Dubai Monitor News Gulf Extrusions awarded exclusive rights to Henkel's Spectrocolor anodizing process in 5 GCC countries New process provides a new range of anodizing colours for aluminium products in the construction industry April 2004 Henkel, the global pioneer in the field of surface treatment of aluminium, has awarded exclusive rights of its recently patented Spectrocolor anodizing process for all GCC countries, excepting Saudi Arabia, to Gulf Extrusions, the UAE-based pioneer and market leader in aluminium extrusion for the GCC region. The announcement was made at a seminar on the benefits of Spectrocolor anodizing organised by Gulf Extrusions, yesterday (Monday, April 5, 2004) at the Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai. "Gulf Extrusions has established a tradition of continuously introducing innovative technologies to the construction sector in the GCC region. This has sharpened the competitive edge of our marketing strategy, as well as helped us earn an impeccable reputation for quality products and solutions," said Robert Holtkamp, Director of Sales and Marketing, Gulf Extrusions, speaking on the occasion. "We have brought cutting-edge technologies to GCC via our tie-up with leading research and development (R&D) driven industrial leaders around the world. Henkel's surface technologies are developed in technologically sophisticated R&D labs and undergo extensive quality tests before entering the market. Our association with Henkel was initially established to bring these world-class technologies to the GCC region. The addition of the innovative new Spectrocolor anodizing process to our technological strengths will allow us to offer revolutionary new aesthetics to the trusted aluminium products for the regional construction sector." The Spectrocolor anodizing process results in a new anodized finish for aluminium in spectrum colours like blue, green and grey. This finish is especially produced through the process of interference colour anodizing. This kind of colour anodizing is superior to other colour anodizing processes because of the availability of a new range of electrolytic colours, while in the past electro colour anodizing for aluminium surface has only been confined to a limited range of bronze colours. In terms of aesthetics, this new process opens up the possibility of a weather resistant rainbow of colours for use on aluminium products varying from frames for doors and windows to skylight support structures. "Henkel Surface Technologies has always been the pioneer in the field of surface treatment of aluminium, continually supporting new applications of this light weight material. The lunar module was treated with our products and the first sealing smut inhibitors to improve the quality of anodizing processes were developed by Henkel Surface Technologies," said Dr. Torsten Koerner - Marketing Manager, Henkel KGaA. "Until recently, colouration for aluminium had been considered to be a limited options procedure since maximum resistance to light and a broad colour spectrum were considered irreconcilable. The new Spectrocolor colouration process makes it possible to use aluminium construction elements in all colours of the rainbow in external architecture." The Spectrocolor anodizing process was patented in Germany by Henkel, of which Gulf Extrusions is a licensee. The seminar on the Spectrocolor anodizing process was addressed by (names, titles and companies of the speakers) and attended by leading architects and consultants from the UAE construction industry. ELS Language Centers to provide English language training to potential e-TQM College students Recently signed MOU will ensure that e-TQM College learners meet the English competency level necessary to undertake a TQM course April 10, 2004 e-TQM College, the leading electronic college that offers online courses in Total Quality Management in the Middle East, has announced that it recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ELS Language Centers Middle East, an Al Hamed Enterprises company. The MOU will ensure that potential e-TQM College students are equipped with a good level of English language, before registering for a course. e-TQM College currently has a wide range of quality management related courses available. The college is working on Arabising all of its courses, but at present most courses are taught in English language. The college recognises that there is a need for some of its potential learners to either learn the English language or to revise their skills, before attempting to learn a new subject in the language. "We recognise that there is a need for English language courses for some of our otherwise qualified learners. We want to ensure that our learners requirements are met, this includes ensuring that they have the language skills necessary to complete one of our courses," said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Director, e-TQM College. "We have partnered with ELS to ensure that our learners receive the best quality learning material possible. We have chosen ELS for their vast experience in offering English training to millions of people in over 140 countries worldwide." ELS prides itself as being the finest English language instruction provider that offers excellent customer service and value for money. ELS has become the world's largest network of campus-based English language instruction centers, with 11 centers in the Middle East from Cairo to Kuwait, including three in the UAE. "ELS opened its first center in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi ten years ago and the establishment of a regional network of schools has made our English language programs available to people who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to study English using our successful curriculum," said Ana Laubengayer, Managing Director, ELS Language Centers Middle East."We plan to offer e-TQM College learners a special rate for our courses, books and material and we are developing customised programs, specifically tailored to e-TQM College learners, including a comprehensive online support system." Residents of The Gardens donate household items for Iran's earthquake victims Management hails the community's charity drive as a major success April 2004 Residents of The Gardens, the residential project developed by Nakheel Properties, recently participated in a charity drive to donate household items for the rehabilitation of people affected by the earthquake in Bam, Iran. The drive was part of the humanitarian activities of the charity centre at The Gardens, where residents donate items for the underprivileged or victims of disasters. The Gardens Management and The Gardens Community Committee (TGCC) organised the campaign and handed over the items to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Foundation. The drive was a major success, with residents donating more than a truckload of items which are being despatched by the foundation to the affected families in Bam. "We are very pleased with the response from The Gardens residents. People were very generous in donating household items, clothes, blankets, shoes and even mattresses for the destitute people of Iran. These people have been left with nothing and it is important that communities more fortunate come together and do what they can to help," said Esam Hassan Saleh, Senior Manager, Leasing and Property Management, The Gardens."At The Gardens, we have a dedicated Charity Centre where residents can donate items whenever they want. We then distribute these items to local charity organisations or to organisations that specialise in reaching aid to disaster areas. There is an excellent community spirit at The Gardens and people really made the effort to give generously," said Saleh. "TGCC was set up to advise the Gardens Management on any issues that residents want to raise, initiatives that they want to discuss or simply to voice residents' ideas. TGCC and Gardens Management meet once a month and work together to implement practical ideas," Saleh added. The Gardens residential complex, a Nakheel project, has become a popular address for people in Dubai. The Community, the first of its kind in the UAE spread over 220 hectares, consists of over 3,800 apartments with one, two or three bedrooms. "We would like to thank all of The Gardens residents for their generous contributions and for supporting the charity initiatives that The Gardens Management has implemented. With the help of The Gardens Community Committee (TGCC) we hope to organise many more successful charity drives and events," he added. The Gardens is a residential community spread over 220 hectares, situated adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchange 5 and 6. The first phase consists of 129 low-rise buildings of 3,828 one, two and three bedroom apartments. The Gardens Community is designed for a lifestyle of convenience and functionality, with playgrounds, sports fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, basketball courts and volleyball courts. The Community also houses two schools, the Varkey International School and the Delhi Private School and a medical centre. Gardens View Villas are also part of the Gardens Community. The distinctive Arabic styled three and four bedroom villas are built on gentle slopes, with panoramic hilltop views of the sea and desert.