< Previous10 MEP Middle East | February 2023www.mepmiddleeast.com -- “Thro ugh exte nsive rese arch, inno vation , collab oratio n, and acti on tow ards the better ment of socie ty, we can build brigh ter, greene r futur es with susta inable mate rials and truly emb race the prin ciples of the circul ar economy .”- Laszl o Svin ger, VP and MD, Midd le East and Afric a, 3M p34 p32 “Data centr es rema in a doubl e-edg ed sword for the regio n. Ther e’s clear ly an econ omic neces sity give n the push to buil d new indus tries relian t on digit al infra struct ure. A by-p roduc t of this is high ly ener gy- intens ive syst ems.” - Yasse r Ah med, direct or of Digi tal Buil dings & E nergy Mana geme nt Softw are, Schn eider Elect ric p28 “Whi lst KSA still comm ands the majo rity of the head lines in term s of proje cts, we are heari ng and seein g more and more work comin g from Dub ai.” - Jame s Mo wat, Direc tor, Ener gi Peop le p26 “We have been toug h on ours elves by setti ng very high stan dards for delive rables , whic h has been helpi ng us to cons istent ly exce ed our custome rs’ expe ctations .” - S P Sar angan , Gener al Mana ger, Trost en Indus tries Comp any 12 MEP Middle East | February 2023 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 In the aftermath of the pandemic, the HVAC industry in the Middle East is facing an increased level of responsibility as companies strive to ensure that homes, hospitals, schools, offi ces, and other occupied spaces remain healthy, comfortable, and sustainable. The HVAC Power 25 companies, which are the most prominent and infl uential players in the region’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning sector, have a signifi cant role to play in this effort. We would like to express our gratitude to all the leading contractors, distributors, and suppliers in the GCC region who have responded to our survey questionnaire. It is important to note that not all fi rms that responded to the survey were included in the fi nal list, but we made a concerted effort to carefully select the top stakeholders who have had a tangible impact on the HVAC sector over the past 12 months. The list was created taking into consideration various factors such as the fi nancial health of the fi rms, their top completed and ongoing projects during the past year, the value of the contract awards, the size, location, scope of work, and the resources dedicated to each project, as well as their reputation in the market. Additionally, the list also carefully evaluated the fi rms’ digital transformation and their individual contributions to sustainable practices and processes. HVAC POWER Additionally, in line with the previous year, we have excluded district cooling and district heating fi rms such as Empower, Emicool, and Tabreed, among others despite their laudable contributions to the district energy space, in order to arrive at a clear representation of the HVAC industry. Without further ado, let’s dive into the companies that are leading the way for the HVAC industry in the region. Note: This list is not a ranking and does not place companies in any specifi c order of importance, but merely makes the effort to recognise a host of companies contributing to the sector from across the supply chain. 12 MEP Middle East | February 2023 www.mepmiddleeast.comFebruary 2023 | MEP Middle East 13 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 ALEMCO is counted among the top mechanical, electrical, and plumbing providers in the Middle East. It is a subsidiary of ALEC Group, a renowned engineering and general contractor. As part of the MEP services that ALEMCO offers, it also provides HVAC services and solutions to fulfi ll the requirements of fast-paced projects. ALEMCO puts forth the necessary skill, expertise, experience, and resources to accomplish them. Since its inception in 2006, ALEMCO has provided fully engineered electromechanical and building service solutions to construction projects. From data centres to skyscrapers, over the years ALEMCO has undertaken some of the region’s most complex projects. Its track record includes some of Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s most prestigious and iconic developments, from hotels, resorts, spas, and retail developments, to cinema, leisure, and exhibition spaces. Nathan Hanns, General Manager, ALEMCO ALEMCO The key services that ALEMCO provides to its clients include turnkey electromechanical construction services and planning; facilities management including contract work, full maintenance and call-out facilities management services; and energy optimisation, which helps to reduce operational costs and prolong plant life. The latter is achieved through a mixture of energy audits and advanced energy-saving methods. Additionally, ALEMCO also offers project quantity surveying, as well as and budget and BOQ production services. ALEMCO also has a proven track record in delivering highly complex, quality projects to a select group of key clients and has built a reputation of successfully executing contracts within budget, on time, and to the satisfaction of all signifi cant stakeholders across all areas of its operations. Furthering its belief in the value of bringing the best and most innovative technology, systems designs and equipment to bear on every project, ALEMCO sees its large, reliable workforce as its greatest asset. It is fully committed to enhancing its people’s skills and personal development through a programme of technical and soft skills training at its own MEP Technical Training and Development Department. Last year, ALEC Group launched the ALEC Data Centre Solution – a subsidiary set to revolutionise the regional