Al Aqili Furnishings supplies flooring for exclusive projects

The AED6 million (US$1.6 million) deal, awarded by LCL Interiors, will see Al Aqili Furnishings supply 24,000 square metres of Fabrica carpets - the US based manufacturer of some of the finest flooring in the industry, which is the biggest single order the manufacturer has ever received, along with additional flooring from Shaw Industries Contract and Hospitality flooring ranges.

AAF has supplied a staggering 2 million square metres of flooring in 2006 as a result of the major construction boom present in the UAE, and has several major projects underway from the beginning of 2007.

"The regional construction boom, particularly in the UAE where over US$100 billion (AED 375 billion) worth of projects will come online in the next few years, has aided the Middle East's contract flooring industry. Our latest contract win is a sure sign that not only is there an ever increasing demand for flooring solutions, but that clients now demand the best products that are on offer," said Shahriar Khodjasteh, Group Marketing Director, AAF.

The division supplied and fitted the equivalent of 400 full sized football pitches of flooring in 2006. During this period AAF's client portfolio also expanded to include; the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, the Hyatt Regency, Dubai, the Movenpick Hotel, Riyadh, the Jumeirah Rotana Hotel, Dubai, the Intercontinental and Crown Plaza Hotels in the Dubai Festival City development, the Lake Tower Hotel and Burj Dubai Towers A and B, all of which are in the Burj Dubai Downtown district.

"The UAE accounts for around 40% of all Middle East furnishings imports. There is rising regional demand for quality furnishings and we have pro-actively and successfully aligned ourselves with globally-renowned companies, such as Dixie Group's Fabrica and Masland and the USA's Shaw Industries - the world's largest carpet manufacturer," said Rashid Youssif Al Aqili, General Manager Flooring Division, AAF

In 2006, AAF signed a landmark deal with the privately-held US Shaw Industries, part of the Berkshire Hathaway group to become the sole Middle East agent and distributor for its contract and hospitality ranges, after 10 years of successfully marketing Shaw's residential offering. AFF currently represents over 50 of the biggest names in the furnishings industry world-wide

"Last year was an unparalleled success that saw us secure multiple contract flooring projects. The coming months will see us carry forward the momentum of success with several major projects already planned such as the flooring for Citi Group offices at the Dubai International Financial Centre and AED 1.1 million (US$290,000) of raised flooring in the Bin Saloom building," added Khodjasteh.