< Previous UPDATE www.fm-middleeast.com 10 February 2021 Dubai Investments Park [DIP], the integrated commercial, industrial & residential community in the Middle East, wholly-owned by Dubai Investments, has increased the power generation capacity across DIP by 16.66%, facilitating a total power load of 1050 megavolt- amperes (MVA), with the 7th energised DEWA substation. The 132/11 KV (Kilovolt) gas insulated switchgear [GIS] substation, located in DIP 1, is engineered to meet the needs of the industrial, commercial and residential sectors across DIP. Set up by a DEWA approved contractor and a specialist in the fi eld of 132 kV substation projects worldwide, the contract covered the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the 132/11kV substation in DIP. Omar Al Mesmar, general manager, Dubai Investments Park, said: “This project is part of DIP’s relentless pursuit to enhance and provide advanced and integrated infrastructure for electricity and water according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, effi ciency, and safety. The 7th operational DEWA substation, will increase transformation capacity, boost the effi ciency of power grids in the area, and enhance power capacity, facilitating improved services to existing tenants and new tenants and is in line with the sustainable development needs of DIP.” Equipped with advanced digital control protection and telecommunication systems, the substation commissioned by the DEWA approved contractor, is operated by the DEWA, enabling easy access to service users. The new substation has a conversion capacity of 150 megavolt-amperes (MVA) with 18 kilometers of 132kV cables to connect with DEWA’s network. STAT ATTACK UPDATE UTILITY DIP’s 7th energised DEWA substation increases power generation capacity by 16.66% AED6.5m Estate management company Provis announced that it has achieved substantial energy and cost savings worth over AED6.5m across 12 managed communities in 2020. 16,000 tonnes The signifi cant achievement was realised after implementing several sustainability initiatives that led to the reduction of more than 16,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and conserving 36 million kWh of total energy from electricity and chilled water consumption, enough to power 5,000 rural homes for a whole year. AED1.3m Sustainable projects implemented include water and electricity optimization initiatives, data analytics of assets and cooling optimization, installation of energy effi cient LED lights and use of water conservation techniques employing weather-based irrigation systems and the use of Treated Sewage Effl uent for irrigation purposes that led to water savings worth AED1.3m. 4% to 6% The company also made use of its real-time cloud-based Building Management System (BMS), which alone is projected to save 4% to 6% of energy and operating costs annually. 10 February 2021NEWS www.fm-middleeast.comFebruary 2021 11 IAQ Dubai-based smart and green maintenance specialist Hitches & Glitches (H&G), part of the Farnek Group, has repeated the need to adhere to all Covid-19 precautionary measures and ensure indoor air quality in the home and office to combat the spread of Covid-19. With the announcement in December that the UAE had detected a limited num- ber of cases of the new strain of Covid-19, Hitches & Glitches director, Kelvin Var- gheese has reiterated the need for SME’s to clean and disinfect their office air ducts, A/C and ventilation systems and encouraged residents to maintain A/C units at home. He said: “We have seen an increase in people spending extended periods of time at home as a result of home school- ing, so ensuring the health of A/C units ENVIRONMENT The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) de- veloped AI technology that helped detect 45,000 palm trees, in various regions of Al Ain. The project is within the framework of UAE’s approach to enhance coop- eration between government entities to improve services and develop innovative solutions that are cost and time saving. MBRSC developed the AI technol- ogy to analyse the 10 centimetre-per- pixel resolution images provided by Al Ain Municipality by utilising in-house technology and experts from the Centre’s Application Development & Analysis Sec- tion. Through the AI system, MBRSC was able to detect 45,000 trees in less than a week, with an accuracy of 98.7%. With this technology, MBRSC was able to pro- vide a solution to achieve an acceptable degree of accuracy to identify and extract UAE home maintenance company reiterates the need for comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of A/C units and ventilation systems The collaboration supports the UAE’s eff orts towards agricultural productivity more common ailments such as asthma, skin irritations, and itchy eyes, nose and throat,” he added. Hitches & Glitches engineers under- take a detailed assessment of all equip- ment to ensure there are no issues. The water and air distribution systems are checked for leaks and cleaned to ensure dirt and dust has not accumulated. In a similar vein, all mould and other fungal growth on A/C coils, inside casings, as well as the ceilings within the office or home are cleaned. All air systems should be clear of any debris and control valves and actuators should be working at full capacity, while all seals are checked to ensure they are intact. Drive belts and fans