Gulf Construction Online - New Doka branch off to flying start

Oman Review

Framax Xlife matching panels ... optimises formwork use on site.

New Doka branch off to flying start

01 February 2010

Doka, the Austrian formwork expert, is gathering some of the best brains in the company from all over the Gulf region to fortify its formwork business in the Omani market, which has a promising future in the country.

Led by Geir Jensen, who has been in the formwork business for the past 25 years – the last 10 as general manager of Doka Gulf – a team has been set up with all necessary support functions to become fully operational. He is joined by technical manager Mohammed Haneefa, who has been with Doka Saudi Arabia for the past 16 years, and senior engineer Shrideep Nanal, who has 10 years of formwork experience in the UAE.

The Doka branch in Oman has already logged its first sales successes, supplying formwork for large-scale projects in the construction engineering sector and for infrastructure projects. These include bridge construction and river-dam construction projects such as piers and pier heads for a bridge in Wadi Adai/Al Amerat, Muscat, and a dam in Salalah. The company is also supplying formwork for the construction of the new airport in Muscat, as well as tourist resorts in Salalah, Al Shifa (Muscat) and Sodah Island, and office and residential buildings in Muscat.

Doka’s product portfolio offered to the Oman market includes Dokaflex, Framax Xlife, Top 50 beam formwork and d2 load-bearing towers, which enable step-by-step expansion of systems.

Dokaflex tables ... time-saving solution for forming slabs.

“Our goal behind establishing Doka Muscat is to become a ‘local formwork partner’ in Oman and provide contractors all the services they require in terms of formwork solutions. This is only possible by building up trust and good relations,” says Jensen, adding that the old ‘buyer-seller’ attitude must change and partnerships built.

Jensen is highly confident about successfully meeting the market requirements of the sultanate and the growth of Doka’s new branch in Muscat.

“The keen interest displayed in Doka formwork systems by local construction companies and the multiplicity of projects now in the negotiation phase are two indicators in particular that point toward a promising future for Doka in Oman,” he says.

Doka is one of the leading formwork suppliers worldwide. The formwork specialist, which has its own subsidiaries in more than 65 countries, always aims to be close to its customers.

“We not only stand for great problem-solving capability on technically-challenging tasks, but also are a dependable partner on all kinds of construction projects. Doka systems have proved to be economical for generally all concrete works, bringing in the ‘added value’ you are looking for,” stresses Haneefa.

“Formwork supply is not difficult. However, satisfying clients’ requirements completely is a big challenge. Equipped with the most modern computer systems for design, and economical formwork systems, and supported by professional engineers, we can offer our customers the best technical solutions for each and every project,” says Jensen.

He continues: “Doka Muscat guarantees timely deliveries, site supervision, follow up on the site and other services required during project execution. No task is finished before the last concrete has been cast!”

“The Doka Muscat team truly represents the company’s renowned capability – being able to identify the project’s needs and find the optimum formwork solution.”

“Although we only supply temporary equipment, by adding value to high-quality products, we can greatly influence and support the safe and economical execution of the whole project,” concludes Jensen.