One of the fastest projects undertaken by Sharjah-based Alico Aluminium and Light Industries (Alico) was the aluminium and glazing works on the Dubai Internet City Phase 1 - B project.

The company started work on its Dh10 million ($2.72 million) contract just one month after the main contractor began construction on the project in January 2001 and had a seven-month finishing schedule.

"Due to the urgency of the project, Alico's tender was for five months," says senior projects manager Sami Aweidah. "We worked on a fast-track basis and adopted a different approach for this project."

He elaborates: "Generally, after the design is approved and the structure is ready, we take site measurements and start fabricating accordingly. But, in this case, we agreed on the measurements along with the drawings. Based on that, we placed our orders for aluminium, glass and accessories. So by the time the buildings were structurally complete, we were also ready with our material and started fixing glass and aluminium in May 2001, completing the work in only three months.

"There was a lot of pressure due to the time limit but we could manage it because of our capacity and the system we used - which was Schuco."

The Schuco System from Germany is one of the best in the world, being the latest in technology and very flexible to fabricate and install, he says.

"At the design stage, we had a dedicated team comprising three draughtsmen and a design team manager. At the construction site, we had 150 people from our side while at the peak of construction this number increased to 200.

"Usually, a project of this size does not require so many people but since it was a fast-track job we had to involve more people.

"The aluminium and glazing systems used are from Germany and were fabricated and installed by Alico. Emirates Glass supplied the glass and it was fabricated at Gulf Glass Industries, a sister concern of Alico.

"At the entrances of the buildings, we have used a spider system held by an aluminium frame. The glass is supported by stainless steel trusses."

Alico also produced a large skylight for the Cannon building. The skylight, 4.5 m wide and 21 m long, is shaped like a half-drum with a void below it."

The spider system comprises double glass - tinted blue from the outside and inner pane in clear glass. RB 14 blue-coated reflective glass has been used on the project. The inside panes are of low-emissivity glass which allows light in but reduces solar heat gain, which helps in reducing air-conditioning costs.

"We also carried out aluminium cladding for the project. Composite panel sheets have been used for the elevations, columns and ceilings. We have also installed a canopy for the Microsoft building, which has a cleaning cradle installed on a monorail. The IBM building too has a big canopy, measuring 10 by 4 m, at the main entrance as well as another one at the rear which is 3 by 5 m. The canopy is a steel structure clad with aluminium," he says.

Alico, an ISO 9001 company and one of the largest curtain-walling firms in the Middle East, is reputed throughout the region for producing premium quality aluminium glazed curtain walling. Employing more than 1,800 personnel from all over the world, Alico's annual turnover exceeds $100 million.

It was established in 1976 to manufacture aluminium doors and windows and within four years it launched a concerted diversification programme, which resulted in a group of integrated operating divisions offering a comprehensive range of construction and industrial products. Such products and services are backed by joint venture or licensing agreements with leading European and American manufacturers and consultants.

Commenting on the company's facilities, a spokesman says: "A comprehensive design service allows Alico to manufacture tailor-made engineering solutions to the requirements of consultants and clients. Alico's technical design Department employs fully qualified engineers and technicians and operates over 60 computer-aided design (CAD) stations. All machinery and equipment used in Alico's factory are technically advanced with suitably qualified personnel to operate them.

"Experienced factory managers and supervisors ensure that exacting standards and production targets are met. All procedures follow guidelines set out in the company's quality assurance manual, which is in line with ISO 9001 requirements. Installation teams consist of well-trained and experienced, highly-skilled field operatives."

Alico is also active internationally and has completed projects in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, India, Pakistan, Sudan, Nepal, Russia and the UK.

Prestigious projects which Alico has been involved with include Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the National Bank of Dubai, Dusit Dubai, Grand Hyatt, Dubai Trade Centre Convention centre, BurJuman extension (which is one of the biggest projects currently under way in Dubai), Dubai Marina's three towers, a tower in Bahrain and a number of projects in Kuwait, including Kuwait National Petroleum Centre, KPC, Al Awadi Commercial and residential towers.