should also be checked to ensure they are working correctly. very small objects using remote sensing technology, which would otherwise have taken months of work to achieve. The project demonstrates the readi- ness and ability of Emirati competencies to employ remote sensing and artificial intelligence technologies to obtain in- novative solutions that help the country achieve more with lesser time, money, and effort. It further reflects the spirit of cooperation between government agen- cies in the country and reinforces the principle of cooperation among them to improve service offerings in the UAE. The collaboration is also an example of how modern technology can assist in realising the UAE’s national agenda of ensuring sustainable development while preserving the environment and achieving a perfect balance between economic and social development. Saeed AlMansoori, head of Application Development & Analysis Section, MBRSC, said: “Our strategy of combining the use of our high-resolution remote sensing capabilities with an evolving AI-driven analytics and delivery platform ensures that we offer some of the best services for environment monitoring and detection in the region with great accuracy.” MBRSC is also part of the International Disaster Charter and Sentinel Asia. is vital. It is also imperative within the office space as employers reassure staff it is safe to return to work. “We know that the virus can remain airborne therefore by ensuring units are clean and working efficiently the high levels of filtration and ventilation will significantly help reduce the spread. Hav- ing regularly cleaned ducts and A/C units can also help reduce the symptoms of Indoor air quality paramount especially with spectre of new Covid-19 strain, says Hitches & Glitches director Al Ain Municipality collaborates with MBRSC to analyse palm tree cover using AI Hitches & Glitches engineers undertake a detailed assessment of all equipment. Satellite image of palm trees. NEWS www.fm-middleeast.com 12 February 2021 APP Ejadah has launched an employee self-service mobile app OneApp, which allows Ejadah employees to view real-time information, raise HR requests, retrieve documents, print letters and pay-slips, and manage leave requests anywhere and any- time. To support HR management, the app also comes with a host of manager tools to review and approve requests on the go. Among other numerous digital transfor- mation initiatives Ejadah boasts of, there is also the Shabaka App. An innovative B2C marketplace offering a comprehen- sive range of in unit-maintenance services including cleaning, mechanical, electrical, and others. Shabaka enables its customers to browse the service catalogue, schedule WATER QUALITY Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the availability of qualyfast DNA Extraction kit, a fast DNA extraction kit designed to detect Legio- nella in clear water samples. Extracted DNA can be directly used in downstream applications, including PCR and qPCR, without the need for further purification. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused worldwide disruption, but SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, isn’t the only concerning microorganism as busi- nesses re-open or scale up operations. Consequently, organisations are turning to environmental testing laboratories to ensure water systems are free of danger- ous Legionella bacteria. Commercial operations that have been closed for several weeks or even months are at a heightened risk of the waterborne To support HR management eff orts, the app also comes with a host of manager tools to review and approve requests on the go Thermo Fisher is now distributing the qualyfast Legionella range of sample preparation and qPCR detection kits which have been developed and manufactured by Bioside Thermo Fisher Scientifi c adds qualyfast Legionella detection kits to portfolio delivering accurate results in hours Ejadah’s OneApp. Tarek Nizameddin, senior executive director, said: “Ejadah is working on a few digital transformation programmes that we are planning to launch in 2021 for both back office and field operations. These ini- tiatives will lead to less unplanned down- time, higher productivityproductivity, and better overall business performance. pathogen, Legionella. Slow moving or stagnant water allows the bacteria, which can cause the highly contagious, atypical pneumonia Legionnaire’s disease, to multiply. Unused air-conditioning and cooling tower systems, many of which have been idle in recent months, pose a particular public health risk. Thermo Fisher is now distributing the qualyfast Legionella range of sample preparation and qPCR detection kits which have been developed and manufac- tured by Bioside. The qualyfast Legionella PCR range offers environmental testing laboratories a complete sample-to-answer workflow that can deliver accurate results in hours rather than days, when compared to more conventional culture media-based meth- ods. This enables laboratories to give busi- nesses the all-clear for Legionella and help them to get back to work in record time. Bernd Hofmann, vice president of global marketing at Thermo Fisher, said: “These are uncertain times for businesses as the world attempts to get to grips with the Covid-19 pandemic. The addition of qPCR Legionella detection kits to our range significantly enhances our ability to meet