Prefab Building Industries (PBI), which was set up in 1991, has emerged as the largest GRC manufacturing company in Dubai. The firm was initially set up to fill a gap in the market for specialised construction services such as decorative glass reinforced cement and gypsum works, suspended ceilings and partitions with a small team of 20 specialised craftsmen.
With a commitment to quality and innovative finishes, the company has secured the majority of the prestigious GRC cladding projects over the years, resulting in a steady growth.
PBI is set up to handle any type of GRC works, given a workforce of more than 400, the capacity to manufacture 50,000 sq m per year of GRC and backed by European technical support from Cem-FIL International (UK) and Bonda Glass-Voss (UK). In addition, Flexovoss Moulding Materials assists in the production of intricate and complex moulds.
A major expansion is under way at PBI which will increase the current capacity to 70,000 sq m per year.
An ISO 9001 and 9002-certified company, PBI's product range has increased over the years and now includes decorative gypsum, false ceilings and partitions, glass reinforced cement (GRC) works, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) works, glass reinforced gypsum (GRC), ceiling tiles, vinyl tiles, GRC tiles, suspension systems for ceilings and galvanised steel profile accessories.
Other construction components such as composite aluminium cladding and steel building systems are the latest additions to the range of services offered by PBI.
The company has a separate GRP division occupying an area of approximately 35,000 sq ft and having around 60 skilled labourers producing various kinds of building cladding - external and internal - all kinds of water tanks and septic tanks, bathtubs and wash basins, sewerage items such as benching seal plates, ladders as well as lining works and ornate furniture items such as counters and chairs.
PBI undertakes manufacture and installation of traditional decorative gypsum works and highly decorative carved ornamental works, consisting of friezes, niches, mouldings, calligraphic panels, features, cornices, brackets with special effect paint and gilding to many prestigious government buildings, hotels and private projects.
The company employs nearly 150 personnel in its suspended ceiling and partitions division and has gained a reputation as one of the leading suspended ceilings and partitions contractors. A fully automated suspension grid manufacturing line has been set up within the factory premises along with an automated PVC lamination line. PBI currently holds 70 per cent share of the UAE market for ceiling grids and laminated tiles. This division has successfully completed many prestigious projects such as the Jumeirah Beach Resort Development and Al Bustan Hotel.
PBI's technical expertise and in-house production of key steel profiles has encouraged it to diversify into steel building systems and has recently completed a 50-villa complex using lightweight steel framing wall boards and GRC roof slates.
Composite aluminium cladding has been another addition to the extensive range of specialised construction activities of the company. PBI represents Alucomat and Alucolic which offers a top-of-the-range 4 mm and 6 mm composite aluminium cladding with 0.5 mm aluminium skins on either side bonded with a resin core,
In addition to these manufacturing activities, the company also imports and trades in an extensive range of contract products from reputed international suppliers.
The company's offices and factory are located in the Al Aweer area and occupy approximately 150,000 sq ft of open area and 60,000 sq ft of covered space.
Under the current expansion project, an additional 30,000 sq ft of covered production space will be available in the next few months. PBI also has a showroom in Sharjah.
Some of its prestigious projects include the Dubai International Airport new concourse projects (Dh26 million), a palace for Dubai's ruling family (Dh8.4 million), Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dh3.5 million), 50 villas (Dh6.1 million), six buildings for the Higher Colleges of Technology (Dh2.2 million), Amiri Flight facilities, Abu Dhabi (Dh2.3 million), Al Bustan Hotel (Dh1.8 million) and Chicago Beach Resort (Dh8.5 million).
(Contributed by Prefab Building Industries Company, Dubai, UAE.)
