< Previous30 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com INSIGHT WHAT’S COOKING? M plus, a UAE property maintenance services provider, recently announced the further expansion of its range of services with the launch of its total commercial kitchen maintenance solutions. With over 12 years of experience off ering comprehensive home and property maintenance services, this latest addition caters to the maintenance requirements of commercial kitchens of all sizes across the UAE, one of the world's most popular leisure, tourism and business destinations. Home to some of the world’s most famous hotels, unique tourist destinations and experiences, and a rapidly growing number of diverse and popular restaurants, the UAE welcomes a large number of tourists and visitors each year. Global Media Insight stated that Dubai, one of the most popular emirates for tourists, recorded 14.36 million visitors in 2022. Between January and September of 2023, the emirate reported 12.4 million visitors and the number of total visitors in 2023-2024 is expected to further increase during the UAE’s peak tourism period between November and March, due to more favourable weather conditions, making it a prime travel season for visitors. According to Dubai Economy and Tourism’s 2022 Gastronomy Industry Report, Dubai has over 13,000 food and beverage (F&B) outlets catering to tourists and residents, making it the F&B capital in the Middle East and North Africa. These outlets and restaurants operate using commercial kitchens, which are professional-grade culinary facilities specifi cally designed and equipped to effi ciently prepare large quantities of food for commercial purposes. Commercial kitchens must ensure they operate at high levels of capacity while adhering to the required health and safety standards to support the city’s growing number of tourists and residents visiting restaurants throughout the year, especially during peak periods. For commercial kitchens to operate successfully year-round, especially during the busier periods, facilities must meet hygiene standards that adhere to the UAE’s rigorous health and safety guidelines. Kitchen equipment must be cleaned to the highest standards using the correct materials and procedures to ensure food is prepared and cooked hygienically without the presence of any bacteria. An unclean kitchen can harbour harmful bacteria, potentially leading to food contamination and the risk of food borne illnesses, posing a threat to customers and kitchen staff 's health and safety. An unclean kitchen that is poorly maintained can attract rodents and pests, creating an unsanitary environment, which increases the risk of customers contracting food poisoning, stomach infections, and other related health issues. This would result in a commercial kitchen’s closure until the necessary sanitary measures, pest removal and comprehensive cleaning procedures are implemented, and it is deemed a safe and hygienic environment for food preparation and service. During peak periods, it is integral to ensure the uninterrupted fl ow of commercial kitchen operations, maintaining effi cient cooking processes to meet customer demands without compromising the quality or timeliness of service. This involves meticulous planning, suffi cient staffi ng, streamlined workfl ows, and eff ective communication Ruban Thatheus, Sales and Operations Manager at mplus, shares the recipe for maintaining commercial kitchens during peak periods Ruban Thatheus, Sales and Operations Manager at mpluswww.fm-middleeast.comJanuary 2024 31 among kitchen staff to sustain a smooth and consistent level of service while managing increased demand. Kitchen equipment may break down or require prompt maintenance and immediate repairs during high-demand periods due to over-usage, which can cause a signifi cant interruption in service continuity. Depending on the kitchen’s location, obtaining a permit for a company to carry out the required repairs may be challenging. To avoid this, commercial kitchens may stock essential spare parts for quick equipment repairs. However, the absence of a qualifi ed technician readily available on-site remains a potential obstacle to resolving an equipment breakdown issue swiftly. Commercial kitchens and facilities can use a total kitchen services provider, such as mplus, to guarantee operational effi ciencies, implement comprehensive maintenance schedules, and gain immediate access to skilled technicians. Commercial kitchens can operate effi ciently, especially during peak times, by utilising a range of services designed to optimise kitchen functionality, minimise disruptions, and ensure seamless operations. mplus off ers year-round tailored commercial kitchen solutions for restaurants, cafes, food catering facilities, central, hospital and hotel kitchens. Facilities can uphold consistent operational standards and maximise equipment lifespan by properly maintaining heavy-duty cooking, catering and service equipment tailored to each commercial kitchen’s needs and requirements. mplus’ total commercial kitchen solutions provide industry-leading preventative maintenance services due to their pivotal role in equipment’s operational reliability, minimising downtime and delays in service capabilities, and elevating the overall effi ciency of F&B facilities. Kitchen equipment needs to be regularly