One of the world's leading manufacturers of custom designed unitary window and curtain wall systems, and the market leader in Switzerland and the UK, Schmidlin AG of Switzerland, has recently established offices in Abu Dhabi.
The traditions of Swiss quality and ingenuity linked to worldwide logistics and planning are now available in the region to meet increasing demand for its advanced innovative technology throughout the Middle East.
The Abu Dhabi office already has in place a team of nine designers and three project team leaders that are currently working on several key projects in the region. Specialist project managers and experienced installation teams are available locally supported by the parent company's manufacturing capacity and research and development facilities.
With a reputation built on 60 years of engineering excellence throughout the world, Schmidlin anticipates strong business growth in the Middle East as demand increases for its specialist high quality curtain walling, cladding and facade systems.
The Middle East is also entering a phase of urban development in which high rise construction projects in both the public and private sectors are being specified to the highest standards.
Typically, Schmidlin is specified from the outset when highly complex engineering solutions are required with the company working in close cooperation with leading consultants including Foster & Partners, W S Atkins, KPF Associates, Mario Botta and Renzo Piano.
The company's impressive reference list includes many landmark construction projects including the completed Burj Al Arab in Dubai; Citibank in Canary Wharf, London; and the Ministry of Defence in Bristol, UK. Currently, Schmidlin is working on the new Citibank headquarters in Bahrain. Several innovative projects are under discussion in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Schmidlin's window and curtain wall manufacturing dates back to the early 1950s with the company establishing a reputation for craftsmanship and quality. Demand for Schmidlin products has increased substantially with the company recognized as an international supplier of high end window, curtain wall and facade systems.
Today, the Schmidlin Group is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high-quality curtain wall systems employing more than 400 specialists. Headquartered in Switzerland, Schmidlin has offices in Berlin, London, Paris, as well as Abu Dhabi and joint ventures in South Korea and a partnership in India.
Throughout its history, the company has been a major innovator in its industry and has now become one of Europe's leading companies in design, engineering, manufacture, supply and installation of high performance windows and curtain walling.
The name Schmidlin is almost a generic term for high quality products with the company the first Swiss curtain wall manufacturer to be certified with ISO 9001/EN 29001. Quality is a fixed element of the group's policy and the quality system includes not only internal processes such as design, fabrication and installation but also all suppliers who are audited regularly.
All key activities from design through to site installation are carried out in-house and the company has successfully pioneered a turnkey single responsibility approach to integrated facades and the complete envelope of the building.
On the basis of existing curtain walling systems, Schmidlin develops project specific solutions customized to meet exacting architectural and technical requirements such as the integration of air-conditioning, energy optimisation, and sound proofing. For example, on the specifications for the Burj Al Arab included triple cladding with internal shading and glazing units.
The Schmidlin corporate vision is focused on developing a leadership position with its international clients, architects and contractors by providing specifically designed curtain walling solutions designed to meet the specific requirements of various projects.
The company's product range includes system and custom-designed windows and curtain walling incorporating full thermal breaks, drainage and the 'rainscreen' principle of pressure equalisation.
Typical finishing is aluminium available in anodisied or polyester powder coating or PVF2.
Schmidlin provides after sales service including specially developed products and methods for maintenance and surface protection.
The company's scope of work includes service support at every project phase from pre-tender technical sales advice, budget pricing, tendering, sub-contract design, engineering, manufacture, supply and installation of partial and total, regular and integrated facades, atrias and entrances.
The Abu Dhabi office with its experienced and qualified international staff will form the backbone of Schmidlin's Middle East operations.
Schmidlin will be providing a comprehensive professional service for its in-house product range but can also offer its technical know-how for other specialist product elements if so required to ensure co-ordination of interface design and critical programming. This way, the company provides the client with total facade responsibility from one experienced company.
Schmidlin's Swiss facilities includes 32,000 sq m of land; 20,000 sq m of manufacturing and office space.
Facilities include a test centre for windows and curtain walling, a powder coating plant, engineering and design department, manufacturing and assembly using CAD Autocad 14, 34 CAD AutoStructur with permanent Internet link.
