Backed by the strength of the Technal brand and a history of 30 years in the region, Bahrain-based Technal Middle East is gearing up for the challenges that the New Year brings with it in the face of the global economic crisis.

“We will sustain our growth and customers’ network as all our aluminium fabricators – who are the business partners with Technal Middle East – are financially sound with the full capacity and capability of taking on challenges,” says Hesham Kameshki, marketing and sales manager of Technal Middle East. “While the recession will no doubt have an impact on the region, Technal will be able to weather this economic upheaval, given the experience it has gained over the years and the diversification and expansion it has gone through. We are confident of retaining our share in the markets and even registering a growth, being the customers’ preferred choice as a supplier and services provider with a renowned preferred product.”
He continues: “Of course, we will have to exert extra efforts to achieve the growth we are targeting and despite the global credit crunch, we have reinforced our teams in the region and continue to invest in our 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.”
According to Kameshki, several companies will be affected in the region, where the brunt of the economic turmoil will reach its full impact over the next couple of years.
“This is a situation that has touched all businesses and many organisations have taken the necessary course of actions to safeguard their businesses and interests,” he says.
“On the positive side, I see the current scenario will bring about a correction and adjustment in the Gulf, which will see those companies that are over-valued and do not provide the respective quality services, gradually weeded out of the market,” he adds.
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 market 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, he 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 secured a significant number of projects of various sizes.  These include the Zallaq Beach Resort, Ibis Hotel, a serviced apartment tower as well as other residential and office towers in Seef District.
“For the Zallaq Beach Resort, we are in the process of delivering materials,” he says.
The construction of the Zallaq Beach Resort, which is being built by Chinese contractor, China State Construction and Engineering Corporation, is almost complete and interior works are currently under way for a targeted completion in October 2009.
The company has also completed work at the Bahrain City Centre in the Seef District, for which it supplied a wide range of custom-designed, high-performance products that meet the architectural requirements of the project and the design criteria.
Meanwhile, its successful involvement and participation in Bahrain International Circuit’s the Formula One racetrack, has qualified Technal to secure works on the Formula One racetrack in Abu Dhabi (Project K) at Yas Island.  Other striking projects include the Cube, a unique ‘sports hotel’ in Dubai Sports City and the Central Park District in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), all in the UAE.
Among its ongoing projects in Dubai is an 850-villa contract at Jumeirah Village, which involves the supply of high-specification thermally-insulated Technal systems.
Another project that required bespoke solutions was the Rostamani Towers in Dubai, for which Technal supplied special lift-and-slide thermally-insulated sliding doors, which are large in size and intelligently integrated into the curtain walling system.
In Saudi Arabia, it is involved in the United Tower project as well as a multi-purpose complex for the Ministry of Interior, both in Jeddah.
“The United Tower is a striking project because of its 100 per cent glass elevation, where no aluminium profiles are externally visible.  For the project, we have developed a custom-designed unitised façade system,” he says.
Its projects portfolio for Qatar include the New Business School buildings, Al Maha School complex, Al Wakrah Hospital, while in Kuwait it has supplied systems for the Soma Tower and Bassam Tower.
In line with its continued focus on innovation, Technal has strengthened the brand with new products that are designed to suit the future market needs and trends. The range of complete systems and original parts meets various aluminium architectural requirements in both residential and commercial buildings.
The company is set to introduce a range of high-tech systems for casement windows and doors as well as a new concept of sliding windows and doors, both with and without thermal insulation.  These include the all-new Luméal sliders and patio doors and Soléal casement windows and entrance doors as well as brise soliel range of sunscreens.  These products are expected to be available in the international market by 2010.