01 June 2013

HAVING boosted its portfolio of brands considerably over the past two years, the UK-based Laidlaw Interiors Group (LIG) is now looking at expanding throughout the Gulf, confident that it can meet the diverse requirements of the commercial and institutional interiors market.

Laidlaw Interiors Group International provides quality solutions in architectural ironmongery, steel and timber doorsets, handrail and balustrading, access control, partitioning systems and cubicle systems within the commercial, retail, education, health, leisure and government institution sectors of the construction industry. These solutions are offered from within its divisions – Laidlaw, Saturn Architectural, Komfort, Leaderflush Shapland, Fitzpatrick, Longden, Cubicle Systems, Tufwell Glass and TDSL – which, combined with its specialist expertise, deliver a one-stop shop for interior specification.

Through Laidlaw Interiors Gulf, its regional head office and distribution centre in Dubai, UAE, LIG has been providing valuable services including specification and supply of architectural ironmongery. It also supplies and installs high-performance timber and metal doorsets from Leaderflush Shapland and Fitzpatrick, its door manufacturers, and demountable partitions from its Komfort range; as well as toilet cubicle and washroom systems.

“We also provide direct sales support in Qatar through our business development manager based in Doha, in addition to our appointed distributors and representatives in Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman,” says Clive Edgley, international sales and operations director.

The company has various projects in the region including two ongoing developments in the UAE, namely the New York University in Abu Dhabi, due for completion in September and valued at $2 million; and the Al Jalila Children’s Hospital in Dubai, worth $1 million.

Laidlaw also completed the supply of $200,000 worth of hardware this January for the Siemens headquarters in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, which was also its first Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) project. The contractor for the project was Al Fara.

The company was also specified in a number of prestigious projects across the region, including the Meydan grandstand, Zayed University, Sorbonne University and Eastern Mangroves Resort, all in the UAE.

Commenting on business, Edgley says there has been a steady upturn in inquiries which has led to a growth in business compared to last year. “The prospects for the company in the region over the coming year are excellent and we plan to continue expansion throughout the region,” he says.

The global recession did affect business, he says. “Like every other construction-based business, we have felt the effect of the recession. However, we have maintained our sales growth through diversifying our customer base throughout the GCC,” adds Edgley.

“We are continually bringing new products to the market, with product development being a key part of our business strategy. A good example is the EcoGuard seal developed by Leaderflush Shapland, which is an innovative solution for creating an effective door frame to wall seal for doorsets.”

LIG established its Dubai office in 2008, where it has about 10,000 sq ft of warehousing and offices. It also has distributor offices in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

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