Switzerland based curtain-walling specialist Schmidlin AG, which has an office in Abu Dhabi, has just completed furnishing of a 3,500 sq m facility in Mussafah in the emirate to fabricate materials required for curtain-walling systems. The facility is due to go on stream this month.
The company is one of Europes leading companies specialising in the design, engineering, manufacture, supply and installation of high-quality windows and custom-designed curtain walling.
It has been involved in numerous prestigious projects including engineering the complete glass facade of Dubai s landmark Burj Al Arab, the worlds tallest hotel. Other projects in the region include Citibank in Bahrain.
Schmidlin AG is engaged in the supply and installation of its window and curtain-walling systems, through a partnership contract with the British Airways Authority (BAA), for a number of airports in Britain.
Schmidlin and BAA first entered into the framework to provide cladding and curtain walling at all BAA airports in 1996, which has developed into a long-term relationship.
Elaborating on the accord, Roger Schaerer, general manager of Schmidlin AG in Abu Dhabi, says: The agreement was designed to bring the client and supplier together in a totally open relationship, for the benefit of both parties. This was seen as unusual in the construction industry in the UK which is traditionally contractual and confrontational.
BAA, however, saw the benefit of working together in the long term as the way to bring costs down and achieve improved value on its construction projects. As a client, BAA demands high quality, exceptional value for money and its project delivered on time.
Schmidlin recognised that it could deliver standard systems at improved costs whilst maintaining the well-known Schmidlin reputation for quality. This led to the development of the EL4003 facade system used on the first three BAA projects at London Heathrow and Edinburgh airports.
As these projects came to a successful completion, Schmidlin moved on to the extension of the Sir Norman Foster-designed Stansted Airport.
The brief from BAA was to match the existing but deliver the new facade at lower costs .
The terminal is now in its final stages and will open to the public at Easter 2002 on time.
Schmidlin has developed its project teams and its workload and is currently involved in new projects at Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted.
In addition. Schmidlin has now commenced work on the design for Heathrow airport's Terminal 5 which will be the highlight of BAA projects in the next few years. The project is currently expected to start on site in 2003.
Schmidlin recognises the benefits of working together with a client at a very early project stage and the benefits that both can share.
Through constant research and development, Schmidlin has been able to successfully meet the requirements of discerning architects in regards to aesthetic and performance of high-quality airport facades, Schaerer points out.
"It's a relationship based on trust through outstanding performance, leading to the ultimate customer satisfaction," he adds.
The company is also involved with the Nice airport project in France, and previously completed the aluminium and glazing works at Dusseldorf airport in Germany.
Other projects include the Greater London Authority, which involves Swiss Re-Insurance and the eye-catching Mayor of Londons office, with 1,300 glass pieces of individual shapes and sizes.
Schaerer believes, given the company's expertise, the Gulf offers tremendous potential for business growth, particularly through the region's upcoming airport projects. Schmidlin AG participated in the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition held in Dubai last May.
