Close on the heels of opening a regional office in Dubai last year, Canadian formwork specialist Aluma Systems is launching its new quick-strike decking system called Aluma Dek at this year’s Big 5 show.

“The primary beams, as well as the panel rails and stiffeners of the system – which is to be manufactured locally – are all aluminium extrusions, making the Dek lighter than any other comparative product in the industry,” says Daniel Taylor, business development manager.
Aluma Dek uses Aluma heavy-duty post shores – with a load capacity of 62 kN at an extension of 2.4 m – as the primary shore.
Available in various sizes and configurations, Aluma Dek will represent an extremely efficient and cost-effective option to contractors, says Taylor.
Also on display will be the company’s flagship product the Alumalite Truss – a large aluminium table that can be two or three trusses wide, and can vary in standard length from 2 m to more than 15 m (length’s of over 8.5 m are easily and frequently achieved). The height of the standard truss is adjustable via a telescopic extension staff, and can vary from 2.2 m to over 4.5 m.
Taylor continues: “Super trusses can be constructed for especially high floors. The super truss used at the Mall of the Emirates (MoE) project for contractor Al Jaber Grinaker LTA was 6.95 m in height, and contained 750 cu m of formwork. It was possible for the table to be lowered from the cast slab, moved and re-positioned within 15-20 minutes.
The system is very versatile, and is capable of being designed to form any drop beams in the slab. Hinge panels are attached to the truss to form areas between columns.
At the Jumeirah Beach Residence project for contractor Arabtec, there are multiple drop beams in the slab, and the truss system is helping the contractor regularly achieve a minimal four-day floor cycle.”
Other Aluma systems products include the Aluma Frame, suitable for both building and bridge construction applications, which is being used at a number of locations, including Doha City Centre project for Al Habtoor Engineering and the Dubai Festival City project for contractor Al Futtaim Carillion. These aluminium frames – which measure up to 2.1 m in height, 1.8 m wide, and weigh only 19 kg – can be further extended by the addition of further frames, 1-m aluminum screw jacks to the top and bottom of the frame legs. Load capacity is 160 kN per frame.

Aluma Beam
The Aluma Beam is used as the basic joist on both the Alumalite Truss and the Aluma Frame. The 140 mm beam incorporates a high-density plastic insert, into which the forming ply is nailed or screwed.
“The plastic has an extremely long life cycle, and is not damaged like wood. Similarly, all of our aluminium products have extremely long life cycles, making them durable as well as versatile,” he points out.
“Another new product on display is the Aluma Shield, which is our edge protection safety system. These steel mesh panels are the first of their kind to be used in the UAE. The panels can be attached to Aluma formwork, or used as the standard edge protection method on the cast slabs, and are tested to PR EN 13374 standards to a yield of over 1,200 lbs (544 kg).
Commenting on the company’s strategy and future plans, he says: “We decided to manufacture Aluma Dek here because of the comparative advantage compared to importing. Our entire product range, from the Alumalite Truss to the Aluma Shield is manufactured and fabricated in the UAE.”
“We are also hopeful of entering into an agreement with a plywood company, and will start selling plywood as well. Currently, all of our formwork products come without plywood. This, we think, will be a logical step forward, and we will be using the Big 5 to further explore, and hopefully finalize this move.
“We will also be using the Big 5 as a forum for us to enter into a successful tie-up with Slipform International. This partnership will consist of Aluma Systems becoming the registered distributor for the products and services of Slipform International for the Middle East. It is quite a big exhibition for us as we are turning around quite a few corners at the moment,” adds Taylor.
Established in Canada 30 years ago, the company has been supplying its products to projects in the region for the last seven years.
“Since the time we were awarded the Jumeirah Beach Residence project by Arabtec – where we won a 13-tower deal over a year ago – our office in Dubai has been set up and headed by managing director Terry Taylor, and we plan to open up new offices in Abu Dhabi in the near future.
Commenting on the formwork business in the region, he says: “The formwork sector is doing very well in the region, particularly Dubai. Since we are servicing all of our projects from our Dubai office, our office here is currently very busy. We have recently signed a major contract with L&T of India for the supply of formwork for over 30 structures, including the Discovery Gardens, Marina Scape Twin Towers, and another twin tower development at Jumeirah Lakes.
“Next year we are looking to considerably expand our infrastructure and our operational capacity. Our goal is to continue expanding at a sustainable rate at which we can continue to offer the highest level of service to our clients. We always look to establish long-term working relationships with contractors, where repeat use of Aluma equipment is the trend.
“We currently have a five-tower project in Doha with Al Habtoor Engineering as the main contractor, and we are looking forward to setting up a branch office in Doha soon”. Plans are also on the cards to set up an office in Bahrain at some point in the future.
“In 2006, we will be fully entering the formwork rental market, because up until now – apart from Dubai Festival City – we have only been involved in the sale of formwork equipment. Next year, we hope to make full use of the expanded facilities and other various agreements we are tying up, and start entering the rental market full swing.”
Aluma’s systems have already been used on a range of projects in the region that include: Grosvenor House; Burj Residence; Mall of the Emirates; DIFC; Shoreline Apartments; Lake Terrace; Jumeirah Beach Residence; Tower C3 at Jumeirah Lakes Towers; Crown Plaza Hotel and Intercon Hotel at Dubai Festival City; Podium area Zone 8B at Dubai Festival City; Marina Scape Twin Towers, Jumeirah Lakes Towers – towers T2 and F2; Discovery Gardens (Mogul) structures Type ‘U’ and ‘V’, all in the UAE; Sharjah Tower and Sharjah Gate project in Sharjah; and Doha City Centre in Qatar, he concludes.