Office outlook

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The coming year sets to keep fit-out companies busy, as more and more office space becomes available in the GCC marketplace.

Officeland is a division of Al Aqili Furnishings and can provide its clients with a range of services, from full turnkey solutions to sole furniture fit-outs. It was opened just three years ago in 2005 and has since, grown to establish itself as a leading fit-out contractor to both new builds and existing buildings.

For its sales manager, Mohammed Abdul Muktadeer, 2008 sets to be busy with the company branching out to other areas within the GCC including Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.

"We have recently found a partner in Kuwait to be the exclusive agent for our Mariani products. We now want to find other partners in the GCC and it's my responsibility to ensure that happens," he says.

While business development is a core part of Muktadeer's job, he is also responsible for the sales division and it's here, he enjoys the challenge of educating the clients on design best practice.

"Although most companies know what they are looking for, many still need educating on the benefits behind ergonomic chairs, for example," Muktadeer claims.

A clear example of his drive to ensure staff are well looked after and catered for, is the recent furniture fit-out contract he has completed for the Dhafir Group in Abu Dhabi.

"The company was reluctant to spend money in the back of office areas, but we wanted them to understand how important ergonomic chairs are. The CEO recognised this and made the decision to go ergonomic," he explains.

Other people involved in the educating process include the designers, architects and consultants Muktadeer finds to specify Officeland's products. While he feels that ergonomics is slowly starting to gain momentum in the GCC's office industry, he also sees other trends emerging this year.

With many companies rapidly expanding, businesses that have already budgeted for expansion and are currently situated in a large office, are refurbishing to make the best use of the space available to them. Others are relocating and buying or renting bigger offices that can handle their expansion.

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