the needs of laboratories testing for Legio- nella in water. It provides our customers with rapid and sensitive testing solutions for managing the risk to human health posed by Legionella bacteria.” appointments, make online payments, and chat with virtual/real agents and more. Ejadah is also currently upgrading its cloud-based Maximo FM system to match evolving requirements and elevated standards, and to apply best practices in customer support, management of mainte- nance activities and performance, QHSE, customer agreements, fixed and variable billing. Moreover, Ejadah is pioneering Robotic Process Automation within HR, Finance and supply chain management for time consuming and repetitive transactions like bills reconciliation, issuance of POs, E-sourcing, and government relation activities, among others. Ejadah launches an employee self-service mobile app OneApp Legionella bacteria.NEWS www.fm-middleeast.comFebruary 2021 13 FIRE SAFETY Alucopanel, a UAE home-grown Aluminum Composite Pan- el (ACP) brand, announced the launch of the region’s first government approved A1 non-combustible grade ACP, particu- larly recommended for building projects where very high level of fire protec- tion is prescribed, especially high-rise buildings or schools, hospitals, shopping malls etc. In case of fire incidents in any buildings Alucopanel A1 will never con- tribute to fire at all, thanks to the new A1 core technology. Dubai Civil Defence has certified Alucopanel A1 ACP for installation on building façade. This makes UAE – made Alucopanel the first civil defence-certi- fied A1 grade ACP in the world. An industrial unit of Dubai-based di- versified business conglomerate Danube Group, Alucopanel Middle East started its journey in 2012 and soon captured a significant share in the Middle East’s ACP market, due to its superior technol- ogy and products. “Alucopanel is a UAE home-grown brand and its products are all made in the UAE. Today we are proud to an- nounce that this UAE home-grown ACP brand has received Dubai Civil Defence certificate that paves the way for its manufacturing, distribution and instal- lation in buildings, industries and other application,” Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of Danube Group, said. “It is a UAE trademark registered brand and carries the UAE brand identity. As a UAE- based industry, we are proud to be part of the UAE economy. “The Alucopanel A1 grade aluminum composite panel is the most advanced and most effective non-combustible high quality ACP product that will reduce fire spread in buildings. This will significantly improve the fire safety record of build- ings and structures covered by A1 ACPs.” Fire incidents on an average killed 43,200 people per year in 23 years, from 1993 to 2016, according to a research report on 39 cities worldwide conducted by the Centre of Fire Statistics, 2018 Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of Danube Group. ALUCOPANEL A1 ACP CERTIFICATION Alucopanel A1 is manufactured in a quality-controlled and regularly-audited factory. The auditing has been under- taken under three separate product and quality control schemes including ISO 9001 QMS Certification provided and audited by SGS Middle East. Fire Testing and Certification was car- ried out by Thomas Bell-Wright Interna- tional, a Dubai-based certification body accredited by UKAS, GAC, IAS and EIAC who was engaged in auditing of Aluco- panel A1 manufacturing and sampling for reaction to fire test EN 13501-1:2018 and Self and Flash Ignition fire test ASTM D1929-16 on its core material as well as full-scale façade fire propagation test ac- cording to NFPA 285-2019 required in the latest edition of UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice. Alucopanel A1 received product certification No. TBW0300647 on September 30, 2020. WHAT IS NON-COMBUSTIBLE A1 ACP? The Non-combustible A1 ACPs (A1 ACPs) are fully non-combustible and do not produce any smoke in the event of fire, offering an ideal sustainable alternative to façade cladding materials. Based on the performance, ACPs are classified as A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F. A1 being the highest rating signifying non- combustible materials. The A1 rating is the strictest fire rating standard in the world that validates a product’s non-com- bustible nature. This makes it an ideal choice in the development of high- rise buildings. For a trusted, quality proofed foundation, these are the products one should look out for. The A1, which is a more advanced and a much safe product, is a significant improvement from the existing A2 ACPs in the market. Fire is the biggest cause of accidents in high-rise buildings in the world and in the UAE which has the third highest number of skyscrapers in the world after China, USA and Japan. “Architects, designers, consultants, struc- tural engineers, developers and contrac- tors now have a choice to change the building industry by recommending and installing the highest fire-retardant non- combustible A1 ACPs in building façade that will change the building industry and make buildings, automobiles more safe in future,” said Rizwan Sajan, whose Danube is the Middle East’s largest build- ing materials supplier. Fire incidents on an average killed 43,200 people per year in 23 years, from 1993 to 2016, according to a research re- port on 39 cities worldwide conducted by the