High-quality sanitary ware and ceramic tiles were supplied to Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort project by Hamad Rahma Abdulla Al Shamsi General Trading.

The job was a repeat order for the Dubai-based trader, which has already completed a number of successful projects for Emirates Airlines (the hotel owner), according to Majid Hamad Al Shamsi, managing director of the company.

"We were awarded this project by Emirates Airlines thanks to our past experience with them," he says. "We are proud of our association with Emirates Airlines and have done a number of projects for them, including the Airlines Centre and Emirates Airline staff accommodation."

Hamad Rahma Abdulla Al Shamsi General Trading was involved on the hotel project from the inception stage. All products supplied to the project were from Roca of Spain, one of the leading manufacturers of sanitary ware, and Zirconia, also of Spain, a leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles.

Established more than 55 years ago, Hamad Rahma Abdulla Al Shamsi General Trading has built up a reputation as a reliable supplier of good quality products along with an efficient service, he says.

"We rank among the biggest stockists of ceramics and sanitary ware in the UAE. We also offer porcelain tiles, reconstituted marbles, wooden flooring and landscaping flooring. We also deal with water heaters, ranging from residential to commercial and industrial, with capacities ranging from eight litres to 40,000 litres," he says.

As well as sanitary ware and fittings from Roca, the company supplies ceramic tiles from Roca and Zirconio (Spain) and CE.SI (Italy), porcelain/graniti tiles from Alcalagres (Spain), swimming pool tiles from Klinker Sire (Italy), reconstituted marble from Marmol Compac (Spain), wooden flooring from Haro (Germany) and water heaters from AO Smith (US/Europe).

"Our focus is on providing good quality products to the market. We follow the market very closely and introduce new designs and models as per requirements. We visit international exhibitions and participate in local fairs such as The Big 5 show," explains Al Shamsi.

"The market is very competitive, with an emphasis on quality materials and workmanship," he says. "Customer satisfaction is the main objective of our business strategy."

The company's 1,100 sq m showroom is well laid out and spacious. Its 35 staff include well-trained sales and technical personnel, who attend training courses every year and keep abreast of products offered by its international principals. The company also receives regular visits from its suppliers, he adds.

Its major clients include hotels, residential and commercial buildings and medium and upmarket villa projects in Dubai and the northern emirates.

Some of the prestigious projects the company has been involved with or is currently executing in Dubai include the 21st Century Tower (ground+mezzanine+58 storeys), Hamriyah building, Rostamani building, Le Royal Meridien, Le Meridien Hotels, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Al Musalla Tower, Rihab Rotana Suites, Belvedere Court, Jamal Al Ghurair Building, BelHasa building, Al Rimal Residence, Sultan Al Owais building, Emarat headquarters, Dubai Investment Building and projects for Dubai Government, the Development Board, Real Estate Department and Dubai International Airport.