Potain tower cranes at the King Abdullah Financial District construction site
Manitowoc’s Potain tower cranes are going through a hectic schedule at a prime construction project in Riyadh, the Potain brand’s regional agent says. Some 100 Potain cranes are now on site for the King Abdullah Financial District which is taking shape in the Saudi capital and involves the construction of 40 towers. "The cranes are working 20 hours a day, six days a week to ensure the project stays on schedule," said Nabil Al Zahlawi, managing partner of Abu Dhabi-based NFT Cranes, sole agent for Manitowoc’s Potain brand in the Middle East. "We have a dedicated team of engineers supported by Manitowoc Crane Care’s local operations at the project," Al Zahlawi said. Work on the project began in November 2008 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Among the main contractors for the project are Saudi Oger, Saudi Binladin Group, Saudi Construction Establishment and El Seif Engineering Contracting Company. Several ranges The cranes on site include the MD, MDT, MR and MC ranges. There are 28 of the seven-tonne MR 225A and 21 of the 10-tonne MDT 208A, among others. "Many of the cranes will eventually reach heights of 200 m and nearly all are working with their maximum jib, "says Al Zahlawi, adding that "most of the loads weigh between two tonnes and three tonnes although the largest weigh up to six tonnes." A recent project that NFT was involved with in Saudi Arabia was the Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh. The company supplied 180 cranes for duty there. "Such high-profile jobs come with a lot of pressure, but our reputation and experience help our customers meet their deadlines. Potain cranes have precise control and excellent productivity, so they get more done, even when several are positioned together," commented Al Zahlawi. NFT was set up in 1980 and was based in Saudi Arabia for 15 years. In 1995 it decided to move base to the UAE with the aim of covering more countries. The company has been the main dealer for Potain for over 25 years and specialises in turnkey jobs, offering a choice of rental or sale and buyback. It also offers reconditioned second-hand cranes. The product range includes the world’s smallest to largest Potain tower cranes and the world’s fastest Pega hoist that has a speed of 120 m per minute and capacity of 3.2 tonnes. A strong force With some 650 tower cranes in the GCC area, 300 more around the world and 200 hoists from GJJ/Orbit and Pega, NTT is a strong force in its area of specialisation. Tower cranes supplied through NFT Following the recent economic crisis, the company started expanding operations in overseas markets and is now working in markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Azerbaijan and Africa. The company is also focusing on the oil and gas sector. "The energy sector is new for tower cranes which are being used for erection and mechanical works," said Al Zahlawi. NFT has started a trade-in centre for used tower cranes and the rental market is picking up as "recent experience has taught people not to invest for the long term," the official adds. Projects that NFT has supplied to include such major developments as Burj Khalifa, DIFC, Emirates Mall and Jumeirah Beach Residences (all in Dubai) and the Reem Island Development, Adnoc headquarters and ADIA Tower (all in Abu Dhabi).
dominate the skyline during the
construction of the Princess Nora
University in Riyadh
