Command Alkon has recently successfully installed four Commandbatch systems and implemented the Commandseries distribution system at two concrete production locations of the Dubai-based Al Naboodah Construction Group (ANCG).

ANCG is the construction business of Al Naboodah Group Enterprises, one of the UAE’s oldest and most respected family conglomerates with a diverse portfolio of businesses.  It operates an onsite readymix concrete facility which engages in the production and distribution of readymix concrete to supply all of the group’s many construction projects, as well as to a select few outside clients.

The company is based in the Al Awir area of Dubai, UAE.

ANCG was looking for new batching systems and its Operations Manager Jason Gregory was given the task of searching for a solution with the best possible options. Besides their incumbent provider and a local supplier, he looked for an industry-specific specialist. Gregory had been acquainted with Command Alkon some 20+ years ago in the UK, and had successfully worked with its systems at many different locations. For him, Command Alkon was an obvious third option to add to the shortlist.

Commandbatch’s Plant Watcher delivers alerts before the mix reaches out-of-tolerance conditions.

During the selection process, a new group ERP was introduced into the mix.  All businesses of ANCG had to be integrated within this new ERP system. This meant that the new batching systems had to integrate with this software, seamlessly.

Command Alkon has a full range of solutions specially developed for the construction materials industry. Its Commandseries product is a ‘Quote-to-Cash’ solution, which handles everything from quotations, sales order processing, distribution and scheduling right through to invoicing and accounts receivables.

In addition, it is also modular, and can be adapted to specific requirements, with a variety of integration points. Choosing Command Alkon was a logical step towards a closed loop solution.

Gregory comments: “Command Alkon not only provides products, it is our business partner that understands what our challenges are and how it can support our business with its industry knowledge and specific solutions. It has proven itself to be very committed and delivers amazing support.”

Commenting on the installation process, Gregory says: “It was a trouble-free implementation process from start-to-finish, in a more than challenging environment.”

The business environment ANCG works in is challenging due to the continuous high demand for concrete. However, the four Commandbatch installations went extremely well. In fact, all four plants were converted, back-to-back, within 15 days, which was an improvement on the original plan.

Within 10 weeks, the full implementation of Commandseries was also complete. The Command Alkon project team helped every step of the way at many levels of the business. They provided the right skillsets and were completely customer-focused, which made the implementation very smooth, and put the ANCG team at ease, leading to a seamless transition, according to the company.

Among the many benefits ANCG is reported to have enjoyed are:

•  The solutions provided have significantly improved productivity, by cutting out dispatch “dead time”;

•  Production has increased with streamlined activity;

•  Commandseries has revolutionised the way the company plans orders;

•  The batch operators, dispatchers and production supervisors are delighted and have fully bought into the project.

For the current Command Alkon products, ANCG employees will receive full in-depth training so that the users can utilise the solutions in their full capacity.

Command Alkon is working together with Al Naboodah Construction Group to explore the possibilities of optimising its business even further. It has already purchased the additional ‘Cash Sales’ module and is also looking at other solutions Command Alkon can offer; such as Commandqc, a solution for its laboratory/quality control.

Gregory states: “We have started a true long-term business relationship. We don’t just have a new product, but a genuine solution for our specific business which we’ll keep developing together.”