LEADING architectural aluminium systems provider Technal Middle East has gained a reputation in the Qatari market for providing the most suitable engineering solutions at the right price, says a senior executive of the company.

Backed by the strength of the French Technal brand and a history of 32 years in the region, the company has been active in the Qatari market since the mid-1980s and the country today accounts for some 22 per cent of its regional overall business volumes, with a market share of about 30 per cent in the field of architectural aluminium systems. “Qatar is currently our second largest market after Saudi Arabia. We did well in 2009 and we anticipate the same or an even better sales performance in Qatar this year,” says Hesham Kameshki, marketing and sales manager at Bahrain-based Technal Middle East.
He continues: “Qatar has always been our focus and in 2009 we did reinforce our resources in this market, and in fact, if we continue to achieve targets and sustain viable growth, we may consider setting up a business unit in Qatar, similar to the one for the UAE, based in Dubai,” he says.

The company’s current project portfolio includes high-profile developments in Qatar such as Qatar Aluminium’s (Qatalum) administrative buildings, Al Wakrah Hospital, Al Maha English School and Viva Bahriya Tower No 10 at The Pearl-Qatar.
Work on Qatalum’s administrative head office and Al Maha School is almost complete, while the other projects are in progress, where all Technal materials have successfully been delivered to the respective sites and on time, he says.
The low-rise Qatalum headquarters is located in Mesaieed and is currently receiving its finishing touches. The aluminium and glazing contractor on the project is Alumco Qatar. The consultant on the project is SNC Lavalin, while the main contractor is Alsac JV.
Al Maha English School, which is in the final finishing stage, is located in Mesaimeer. James Cubitt & Partners Engineering Consultancy is the consultant on the girls and boys school – which comprises one basement level, one ground floor and one upper floor –  while the main contractor is Al Khayarin Group Trading and Contracting.
GHD Global is the consultant on the Al Wakrah Hospital as well as the Viva Bahriya Tower, with the contractors on these projects being J & P Trading and Contracting and Gulf Contracting Company, respectively.
Other ongoing projects include Al Mirqab building, a commercial office and residential development, comprising two basements, ground plus mezzanine floors and eight upper levels, the consultant on which is Gulf Design Concept and the main contractor Ramco Trading and Contracting; the New School of Business building at Qatar University (consultant: HQ Associates and main contractor: Amana Steel); Tivoli showrooms and offices (consultant: Gulf Design Concept and main contractor: Al Darwish Engineering); and the six-storey Jassim Al Mussallam Centre in Doha (consultant: The Modern Architect and main contractor: Cybarco).

The aluminium and glazing contractor on most of these projects, namely Al Mirqab building, Viva Tower, New School of Business, Al Wakrah Hospital and Tivoli showroom is Specialised Aluminium and Steel Company (Sasco). Other aluminium and glazing contractors involved include Aluminium Gulf Ray (AGR) for the Jassim Al Mussallam Centre and Qatar Kwik Span Company for Al Maha School.
Technal Géode system, the MX series, for façade applications was the key product that has been used in all of Technal’s recent projects in Qatar.
“Characterised by its new high-tech clear 100 per cent glass façade with non-visible aluminium members externally, the MX Toggle is a unique solution that was developed in 2007 and launched in 2008,” says Kameshki. “Known for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, the product is robust and has high-performance criteria. It offers a wide range of sophisticated design possibilities with concealed vents, bringing a wide selection of single and double-glazed units to the focus of all metal builders and specifiers.”
Technal has been active in the Gulf since 1978 servicing all GCC markets from its Bahrain headquarters. The firm pioneered the introduction of the first international architectural aluminium systems in the Gulf, and is today a market leader in architectural aluminium systems for all types of buildings.
Technal Middle East serves the markets through regional offices, a strong network of fabricators, dedicated technical and sales teams, and a central distribution warehouse and logistics team located in Bahrain.

Technal architectural aluminium systems – renowned for their quality, innovative French design, durability and technical performance – are increasingly specified and utilised in landmarks across the Middle East, Kameshki says. The company continues to provide innovative solutions for all types of façades, windows, doors, skylights, balustrades, brise soliel and internal partition applications, in the region.
Over the past year, Technal Middle East has exerted extra efforts to achieve its sales targets and despite the global credit crunch, it has reinforced its teams in the region and continued to invest in its logistics facilities and launch new products.
“We have a long-term commitment to our customers and markets and are confident that our efforts will earn the support from all markets and payback in results,” says Kameshki.
Technal Middle East operates in the Qatari market through a dedicated sales team based at its Bahrain office and its wide network of ‘metal builders’ – commonly known in the industry as aluminium fabricators, which are its key to success, according to Kameshki.
Describing the Qatari market, he says: “The Qatar market has been growing steadily over the past seven years and has emerged as one of the strongest economies in the region. Its growth and development plans are based on the country’s requirements – with the focus being on constructing institutional buildings – rather than catering to the speculative market.”
Technal Middle East is currently looking at further reinforcing its sales team to serve the market even better. It is also poised to launch marketing campaigns and conduct seminars to create greater awareness in the market with a focus on sustainable buildings.