data centre market – an integral opportunity for ALEMCO. The contracting giant recently announced it will expand its reach to Saudi Arabia with ALEC Data Center Solutions. As a business, ALEMCO’s ability to deliver projects is widely demonstrated through its commitment to developing long-standing relationships with its clients. It is regarded as a valuable MEP contractor by its clients.14 MEP Middle East | February 2023 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 Daikin Industries is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of advanced, high-quality total climate (HVAC-R) solutions. Founded in Japan, since 1924, the company has evolved over nine decades to employ 85,000 people and operate 105 production bases. Today, the brand has a presence in 160 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Daikin Middle East & Africa promotes and provides aftermarket support for a full range of air conditioning equipment and systems across the GCC, Middle East, and Africa. Daikin MEA is part of Daikin Industries Ltd, which — in 2020 — reported that its overall market value has doubled from $30bn to $70bn, an achievement attributed to the resilience of its business strategy amid a volatile global economy, aggressive investments and proactive measures carried out as part of the brand’s Fusion 25 Strategic Management Plan. The fi rm’s vice president, Tuna Gulenc, said: “Daikin will continue to make strategic investments to grow the business, build a robust structure in line with our corporate values, and further contribute to the society in each country we operate in. “Daikin will stay committed to providing homes, businesses, and industries with the most effi cient and safe solutions. Driving the HVAC sector via our innovations and delivering good indoor air quality through whole building climate control with energy effi ciency and comfort will stay as our core mission in the region.” Last year, Daikin launched a solar plant at its headquarters in Dubai to accelerate its move towards achieving up to 100% renewable energy, in line with their goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. In October 2022, the company expanded its footprint in Saudi Arabia with a new factory launch. The opening of the custom-built premises is part of the company’s fi ve-year integration and industrial growth plan for Saudi Arabia and the region. Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, Daikin’s second factory premises in the region will provide high-quality products, carrying the label ‘Made in Saudi Arabia.’ DAIKIN MEA Tuna Gulenc, Vice President, Daikin Middle East and AfricaFebruary 2023 | MEP Middle East 15 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 JLW MIDDLE EAST James L Williams (JLW) is one of Australia’s most experienced services contractors, established in 1875. It is well-known for being the fi rst HVAC services contractor in the country and even installed the fi rst air-conditioned building in Australia. JLW expanded to the Middle East in 2008, and has since become a top-tier MEP contracting fi rm in the region, known for its ability to deliver highly technical, large-scale design-and-build/ EPC projects. JLW is known for its quality of workmanship, engineering excellence and ability to deliver projects on time and budget. The team at JLW is composed of individuals who are dedicated to providing a high level of service, integrity, and reliability, which has helped the company to expand and maintain its reputation. JLW manages around 4,500 employees, with 1,000 as direct employees and 3,500 sub-contractors under its management. In recent years, the company has become a leader in the development of data centres in the region. JLW is currently working on full turnkey EPC and traditional construction projects, and has partnered with JVs to construct multiple data centres in the UAE. The company plans to continue serving the data centre market in every way possible in 2023, working with key players in the market, both locally and internationally, to support its expansions in the UAE and GCC areas. JLW is now established in Bahrain, and is setting up offi ces in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In 2022, JLW was awarded a contract to construct a 60 MW data centre in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. JLW and its JV partner are currently overseeing the design and construction of a data centre through an EPC contract. The project is divided into two phases, with JLW and the partner serving as the main contractors for the fi rst phase, which will have a total IT capacity of 31.8 MW. After completing both phases, the data centre will have a total IT capacity of 60 MW. JLW has an impressive portfolio of completed high-profi le projects and an array of upcoming projects. Besides the 60MW data centre in Abu Dhabi, JLW is also working on a 15MW data centre in the capital and a 7.8MW data centre in Dubai. In addition, JLW has also been awarded the main contract for the construction of the Sharjah Airports Central Utility Plant (CUP) facility in addition to infrastructure diversion works for the new airport terminal expansion. Its other ongoing projects include the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi and the American Community School’s new campus with ZÜBLIN. Ramy Boufarhat, Chief Executive Officer, JLW Middle East16 MEP Middle East | February 2023 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 Dubai, Taqeef operates in Iraq, Sudan, and Morocco and is expanding its network to new places across the Middle East. It is also opening three new showrooms in Iraq. In 2022, Taqeef was involved in several HVAC projects that are both completed and