World-class projects in Bahrain such as the Bahrain Racing Circuit and Aluminium Bahrain's (Alba) potline 5 project are benefiting greatly from Paschal formwork systems whose key attributes include high-speed of erection, quality of finish, cost-effectiveness, durability and environmental-friendliness, according to Paschal Concrete Forms Company.

For the construction of Bahrain's Formula One racetrack, Cebarco and its Malaysian joint venture partner WCT is using a Paschal system to speed up the project.
 For Alba line 5 expansion, AA Nass Contracting is using the formwork for the  foundations of Potrooms nine and 10, while Ahmed Mansoor Al Ali is using it for the foundations of the coke unloading hopper, ball mill and cooling tunnel  as well as those of the power station and rectiformer.  Mohammed Jalal Contracting and GP Zachariades are also using the modular panels extensively for their contracts on the project..
These are just two of the numerous projects that have been completed or are under way throughout the region using the system.

Paschal Concrete Forms Company, the main Middle East branch and stockist for Paschal systems from Germany, launched operations in Bahrain in 1998 and has since added about 150 construction companies from the GCC to its list of customers.
 Paschal Werk G Maier of Germany first developed the formwork in the early 1970s and now offers several types of systems for various applications - the modular formwork being the most popular among them in the Middle East.

Elaborating on the formwork systems, Amir Delghandi, general manager - Middle East of Paschal Concrete Forms Company, says: ''Paschal panels are strong, durable and corrosion-resistant, being manufactured of 6-mm-thick frames of sturdy steel. The surface of the panels is covered with high-quality Finnish birch plywood with a special phenolic resin coating of 220 gm/sq m. Steel frames protect the edges of the plywood and the gap between them is filled with a special sealant.
''Therefore, the panel's 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 panels provide many benefits such as savings in time and labour during assembling and dismantling, less wastage of wood and plywood, reduced storage space requirements at site and during transportation. In addition, the modular panels offer versatility, flexibility and durability.
''The product is suitable for any concrete structure. It is simple to use, giving fast erection time, and does not require a crane.
''Due to their rigid structure, the panels do not require 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.''

''Given the competitive nature of the market, contractors in the region need a formwork that is delivered to them ready for erection, thus enabling them to pour the concrete on the same day!' says Delghandi. 'Paschal systems offer such a solution.'
A number of contractors in Bahrain, including Ahmed Mansoor Al A'Ali (AMA), A A  Nass Contracting, G P Zachariades and Mohammed Jalal Contracting, are currently undertaking their projects using Paschal systems.
AMA is currently building reservoirs and chambers as part of the Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) phase II project.

A A Nass Contracting has started using Paschal formwork for the sewage treatment plant which forms a component of the Hidd Industrial Area infrastructure project.
G P Zachariades' major projects such as a residential building at Juffair, Majaz Tower and Bahrain National Holding's (BNH)  building at Seef are progressing at a rapid pace thanks to  the Paschal formwork system, says Delghandi.
After successfully completing the structural works for Isa Town School, Technical Construction Company is now using its modular panels in the construction of a new primary school project at Hamad Town.
Kooheji Contractors is using Paschal formwork for the construction of the slabs and columns of a 32-villa housing complex.

Another major contractor, Dadabhai, has completed the structural works of its 18-storey building project ahead of schedule. Two staircase shafts, two lift shafts and four shear walls were constructed using a combination of Paschal's climbing system along with modular panels. 
Paschal has also supplied systems to other GCC countries for many prestigious projects in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar.
The headquarters for Public Authority for Industry in Kuwait was completed by Al-Bab Al Kuwaiti Contracting using the system. The company is now reusing it in the construction of several other commercial buildings in Kuwait.

Al Hassan Engineering in Oman is using Paschal modular panels extensively in erecting a control centre and an electrical substation at the Saih Niyahadh power plant project. Bahwan Engineering, also of Oman has been using Paschal formwork since 1997 for various projects such as the LNG (liquefied natural gas) project in Sur, Ibra Hospital, Sur hospital, American School, Muscat and now in the construction of Sohar port.
In the UAE, Paschal modular formwork was used by Al Shafar General Contracting for the construction of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, as well as the Emirates Hills project for Emaar Properties and several commercial buildings.

And in Saudi Arabia, Maskaba Contracting is now using the formwork for a new 38-villa project, having successfully utilised the system for the completion of the Dammam hospital extension in Saudi Arabia,
In addition to Paschal direct support, Abu A'Amer Equipment Hiring Company - which has a wide range of modern construction equipment -  offers the formwork system on a rental basis to contractors in GCC countries.

To complement its formwork supply services to the construction industry in the Middle East, Paschal also offers a high-quality 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 which is close to completion.
Nisso International Corporation is a part of Nisso Industries Company, a leading supplier of scaffolding to Asian markets. Its main customers are shipbuilding and repairing companies, as well as civil construction companies which build bridges, power stations, buildings and facilities for the oil industry.
'The firm manufactures 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 safe and strong. It can be used as access scaffold as well as shoring and support.'