Author: Stephen White

The construction sector in Saudi Arabia is booming with analysts projecting that the industry will grow at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 5.2% from 2025 to 2028. To encourage the participation of Saudi nationals in this sector and the nation’s citizens to establish careers in the field, ALEC Engineering and Contracting (ALEC), a regional construction and related business group, with a growing footprint in Saudi Arabia, launched its AHLAN program. The AHLAN program is tailored to maximise the value it offers to Saudi professionals seeking opportunities in the construction sector. Over a 30-day period, the program will ensure…

Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, the exclusive dealer for Cat machinery across the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, has announced a discount on engine and transmission repairs. Customers can benefit from up to 30% off, a year-round promotion aimed at encouraging proactive maintenance and helping machine owners avoid costly failures. This offer presents a crucial opportunity for machine operators to address minor issues before they escalate, maximising operational efficiency and reducing downtime. Al-Bahar’s repair package is designed to add value by incorporating genuine Cat parts, which guarantee the longevity and reliability of engines and transmissions, ensuring improved productivity for customers. As…

Mike Barton, Managing Director of B&B Attachments, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the UKMHA Awards held on September 14th at the Hilton Metropole. The UKMHA Awards, named after Archimedes — the father of engineering — celebrate outstanding contributions to the industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor given, acknowledging individuals who have significantly impacted the material handling landscape. Barton’s career in the industry spans nearly six decades, beginning at the age of 16 as an apprentice with Lansing Bagnall. Over five years, he honed his skills in product design, development, and manufacture, eventually specializing in specifying…

Quality Equipment Rental LLC (QER), one of the UAE’s leading rental companies, has made a significant investment in its fleet by ordering 30 aerial work platforms from JLG, marking the company’s largest-ever purchase of such equipment. Founded in 2007 and based in Dubai, QER is well-known for providing high-quality rental equipment to support construction projects across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The recent order includes a range of JLG’s most in-demand models, such as the 800AJ, 860SJ, 600AJ, 660SJ, and 450AJ boom lifts. topheTheir versatility, reach, and load capacity make them a crucial asset for tackling a wide variety of…

By incorporating hydrogen fuel cells, the Niftylift HR15 H2E and HR17 H2E boom lifts enable zero-emission operation without grid access and eliminate downtime for charging, making electric machines viable for a wider range of construction and infrastructure projects across the GCC. As Gulf nations strive to assert their technological leadership on the global stage, diversify their economies, and improve quality of life for future generations, the pressure on the construction industry to decarbonise has intensified. In the UAE, the government’s approval of the National Building Regulations and Standards in late 2022 set a clear mandate for reducing carbon footprints, aligning…

Bobcat has been honoured with a Red Dot Award for its innovative RogueX2, an all-electric, fully autonomous concept loader. The globally recognised Red Dot Design Award is renowned for celebrating design excellence, and the Design Concept category highlights groundbreaking ideas and innovations poised to shape future products. The RogueX2, developed by Bobcat’s Global Design Studio in collaboration with the Global Innovation team, represents a major leap in construction machinery. With its focus on zero emissions, the machine operates with a lithium-ion battery and electric drive system, eliminating the need for hydraulics. The concept loader is also cabless, showcasing a vision…

Parsons Corporation has secured two contracts worth $25 million to lead design engineering for a Middle East transportation client, bringing their total contract awards with the same customer to over $90 million in the past nine months. These new projects focus on enhancing transportation infrastructure in the region, with Parsons taking charge of the design engineering and construction supervision. The scope of work includes mobility solutions, dedicated corridors, road capacity upgrades, and public transit improvements aimed at easing urban congestion. Parsons will also conduct a strategic study on a new traffic corridor to optimise expressway traffic and alleviate congestion. Part…

One of the most iconic scenes from Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011) took place on the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This adrenaline pumping sequence, featuring Tom Cruise himself scaling the exterior of the skyscraper, required meticulous planning, equipment, and support to pull off. Johnson Arabia played a pivotal role in enabling the success of this high-stakes stunt by providing crucial crane support and technical lifting expertise. The action-packed stunt involved Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, performing daring moves while suspended mid-air on the Burj Khalifa. To make this scene a reality, heavy filming equipment, including cameras,…

Trascent, a global leader in facilities management (FM) advisory services, has partnered with Gulaid Holding to launch Trascent Arabia. This joint venture is set to address the growing demand for advanced facilities management solutions in Saudi Arabia, aligning closely with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 transformation goals. Trascent Arabia aims to bring cutting-edge expertise and innovative service models to the local market, enhancing the delivery and efficiency of FM services across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. With a strong foundation in advising over 20% of the Fortune 500 on outsourcing facilities management services, Trascent brings global expertise to the partnership.…

ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC (ALEC), a prominent player in the regional construction industry, has introduced its AHLAN programme to foster the development of Saudi nationals within the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding construction sector. This initiative aims to provide Saudi professionals with the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to thrive in the booming industry, which analysts expect to grow at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 5.2% from 2025 to 2028. The AHLAN programme, which spans 30 days, is designed to accelerate the onboarding process for Saudi recruits by offering tailored business and technical training, mentorship sessions, and daily one-on-one…