Centre of Fire Statistics, 2018. Experts say, unless the old buildings are retrofit- ted with non-combustible core cladding the danger of fire incidents remains high, causing material damage to the building structures as well as lives. Danube Group launches world’s fi rst Civil Defence- approved non-combustible grade ACP facade NEWS www.fm-middleeast.com 14 February 2021 CSR In support of the UAE’s voluntary National Vaccination Program, 2,573 of Khidmah employees based in the UAE have received their first of two COVID-19 vaccine doses. The leading facilities management and maintenance company said that another 579 employees are set to receive their inoculation by the end of January, bringing the total number of staff to partake in the National Vaccination Program to 98% from a total of 3,216 staff. Abdellatif Sfaxi, CEO at Khidmah, said, “Our staff are leading by example and were quick to sign up for the Abu Dhabi government launched campaign ‘’Choose APPOINTMENT ENGIE Solutions has announced the appointment of Abey Rajan as general manager of ENGIE Cofely Mannai in Qatar. Rajan will focus on bringing ENGIE’s wide range of energy efficiency solutions to cities, communi- ties, and industries in Qatar, in alignment with ENGIE Group’s core vision to ac- celerate the transition towards a carbon neutral ecRajan brings over twenty years of experience in business transformation and the delivery of award-winning service experiences and teams. Having been pres- ent in Qatar for the last eight years, Rajan will bring focus and in country experience to the role. As general manager for ENGIE Cofely Mannai in Qatar, Rajan will leverage ENGIE Group’s vast international experi- ence and portfolio of offerings to deliver full-fledged client solutions. Building on ENGIE Cofely Mannai’s established reputation as a provider of sustainable Khidmah staff have already been involved in the eff orts to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the UAE since last year Rajan brings over twenty years of experience in business transformation and the delivery of award-winning service experiences and teams ENGIE Cofely Mannai appoints Abey Rajan as country GM Abdellatif Sfaxi, CEO at Khidmah, gett ing vaccinated. the vaccine widely available to anyone who wants it to stay safe, stay protected and contribute to global efforts to combat the Pandemic.” Khidmah staff have already been involved in the efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the UAE since last year. In September 2020, 57 employees volun- teered to participate in the initial Covid-19 vaccine Phase III trials launched by the government. Khidmah has also partici- pated in the UAE Government’s National Sterilisation Programme, carrying out the disinfection of various streets, parks, and pathways around Abu Dhabi. solutions, he will work closely with clients in the country to support their ambitions to become carbon neutral. Speaking on the appointment, Moham- med Alyami, CEO of Engie Qatar said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Abey on board to lead ENGIE Cofely Mannai’s operations. He has a strong background in the business environment of Qatar and a solid understanding of not only what we do, but what ENGIE aspires towards – which is to accelerate the transition to a carbon neutral economy for a more sustainable future. On behalf of ENGIE Cofely Mannai, I wish Abey the best of success in his new role.” Khalid Mannai, vice chairman, Execu- tive Committee, Mannai Corporation said: “In line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, driving a more sustainable future is a key priority for the country. Under Abey Rajan’s leadership, I am confident that ENGIE Cofely Mannai will continue to support its clients with innovative energy efficient solutions that will facilitate the carbon-neutral transition in Qatar.” Rajan added: “ENGIE has a strong repu- tation in the global asset management and sustainable solutions sectors. In recent times there has been a shift in intentions as companies begin to seek and adopt more sustainable business models, and ENGIE is the ideal partner to help realise the desire for change. I aim to drive the carbon-neutral transition here in Qatar.” to Vaccinate’’ out of their belief that together we are protected. We are proud of our team for taking part in this national drive that will save lives. We are also grateful to the UAE authorities for making 80% of Khidmah employees receive Covid-19 vaccine Abey Rajan.www.fm-middleeast.com COMMENT February 2021 15 s getting vaccinated the first step towards normalcy? At least, this appears to be the mantra for FM firms, particularly because they are at the frontlines tackling the pandemic with the best cleaning practices. Most recently, EFS Facilities Services Group, a regional firm delivering integrated facilities management services across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, has announced free access of the Covid-19 vaccine to more than 4,500 of its staff working in the UAE as well as their families. Transguard Group vaccinated 16,000 of its employees. Also, around 80% of Khidmah employees received the Covid-19 vaccine. Abdellatif Sfaxi, CEO at Khidmah, said: “Our staff are leading by example and were quick to sign up for the Abu Dhabi government launched campaign ‘Choose to Vaccinate’ out of their belief that together we are protected. We are proud