CBI Europe, a leading Italian manufacturer and distributor of interior finishing systems and accessories, has unveiled plans to expand its business in the region as it gears up to exhibit its products and services at the Big 5 show.

Part of the expansion plans for the regional market is the setting up of manufacturing units within the emirates.
The company has started work on a new plant in Dubai’s Jebel Ali, which is expected to be up and running next year. The 510 sq m facility, to be called the European Building Products (EBP), will employ close to 15 people, says EBP managing director Emanuele Ulisse.
“This is just the beginning,” he says. “We are planning to build a plant covering 3,000 sq m and the number of employees will rise soon.
“The high demand for building materials and construction technology makes the Middle East an ideal market for new suppliers and products. The UAE’s regional and global economic and commercial expansion is making it the most vibrant country in the region,” he adds.
The manufacturer, which is exhibiting at the Big 5 show for the third consecutive year, will showcase its products at stand 5D250.
“Thanks to our flexibility, innovation-focused mentality and easy installation method, we lead the manufacturing market of ceilings and its suspension system, raised floors and demountable partitions,” says Franco Catena, CEO of CBI Europe.
CBI’s diverse range of products – which include ceilings, raised platforms and demountable partitions – have been used to enhance the interiors in several prestigious projects in the region. “Our systems, products and accessories are perfectly suited to meet the most demanding projects requirements,” Ulisse says.

Ceilings
To meet the requirements of new construction projects as well as for use in the renovation and redecoration of existing buildings, CBI Europe offers a wide range of ceilings in metal, wood, mineral fibre and gypsum.
Manufactured from aluminium or galvanised steel coil and painted polyester resin, metal ceilings create exclusive, accurate and durable ceiling solutions. They can be provided with perforations and a factory-applied acousical tissue for improved acoustical performance.
In addition, different design levels can be achieved through the ‘Open Sky’, cell-like suspended ceilings.
The laminated wooden ceiling panels help create high-quality environments, thanks to the wide range of designs and sizes available. The system, which is maintenance-free, is available in total or partial perforation or slots, he says.
Mineral fibre ceilings, finished with a vinyl-based white coating, provide a high level of acoustical absorption and insulation values. Four different product lines – standard, crystal, crystal symbol and crystal absolute – offer a wide range of design alternatives from the basic to the more sophisticated. Panels for hygienic areas and humidity resistance are also available.
CBI Europe has considerably increased its variety of exposed ceiling suspension systems, which are available in 22 different colours. The customised cross-tee connection systems, which are hook-in or overlapping according to the preference of the contractor, use the same main runner allowing greater flexibility in installation and reduced inventory requirements.

Raised flooring
CBI raised access floors are said to satisfy all technical and aesthetic needs, doing away with the incompatibility between the traditional building structure (conceived as to remain unaltered in time) and the ever-changing demand in technical wiring of high technological environments such as executive offices, banks, and call centres, among others.
“CBI Europe is the only company on a worldwide level which produces all three types of panels required by the markets – high-density wooden panel, high-density calcium-sulphate panel and fully steel-encapsulated panels. All top coverings – high pressure laminated, linoleum, PVC, rubber, ceramic tile, granite, marble, parquet and glass – are directly applicable to the panels and can be customised to suit the preference of the customer or the project requirements,” he says.

Demountable partitions
Conceived to divide and furnish at the same time, demountable partitions offer a clever solution in terms of quality, versatility and design. Combining elegance and flexibility with ease of installation, CBI Europe has two product lines – Genesy and Wall System.
“The choice that CBI has to offer in aesthetical and practical solutions are unlimited, thanks to the combination of colours, doors and windows,” says Catena.
“The partition walls are composed of a bearing structure in galvanised steel. The padding is composed of two opposite melamine-clad panels which are antireflective and scratchproof. All the panels can be lined with fabric or lacquered or veneered in several colours. The glass sections are made of tempered or shatter-resistant single or double glazing units. The finished Wall System partition is 80 mm thick and its panels are installed on the wall with a clipping-covering joint,” he adds.
The finished section of a Genesy Partition is 105 mm thick and panels are fixed with hooks to the main structure, allowing easy removal for inspection. All overhanging parts have rounded shapes to prevent accidents and also to harmonise the whole partition system.
In addition, provision has been made in these demountable partitions for the insertion of proper soundproofing material and utility installations such as electric and telephone cables  as well as wall switches and sockets.
“Since our inception, we’ve paid attention to the fire-resistant properties of our materials,” says Catena. “Today, CBI is able to sell the best of materials in terms of fire resistance. Also, the company has achieved ISO9001:2002 certification.”
CBI Europe has been producing and distributing interior finishing systems and accessories all over the world for more than 25 years through a network of authorised distributors and specialist installation companies in Europe, the US and North Africa.
“With thousands of customers worldwide, the company has managed to triple its volume of sales over the past decade. CBI is committed to offering the widest range of solutions, looking at the latest trends, needs and innovation. Hence, CBI Europe is one of the few, if not the only company, manufacturing the complete range of interior finishing products including ceilings, raised floors and demountable or gypsum board partitions required for today’s international construction projects,” Catena concludes.