Dubai-based Flowcrete Middle East is well-poised for continued expansion across the Middle East, bolstered by the acquisition of two high-technology manufacturers, Perstorp Construction Chemicals and Atako Systems.
Perstorp Construction Chemicals - whose resin flooring products are sold under the Peran brand - manufactures and sells epoxy-based seamless flooring for various market sectors, including food, pharmaceutical and electronic companies, as well as resin flooring in commercial environments such as car showrooms and retail areas.
The Perstorp deal comes just months after Flowcrete completed the buy-out of the Atako range of specialist flooring corrosion protection, waste water treatment and tank-lining products.
Atako's products - based on a special shrinkage-free vinyl ester resin - have been patented in 20 countries and are recognised as among the most advanced corrosion protection products in the world.
The system is designed to stand up to extremes of temperature, according to a spokesman for Flowcrete.
Flowcrete has now formed a new Corrosion Protection Division and Atako systems will be manufactured at a purpose-built plant in Belgium by Flowcrete Europe and in Malaysia by Flowcrete Asia to service the Middle East and Far East markets.
The division was launched at the Chemtex and Corrosion Exhibition which was held in Dubai last month. The products were well received, with enquiries from all over the Gulf including Qatar, Oman and the UAE, according to the spokesman.
Peran and Atako products will be marketed across the Gulf from Flowcrete Middle East's office in Jebel Ali Free Zone, with installation by locally-trained specialist licensed applicators.
Both deals mean Flowcrete Middle East is well-placed to offer a complete flooring solution. They join the existing range of products available from the company, including durable, easy-to-maintain industrial flooring, car-park decking systems and the high-strength cementitious K-Screed, installed at the Marina Towers development in Dubai.
The Marina Towers has been one of Flowcrete Middle East's largest projects this year, with a total of 180,000 sq m of K-Screed installed at the site. Following the installation, Flowcrete Middle East has received a number of specifications as the potential of the product is recognised across the region, the spokesman says.
Looking back on the last 12 months Ian Dawson, Flowcrete Middle East general manager, says:
"The Marina Towers K-Screed installation has been a superb project for us and our Deckshield car-park decking continues to grow in popularity in the region. We've just started two new installations including our largest-ever Deckshield project, consisting of some 62,000 sq m, at the Bur Juman expansion in Dubai, together with 19,000 sq m for a Abu Dhabi TRIP programme for Al Meraikhi. We've also just completed our first National Car Parks (NCP) car-park at Dubai."
A new version of K-Screed is expected to be launched over the next few months, with the product used in conjunction with impact sound insulation to create an acoustically-insulated flooring system which, Flowcrete Middle East believes, has tremendous potential in the Gulf.
Among the major developments for Flowcrete Middle East this year was the launch of Inspirations, a range of contemporary floor finishes "that transform spaces and bring to life the latest in contemporary design" Dawson says.
Attractive yet functional, the products have an almost limitless colour palette, that harness creativity and innovation, he adds.
"The range includes Peran Rustik, which creates a stone carpet effect and is a popular choice for creative interior designers and architects looking to combine the durability of an industrial wall and floor-covering with the flexibility to incorporate images such as company logo's, signs or graphics," he points out. Ford Motor Company has recently specified Peran Rustik for use across its European showrooms.
Flowcrete Middle East also offers the pioneering seamless terrazzo MondŽco, installed at the prestigious Sharjah Mega Mall.
"These are exciting times for Flowcrete. We are confident the unique qualities of both Peran and Atako will be well-received in the Middle East and complement the products we already offer in the Gulf, while the new products under the Inspirations range mean we are well-placed to offer the complete flooring solution," Dawson concludes.
Flowcrete Middle East is part of the Flowcrete Group, which has 20 offices around the world and manufacturing plants in the UK, Malaysia, Sweden and Brazil.