maintained to ensure functionality, and staff should be aware of how to properly use and clean equipment to increase its lifespan and functionality. Routine equipment inspections mitigate malfunctions and expensive breakdowns, and by adhering to a well-structured preventative maintenance programme, commercial kitchens can safeguard against unexpected disruptions while optimising equipment performance. Commercial kitchens can ensure future readiness and planning for peak periods by involving a total kitchen solutions provider to handle their equipment maintenance, service and cleaning requirements. These providers can implement proactive maintenance schedules, conduct routine inspections, and clean and service kitchen equipment, which will help prioritise and prevent any potential issues in equipment functionality. Additionally, they guarantee immediate access to skilled technicians who can swiftly resolve any breakdowns during critical times, including peak operational periods. Professional commercial kitchen solutions providers can develop and maintain essential spare part inventories and utilise preventative maintenance techniques to facilitate faster repairs and preemptive maintenance, which helps signifi cantly reduce a facility’s downtime. Finally, a provider can assist with staff training sessions on proper equipment usage and cleaning procedures, which helps minimise equipment issues. Maintaining effi cient commercial kitchens is crucial as the UAE’s hospitality sector and number of restaurants continue to rise. Partnerships with total kitchen solutions providers who off er preventative and reactive maintenance and swift technician support help ensure uninterrupted operations during peak periods. Their preventive approach minimises downtime, while staff training fosters equipment reliability and proper usage. Adopting these services prepares facilities for peak tourism and visitor periods and maintains the UAE's exceptional hospitality standards within its thriving F&B landscape. 32 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com THE BIG NEWS T he 44th edition of Big 5 Global, the largest and the most infl uential construction event concluded in Dubai, recording an attendance of over 81,000 high-quality visitors from 166 countries for four days from 4 to 7 December 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. “This year Big 5 Global surpassed expectations, attracting the highest ever number of construction professionals from various corners of the world, fostering an environment conducive to sharing expertise, developing global partnerships and showcasing new advancements in construction technology and practices,” said Josine Heijmans, Vice President – Construction at dmg events, the organisers of Big 5 Global. “This milestone reaffi rms our commitment to delivering unparalleled value to our attendees, exhibitors and partners, who are looking to engage in business activities in the MEASA region’s construction landscape.” PARTNERSHIPS AND LAUNCHES Bringing together the biggest names in construction in Dubai for four days, Big 5 Global served as a hub for major deals and partnerships, further solidifying the importance of exhibitions in facilitating strong business relations. In one such partnership, Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ), an exhibitor at Big 5 Global, signed a deal with Grand Move, to develop a USD17.8m (AED65.3m) community mall spanning 35,000m2 in the new Al Falah district. The project’s masterplan includes a hypermarket featuring a medical centre and a sports club and other retail and F&B facilities. Maureen Bannerman, Chief Commercial Offi cer, Abu Dhabi Airports, stated: “We are pleased to announce this Musataha Agreement will contribute to the development of the new Al Falah district, bringing communities together.” Another exhibitor, Floors & Walls secured distribution partners for their brands, namely Richmond and Sintrich, in India, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The distribution deals will yield in more than USD20m annually. “We are so pleased to have exhibited at Big 5 Global this year and have already booked our stand for the 2024 edition,” said Valy Ossman, CEO, Floors & Walls. In addition to new partnerships, this year the event also witnessed many product launches. UAE-based United Motors & Heavy Equipment Company launched three Wacker Neuson Zero Emission products The Big 5 Global exhibition in Dubai served as a hub for major deals and partnershipsJanuary 2024 33 www.fm-middleeast.com THE BIG 5 NEWS including ACBe modular battery-powered internal vibrator, battery-powered vibratory plates which redefi ne sustainability and effi ciency in construction. Launching in the UAE for the fi rst time through the event was the RD8200 SG, a survey grade mapping and utility locator by Radiodetection (a Partner of SIGMA Enterprises, a Big 5 Global exhibitor). RETROSPECTION OF KEY FEATURES AT BIG 5 GLOBAL During the four days, Big 5 Global became an important platform for thought leaders, innovators, decision makers and construction enthusiasts to discuss the future of the sector. A series of insightful dialogues and discussions took shape at the Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit where the industry’s call for transforming the construction blueprint was addressed. Also at the event, speakers at the Big 5 FutureTech Summit highlighted critical dialogues on future-proofi ng the sector for a tech-enabled future. The content programme at Big 5 Global also hosted a day of conversations around the impact of artifi cial intelligence on design and architecture at Everything Architecture. Supported by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE), construction innovation also came to life at Start- up City, where the pitch competition crowned winners for their pivotal role in reshaping traditional practices in the sector. Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of DCDE, commented: “Start- up City creates a valuable platform for engagement that brings together emerging industry players to showcase their innovative ideas and shape the future of construction. The chamber’s support for this timely event comes as part of our drive to nurture promising technology companies and advance the emirate’s digital transformation agenda. We remain committed to cementing Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for the digital economy in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).” IN-DEPTH CPD-CERTIFIED BIG 5 TALKS Covering a broad range of pertinent topics across 130+ CPD-certifi ed Big 5 Talks were held under ten streams including concrete, facades, facilities management, geotechnical, HVAC & MEP, off site & modular, project management, solar, technology and urban design & landscape. Speakers highlighted technology adoption, sustainable building methods, geothermal energy adoption and urgent industry needs to effi ciently improve materials to reduce the impact of climate change. “We all know about the climate emergency; we need to be able to make good material selections to reduce the impact. And for all of this, digital tools are going to be very helpful,” said Belarmino Cordero, Managing Director of Eumada, who spoke at Facade Talks. Echoing the common sentiment on the adoption of BIM at the Technology Talks, Dr. Ing. Ali Ismail, BIM expert at Dubai Municipality, noted: “We do our best to build a community, an interesting group of people and companies who believe in the value of using open BIM standards and believe in improving our industry by deepening collaboration as individuals and companies.” Josine Heijmans, VP, Construction, dmg events BUILDING ON SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS As it concluded this year Big 5 Global was supported by main Supporting partner the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Supporting Partners Dubai Municipality and Dubai Civil Defense; Platinum Sponsor, Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA); Gold Sponsor, NG Khutaya; Windows Doors & Facades Event Diamond Sponsor, Schüco Middle East; Windows Doors & Facades Event Platinum Sponsor, Alumil Middle East; Windows Doors & Facades Event Gold Sponsor, Sykon; Silver Sponsors, ECE Marble, Italian Trade Agency and Fresh; Sustainable Development Sponsor, Dubai Investment Park; and Bronze Sponsors, Al Waseef, Rubber World and RAK Bank. “We’re already anticipating next year’s Big 5 Global, bringing together regional and international exhibitors from 26 – 29 November 2024 to facilitate business activities and foster partnerships in the MEASA region’s construction landscape. As our portfolio expands at the Dubai World Trade Centre, we’ll soon be unveiling some exciting announcements for the event,” concluded Heijmans. 34 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com THE BIG 5 NEWS FUTURE BUILDINGS T he global construction industry needs to adapt by prioritising the orientation of future buildings and promoting the retrofi tting of existing assets to reduce emissions. This was a consensus made by leaders and high- profi le speakers at Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, which ran today alongside the 44th edition of Big 5 Global at the Dubai World Trade Centre. During the opening of the summit His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Former Minister of Climate Change & Environment in the UAE called for the industry to evaluate its impact on the environment. Addressing a global audience of delegates comprising government offi cials, industry thought leaders, experts and innovators, Dr. Al Nuaimi stressed that with growing public awareness the industry must adopt bold objectives to combat emissions and make the industry more sustainable. Also speaking at the summit, Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation & Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, highlighted an incremental surge in the adoption of cutting-edge construction systems and innovative building technologies poised to signifi cantly reduce energy consumption in buildings. