GERMAN Formwork Technology (GFT) of Dubai will debut at this year’s Big 5 introducing its various formwork systems while hoping to expand its Middle Eastern market base and appoint reliable dealers.

“We have 10 formwork systems, out of which three will be showcased at the stand and the rest will be shown on an LCD screen,” says general manager Adel Mir Riahi. “Our systems are already in use in the UAE.”
The company supplies formwork systems and provides solutions to the main contractors on a sales or rental basis.
“GFT is a relatively young company but with vast experience as we have managed to attract and retain a highly-skilled management team with many years of experience in the industry, working for leading international formwork companies.” he says.
Established in April last year, the company has, within a short span of time, developed a reputation as a total solution provider, offering an extensive product range, detailed execution drawings and corresponding calculations, as well as on-site assistance.
“We are more than just another supplier, providing formwork and scaffolding systems for wall, column and slab applications in addition to support systems for high slabs and bridges,” says Riahi. “Our portfolio includes design work, price estimates, material supply, training on site, site supervision and the issuing of certificates to contractors prior to concrete pouring.”
“The versatility of our systems backed by our continuous support at the construction site during execution of a project makes GFT almost unique within the industry, allowing us to provide clients with genuine competitive advantages and possible cost reductions,” he adds.
This has helped the company secure a number of prestigious projects.  GFT is currently working on a hospital project in Umm Al Quwain; the Coral Beach Hotel project in Ajman; two buildings (24 storeys and 30-storeys, respectively) in Business Bay and a high-rise building in Dubai Silicon Oasis, all in Dubai; and the Queens Palace Hotel project, an extension of Madinat Zayed and Abu Dhabi Financial Centre projects, all in Abu Dhabi.
The Golf Garden II in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, is another massive project which GFT has secured recently to supply formwork for approximately 1.7 million sq m of walls, columns and slabs applications.
Most of its customers are from the UAE although potential clients from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq have been showing increasing interest.  While Riahi admits that the first quarter was hard as most of the projects were kept on hold, prospects are now brighter. “In April there was a turnaround and we have been receiving a substantial number of orders every month mainly from Abu Dhabi,” he says. “The market is picking up every day and we see very high potential in markets such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which will be similar to Dubai and Abu Dhabi very soon.”
The company is currently targeting the Abu Dhabi market and also has plans to enter Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Libya in the near future.  “This region is still number one in the world with regard to the growth prospects of the construction market,” says Riahi, adding that Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait will be the main markets for the sector in 2010 and 2011.
GFT will be on the lookout for some strong dealers from these countries at The Big 5, Riahi says.
“This is part of our plan to become one of the top five formwork companies globally within the next five years,” says Riahi.
One of the major developments at the company was the launch of an office and a 6,000 sq-m-stockyard in Abu Dhabi to be in close proximity to the emirate’s market.
According to him, GFT is also committed to the most stringent QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control) and health and safety requirements. 
“We believe that our clients and others who may use our products have a right to expect that all requirements of quality, insurance, health, safety and environmental stipulations are met,” he says.
“Clients can also expect to receive necessary information, services and support in order to guarantee safe and efficient use of products on the construction site,” Riahi explains. “To achieve this, GFT employs highly-qualified technical and operational staff to provide its business units and customers with expert advice at all times.
“All products are assessed prior to marketing to identify any quality and safety concerns and to ensure that they are compliant with all product safety legislation. GFT’s quality assessment starts with a review of the raw materials used to manufacture or formulate products. Key parts of the company’s product quality assessment process are subject to internal and external quality review.
“To ensure the high standard of quality and safety of its products, GFT has quality controls in place for different phases of production. In addition, frequent visits are made by company personnel to the manufacturing companies and production facilities to ensure that the correct quality assurance and proper production methods are maintained. Random QC checks are carried out by Fugro’s laboratory in the UAE,” says Riahi.
“All these procedures are performed at all of the manufacturing facilities where GFT products are produced: in Europe, the Far East, and the UAE.  What’s more, each and every one of these companies utilises the very latest European machinery, technology, standards and manufacturing expertise, ensuring that GFT provide its clients with superior quality workmanship and fast, friendly and efficient customer service,” he concludes.
GFT has two offices and stockyards in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and employs 35 staff members which will be increased to 65 next year. The company complies with both European standards and local regulations for the control of product quality.