Aluminium systems specialist Installux Gulf kicked off 2003 with major contracts in Dubai from Emaar Properties – the second package comprising 23 buildings on The Greens project. 

The award came on the back of the successful completion by Installux of 18 buildings on phase I of the project early last year.
The Greens at the Emirates Golf Club is a master-planned gated community comprising studio, one, two, three and four bedrooms. Installux was responsible for the supply of curtain-walling, doors and windows for the development.
The last seven buildings under the T2 contract, as the package is known - which involved a total built-up area of over 85,000 sq m - were completed recently by the company.
“The project was the largest that Installux Gulf has supplied to date and was a major challenge,” says Basim Al Saie, general manager of the Bahrain-based firm. “It proves the ability of the company to handle large projects and has also served as an example for the quality of systems to a market largely used to commercial products.
“In fact, on completion of the Greens project, we secured a major contract for Al Murooj, a commercial and residential development in Dubai.”
The $85 million Al Murooj complex features 12 buildings, four apartment blocks and penthouses, a state-of-the-art leisure centre, a supermarket, floating restaurants and a 250-room hotel.
In addition, Installux is also implementing other projects in the emirate where the firm’s aluminium systems as well as its reputation for meeting tough schedules are gaining wider recognition among contractors and consultants, says Al Saie.
Summarising the overall performance of Installux Gulf in the region, he says the company has witnessed a threefold growth in terms of sales volumes.
Installux Gulf is the regional office of the France-based Installux Group which comprises four major companies specialising in high-quality aluminium systems, office partitions, awnings, shop-fittings and signage.
The company reports one of its best performances ever in the Qatar market where it has secured a contract to supply aluminium systems for the prestigious Khalifa Sports City. Another landmark project for Installux Gulf was the 22-storey Gulf Tower, where it supplied two and four-sided structural glazing systems.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Al Saie expects Kuwait to blossom into a boom market.  “The company continued to record strong growth in sales in the country and this is expected to accelerate during 2004,” he adds.
Installux Gulf’s market share in Bahrain continues to expand especially in the private residential sector where end-users are increasingly turning to Installux systems for the quality and finish they offer.
Encouraged by its strong performance in 2003, the company has decided to make further investment in human resources, by engaging additional technical support, engineering and marketing personnel.  It is now poised to embark on the next phase of its growth strategy which will involve investment in infrastructure, says Al Saie without divulging further details.
Installux Gulf is also focusing on introducing new advanced and innovative products and technology on the market over the next few years. Among them is a new class of products  aimed at meeting the requirements of the new generation of high-rise structures.
Commenting on the aluminium systems sector, he says that there is a wider selection of quality products from Europe available in the regional market.  “This is a positive trend for the market, the consultants and end-users. We view competition as being healthy as we have been pushing for quality systems.  It is more cost-effective to pay more now for quality systems and save in the long term,” he points out.
Al Saie also calls for the establishment of a specialist organisation to spearhead development in aluminium systems. “What the Gulf needs is an aluminium association to push for wider use of aluminium and for higher standards of quality while fine-tuning building codes to cover efficiency and make buildings more energy-efficient,” he says.
Al Saie says Installux Gulf has managed to create an image in the market in terms of quality, design and service.
“We have been able to offer better service and design – which ultimately leads to achieving success.
“Our strategy is focused and we help our partners grow while we grow with them.  We can undertake large and small projects and, if required, we can also draw upon the expertise from our parent company,” he says.
With the increasing awareness in the industry of the long-term benefits of using quality systems and the company’s drive towards penetrating newer markets and offering the latest generation of products, Al Saie believes Installux is well poised to reach further heights with its aluminium systems.