Gulf Construction Online - Bathing beauty

Saudi Build 2009

TecnoIN’s prefabricated bathroom pods.

Saudi Build 2009

Bathing beauty

01 September 2009

TECNOIN plans to launch the world’s biggest prefabricated pods manufacturing factory in the UAE, and will use Saudi Build to showcase the advantages of installing the lightweight prefabricated bathroom pods that it will produce there shortly.

The factory, to be based in Abu Dhabi, will have more than 100,000 sq m of production and storage capacity with a high level of industrialisation and automation, says Sami Al Madalla, managing director.
The exhibition will highlight how quickly preassembled bathroom units can be installed with the help of prefabrication technology, while also providing unlimited options to custom-make units.
The process merely involves positioning of the unit in the location, fixing it to the base with cement and finally connecting the plumbing and electrical systems, which are already fitted and assembled, to the main system.
“Traditionally, bathroom installation is one of the most difficult stages in the construction and renovation of buildings as it requires tedious co-ordination between electricians, masons, painters and plumbers to set up the unit,” says Al Madalla.
“What sets prefabrication technology apart is that the ready-to-fit material is put together by a specialised team of a single supplier, improving logistics and organisation. The lightweight factor and reliable pricing are the key features of the technology,” he says.
The modern composite materials and the composite structures give light but solid bathroom units. For example, a 6-sq-m bathroom, standard series with tiles and accessories weighs only 900 kg to 1,200 kg with a subsequent load of 150 to 200 kg per sq m.
The bathroom pod price is ‘all inclusive’ eliminating any ambiguities of extra expenses for labour or materials.
“Our product is unique within the construction industry and the increasing demand for our pods in Saudi Arabia and high rate of development in the regional markets, in general, encouraged us to take part in the expo,” says Al Madalla.
TecnoIN Prefabricated Technologies, established in the UAE in 2007, is located in the Dubai Investment Park and at ICAD 11 in Abu Dhabi. The company has automated its production line, contributing to an increased output and product quality.
With a turnover of $100 million, TecnoIN is manned by a 100-member strong team that builds prefabricated bathroom pods for all residential segments, particularly hotels, apartments, villas, staff accommodation and hospitals. The finished bathrooms are lightweight (150 kg per sq m), fully waterproof, with thermal and acoustic isolation.
Having recently supplied to Radisson SAS and Park Inn hotel projects in Abu Dhabi, TecnoIN is currently working on yet another hotel in Abu Dhabi – the Rocco Forte Hotel project. This apart, it is also supplying four residential projects – two in Abu Dhabi and two in Saudi Arabia – with an approximate value of $150 million, which are nearing completion. Though several new projects have been either put on hold or cancelled in the region, TecnoIN has its eyes firmly set on ongoing projects and believes that the regional market will perform better than others and reach an acceptable growth ratio.
The company will be present at Stand D448 at the expo.