The Design Engineering and CAD facility of mechanical and electrical engineering contractor Drake and Scull International – which has been involved with some of the more challenging projects both in the UAE and the UK – is reinforcing its strengths in trying to meet and overcome the challenges brought about by today’s fast-paced construction sector.

The Dubai facility of the company offers highly-specialised and customised services, which have been used by some of the major projects in the UK and UAE, including: Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), St Pancras Station, Bedford Rail Depot facility, Northern Rock Bank and Stratford and Ebbsfleet Stations (all in the UK) and the Emirates Aviation Centre, Dubai Free Zone, American Hospital, Dubai Police Headquarters, Arabian Ranches and Dubai Festival City Central Cooling System (all in Dubai).
The firm’s specialized engineering and CAD division in Dubai offers a range of services that include: concept designs, detailed design, schematic drawings, coordination drawings, dimensioned installation drawings and record drawings.
To further augment the international profile of the division, Drake and Scull has recently announced the appointment of Anthony Cash as the engineering manager, in charge of its Design Engineering and CAD Division.
Elaborating on the competitive edge that the Dubai facility enjoys, Cash, says: “Our services not only conform to the standards followed in the UK, but have also set a benchmark in excellence. Drake and Scull is proud to be recognised for its work in this specialised area. Our involvement in the major infrastructure projects in the UK and our continued involvement throughout the Gulf region demonstrate our commitment to enhancing the scope of our services in the highly competitive field of mechanical and electrical engineering design.”
What is unique to Drake and Scull International, at least regionally, is that it is among the few – if not the only – to have a fully functional in-house design division. Other contractors usually outsource these highly specialised services whilst retaining in-house CAD facilities, says Cash.
“Our long-standing experience and participation in huge infrastructure projects in the region and the expertise of our human resources, quality of work and impressive track record have been the decisive factors behind our involvement in the UK. The systems and processes that we have developed over a period of time have enabled us to offer a competitively priced service to the UK. The current volume of work is rapidly expanding, so we will be increasing our resources,” Cash continues.
Drake and Scull International uses world-class technology which includes HEVACOMP and IES calculation software. Some of the other applications include Auto Building Systems Computer Aided Design (ABS CAD), 3D CAD production, which enables a ‘virtual walk through the designed facility’, and 3D thermal modelling that predicts thermal performance of the building in real time.
Cash, who has overseen huge development projects across the UK and Asia, brings to Dubai over 25 years of expertise in the mechanical and electromechanical industry. Beginning his engineering career with the UK Atomic Energy Authority, he has also been a partner with R W Gregory – mechanical and electrical building services consulting engineering firm based in the UK. He is the member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Fellow of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management and the Member of the British Council for Offices.
In addition to its Dubai-based operations, Drake and Scull International has operations in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, and is further supported by the head office based in the UK.
Drake and Scull International has provided quality-engineering services to the Middle East market since its inception in 1964. This extends to providing complete solutions through engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), design and build, maintenance and operations of district cooling plants throughout the Middle East. Current projects include the 60,000-tonne chilled water plant and distribution system for 54 tower blocks at Jumeirah Beach Residence and the 50,000-tonne plant and distribution system for the multi-use Dubai Festival City project in Dubai.
 Other major contracts awarded to Drake & Scull International in the Middle East include provision of mechanical and electrical engineering services to Dubai Internet City, Zayed University in Dubai, Rashid Hospital – Accident, Emergency and Trauma Centre in Dubai, the Grand Mosque in Oman, Smart Village in Egypt, the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh, New Paediatric Hospital and Emergency Department at King Hussein Medical Centre in Amman/Jordan, State Audit Bureau new headquarters and car-park building in Kuwait and the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha.