Drake & Scull International awarded "MEP Contractor of the Year" for second year running

The company was recognized for its work on the Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri project in Abu Dhabi, at the MEP gala dinner in Mina Al Salam last week.

Abu Dhabi Area General Manager Ahmad Al Nasser said:

"To be recognized as the "MEP Contractor of the Year" for a second consecutive year, by the highly experienced independent panel of judges, is a real honour that is shared by the whole team at DSI."

"We are particularly pleased with being recognised for the Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, as the project itself was very challenging and presented DSI with a tough deadline to meet," he added.

When DSI was awarded the MEP works of the project, the civil works were already 80% complete and the handover date was almost due, which meant it would be a 'fast track' project.

"DSI was up to the challenge as developers often come to us with fast track contracts due to our reputation for taking projects over at an advanced stage and delivering them on schedule," Al Nasser said. "After a short period of only 14 months, we completed the project and handed over to the client on time for the Grand Opening."

DSI's role in Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri covered the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the complete MEP systems to a value of Dhs70m.

Following the success of last year's inaugural event, the 2008 MEP Middle East Awards herald the organisations that design and install mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems.

These awards come at a time when MEP is the most in-demand service sector in the construction industry. The total value of projects currently under construction in the GCC is estimated at $1.5 trillion (Dhs5.5 trillion) - and MEP accounts for around a third of the total.

DSI installs the essential core systems of buildings and is a market leader in the MEP contracting sector. Some recent projects include Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), The Palm Anantara Hotel Resort & Spa, Fairmont Palm Hotel and Resort, Fairmont Palm Residences, Golden Mile, Laguna Hotel and Residential Tower, Ocean Heights Tower, Yas Island Rotana Resort and Centro by Rotana Abu Dhabi and the Sahara Mall Expansion.