ongoing. According to the company, these projects are varied in scope and complexity but are united by a common goal: the use of new and more sustainable technologies. Elaborating on this, Tariq Al Ghussein, chairman and CEO of Taqeef, said that the company has been leading the path of consciously cooling in the UAE for the last 50 years. “Along with our brand partners Fujitsu General and Midea, we continue to develop the most energy-efficient air- conditioning solutions tailor-made for the desert climate.” Taqeef’s key projects from 2022, include Marina Harbor, ENOC’s ser vice station of the future at Dubai Expo, Royal twin villas, a residential tower for Al Nafisi group, Amazon warehouse, DAMAC villas, and Salah Al Din school, among other residential, commercial, and retail projects. The company prioritised sustainability and energy efficiency through its operations by: Launching O General’s inverter ducted range of products, which is the first zero ozone depletion full range in the region. Expanding its ser vice offerings, such as CoolClub, the UAE’s most profitable rewards program for independent AC dealers, and increasing the coverage of CoolProtect, its AC annual maintenance program, for business and consumer audiences. Introducing a company-wide CRM program to support digitisation throughout the business, which speeds up processing, ordering and ser vice times, and allows more traceability for customer interaction and back-end operations, resulting in a better customer experience for both consumer and trade audiences. Innovating in the employee arena by introducing new training programs for first aid and fire safety, and a job transfer program to promote critical business experience. Explaining further, Al Ghussein said: “We continue to invest in building a future generation that shares our ethos for the people and planet through our iMatter program, an initiative that delivers interactive science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) learning to students in the UAE who would not other wise have access to it.” In 2023, Taqeef is working on several new product launches from Midea and General in both the residential and commercial space. “Decades of leadership in cooling sustainably have guided us to be at the forefront of bringing comfort to people’s lives while reducing the environmental footprint associated with air-conditioning to have a positive impact on society,” concluded Al Ghussein. TAQEEF Taqeef is a leading air conditioning solutions provider in the Middle East with a legacy of over four decades. Since 1972, Taqeef has ser ved the countr y’s evolving cooling needs with world-class technology, innovation, and ser vice with exclusive partnerships in the UAE with Fujitsu General and Midea. In addition, the company is committed to driving responsible air-conditioning use and promoting environmental efficiency across the Middle East. Its ser vices encompass residential AC, commercial HVAC, energy solutions, installation and commissioning, AC maintenance contracts, and training and development. Headquartered in Tariq Al Ghussein, Chairman and CEO, TaqeefFebruary 2023 | MEP Middle East 17 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 AR Suresh Kumar, Vice President and Head of IOBG, Voltas VOLTAS Voltas Limited is an established provider of air conditioning and engineering services, as well as a projects expert. For the past four decades, they have been providing total Electro-Mechanical services internationally, most notably in the Middle East. The company, which is part of the renowned TATA Group with an annual revenue of over $120 billion, has been at the forefront of engineering solutions for the past six decades in India. Voltas operates in India, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. They have also built a speciality in the Home Appliance sector through their 50:50 joint venture with Arçelik (VoltBek). Within the GCC Countries, Voltas as a turnkey MEP solutions provider has executed some of the most prestigious and iconic projects of diverse applications, ranging from airports, hospitals, hotels, mixed-use developments, and shopping malls, to theme parks, sport stadiums, defense air bases, industrial plants, district cooling plants, and skyscrapers – including the Burj Khalifa. The fi rm is well-recognised for leading the industry at the forefront of innovation and adopting modern engineering and construction practices through process improvements, sharing best practices, automation, pre- fabrication, digital transformation, corporate governance, and more. This year, Voltas is expecting to acquire new certifi cations and renew existing ones. Voltas is accredited with ISO 14001 and demonstrates great regard for the environment. The company ensures there is continous tracking of energy conserved across its projects and takes management of waste very seriously. Over the past 12 months, Voltas has initiated 100% waste segregation in the workplace and has recycled 2461kg of paper and 2,558kg of plastic – through an authorised third party – which is equivalent to saving 235 million BTUs of energy or reducing 12.2 MT of CO2 emissions or 28,202kWh of energy savings and saving 65m3 of landfi ll. Furthermore, Voltas has been among the few companies to adopt technology at every stage of project monitoring and execution phases. The supervisory staff at their sites use a tablet-based application to plan and monitor their site activities. The managerial staff monitor project progress across Engineering, Procurement and Construction using real-time data on data visualisation tools. The higher- level executives have the capability to check any project-related report or data on their mobile