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USG panels grace Burj’s interiors
01 February 2010
USG, a market leader in drywall and ceiling systems, is on top of the world – literally – having recently supplied gypsum panels as well as a wide range of other products for the interiors of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE.
The company’s Sheetrock brand of panels has been used in the entire building, according to Fares Saghbini, general manager of USG Middle East, the regional office of the US-based manufacturer.
Elaborating on this major order, he says: “Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) specified USG’s Sheetrock gypsum panels for use in the entire building, even though locally-supplied material was available. Subsequently, Depa, the interior finishing contractor for the entire job was asked to submit information on the quality of wallboard to be installed in the building.
“Ultimately, USG was specified, selected and installed for its overall quality in terms of performance, acoustics, aesthetics and fire-rating. The decision-makers knew they could not take any chances and quality would not be compromised, even if it meant importing nearly 1.4 million sq m of USG wallboard by sea from the US.”
SOM is the designer of Burj Khalifa, along with Adrian Smith as the consulting design partner.
Other products used in the project include Sheetrock all-purpose joint compound manufactured by USG Middle East in Saudi Arabia; Sheetrock tape, paper-faced corner bead and trim, acoustical sealant and shaft wall system; and Durock cement board and screws; insulation and steel framing.
“More than 600, 40-ft ocean containers were required to ship all the material,” he points out.
USG, one of the world’s leading suppliers of products to the construction sector, has been in the Middle East for more than 30 years and enjoys a pioneering status in the region’s ceilings segment. Its products are manufactured locally and available throughout the region.
“USG’s global leadership is a result of its commitment to research, development, and a profound understanding of its markets and customers,” he says. “Dedicated research facilities are custom designed to maintain its leading edge in the interiors industry.
The company’s legacy is built on the reputation of its staff, locally and internationally, and the dedication they have towards their customers and their company. They are our true assets.”
The company’s regional base operates three manufacturing plants in Saudi Arabia, together with six sales offices and a Middle East-wide sales network in Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Dubai, UAE; Beirut, Lebanon; and Bahrain. It also has many distributors across the region.
“The presence of USG in the Middle East means you can specify materials with complete confidence. All our products meet the highest local and international standards. Wherever your project is located, you can count on our prompt delivery for the highest quality products, systems and services,” Saghbini comments.
Its leading brands in the Middle East include a wide selection of USG mineral-fibre ceiling panels; USG-laminated mineral-fibre ceiling panels; Donn DX II Grid, a leading ceiling system worldwide; Durock cement board; Fiberock reinforced gypsum board; Sheetrock gypsum boards and joint compounds; dry wall steel frames and ceiling suspension system, in addition to various other building materials.
The company has been part of numerous prestigious projects throughout the region, considerably adding to its leadership status. In Saudi Arabia, its project portfolio covers all areas of the kingdom, including:
• Western Province: Tabuk Economic City; Knowledge Economic City and King Saud University, both in Madinah; King Abdullah Economic City, Rabigh; Jizan Economic City; expansion of Jeddah, Madinah, Tabuk and Najran airports; the new international airport to be built in Rabigh; University of Najran; Umm Al Qura University and Jabal Omar project, Makkah; an air base in Taif; King Abdul Aziz University, Lamar Towers, Jeddah Gate and residential and commercial towers (Corniche area), all in Jeddah; and 15 hospital projects in Makkah, Taif, Jouf, Jizan, Najran, Khamis Mushayit and Abha.
• Central Province: Princess Noura University; King Saud University; Olaya Towers and Imam Mohammed bin Saud University; and
• Eastern Province: Aramco projects in Khafji; Saudi Basic Industries Company (Sabic) projects and Royal Commission developments in Jubail.
This apart, USG is involved in highly prestigious projects in Qatar including The Pearl-Qatar and Sidra Medical and Research Centre.
Last year was a tough one for many businesses, particularly those involved the construction sector. For USG, however, it was the year of innovations and product development, according to Saghbini.
“By providing appropriate solutions to our customers and distributors, we managed to ease the impact of the recession. Although some areas suffered, we had growth in many others, and closed the year with an impressive performance,” says Saghbini.
The Chicago-headquartered company, which has an export market covering 80 countries, registers annual sales worth more than $6 billion.
As far as future prospects for the company are concerned, he says: “Banks expect a fuller credit recovery in 2011. Also, as the private sector’s appetite becomes more robust, it is likely that the sector across many Gulf states will rise from the recession next year. Hence, we have an aggressive plan for the next five years and expect steady growth. The Middle East is still the main focus of growth for many industries, especially those that are construction related.
“We aim to maintain our leadership in the Middle East and become the Number One ceilings company worldwide.”
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