Gulf Construction Online - Alico executes a complex job

Al Wasl Office Complex

Al Wasl was the first building in the UAE to use Honeycomb panel cladding.

Alico executes a complex job

01 MARCH 2001

Sharjah-based Aluminium and Light Industries (Alico) undertook aluminium and glazing work worth Dh18 million ($4.9 million) on the Al Wasl office complex.

Giving details of the work carried out Mohammed Aslam, project manager for Alico says: "The office tower utilised 7,500 sq m of unitised curtain-wall and 5,500 sq m of Honeycomb panel cladding. The office block utilised 2,500 sq m of SchŸco curtain-wall FW50 SG and 8,000 sq m Honeycomb panel cladding.

"This is the first project in the UAE where Honeycomb panel cladding, imported from Core Industries of the US, has been utilised in such a large area," he says. "The unitised curtain-wall used on the office tower was complex. We appointed Arup Facade Engineering of South Africa as consultant for system review and to provide technical guidance for this project.''

An ISO 9001 company, Alico is one of the largest curtain-walling firms in the Middle East, which was established in 1976 to manufacture aluminium doors and windows. 1980 saw the implementation of a concerted diversification programme, which resulted in a group of integrated operating divisions offering a comprehensive range of construction and industrial products. Such products and services are backed by joint venture or licensing agreements with leading European and American manufacturers and consultants.

"Alico has a reputation throughout the region for producing premium quality aluminium glazed curtain-walling. Employing more than 1,500 personnel from all over the world, the company's annual turnover exceeds $90 million," says a spokesman for the firm.

He continues: "The most important feature of Alico's capabilities is its ability to manufacture tailor-made items to suit consultants and clients' design and specifications. To achieve this, Alico employs qualified engineers and technicians with extensive field experience in its technical design department. It also operates over 60 computer-aided design (CAD) stations.

"Its factory is equipped with technically advanced computer-aided machinery together with suitable qualified personnel to operate them. Experienced factory managers and supervisors ensure that exacting standards and production targets are met. All procedures follow guidelines set out in the company's quality assurance manual, which is in line with ISO 9001 requirements.

"Installation teams consist of well-trained and experienced, highly-skilled field operatives. A continuous feedback system from site to factory and technical design department and vice versa, ensures that customers are provided with best possible cost-effective and practical solutions. Two coating lines at Alico's factory offer high-quality finishes in either Duranar or Valspar fluoropolymer wet coating, or dry-applied polyester powder coating."

Alico is also active internationally and has completed projects in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, India, Pakistan, Sudan, Nepal, Russia and the UK.

"Over the years, Alico has completed many and varied projects in the UAE and has introduced new and innovative systems and technologies to the curtain walling and glazing market," the spokesman says. "Projects have included the use of conventional curtain-walling from the entire range of Schuco systems, glazed space frames and skylights as well as sliding and hinged Schuco windows and doors. Alico's ability to remain in the forefront of facade technology is demonstrated by its long list of market firsts."

Most recent developments feature fully unitised, thermally-broken curtain-walling and new bolted frameless glass walling system. Alico's projects include luxurious residential buildings, high-profile retail complexes and headquarters buildings for some of the most prominent corporations in the UAE. Some of its prestigious projects in Dubai include the Dubai 2000 Air Show, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the National Bank of Dubai (a pioneering unitised curtain-wall project), the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Creek Golf and Yacht Club, the Dubai Airport Free Zone, Emirates Airline Training Centre, the Abu Dhabi Golf Course and the Saleem Al Sayegh Building in Sharjah. Some of its current jobs include the Royal Hyatt, Tower No 1, Union Tower and National Bank of Abu Dhabi.