ALUPCO is transitioning from an aluminum extrusion company into a diversified industrial solutions provider, with its Project Management Unit (PMU) serving as the core engine for large-scale, high-end developments across the Saudi market and Middle East.

Established in 2019, the PMU was created to close a significant gap in the regional construction market – where contractors and suppliers often work in silos – by becoming a “one-stop solutions provider” that ensures control, quality, and efficiency from pre-construction stage to project handover, according to Acting General Manager, Architect Adnan Elmaleh.

Today, ALUPCO PMU serves some of the largest, most complex projects in Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC, including prestigious initiatives driven by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, Al Ula, and ROSHN developments, he tells Gulf Construction’s BINA GOVEAS in an exclusive interview.

The PMU’s operations also extend beyond Saudi borders, leveraging ALUPCO’s presence in more than 30 countries worldwide with plans to double that footprint.

Shura Island Project ... ALUPCO PMU’s scope of works covered the fabrication and installation of aluminium windows and doors.

The PMU differentiates itself by combining industrial capacity with project delivery expertise. Distinct from traditional project management firms, which focus primarily on coordination, ALUPCO PMU takes full ownership of a project right from procurement to delivery.

Elmaleh elaborates: “Unlike traditional project managers who only coordinate, the PMU takes full responsibility for procurement, fabrication, installation, and contract management, maintaining control over quality, cost, and time. It also provides value engineering and technical support, ensuring every project is delivered efficiently and transparently.”

The PMU serves as a comprehensive project execution arm, delivering integrated solutions across the construction and fit-out sectors. Its scope of services is extensive, operating through two main divisions: Metal Works and Fit-Out & Building Materials.

Metal Works covers façades, aluminium systems, cladding, and skylights, while Fit-Out & Building Materials manages interior solutions, including woodwork, lighting, raised flooring, carpeting, furniture, and sustainable finishes. The latter includes Habitat International, a subsidiary of ALUPCO specialised in fit-out and finishing solutions.

NHC’s Murcia project in Riyadh ... the PMU carried out fabrication and installation of aluminium windows and doors for the villas.

The PMU’s multidisciplinary expertise eliminates fragmentation and improves coordination and consistency across all disciplines. These integrated capabilities provide clients with a single point of accountability for high-quality delivery, unifying exterior and interior packages under one management framework, Elmaleh points out.

This structure translates into tangible client benefits, including faster execution, unified quality standards, and enhanced efficiency across complex multi-scope developments.

ALUPCO PMU maintains a parallel workflow model for project management, wherein different work scopes – metal works, facades, interiors – proceed simultaneously under coordinated management to meet tight deadlines and complex scheduling constraints. This approach maximises efficiency and allows seamless integration of multiple suppliers and contractors, which is a critical advantage for fast-track projects. Centralised digital tracking, incorporating AI tools, ensures real-time visibility on timelines, quality benchmarks, and budget compliance.

The PMU staff includes a core team of around 45 in the main office, with additional dedicated personnel on individual projects.

Market Focus

The PMU primarily targets large-scale developments across high-end sectors within the Saudi market and the Middle East. Its portfolio spans the key sectors driving regional growth, including residential, hospitality, government, cultural, educational, tourism, and mixed-use projects.

The PMU was responsible for the fabrication and installation of extensive wood works for the villas at the Misk School in Riyadh.

“Our multidisciplinary scope allows us to manage both exterior and interior packages – from façades and metal works to sustainable fit-out solutions – under a single framework. Beyond Saudi Arabia, the PMU operates across the GCC and wider Middle East, maintaining the same standards of quality and reliability, supported by ALUPCO’s presence in more than 30 countries worldwide,” he remarks.

To cater to the accelerated pace of giga and mega-projects in the region, the PMU’s operational structure is built around integration, speed, and control. This is achieved through centralised planning and coordination, which allows multiple scopes to be executed simultaneously, facilitating quick mobilisation and efficient resource allocation.

ROBUST STRATEGY

The PMU employs a robust strategy focused on quality control, strategic partnerships, and an agile supply chain to meet deadlines and mitigate risk. Quality assurance is enforced through a strict prequalification process. The PMU engages only with certified fabricators and installers who meet stringent technical, safety, and performance standards. This is backed by continuous oversight, site audits, and rigorous QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control) inspections across all project stages, Elmaleh stresses.

The PMU maintains centralised project control linking planning, procurement, and execution. Detailed scheduling, milestone tracking, and performance reviews monitor progress, ensuring efficient coordination and minimising downtime to keep projects within scope and on schedule.

Building long-term relationships with trusted partners, suppliers, and manufacturers is central to the PMU’s operating model.

“Long-term partnerships enable continuity, trust, and efficiency,” states Elmaleh. “Working with the same partners across multiple projects builds alignment on expectations and performance standards, allowing faster mobilisation and smoother coordination. This consistency reduces risk and ensures reliable quality and delivery across all scopes.”

Southern Dunes project ... wood works fabrication and installation by ALUPCO PMU.

These partnerships increase flexibility, strengthen local capacity in alignment with Vision 2030, and ensure efficient project delivery through shared objectives. Strategic negotiation and early engagement secure favourable terms, stable supply, and smoother execution, reducing risk and ensuring predictable performance for clients, he adds.

The PMU’s supply chain is engineered for agility and responsiveness. Direct coordination with trusted partners allows for quick response to changes in design, schedule, or site conditions, ensuring smooth logistics, on-time material flow, and efficient execution while maintaining cost control.

The unit’s management system is built on transparency and communication. A clear reporting structure provides regular progress updates and real-time tracking, fostering trust, enabling early issue resolution, and ensuring predictable project execution.

So how does the PMU tackle some of the challenges encountered on mega-projects?

“Every project comes with its challenges; the biggest ones on most large-scale projects are tight deadlines, complex coordination, multi-trade coordination, and fluctuating material costs,” he says.

The PMU proactively counters these challenges through early planning, technical coordination, and integrated management. By combining supply, fabrication, and installation under a single framework, the unit effectively minimises risks and maintains control over quality and timelines.

The PMU has successfully managed demanding projects such as National Housing Company’s (NHC) Murcia Housing Programme, five Ministry of Interior compounds in southern Saudi Arabia – which include more than 10,000 housing units – as well as Red Sea hospitality developments such as Southern Dunes and Shura Islands and the Amaala Yacht Club. Other key projects include Metal Gate Project for Katerra, Misk School Project, Al-Aula Royal Headquarters and Tanajib Residential Complex for Aramco.

These projects presented challenges involving complex logistics, accelerated timelines, large volumes, and multi-trade coordination. The PMU overcame these through early planning and parallel workflows, meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality or design integrity, Elmaleh points out.

FUTURE VISION

Looking ahead, the PMU aims to reinforce its position as a regional leader in integrated project delivery, fully aligned with the requirements of the GCC market and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

“The focus is on expanding digital tools, sustainability practices, and local capabilities to deliver faster and smarter. By investing in AI, innovation, partnerships, and Saudi talent, the PMU will continue to set benchmarks for quality, reliability, and excellence across the GCC and beyond, continuing ALUPCO’s legacy of trust, excellence, and leadership in the markets,” he concludes.