Waterworld

zoom

Ashruf Kamel.

zoom

Large inspection chambers used in sewage systems.

zoom

Septech worked on Dubai Festival Marina.

The vice president of corporate development of Septech emirates, Ashruf Kamel explains why the water business looks likely to remain buoyant. Kim Latham reports.

What does Victory Heights, The Atlantis, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Marina, Festival Marina and The World all have in common?

The answer is Septech Emirates, a company that works behind the scenes to provide developers and consultants with numerous infrastructure end solutions.

"The owners came here 12 years ago. It was clear the technology was not of the same caliber they were used to and they took advantage of it. They understand emerging markets and there was a choice between Asia and the Middle East. They had the foresight to see where it was all going," says Ashruf Kamel, Vice President of Corporate Development at Septech Emirates.

Septech Holdings, the parent company, was set up by an Australian couple in the Cayman Islands in 1996 primarily as an investment vehicle to allow the company to enter the Middle East markets. As a result, Septech Emirates was born.

12 years ago, Septech Emirates, with just 12 staff, opened for business in an office in Sharjah. The company's focus was largely on precast infrastructure such as water tanks and manhole covers. This particular division also has a huge steel component within it.

Today, the company boasts six divisions and it prides itself on supporting the construction industry through innovative design and engineering practices in areas of water, waste water, power, marinas, landscaping and precast infrastructures. The company has seen over "10,000%" growth in its marine division in just three years, according to Kamel.

"I think because of all of our divisions we have a different edge to other companies in that we can offer everything. We have the capacity to not just focus on supplying a floating gangway, or a floating dock, we come in and we'll do your water discharge, your planning, and others. A lot of competitors don't have the capabilities of offering everything and if they do they'll be subcontracting it out," says Kamel.

With extensive experience in water holding tanks, detention tanks and precast infrastructure along with the capabilities to use 95% of its in-house technology on a wide spectrum of projects, it is perhaps no real surprise that the company has supported and partnered with some of the region's biggest developers on some of the most innovative projects.

"A lot of what we've done recently is not just selling a product, we're actually partnering with a developer and we're offering them something from almost all of our divisions. It's difficult to measure us against competitors. We don't really have any. Not many companies are offering so many end solutions. I think this makes us a little bit more unique," he says.

Print | Email | Discuss this article |

READERS' COMMENTS

View all comments (0)

Have your say

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Security Code *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM