iCrete founder honored at Global Competitiveness Forum 2009

Organised under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin AbdulAziz AlSaud, GCF 2009 discussed diverse aspects of the Saudi economy with a focus on the role of construction and real estate companies in building a competitive economy.

iCrete marked its first partnership with the prestigious event as a Strategic Partner, and Mr Winnick was a key speaker in the panel discussion: 'Too Hot to Handle? Sustaining the Green Agenda.'

Addressing the Forum, Mr Winnick said:

"The Arabian Peninsula is witnessing an unprecedented development boom with massive investments in infrastructure development. Initiatives like the Economic Cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Masdar, the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste city powered by renewable energy sources in Abu Dhabi, are pioneering examples of investments with a focus on sustainable growth."

He added: "The vast investments in infrastructure also present an opportunity to incorporate clean technology applications in their construction, especially in the planning of concrete mixes. Apart from the overall cost-savings, environment-friendly concrete technology also helps reduce the global carbon footprint and contribute to the global initiatives in sustainable development."

iCRETE is the world's premier concrete technology company, transforming the way ready mixed and precast concrete is designed, produced and used worldwide. iCrete's mission is to elevate the construction and concrete industries to a new standard of environmental stewardship, profitability, and standardization. Its advanced high-performance mixes and quality systems have just recently been announced for use among the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The iCrete System optimizes concrete design and production for quality, high strength, workability and durability. iCrete's production optimization system can substantially reduce a project's cement requirements and its carbon footprint.

Mr Winnick is Chairman of the Board, Pacific Capital Group Inc, a diversified private equity investment and merchant banking firm. iCrete is one of the company's portfolio enterprises.

He is a patron of humanitarian and literacy projects worldwide including support for a select group of world-class universities, libraries, medical research centers, and fine art institutions. He is also a member of numerous national and international philanthropic boards and associations, including the Museum of Modern Art and the US-UAE Business Council.