Paschal's panel formwork continues to help speed up work on a diverse range of projects in the Gulf region, as well as being cost-effective, durable and environmentally friendly, says its Bahrain-based stockist.

German firm Paschal Werk G Maier first developed the formwork in the early 1970s and now offers several systems for various applications. The most popular in the Middle East is its modular formwork, according to Amir Delghandi, general manager - Middle East at Paschal Concrete Forms Company, the main Middle East branch and stockist for Paschal.

Since opening in 1998 in Bahrain, the company has added about 100 successful construction companies in the GCC to its customer list.

Elaborating on the formwork system, Delghandi says: "Paschal panels are strong and durable, being manufactured with 6 mm-thick frames of sturdy steel, which offer high protection against corrosion. The surface of the panels is covered with high-quality Finnish birch plywood with a special phenolic resin coating of 220 g per sq m. Steel frames protect the edges of the plywood and the gap between them is filled with a special sealant.

"Therefore, the plywood can be reused up to 250 times and the steel frame will remain good for more than 20 years.

"Compared to the wooden girder system or soldier system formwork, the panel system provides advantages such as savings in time and labour and no wastage of wood. In addition, the modular panels are unique, offering contractors versatility, flexibility and durability," he explains.

The product is suitable for any concrete structure. Simple to use, it is quick to erect even when using unskilled labour, and does not require a crane. The panels also need less storage space and are easy to transport.

"Due to their rigid structure, the panels do not need any soldiers or double 'U' channel support on the rear. The system requires smaller tie-rods which can be placed between the panel's frame, eliminating the need to drill the plywood," Delghandi continues.

"Due to stiff competition in the construction market, especially in recent years, many contractors have tried to find ways to cut costs by reducing their superstructural period with less manpower and material wastage. They seek a formwork which is delivered to them ready for erection, enabling them to erect it and pour the concrete on the same day! Paschal systems offer such a solution."

A number of contractors in Bahrain are currently using Paschal systems for their projects. For the construction of Bahrain's Formula one racetrack, Cybarco-Bahrain and its Malaysian joint venture partner has started to use Paschal formwork for a reinforced concrete wall for the VIP tower and columns for a multipurpose hall. The circular wall at the basement of the VIP tower is constructed by using Paschal's polygonal system.

In the Seef district, several major projects are under construction with Paschal systems. Dadabhai Construction is extensively using Paschal modular panels and the climbing system for the lift shafts, staircase walls and shear walls in an 18-storey building project, according to Mushtaq Karbari, project manager for Dadabhai Construction. "With the Paschal system we can reduce structural time and labour, while obtaining better quality," he adds.

Following the successful completion of Taib Bank, contractor GPZ has been using Paschal systems for its Majaz Tower and BNH building projects, also at Seef. Meanwhile, Al Ghanah is using a modular system for columns and beams for a residential project in the district.

Another major project in the capital Manama is the Zamil Tower, with main contractor Chapo using Paschal formwork for the basement reinforced concrete wall, columns and curved walls for building B2. Meanwhile, contractor Kooheji is using Paschal formwork for slabs and columns for a 32 villa housing project.

At Ibn Khuldoon School, Almoayyed Contracting is using Paschal modular panels to form columns and beams for an expansion project.

Ahmed Omer Contracting, another contractor which has been very successful with Paschal systems, is using the formwork for many of its projects, including the Al Rashidiya villa at Saar and a mosque at Sanad.

Besides these, other contractors successfully using Paschal systems for their various projects in Bahrain include A A Nass, Ahmed Mansoor Al A'ali, Al Ammari, Al Nasir, Bokhowa, Key Construction, Mohammed Jalal, M A Y Al Mazeal, Project SA, Skyline, TMC and TCC.

Paschal has also supplied systems for prestigious projects in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar.

The Dammam hospital extension in Saudi Arabia was, for example, completed quickly with Paschal by contractor Maskaba Contracting. "We are looking forward to increasing our activities in Saudi Arabia," says Delghandi.

"Providing an immediate response to enquiries is a high priority for Paschal and this has been a tradition of the group," he says. "Therefore, in addition to our direct support, Abu A'Amer Equipment Hiring Company - which has a wide range of modern construction equipment - is offering our formwork system on a hire basis to contractors in Bahrain."

To complement its formwork supply services to the construction industry in the Middle East, Paschal also offers an excellent scaffolding system from Nisso International Corporation of Japan, says Delghandi.

The system is already being used on several projects in Bahrain, the most prestigious being the new Shaikh Khalifa Bin Sulman Causeway Bridge connecting Mina Sulman to Hidd.

Nisso International Corporation is part of Nisso Industries Company, a leading supplier of scaffolding to the Japanese and Asian markets. Its main customers are shipbuilding and repair companies, as well as civil construction companies which build bridges, power stations, buildings and facilities for the oil industry.

"The firm developed a revolutionary scaffolding system called the Nisso 3S Octagon series (ring type)," Delghandi explains. "This patented Nisso scaffolding system is easy to assemble, and is absolutely safe and strong. It can be used as access scaffold as well as shoring and support," he concludes.