UK firm sees business potential in GCC infrastructure projects

UK-based Aluminium Structures has planned to open its first overseas office in Dubai and also keen to expand in other Gulf countries.

The company has more than 20 years of experience in designing, managing and implementing aluminium work platforms for a multitude of sectors, including transport, utilities, aviation and oil and gas.

“We design, manufacture and install top-quality bespoke access systems and see great potential of business in the UAE,” Aluminium Structures director Matthew Butt told Khaleej Times in an interview.

The Gulf region’s governments have announced billions of dollars in infrastructure projects and there are a lot of opportunities for everyone, Butt said, adding: “That’s the reason we selected Dubai as our first office outside the UK and hoped to expand in other GCC countries in the future.”

He particularly mentioned that the projects related to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar and Expo 2020 in Dubai are huge opportunities but said: “It’s not just these events we are here for a long-term business as we can see very positive business sentiments.”

“With Dubai winning the prestigious Expo 2020 bid, we are confident that quality and mobility are the need of the hour for large-scale infrastructure projects. We will be able to offer our niche experience in the areas of power industries, construction, real estate, entertainment, luxury hospitality, retail and aviation, which will transform Dubai into a smart city.”

“I think the consultancy part is way to start as a soft entry in this market,” he said responding to a question regarding the company’s initial business plan for the country.

Talking about the company’s core specialty, he said: “My main drive is I can save time and money as well. Everyone wants to finish a project quickly and safely and Aluminium Structures has the ability to do the job in quickest possible time that also saves money.”

“Since we are a niche business, dedicated to eventually serving public interest through uninterrupted functionality of private and public access systems, we show complete commitment to every project we undertake. Time and quality are our hallmarks in solving client access problems,” he said.

The company’s bespoke designs include gantries, walkways, temporary scaffolding, suspended mobile access systems and permanent access solutions.

“In the UK, our business has been growing with a double-digit growth for the last three years and the company handles around 15 small projects and two to three big projects every year,” he said.

He added that the company has completed a few prestigious projects in UK that include King’s Cross Station in London; Essar-Stanlow Oil Refinery in Ellesmere Port; Wandsworth, London; and British Petroleum’s designing and building a lightweight and innovative access solution to a stainless-steel oil-processing vessel.