Gulf Construction Online - Conren ensures watertight protection

Britain & the Middle East

Conren has provided its systems for the wet areas at the Mall of the Emirates.

Conren ensures watertight protection

01 June 2005

After having completed waterproofing work on one of the prestigious projects in the UAE – the Mall of the Emirates which features the Snowdome – Conren International, is eyeing other challenging projects in the region.

The UK-based manufacturer of specialised coatings and waterproofing systems for the construction industry was chosen to supply the “wet area” waterproofing to areas within the mega Mall of the Emirates project in Dubai, which will host the region’s first snow dome. Dubai-based Al Shirawi Contracting Company, Conren’s exclusive UAE distributor, undertook the waterproofing work.
Conren has been serving the Middle East markets for a number of decades. One particular product, from Conren’s range that has been extensively used in the regional markets is Rooftex.
“This single-component, moisture-curing, modified polyurethane waterproofing membrane has been used successfully, throughout the Middle East markets for well over 20 years and has gained an excellent reputation for reliability and resistance to the harsh climatic conditions that prevail in the region,” says export sales director Bernard Dennis.
“The product – which is used to waterproof concrete slabs in bathrooms, balconies and kitchens of exclusive new hotels and condominiums, as well as roofs – has been recommended by developers who have realised that it provides lasting protection against potential water damage,” he adds.
Rooftex’s success is an example of how the introduction of a product or service needed by the expanding Gulf economy can lead to bigger things.

Reaching new levels
Conren’s participation in the regional economy moved up a couple of notches with the opening up of negotiations with Polybit Industries, in mid-2002.
Polybit Industries, a well-established business based in Sharjah, already had manufacturing and laboratory facilities that satisfied Conren’s production needs.
A manufacturing agreement was signed in mid-2003 and trial production started early 2004.
“Because of the highly technical nature of the formulation, a considerable amount of test work was carried out on the raw materials and finished product before it was released onto the market. A new high-tech manufacturing plant was also built for the product,” he says.
“This agreement, in turn led to several beneficial spin-offs that include: a technology transfer agreement, creating jobs for the local population, a regional distribution operation, improved logistics and a more efficient and lower cost operation overall,” says Dennis.
Today, Conren’s products are sold throughout the Middle East region by a long-established network of well-trained and approved exclusive distributors who provide an efficient and professional service for solving problems with leakages on existing properties and dealing with architects, consultants and clients with specifications for new projects.
Over the years, Conren has been involved on several projects that stretch across the markets of Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.
“One big advantage of having operations in the Middle East is that in the long term the Gulf will function as our business hub, helping us to take the product into the emerging markets in South East Asia and the Far East,” says Dennis, who has been regularly visiting the region over the past decade.
“However, UK-based companies are currently disadvantaged by the strength of the pound in comparison to the dollar. A further area of concern has been the escalating cost of oil and oil-related products on the world market. This has particularly affected construction costs in the Gulf and whilst the prices of raw materials have risen way above the accepted level of inflation, Conren's move to manufacture in the UAE has proven to be a well timed decision,' he says.
“The Gulf, and Dubai in particular, has shown massive growth in recent years and the rate of development, not just in hotels and condominiums, is staggering by any comparison.
“The whole economy and fiscal structure of the UAE is welcoming to inward investors who will be assured of a safe and very businesslike environment in which to grow their businesses,” he concludes.