment, bin Towaih said: “EGBC must continue to foster collaboration among all sectors of the construction industry, the government and other institutions if it is to successfully transform the UAE built-environment into a green building model that serves as a benchmark for the rest of the region.”
Bin Towaih is the executive director of the sustainable energy and environment division and Energy and Environment Park (Enpark) at Tecom Investments, a member of Dubai Holding.
Mikasa opens Middle East office
Mikasa, a supplier of light construction equipment from Japan, has opened a sales and marketing office in Dubai, UAE, as part of a plan to further develop business in the Middle East.
The new office in Dubai will oversee sales, marketing and support to Mikasa dealers in Middle East countries, including the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The office will be headed by Vipin Tak, who has joined Mikasa Sangyo Company, Japan, in June.
“The opening of Mikasa Middle East office will help us to better understand our regional customers and provide them a world-class after-sales service and support. The decision to develop Mikasa’s market in the Middle East comes at a time when the region is embarking upon an unprecedented level of large construction project,” says Tak, executive manager-Middle East.
“Mikasa, which last year celebrated its 70th anniversary, has already established a network of dealership and partnership across the GCC,” he adds.
Two ‘Champions’ get Mitsubishi lifts
Memon Investments has awarded an Dh1.96 million ($533,000) contract to ETA Melco for the installation of six high-speed Mitsubishi elevators within the 13-storey Champions Tower II and the 16-storey Champions Tower III, the developer’s two high-profile residential developments in Dubai Sports City.
ETA Melco has committed to a 16-week deadline for the installation of the elevators, from the date of the receipt of materials at the site, and subject to the completion of the hoistway and the provision of uninterrupted power supply.
The lifts will include variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) technology, which can help achieve substantial power savings of up to 50 per cent compared to conventional drive technology. (League of Champions – Pg 50)
Enabling work under way
Al Habtoor Engineering of Dubai is currently executing enabling works for the Executive Bay tower at Business Bay in Dubai under a Dh15 million ($4.08 million) contract awarded by the project’s developer Damac Properties.
 Al Habtoor was also recently awarded the Park Central and Capital Bay projects at Business Bay.
The work, which commenced in July and includes shoring piles, excavation and anchoring, is expected to be completed by December.
Executive Bay is a 19-storey tower that features state-of-the-art office spaces as well as retail and recreational facilities. It has all the components required to make it a corporate identity once complete.
Al Fara’a eyes $2.7bn expansion
Al Fara’a Properties of the UAE is to launch a series of projects collectively valued at Dh10 billion ($2.72 billion) within Dubai Waterfront and Dubai Maritime City – two of the largest master- planned coastal developments in the world.
Al Fara’a Properties director Natasha Gangaramani says the expansion – by the flagship subsidiary of the Al Fara’a Construction, Industrial and Property Group – is in line with the ‘Blue Communities’ initiative spearheaded by master developer Nakheel under the patronage of Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Abyaar wins two awards
Dubai’s luxury property developer Abyaar won two awards at the CNBC Arabian Property Awards 2008. Abyaar’s prominent Ice Tower, the joint venture with Mada’in Properties, won the award for the Best High-rise Architecture while Hilliana won the award for Best High-rise Development.
Located in the prestigious Dubai Marina, Ice Tower will comprise of 107 exclusive units. Construction of the tower is scheduled to commence in 2009.
Hilliana, located in Acacia Avenue, features a total 148 apartments all have water views, including 66 luxury serviced apartments, 72 sky villas and 10 individually designed penthouses with the interior designed by world-renowned interior designer Andree Putman.
$408m Ocean Heights takes shape
Work on Damac Properties’ Ocean Heights residential tower – one of the many freehold towers being built in the Dubai Marina – has reached the 14th level.
Ocean Heights will be a 310-m-high, 82-storey tower, with 680 apartments. The Dh1.5 billion ($408 million) freehold tower will contain one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments as well as nine Signature Series apartments from the 67th to the 75th floor and duplex apartments from the 76th to the 81st floor. Amenities include an outdoor leisure deck with a temperature-controlled swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, game room and children’s play area.
Danube invests in ceilings facility
Dubai-based Danube Building Materials has invested Dh50 million ($13.6 million) in a new ceiling manufacturing facility located in the Sharjah Industrial Area I, and plans to launch a new range of gypsum ceiling tiles and accessories under the brand name ‘Bruserstang’.
The 120,000 sq ft facility is designed to manufacture gypsum ceiling products, including studs, tracks, furring channels, main channels and wall angles. A state-of-the-art production line powered by imported precision cut technology will dominate the facility, which will be constructed in two phases with Dh25 million ($6.8 million) being allocated for each phase. A total of eight computerised production lines will generate eight to 10 items per minute.
Fulldome theatre ready
Work on a three-dimensional Fulldome theatre at the planetarium in Children’s City at the Creekside Park in Dubai is nearing completion. Seventy per cent of the work has been completed by the in-house engineering crew and the facility, which is the first of its kind in the UAE, will be ready this month.
The system is designed to produce a graphically stunning display with high levels of brightness and resolution for all shows to be held at the planetarium. It has six-channel projection design covering the whole screen area of 288 sq m at the planetarium.