Given the increased focus on quality and fast-track construction in the region, the UAE-based Unipods is set to launch two products that use off-site construction technology to maximise construction efficiency.

These innovative products – pre-engineered bathrooms pods for the residential and hotel market and Uniboards, a solution for commercial washroom based on a pre-plumbed modular system – are expected to steal the show at the Big 5 show this month.
“Off-site construction technology takes the bathroom construction process – which would normally be carried out on-site – and removes it to a factory-controlled environment,” says Henrik Christiansen, CEO of the company, which opened its first factory last month.
The company’s 22,000 sq m purpose-built factory in Ras Al Khaimah utilises state-of- the-art equipment in the construction of its bathroom pods. The bathrooms are constructed using off-site construction technology, whereby the unit is constructed off-site as a ‘pod’ – a tailor-made turn-key bathroom solution. “The pod is a pre-engineered, pre-fitted, ready-plumbed bathroom, and is delivered ready for installation, the perfect ‘plug and play’ concept for the region’s fast-paced construction industry,” he points out.
Unipods, a member of Inshaa Holding of Saudi Arabia, designs, manufactures, installs and commissions pre-engineered bathroom pods. It has a production capacity of 10,000 pods and expects to register a turnover of $50 million in it first year of operation. The company, which has 300 staff on its payrolls, is currently building its head office in Ras Al Khaimah.
Commenting on the Big 5 show, Christiansen says: “The Big 5 is a great opportunity to introduce our new products to the UAE market and to create awareness of this new concept and contacts with major players in the construction industry.
“The bathroom pod is a full turnkey bathroom solution, manufactured off-site and tailor made to the client’s specifications and the specific requirements of each project,” he continues. “The pod is a pre-engineered, pre-fitted, ready-plumbed bathroom, and is fully tested according the highest industry standards. The pods are installed by Unipods before the facade of the building is completed, leaving the rest of the apartment or hotel room to be built around the bathroom pod.
“Meanwhile, the Uniboards pre-plumbed modules comprise pre-assembled frames, access panels, sanitary and brassware, providing washroom facilities and are delivered on-site ready for installation. Combined with a range of cubicles, the Uniboards system offers a quick and easy bathroom construction solution.”
While still in the set-up year, Unipods has identified the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and particularly the UAE as a high-potential market and reports that it has had a very good response from major developers.
“We are currently in contact with major real estate and construction players such as Tameer, Al Rajhi Projects and Al Arrab Contracting Company. The market is very receptive to the benefits of using pre-engineered bathrooms rather than traditional methods, especially with the current time pressure and skilled labour shortage,” he says.
Unipods has its eyes firmly set on becoming a leader in off-site construction solution and is looking at bringing other products to the market.
“We predict a strong growth in the off-site construction industry and have already earmarked the factory’s surrounding 100,000 sq m area for future expansion, as the technology takes off in the UAE,” he adds.
The Unipods pre-engineered bathroom solution improves the quality, increases the efficiency and profitability of construction projects, Christiansen points out
He continues: “Being manufactured in a factory-controlled environment, each bathroom pod is checked and tested by our quality assurance team throughout the process, ensuring that consistent high quality is always achieved.
“The system helps speed up the construction process as the pods are manufactured in parallel with on-site construction start-up, freeing up time that is traditionally used to build the bathrooms on-site. On an average, the use of off-site manufactured bathroom pods reduces on-site construction time by two to three months.
“Also, by using bathroom pods, construction projects can reduce considerably the number of on-site labour and associated employment costs. The need for final snagging in the crucial finishing period is also reduced as the pod is delivered completed from our factory.”
“The bathroom is probably one of the most complex rooms to construct in a building. Construction companies traditionally implement complex logistics to synchronise installation of multiple bathroom fixtures, and even the slightest issue can cause installation delays and higher construction costs. Indeed, traditional bathroom construction does not only raise a large number of logistic and coordination issues due to the large number of suppliers and sub-contractors involved, but could also create quality issues, as the bathrooms are completed in the crucial completion period, under the rough site conditions of the UAE. Furthermore, attracting and retaining staff is becoming more difficult and more costly,” he points out.
“With the GCC’s, and particularly the UAE’s, construction industry, growing faster than ever before, demand for new innovative construction projects has never been greater. However, with the increasing time and cost pressure and shortage of skilled labour, there is a need for innovative, cost and time-saving construction solution and this is where we see the biggest potential. Therefore, Unipods is anticipating strong growth in the off-site construction technology area and is aiming to set the trend in the UAE,” Christiansen concludes.
Unipods will display its new-generation systems at Stand No A415 in the Maktoum Hall.