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND MILLION-DOLLAR DEALS In addition to insightful dialogues and discussions taking shape on the second day of the event, Big 5 Global also saw a major deal being signed between BAUER Maschinen, part of the Germany-based foundation engineering giant, BAUER Group and Kuwait-based Al Nouf Real Estate Company, a LA'ALA AL-KUWAIT Group of Company. As part of the deal, Al Nouf Real Estate has expanded its fl eet with the addition of a Bauer MC 96 duty-cycle crane. During the handover ceremony, Shahram Houshmandfard, Managing Director at At the Big 5 summit, Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation & Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, highlighted a surge in the adoption of innovative building technologiesJanuary 2024 35 www.fm-middleeast.com THE BIG 5 NEWS BAUER Equipment Gulf said: “We are thrilled to have signed this remarkable deal at Big 5 Global. Bauer’s traditional core competency in specialist foundation engineering has today been expanded to encompass three distinct business segments: Construction, Equipment, and Resources. Bauer machinery and equipment has been a byword for top performance and quality as well as for continuous innovation.” In addition to Houshmandfard, the handover was attended by Mark Dunglison, Director Planning & Design at Al Nouf Real Estate and Hana Neimatallah, Project Director at LA'ALA AL-KUWAIT Real Estate Company alongside Rohan Sequeira, Sales Manager at BAUER Equipment Gulf. The signing of the deal comes at a time when Germany marks a 50% increase in exhibitors from across the construction value chain and as Kuwait returns to the exhibition. BIG 5 GLOBAL GROWS IN SCALE AND QUALITY “I believe that in today’s dynamic construction landscape, Big 5 Global plays a pivotal role as a catalyst for thought leadership and business transformation. The event not only fosters impactful dialogues from industry leaders, but also converges high-quality, leading-edge products on a global scale,” said Josine Heijmans, Vice President – Construction at dmg events, the organisers of Big 5 Global. “This scalability is a testament to the industry's evolution, demonstrating how Big 5 Global eff ectively accommodate the burgeoning demand for access to pioneering solutions across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.” At Big 5 Global the growth of scale and quality goes hand-in-hand with the participation of leading international and local brands from more than 60 Big 5 Global also saw a deal being signed between BAUER Group and Al Nouf Real Estate countries; and one of these countries is Saudi Arabia, which brings ‘Made in Saudi’ to the event in addition to other leading companies. With thousands of Saudi visitors expected to visit the event this week, further boosting trade relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Big 5 Global was toured by His Excellency, Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s presence at Big 5 Global is further strengthened by the participation of ‘Made in Saudi’. "Participating at Big 5 Global brings an exciting opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to quality, innovation, and the advancement of the ‘Made in Saudi’ brand on a global stage. We look forward to sharing our vision, forging partnerships, and showcasing the exceptional products and services that defi ne Saudi Made, contributing to the future of international trade and development,” said Faisal Almaghlooth, General Manager of Made in Saudi Program. “As it continues to attract a diverse array of exhibitors, Big 5 Global is further solidifying its position as a premier destination for discovering the latest advancements, forging valuable connections and celebrating excellence within the industry,” concluded Heijmans. An exhibitor demonstrating at the Big 536 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com POINTS TO RECYCLE I n response to global waste crisis and aligning with global commitments to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and net- zero targets, an international consortium led by Roland Berger and BEEAH Group, in collaboration with DFINITY Foundation, and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), demonstrated the world’s fi rst global incentive system to counteract the solid waste footprint. Supported by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MoCCaE) and the COP28 Presidency, the public- private coalition introduced the Voluntary Recycling Credits (VRC) Initiative at the UAE Pavilion at COP28, marking a new era of positive climate action. Commenting on the initiative, Hani Tohme, Managing Partner, Roland Berger Middle East, said: “The VRC Initiative is built to solve a concrete market gap: with the private sector setting more commitments towards net-zero and circularity, we also acknowledge major barriers to deliver on it. Double-counting, transparency, cost-eff ectiveness. We decided to tackle it over solid collaboration and exchange between public and private sector, with a cross national approach and a cooperative mindset. Involvement from diff erent stakeholder across countries and multiple layers of the value chain is a crucial part of the VRC value proposition, which aims at a joint eff ort to shape the future industry standards.” Announced in Paris in May 2023 by Roland Berger, BEEAH Group, and ISWA on the sidelines of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) in Paris, the VRC Initiative is poised to make a signifi cant impact and transform global recycling practices. It emphasises the responsibility of all stakeholders to mitigate their environmental impact, promoting standardised processes and transparency on off set activities. The Proof of Concept for the VRC Initiative has been successfully developed, with the fi rst live transaction showcased at the UAE Pavilion, COP28, on 4 December 2023. The full-scale platform is set to be developed and offi cially launched in 2024. The initiative is actively seeking project investors, ecosystem partners for recycling credit trading, and technology Launch of the Voluntary Recycling Credits (VRC) initiative at COP28 marks world’s fi rst standard to incentivise recycling globallywww.fm-middleeast.com COP28 UPDATE January 2024 37 collaborators for growing the system at the global scale. Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, commented on the VRC Initiative, stating, “BEEAH Group has been working relentlessly towards a zero- waste to landfi ll future, which we see as closely linked to fulfi lling the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and broader sustainability agenda. While we drive increasing landfi ll waste diversion rates, accelerate the circular economy and support lower emissions in the UAE and the region, we want to enable similar positive impact globally. The VRC Initiative is a standardised incentive that is inclusive of all stakeholders across sectors, from waste collectors and recycling companies to large organisations who are committing to addressing the environmental impact of waste produced in their operations.” In the face of the expanding global waste crisis, the world is struggling with a staggering generation of waste. Annually, individuals produce approximately 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. When industrial, electronic, agricultural, and other economic activities are accounted for, this fi gure surges to an alarming 17-18 billion tonnes. With only half of this waste being managed, the remaining portion is contributing to signifi cant environmental damage through landfi lling, dumping, and burning, impacting soils, water resources, and air quality. To counteract this situation, the VRC Initiative establishes a set of standardised rules and processes to enable institutions to compensate their solid waste footprint through a transparent ecosystem. This mechanism involves trading ‘recycling credits’ on a blockchain-based marketplace, ensuring auditable and secure transactions between waste off setters and recycling companies. The initiative, which emphasises additionality principle to incentivise more recycling worlwide, aims to boost collection and recycling of solid materials, furthering the management of all types of waste. The DFINITY Foundation, the technology partners for this initiative, will provide a solution built on the Internet Computer blockchain that will instill confi dence, credibility, and scalability into the project, ensuring its viability as a global standard for recycling incentives. “The VRC platform is a great showcase on how we use Web3 technology for The public-private coalition introduced the Voluntary Recycling Credits at the UAE Pavilion tackling environmental issues. The Internet Computer Protocol technology from Dfi nity is a perfect match for it,” says Pierre Samaties, Partner and Global Head of Digital Assets and Web3. Dominic Williams, Founder and Chief Scientist of the DFINITY Foundation, expressed his views on the VRC Initiative: “The Internet computer is a fully decentralised and tamper-proof network. It guarantees a transparent, auditable, and secure record of recycling credits and transactions. This transparency ensures that all parties – whether waste producers or recyclers – can trust in the veracity of the credits they purchase, sell, or trade.” Brazil welcomes the VRC Initiative, which aligns seamlessly with the country’s ongoing strong eff orts to shift from a linear to a circular economy. Emphasising the importance of effi cient waste management, Adalberto Maluf, National Secretary of Urban Environment and Environmental Quality at the Ministry of the Environment, Brazil, attended the event and shared that the country aspires to further develop and showcase this initiative, with the goal of presenting it as a global standard at COP30 in Brazil. He emphasised the important social role this initiative could bring as it accounts for waste pickers, an important social category for the country. The UAE has implemented various certifi cations such as LEED in recognition of the importance of sustainability in real estate LEEDING THE WAYJanuary 2024 39 COP28 UPDATE A gainst the backdrop of COP28 in the UAE, Savills Middle East has launched its latest report on the current real estate sustainability landscape. This report takes a look at how various real estate sectors, including residential, offi ces, industrial, and retail, are responding to growing calls for sustainability and where the Middle East stands versus global cities. The UAE is located in a water- scarce, arid environment, with 85% of the population and over 90% of the infrastructure located within a few kms of the coastal areas. The challenges and opportunities are more pronounced here and in the wider region, compared to other parts of the world. “The government is utilising modern technology to address these challenges and, in the process, creating new economic sectors in the form of green products and services, including the world’s largest single site solar park A large share of the green- certifi ed buildings in the country are located across established offi ce districts such as the DIFC, Dubai Design District, EXPO City in Dubai, and ADGM in Abu Dhabi Paula Walshe, Director - Transactional Services at Savills Middle East Paula Walshe, Director, Savills Middle EastNext >