All Eyes on the Middle East for the Facade Industry

DUBAI, UAE, November 15 - According to a new report conducted by Proleads Research House there are
US$698 billon worth of construction projects still active in the United Arab
Emirates.

Taking this into account it is no wonder that Dubai is now the
headquarters for the regional chapter of the Society of Facade Engineers
(SFE). "Due to local pressure, we were asked to bring the society to Dubai in
early 2008 and now have a growing membership of facade professionals in the
region," said Chris Macey, Vice-Chairman, SFE.

Macey is however concerned about the situation in the UAE. "There are a
number of fairly significant things that we can do now to improve the quality
and the lifetime performance of the buildings although this is not to decry
the skills of the market," explained Macey. "But if you are going to complete
buildings with sustainable performances, you need to understand and
appreciate the environmental performances of a building's facade in advance,
before you design, construct and erect and thereafter go through a series of
verification exercises which check the "as built" performance. This might
include air pressure testing."

Macey estimates that most buildings in the UAE have leakage rates in
excess of 30 cubic meters, which represents 300% more than is easily achieved
in other parts of the world, and clearly indicates a significant energy cost.
Future regulation of this aspect of building performance will significantly
reduce carbon use, but hopefully it will be embraced by the marketplace on a
voluntary basis recognizing that this aspect doesn't really add to
construction costs. "It's more about using the right parts correctly rather
than changing what we use," Macey advises.

The current plan for the SFE is to increase memberships and provide
support to facade engineers in the region with proper training and
qualifications. This will provide opportunity for clients to understand when
they are speaking to accredited and competent facade engineers by recognition
of the SFE accreditation letters after an individual's name. Macey hopes that
many aspects of facade performance will eventually be regulated by law which
stimulates the need for accredited professionals in the region.

Chris Macey, also the group managing director for the Wintech Group will
chair Facade Design and Engineering 2010, taking place from 7-10 February
2010, the region's second annual conference for the design and sustainable
construction of cost-effective, iconic facades.

The summit is sponsored by Ramboll, WindTech, ADTI Media, SynerMan
International Holding Co Ltd, China Singyes Solar Technologies Holding Ltd,
Profils Sytemes Gulf, Siderise Insulation Ltd, Reynaers Middle Eas, Lamatherm
and Interna Middle East. Supporting partners for this event include Centre
for Window and Cladding and Society of Facade Engineering. The event is
supported by the Society of Facade Engineers, the centre for Window and
Cladding and the Glass and Glazing Federation and will provide an essential
platform for regional and global experts to discuss the major challenges
facing the industry.

About IQPC Middle East:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations
solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry
solutions and global best-practice. In the process, the company has built a
formidable reputation for quality and value. During this time, the Middle
East's most progressive companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled
global reach, which has connected international expertise with regional and
local leaders.

    For more information, please contact
    Stacey Cross
    Senior Marketing Manager
    IQPC Middle East
    +971-4-360-2942
    Stacey.cross@iqpc.ae

For more information, please contact: Stacey Cross, Senior Marketing Manager, IQPC Middle East, +971-4-360-2942, Stacey.cross at iqpc.ae