Al Masaood Bergum (AMB), one of the first companies in the Middle East to introduce light gauge steel (LGS) framed structures produced using FrameCAD Solutions machinery, is aggressively promoting this advanced building solution which is also environmentally friendly and enables fast-track construction.

The state-of-the-art FrameCAD Solutions technology has enabled AMB to achieve its business objectives to provide sustainable affordable buildings, while maintaining high-volume production and construction of cold-formed steel buildings, from villas to warehouses, by accurately cutting, punching and dimpling steel elements, states the company.
“FrameCAD Solutions’ machinery is the world’s most advanced end-to-end steel frame building solution, which allows users to produce cold-formed steel for buildings with consistent accuracy that is determined by the system, not the skill level of factory workers or on-site assemblers,” says Clinton McNamara, country manager, AMB Qatar.
“We are extremely pleased to be one of the first companies in the Middle East to use the LGS structures produced by the FrameCAD Solutions machinery.  This advanced automated building solution provides high-quality, structurally sound buildings which are guaranteed for up to 50 years. Furthermore, it increases productivity, which will in turn reduce costs for our clients,” he adds.
Behind FrameCAD Solutions’ groundbreaking combination of software and production equipment, according to him, is a pool of expertise that encompasses architectural design, engineering, construction and every aspect of automated manufacturing.
This support, he states, is passed through to AMB’s engineering and design team to ensure clients requirements are fulfilled while complying with local legislation. 
McNamara continues: “The fast and precise building solution streamlines the steel frame design and building process.  The result is an increase in return on investment, with a dramatic rise in productivity as a result of reduced design, production and construction times; reduced skilled manpower; reduced errors; an increase in product range; minimal floor space and production area; and reduced waste and improved quality. The steel produced complies with internationally certified quality standards.”
What’s more, according to him, by using the new FrameCAD Solutions machinery, all temporary buildings and portable cabins produced by AMB Qatar adhere to the new laws introduced by the Civil Defence Department and Ministry of Interior in Qatar. 
McNamara elaborates:  “As a result of the need for regulation within the temporary construction industry, the Civil Defence Department and Ministry of Interior announced new fire safety standards and minimum requirements for temporary buildings and portable cabins in June 2008.  The new regulations were brought in to guarantee best practice and to ensure that safety is at the forefront of any type of development, whether it be designed for longevity or construction support.      
“The new regulations state that codes for building such temporary structures should be in keeping with those followed when building permanent structures.  The main reason for this is to ensure that temporary structures incorporate all fire safety regulations to uphold quality safety procedures at all times on site.
“Companies must now use non-combustible materials for external cladding and internal wall linings, minimising fire loads and ensuring that external walls are situated 3 m from the relevant boundary and do not exceed 8 m in height.  All temporary buildings and portable cabins must now have a minimum class ‘A’ surface fire rating with a minimum roof covering classification, in accordance with that of permanent structures. 
“The new FrameCAD Solutions machinery has allowed AMB to adhere to the stipulated standards of the new regulations from the start.”
AMB’s Qatar facility is the first to receive this groundbreaking equipment, ahead of AMB facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  “The new machinery has been extremely successful and has improved on AMB’s already competitive and efficient offerings, ensuring that clients receive cost-effective, quality projects on time – and within budget,” notes McNamara.
Commenting on the pressing need to find affordable sustainable building solutions, the spokesperson explains: “With the vast amount of property and infrastructure development currently under way in the region, construction companies are seeing a year-on-year increase in the demand for materials, skilled workers and production facilities.  With demand outpacing supply, it is becoming increasingly challenging and difficult to find affordable and suitable land for industrial complexes, to hire an adequate number of skilled workers and to source suitable and affordable staff accommodation.
Furthermore, there is greater emphasis on the quality of products, which must be environment-friendly and complies with Civil Defence standards.
“As a result, construction companies such as ours need to engineer building solutions and identify more efficient and cost-effective operating solutions.  This means maximising the current workforce and production facilities to gain the most in terms of productivity and profitability.”
AMB,  the Middle East’s leading turnkey provider of modular and pre-fabricated buildings, specialising in permanent and temporary fast-track solutions, continually strives to meet the ever-increasing demands of its clients by identifying ways for improving production, ensuring the company employs the highest standards of safety and quality, and finding solutions for staffing shortages.
“We are eager to meet and support our clients’ high expectations by introducing new technological advancements, to ensure that we are an industry leader, thereby raising standards and improving return on investment.  We will continue to invest in advanced technologies and introduce quality machinery, making our facility one of the best in the world for manufacturing turnkey building solutions,” he concludes.