Business & Finance Club - Dubai : Al-Futtaim Engineering, one of the leading multi-disciplinary engineering organisations, said it has won major contracts worth Dh83 million ($22.5 million) for supply and installation of Hitachi and LM lifts in key real estate projects in the UAE.

The contracts will see the Al-Futtaim group company’s Elevators’ Division supply 79 elevators and 12 escalators for major real estate projects including the Nation Towers and the Investment Council Headquarters in Abu Dhabi and the Al Hikma Tower project in Dubai.

The announcement follows recent research reports that the UAE construction industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of around 20 per cent from 2010-2013.

Dawood Ozair, managing director of Al-Futtaim Engineering said real estate construction activity was picking up across the UAE after a slow 2009.

“We are delighted to be partners in some of the biggest and prestigious real estate projects in the country. The three projects further endorse Al-Futtaim Engineering’s core competencies as one of leading vertical transportation solution provider in the UAE,” he remarked.

The 64-floor Nation Towers project in Abu Dhabi will be supplied and installed with 45 Hitachi elevator units and eight escalators. This mixed-use project includes a 350-room 5-star hotel, serviced apartments, loft apartments, office space and an up-market niche retail destination with a total built up area of 300,000 sq m.

The project which was awarded by Arabtec and National Projects & Construction (NPC) is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

The 29-level Investment Council HQ Tower project was awarded by Al-Futtaim Carillion. Al-Futtaim Engineering will supply 22 Hitachi elevators and four escalators which feature the Destination Control Selection technology for added convenience.

The destination control feature allows guests to select the floor on an LCD terminal on the landings. The system then directs them to the most suitable elevator, thereby reducing waiting and travel times.

The contract was awarded in April and completion is scheduled for mid 2011, said the official.

Al-Futtaim Engineering will also supply 12-high-speed elevators with destination control technology for the 61-floor Al Hikma Tower project in Dubai. The contract which was awarded by China State Construction was won in April this year and completion is expected in October 2011.

Syed Shamsul Haq, general manager – Elevators division – Al-Futtaim Engineering said these prestigious contracts demonstrate strong confidence in Al-Futtaim Engineering’s reputation for quality products and excellent project management capabilities.

'Our expertise, years of experience and support from our principals, will enable our project teams to meet the highest levels of delivery standards,' Haq added.