The Electro-Mechanical Division of Binladin Contracting Group says it has become one of the prominent MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) contractors in the UAE's construction industry.

"The simple but real success story lies in its roots and vast experience gained over almost 30 years of close association with its parent company in a diversified field of operations," says a spokesman for the Dubai-based firm. "This association has provided ample opportunities for the division to gain strength, experience and maturity.

He continues: "When the division was launched, a strategy was laid out which clearly defined its line of operations. Right from the outset, as an independent electro-mechanical operator, the division took on the challenge of meeting the market's requirement for quality performance and services. Its goals were simple: keep clients satisfied, keep the list short and be selective in choosing contracts, to ensure delivering the best performance that a contracting company can afford to, in terms of quality and service.

"Today, when we evaluate our company since its launch in the eighties, we find we have achieved our goals. We have satisfied customers and prestigious contracting companies - besides our parent company - as our clients on one hand and quality work and enhanced services delivered to completed projects on the other. Our performance matches, if not surpasses, the best quality of work found elsewhere in the UAE and we have won the favour of our clients, who include consultants and main contractors."

Some of the MEP division's major projects included a Dh55 million ($14.98 million) contract for the Sahara Centre shopping mall in Sharjah and a contract for the Cargo Village expansion (express and mail) at Dubai International Airport. "The Cargo Village job was a small-scale project but prestigious, as it had to meet the high specifications set by Dubai Civil Aviation," the spokesman explains. "Dar Al Handasah was the consultant and Al Habtoor Engineering was the main contractor on this project."

The division also undertook work on the IT, audit and finance department building for the Rulers Court in Bur Dubai, for which Al Nakhra Contracting was the main contractor and Arif and Bintoak the consultant.

One of its current projects is the Higher College of Technology being built at Ruwayyah, for the Dubai Municipality. The project, which has Dar Al Handasah as the consultant and Al Habtoor Engineering as the main contractor, is expected to be completed by mid-2003.

"We have been honoured to work as MEP sub-contractors with Al Habtoor on two of their projects," the spokesman says. "In addition, we are currently working with Binladin Contracting on a number of infrastructure sub-contracts with clients such as the Dubai Municipality, Dubai Internet City (DIC), the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) and Emaar Properties."

The company has worked with its parent company in the execution of number of prestigious projects such as the Al Tawoon Shopping Mall, the Lagoon Tower, the American University of Sharjah, the Buhaira Plaza, and development of roads and construction of bridges in Al Majaz area, all in Sharjah; the Gulf Medical College in Ajman; the Al Tajir Glass Factory and the Nestle headquarters, both in Jafz; Emaar and DIC infrastructure developments, the access bridge to the main gate at the Jafza, and various other roads and building projects in Dubai.