For over 14 years, the products division of ETA Melco has shared a successful and growing relationship with Alico by supplying solutions in aluminium composite cladding and automatic doors for many of the landmark projects in the region.

“The expertise and experience of ETA Melco in aluminium composite cladding, synergised with Alico’s strengths in the curtain wall and glazing, has allowed us to offer unmatched top-quality products in the region,” says Moinudeen Sadiq, manager, sales and operations at ETA Melco.
“We are proud of our association with Alico and especially look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship in the years to come,” he says.
The partnership has seen the completion of several landmark projects in the UAE including:
• Dubai Airport (Airshow
building), Dhahi Khalfan Tower, new Etisalat building at Kifaf (under progress), Bu Haleeba Tower at Dubai Media City (under construction), where ETA has supplied and installed Alucobond cladding; and
• The Dubai Autodrome and Business Park, building for Ministry of Labour, (both at Dubai), and the Sheraton Hotel, Abu Dhabi, where the company has supplied and installed Besam auto doors.
One of the major divisions of the Dubai-based ETA-Ascon and Al Ghurair Group is ETA Melco Elevator Company. Established in 1975, it is the sole distributor of Mitsubishi elevators and escalators and a leader in the market in 15 countries in the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and CIS countries.
“The products division of ETA-Melco was established in 1983 to add new products and services in the fast-growing construction industry of the region,” says Sadiq.
ETA-Ascon group has an annual turnover of over $2 billion and a workforce of 30,000. The group has a diverse portfolio of activities – ranging from escalator and electromechanical contracting, power projects, civil engineering through to the trading, retail, travel and shipping, says Sadiq.
ETA Melco (products division) is the sole distributor in the Middle East and CIS countries for – Alucobond aluminium composite cladding from Alcan Composites (Germany), Besam automatic doors from Sweden, and Bezault (Rivalu) accessories for aluminium doors and windows from France. In addition, the division also executes special turnkey projects for stainless steel
“It was just recently that we got the agency for Bezault – Rivalu accessories for aluminium doors and windows from France,” says Sadiq. “This Assa Abloy group company specialises in manufacturing door and window handles, door hinges and friction arms for top-hung windows,” he says.
ETA Melco has also recently launched Besam Automatic Doors sales operations in India. The marketing is done through its branch offices and distributor network in the major cities.
“We are the pioneers and leaders in the aluminium composite cladding market,” Sadiq adds. “Having completed a phenomenal 250,000 sq m of Alucobond cladding in 2004, the division expects this growth to continue into the future.”
“There are two reasons for expecting this,” says Sadiq. “Firstly, the huge number of projects being launched in the region, and second is the continuing demand for our product due to our excellent service.”
“We enjoy a very high reputation in our field. A great product can become average by poor fabrication or installation. We understand this and take great care in ensuring that only the best materials/ workmanship goes into each of our installations – small or big. We also ensure on-time completion of all our projects, which is a major criterion in today’s business,” he says. “This has kept all our end-users, architects and contractors happy and therefore, we are automatically preferred and specified by consultants for prestigious projects.
“We are also ably supported by our principals Alcan Composites to ensure that we continue to be the best in the field,” he adds. “ETA Melco Elevator Company and its principals are ISO-certified, demonstrating the focus we have on quality.”
“We have a full-fledged design department with qualified and experienced designers and draftsmen, who provide creativity in design and help reduce wastage, greatly benefiting the client.
“The UAE has been, and will be the company’s biggest market. However, our company has strengthened its position in the Middle East and CIS countries, through the execution of several prestigious turnkey projects in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kazakhstan, Sudan and Lebanon,” says Sadiq.
“We have executed many unusual and interesting jobs with Alucobond cladding, giving total freedom to the creative thinking of the architects. Some of the most unusual, creative and stunning jobs by ETA Melco include a villa for General Dhahi Khalfan Thamim, Dubai and the Reef Mall, Dubai,” says Sadiq.
The company also has many other prestigious assignments to its credit for Alucobond cladding. Few of them include: The New Dubai Police headquarters (under progress); the international airports of Dubai, Doha (Qatar) and Khartoum (Sudan); Mina Tower, Abu Dhabi; Astana Business Center, Kazakhstan; and the Ikea Building, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
Besam automatic doors have been installed at international Airports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Almaty (Kazakhstan); the Abu Dhabi Municipality; and the Hyatt Regency, Mumbai.
Detailing the company’s expansion plans for the immediate future, he says: “Very shortly, we are opening a full-fledged workshop in Doha. This workshop will cater to the demand of Alucobond cladding from Qatar and Bahrain. We have already ordered for a new automatic panel saw machine for this operation. Apart from this, we are looking to add new high-quality products and acquire an agencies for the construction and engineering industry.”