phones to keep track of the progress, which assists in increasing visibility, speeding up the decision-making process and cutting back on project delays. Additionally, these resources have notably reduced the amount of paperwork on-site. Digital interventions are not mere tools but a part of Voltas’ project delivery model. Right from equipping its foremen with tabs to use RFID for tracking workers and ensuring their safety, Voltas has been at the forefront of digital transformation. With a continued emphasis on the safety and security of its employees, Voltas plans to launch a number of safety and environmental campaigns throughout the year. The company not only looks at best practices in the construction industry but also learns from best practices across the industries to further its capability and prowess. For 2023, Voltas is committed to looking for new opportunities in the UAE and other areas in the Middle East, and is aiming to expand its footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company has expressed a positive outlook towards the Bahraini market and is expecting more retrofi t jobs in the UAE. Additionally, they are intending to increase their presence in the northern emirates and book a series of solar projects. The goal is to improve their order booking, strengthen the company’s digital journey, and make sure their fi nancials remain sturdy.18 MEP Middle East | February 2023 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 Murali S, Managing Director, Al-Futtaim Engineering & Technologies BAHWAN ENGINEERING COMPANY in sectors such as oil and gas, power, HV transmission and distribution, aviation, hospitality, healthcare, as well as commercial and residential complexes. Major engineering contracts for integrated projects, such as Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport, Oman LNG, Sohar Seawater Intake and Return System, Sohar Power and Desalination Plant, Barka and Sohar Power Transmission System, Sohar Fertiliser Plant and Marmul Polymer Flooding, among others, attest the group’s growing reputation as the country’s premier preferred engineering contractor. The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing projects (MEP) division of BEC has diverse experience in executing mechanical and electrical works for airports, hotels, hospitals, palaces, ministry and bank headquarters, shopping malls, commercial complexes, industrial projects, multi- storeyed buildings, residential complexes, and other iconic projects. Bahwan Engineering Company, a prominent business entity in Oman, is renowned for being one of the biggest engineering, trading and services groups in the country. For over four decades, the engineering group has been involved in constructing infrastructure and other projects in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The Bahwan Engineering Company (BEC) executes integrated multi-disciplinary construction projects under one umbrella, involving civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, elevators and escalators, diesel power generation, and more, making it a powerhouse within the region’s construction sector. The fi rm is also involved in trading in electrical, mechanical, and chemical products, while also offering facilities management services, within Oman and the UAE. The group has established itself as a leader in integrated construction projects AL-FUTTAIM ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGIES Room Air Conditioners (CCUs). The Chilled water and District cooling segments are catered to by High-Performance Chillers, Fan Coil Units (FCUs) and Air Handling Units (AHUs). The division also offers customised, high-end air distribution outlets for the cooling of airports, stadiums, exhibition halls, museums, and metro stations and for discerning customers requiring high IAQ. The established success of Al-Futtaim Technologies has been primarily due to its ability to understand its customers’ business needs and provide workable business solutions through effective design and implementation. This has resulted in an impressive customer base where AFET has delivered a set of practical, executable plans to reduce operating costs and free up resources for new business initiatives AFET also offers specialised digital transformation services to organisations, working on a structured road map with a clear vision. According to the fi rm, its specialists leverage their expertise to drive innovation and introduce disruptive solutions to develop a comprehensive strategy. Al-Futtaim Engineering & Technologies (AFET), part of the Al-Futtaim Group, is a multi-disciplinary engineering and technology organisation, which operates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and was originally established in the UAE in 1974. The company is led by Murali S, AFET’s managing director. As one of the leading mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) fi rms in the region, AFET is also a well-known stakeholder within the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector, offering a range of services and solutions, including engineering, scaffolding, access solutions, building products, control and life safety, elevators and escalators, energy management, facilities management, Infrastructure technologies and digital transformation. AFET’s Air-con Division provides the best-in-class solutions rendered under the supervision of an experienced team of professionals, who hold versatile knowledge in this domain. The products on offer include everything from simple Window and Split DX units, to more complex Ducted Splits, VRF systems, Energy Effi cient Inverter ACs and Computer Due to the in-house strength of engineering