of our team for taking part in this national drive that will save lives. We are also grateful Want to enter the debate? If you have any comments to make on these issues, email the editor at rajiv.pillai@itp.com. VIEWP INT Researchers say around 70% of the population needs to get the coronavirus vaccine to stop the pandemic. Once again, FM fi rms in the region are taking the lead! RAJIV RAVINDRAN PILLAI FM fi rms take the lead I About the author Rajiv Ravindran Pillai is the editor of Facilities Management Middle East. to the UAE authorities for making the vaccine widely available to anyone who wants it to stay safe, stay protected and contribute to global efforts to combat the pandemic.” Such initiatives by FM firms is a logical move in moving towards normalcy and also helps the personnel in carrying out their FM- related responsibilities. On the other side of the spectrum, you have businesses encouraging the general public in availing discounts if vaccinated. For instance, Emirates Driving Institute in Dubai offers discounts to those who receive the vaccine. Also, certain Dubai restaurants are offering discounts to residents who have received the vaccine. I understand it makes sense to have vaccinated patrons in a restaurant. According to CDC, the risk of Covid-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar setting as interactions within 6 feet of others increase. Researchers say around 70% of the population needs to get the coronavirus vaccine to stop the pandemic. Once again, FM firms in the region are taking the lead in tackling the pandemic. COVER STORY www.fm-middleeast.com 16 February 2021 16 February 2021COVER STORY www.fm-middleeast.comFebruary 2021 17 ARDA CENK TOKBAS, GENERAL MANAGER, PINAR ARABIA, REVEALS THE SECRET BEHIND MANAGING THE FIRST FULLY AUTOMATED PROCESSED CHEESE FACTORY IN THE UAE FACTORY THE CHEESE COVER STORY www.fm-middleeast.comFebruary 2021 17 The Hadaf Foods Industries factory spans over 20,000 square meters and is located in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD). COVER STORY www.fm-middleeast.com 18 February 2021 A lot goes behind becoming the first processed cheese factory in the UAE that produces the first ‘Made in UAE’ cream cheese. The Hadaf Foods Industries factory has survived the ongoing challenging times. Arda Cenk Tokbas, general manager, Pinar Arabia, says: “Our current employees consist of 30 associates and 50 contractors which will increase as we expand capacity in response to the demand for our products.” Established at an initial cost of $27m (AED100m), the factory now produces 30,000 tonnes of cheese per year with plans to double production to more than 60,000 tonnes. The factory spans over 20,000 square meters and is located in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD). It is Pinar’s first-ever production site outside Turkey and also the UAE’s first fully automated, processed cheese factory. Tokbas adds: “The strategic location choice of KIZAD was due to its offering of multi-modal access and connectivity by road, ports, air and future rail networks to global markets. This was key to our decision, supporting market access, as last year we began exporting our “Made in UAE” products beyond our core MENA market to Africa and Southeast Asia. “For Pinar, Kizad offers an ‘Industrial License’ that permits the import of raw material and the manufacturing, processing, assembly, packaging and export of finished products, crucial as we are now exporting our products both regionally and globally.” In November last year, Pinar was honoured as the first cheese export to the USA and Philippines from the UAE, and the first food and cheese export to Israel from the GCC. CHALLENGES Becoming the “first” did come with its fair share of challenges. Tokbas elaborates: “One of our primary challenges was to assemble a team of 30 highly skilled factory workers for a brand new facility opening within just six months. These recruits needed the experience of working in a highly automated production environment coupled with the personality and experience to adapt quickly. In addition to the required skills, we sought people with a strong work ethic and flexible approach. “We were committed to hiring people already residing in the country and not from abroad. We knew it would be challenging to find the personnel with the right skills within the tight timeframe. We therefore devised creative, ‘non-traditional’ approaches to recruitment.” The recruitment process included extensive use of online recruitment and placing considerable emphasis on referrals, encouraging the firm’s existing employees to recommend colleagues they had worked with before, or people known to them from within the industry. Tokbas says: “This strategy worked extremely well and we found that the employees who we recruited through referrals are amongst the strongest performers in the company.” The firm also collaborated with companies similar to it that were shutting down or streamlining their WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A SYSTEM OF AUTONOMOUS MAINTENANCE WHERE OUR OPERATORS CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR AND PERFORM MINOR MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT, AND HAVE FULL OWNERSHIP OVER THE PROCESS AND LINES THEY OPERATE. COVER STORY www.fm-middleeast.comFebruary 2021 19 Arda Cenk Tokbas, general manager, Pinar Arabia.Next >