Aldes innovates with Twisted 850
01 April 2013
INNOVATION is a watchword at Aldes Middle East, the local arm of Aldes Group – a leading global solutions provider for fire protection, ventilation and air distribution – which has recently introduced its Twisted 850 diffuser, which offers high technical performance and a unique aesthetical design.
The diffuser offers better air diffusion in buildings to increase thermal comfort in living spaces, according to Gaetan Pierrefeu, managing director of Aldes Middle East.
“The design,” Pierrefeu says, “definitely fits with the usual high standard interior design of prestigious projects that we have in the region.”
The ceiling-mounted diffuser designed to replace a 600 by 600 or 675 by 675 mm suspended ceiling tile can be used on air-conditioning installations requiring high levels of air circulation, being ideal for the supply of cold or hot air with large differences in temperature and low ceiling heights and variable air flow installations (of the ducted fan coil units type).
Following this latest innovation, the company now intends to launch a new VAV (variable air volume) design for better air regulation and energy savings.
“We also have a wide range of UL (Underwriters Laboratories)-listed fire dampers that were launched last year. These dampers meet the requirements under the new regional fire codes. In line with this, we are promoting the Isone fire damper, which has a good track record in the European market,” Pierrefeu says.
Another new product that Aldes plans to introduce by mid-2013 is an innovation “that will transform the air balancing system in buildings. We have promoted this system in Europe and we are now bringing it to the Middle East,” he says.
This apart, the company is now looking into expanding its product offerings in ventilation systems, which will include heat recovery ventilation units that will bring in considerable energy savings.
Aldes Middle East has maintained a strong presence in the UAE that spans over three decades. In 2002, it opened its own production facility at the Sharjah International Airport Free Zone where it manufactures a wide range of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) accessories like dampers, VAVs, grilles and diffusers, sound attenuators and fire protection components. The 8,000-sq-m Sharjah production facility is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery.
“We create and develop a diverse portfolio of products that provide clean air, comfort and safety for villas, residential buildings to commercial and industrial facilities. Our wide range of solutions focus on three specific activities – fire protection, ventilation and air distribution,” says Pierrefeu.
Having established itself in the region more than 30 years ago, the company has since tapped into different markets across the Middle East. To date, Aldes Middle East products have made their way to countries like the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The company has a dedicated team in the Middle East for product development and is constantly developing solutions to address market requirements, while create products that incorporate the latest technologies in air distribution, fire protection and ventilation.
“Some of the more popular products across our range include fire dampers for fire protection, VAVs and the sound attenuators for air distribution. In addition, we have seen an increased demand for our technical grilles and diffusers, which are unique in the market in terms of technical performances and aesthetic design,” says Pierrefeu.
“Having our own factory in the UAE has given us the identity of being a local player with products bearing a European level of quality standard. Aside from this, we also maintain offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” he adds.
In addition, the company has established a strong network of partner distributors across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, which has helped it strengthen its presence in the region.
“Strategy wise, we are positioning ourselves across the region’s growing markets like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This year we will be opening Aldes Qatar, possibly in the first half of 2013. In line with our partnership with Mimar, we are also currently hiring sales people in Saudi Arabia to help penetrate the market there and reinforce our presence as well,” says Pierrefeu.
He continues: “One of the key drivers for our success is our ability to quickly react to major trends in the market and by moving to new areas of growth within the Middle East. Despite this, we continue to have a strong presence in the UAE to still be able to reach out and maintain our loyal customers that we have over the years.
“Business in 2012 was rather unbalanced in terms of geographical factors – we saw double-digit growth in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Bahrain and a very good start to our foray into the Saudi market. The Middle East region represents a four per cent share of the Aldes Group’s business as it is mostly Europe based. However, we are seeing positive indicators and are quickly growing in this region.”
Some of the projects the company has been associated with include Ferrari World, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai airport’s second terminal and the Oasis Hospital in Al Ain, all in the UAE; and the Hamad International Airport and the Qatar National Museum in Qatar.
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