capabilities, coordination of services, and vast experience, BEC has successfully delivered projects to the satisfaction of all its clients. A team of dedicated engineers is geared to carry out the installation of central air-conditioning and ventilation systems, plumbing & sanitation, fi refi ghting and fi re alarm, electrical and specialised systems, solar-powered systems, and more. BEC is the fi rst company in its category in the Sultanate of Oman to achieve ISO 9001 certifi cation in 1995 and, since then, has successfully maintained certifi cation with signifi cant improvement in the QMS scope over the period. BEC has a well-documented “HSE management system” in line with international standards and is certifi ed for ISO 45001-2018 and ISO 14001. The company also has an excellent HSE performance track record as one of the safest contractors in Oman.February 2023 | MEP Middle East 19 www.mepmiddleeast.com HVAC POWER 25 Sahul Hameed, General Manager, Bin Dasmal Contracting Dawood Bin Ozair, CEO, Blue Star International BIN DASMAL CONTRACTING BLUE STAR of quality air-conditioning and refrigeration materials and equipment, automatic doors, lifting equipment and safety products as well as third-party inspection and testing services. Bin Dasmal contracting has successfully executed multiple fl oor cooling projects. BDC incorporates radiant cooling systems in combination with other passive cooling techniques such as solar shading and wind protection in outdoor applications which in turn has helped the fi rm reduce the peak operative temperature experienced by occupants by removing heat energy absorbed through construction materials. By tapping into its collective engineering experience, the company has been able to provide innovative solutions for specialised retrofi t projects such as hospitals and airports. The group of companies, which encompasses Bin Dasmal general trading, Trosten industries, KAD air conditioning, Delta Air duct conditioning, EH price gulf, Bin Dasmal Contracting, Dutest, Saudi Dutest, Bin Dasmal doors, Ghaf tree Awnings Manufacturing, WAKS paper bags manufacturing, and Dasmal trading are ISO:9001, ISO:14001, & ISO:45001 certifi ed. stop end-to-end cooling solutions provider in this region. Blue Star, with a rich pedigree of 79 years, exports its products to 19 countries in the Middle East, Africa, SAARC, and ASEAN regions. Blue Star has a comprehensive range of air conditioning and commercial refrigeration products including room air conditioners, deep freezers, water coolers, cold storages, chillers with magnetic bearing centrifugal, semi- hermetic screw, hermetic scroll compressors, a wide range of air handling and fan coil units, ductable packaged and ductable split air conditioners. The company also offers specialised air conditioners for precision control applications, variable refrigerant fl ow (VRF) systems with 100% inverter technology, and chillers with frequency modulation. These products are manufactured at Blue Star’s ISO 9001-2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifi ed manufacturing facilities, which are powered through integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and Industry 4.0 practices. Moreover, the products also go through stringent tests on quality, reliability and performance at Blue Star’s state-of-the-art labs and testing facilities which are certifi ed as per global standards such as AHRI, EN, ISO, and GSO. For 2023, the fi rm aims to grow its HVAC projects maintenance and refrigeration business by 25%. Bin Dasmal Contracting is an ISO-certifi ed company with more than four decades of experience in providing comprehensive civil, MEP and HVAC services, including installations, refurbishments, retrofi ts, and maintenance for MEP and HVAC systems. As part of the Bin Dasmal group, the fi rm has access to a range of offerings, with the manufacturing, trading, and service divisions providing a one-stop solution for all aspects of the HVAC sector. Bin Dasmal Contracting specialises in providing smart metering solutions, outdoor fl oor cooling solutions, and sustainable farming options such as indoor vertical farming by applying Controlled Environment Agriculture principles and retrofi t for commercial and residential spaces including hospitals. The fi rm employs more than 200 full-time staff, including personnel dedicated for the BDC division. Supervisors, skilled technicians and semi-skilled workers are added from the group’s human resources on a project-to- project basis. The Bin Dasmal Group began as a contracting company and gradually diversifi ed into trading and manufacturing of a broad range Blue Star Systems and Solutions LLC, a company headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, is a subsidiary of Blue Star International FZCO. This business is fully owned by Blue Star Limited, a renowned provider of air conditioning, commercial refrigeration and MEP contracting services in India. Blue Star Systems and Solutions LLC specialises in HVAC&R products and solutions, including service and maintenance. It has a team of highly experienced technical engineers who undertake design, sales, installation, and maintenance of a variety of air conditioning systems such as ducted units, packaged units, air handling units, VRFs, and chilled water systems, among others. The fi rm also offers commercial refrigeration products such as modular cold rooms, refrigeration units, cold rooms for special applications, and puff insulated panel solutions. Through its direct presence in the UAE, Blue Star has been improving its competitive position in the central air conditioning sector, mid-sized HVAC projects, and service business, and has become the premier one-Next >