Cyprus-based Engineering and Commercial Association (EKA), which is participating for the fifth year in succession at the Big 5 show, will actively promote four major products – Stonecrete, Liebert Hiross, EKA Rock Art and Levolux – at this year‘s event.

“EKA is the exclusive supplier and installer for Stonecrete – a paving product that has already been applied on some of the luxurious villas and palaces in the region, and Hiross – a raised underfloor air-conditioning system that is gaining in popularity,” says Louis Loizides, president of the EKA group.
EKA Rock Art is being introduced to the Dubai market for the first time, although EKA has, for many years, been specialising in the field of artificial rock formations for hotels, villas, theme parks, shopping malls and many other uses in Cyprus and Greece. It is considered to be a very strong addition to the EKA portfolio for Dubai.
“The Big 5 is a worthwhile exhibition as it covers the whole of the GCC, and we intend to participate in the coming years as well. Last year, we have received over 100 enquiries, and this year we expect things to be much better,” says Loizides. “The demand for most of the products and services we supply have been doubling year on year, and we plan to increase awareness among our prospective clients in the region on the benefits of they offer.”
The company supplies Stonecrete to more than 20 countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, the GCC, and more recently, India. EKA has also unveiled plans for setting up a plant in Mumbai, India, which will cater to the rapidly-growing markets in the region and intends to finalise the agreement soon.
This apart, EKA is on the lookout for new premises at its base in Limassol, Cyprus, to set up a new production facility. It is also working actively towards the development for laying out floors. The two to three-layered flooring system – once on the market – will be available in coloured and wooden compact finishes, he says.

Stonecrete
“Stonecrete is a unique product – a modern day rival to the traditional stone paving for any outdoor area,” says overseas business development manager Pantelis Kouzis.
“Simulating the beauty of natural stone and brick, Stonecrete is more economical and versatile.
“Stonecrete is a revolutionary method of adding charm and beauty to offices or homes. Composed essentially of concrete, the product is pigmented with colour hardeners and stamped with special tools, to give it the look of natural ceramic tile, granite, brick, rock or stone. Stonecrete allows users to beautify outdoor areas economically and fast, by choosing the patterns and colourways to complete the style that suits individual tastes.
The decorative patterns of Stonecrete – which is safe, anti-slip, non-absorbent and resistant to acids, salt and ice – can be used in parking places, swimming pool decks, sidewalks, restaurants, theme parks or areas, hotels and other areas.
Stonecrete is available in a wide range of moulds that seek to recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era or to blend with any theme required. Apart from the extensive existing line of moulds of which there are in excess of 50 – the company also develops custom-designed moulds that are aimed at providing a specific look.

EKA Rock Art
EKA rocks, he says, are seen as the natural partner to Stonecrete in that they create an extensive selection of synthetic rock formations designed by the company’s experienced team to create exactly the feel required for any area – be it a hotel, shopping mall, villa or theme park or any other area – where rocks, water and specialised fibre optic lighting effects may be required.
“This is an economical alternative to natural rock and the key word in this is ‘art,” Kouzis points out. “Quite apart from the installation of rock projects, the artistic input should never be underestimated and at EKA, we have people who must rank among the very best in this specialised field. We believe the opportunities in the GCC for EKA Rock Art are great and we invite enquiries.”

Hiross system
The Hiross flexible space system from Emerson Network Power and supplied by EKA, was designed for installation in buildings incorporating raised access floors, says Loizides.
“Underfloor air-delivery systems or the flexible space system is a concept which utilises the plenum of raised access floors offering high-quality air-conditioning, indoor air quality (IAQ) of very high standards, freedom to move services and interior layouts as well as energy conservation methods. This is a system developed in Europe during the last 25 years and we have been involved with for the last 12 years.
 “EKA has designed and installed more than 100,000 sq m of the flexible space system in Cyprus and Greece and we have started promoting the concept in Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania,” says Loizides.
“Such floors have become increasingly common, as they permit the flexible and orderly installation of power and communication cables and other services. In addition, the Hiross System – when compared to conventional air-conditioning systems – eliminate the need for false or high ceilings for air ducts. Being an air-based system, the installation of water services throughout the building is also minimised.
“The new Hiross flexible space system has evolved even further. Office buildings are frequently used for multi-tenant and multiuse purposes, and they may also include stores, restaurants, canteens, banks, auditoriums, etc. Each of these areas may be operated during different working hours and some of them may need to be operating whilst the rest of the building is shut down. The added advantage being that users can create their own microclimate directly from their PCs – something that was not possible before.
“The new system – a modular design utilising raised access flooring – is centered around the needs of the individual, responds to the ever-changing human and technological demands and can be modified or expanded easily and inexpensively as many times as required,” he adds.

Levolux
Levolux is another leading-edge technology offered by EKA in the GCC area. Levolux is a world leader – with more than 160 years of experience – in the development of sun-screening systems.
“Architecture and building design constantly evolves and today there is a growing need for shading solutions to control light, heat and glare,” he says. “This growth can be attributed mainly to increasing energy costs, environmental concerns, legislation, health issues and high usage of computer equipment. It is also recognised that hot, uncomfortable working conditions and the overheating of a building and its contents leads to more errors being made, work in progress being damaged or even destroyed and a decline in operational efficiency.
“Glass is, perhaps, the most striking feature of modern architecture, enabling designers to optimise natural daylight for economy and comfort. EKA is committed to providing the best range of products and systems to architects and specifiers to maximise the applications of glass while employing the most energy-efficient solutions to control light, glare and solar heat gain.”
Established in 1946, the EKA group was established in Cyprus with the aim of providing the market with general building materials and services. In the past half a century, the company’s continued success and steady growth have allowed it to gradually expand into various other related sectors of the building industry. Today, the company structure covers several divisions, each one dealing with specialised products/systems of the market. The divisions include: EKA General Trading division, Technical Division, Stonecrete Division, Building Services Division, Swimming Pools Limited, Rock Designs Limited and Hellas.
The company has two manufacturing facilities in Limassol, with a total area of 6,000 sq m along with a 2,000 sq m facility at Athens and holds a licence to manufacture and supply Laticrete adhesives across the globe.
“The Building Services Division deals with products and systems that involve the design and implementation of intelligent commercial buildings,” says Loizides.
The company has successfully completed several projects in the Middle East, which include villas, offices and hotels. Its more prestigious projects in the region include the waterproofing work for the swimming pools of Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, apart from several other impressive projects.  “Our policy and mission is aimed at expanding our strong presence in additional countries all over the world, and we are following that plan quite ambitiously,” he concludes.