Emirates Glass fights off global challenge to clothe The Gate facade

"We are thrilled to have won this contract. The Gate is an iconic structure that symbolises the entrance to the world's best in terms of banking and high finance," said Jerry Dowling, General Manager of Dubai-based Emirates Glass.

"To have won the contract to supply glass to this one-in-the-world project speaks volumes about the unmatched quality and price competitiveness of our products. We pitted ourselves against the best in the world - and won," said an obviously pleased Dowling.

The Gate will be the emblematic fulcrum of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It will be an international landmark symbolising Dubai as an international gateway for capital and investment flows into and out of a region stretching from Singapore in the East to Frankfurt in the West.

"Imagine the prestige of the project - and the fact that we are associated with it. It is indeed a signature of quality that we can carry proudly to world markets," said the General Manager of Emirates Glass.

Delivery until January, 2004
The Al Quoz based glass producer has won the contract to supply a massive 10,000 square metres of its EmiCool Super E2 glass for the façade of The Gate. Deliveries start this month and will be completed by January 2004.

EmiCool Super E2 has been specially developed by Emirates Glass to cater to the high-end aesthetic market. The product provides high clarity and is specially suited to local climatic and weather conditions.

"EmiCool Super E2 is designed and coated to meet with municipal specifications & also to fulfil the aesthetic demands of architects and designers - not always an easy task to achieve," Dowling pointed out.

Quality benchmark
He said EmiCool Super E2 is tested and approved by TNO, the world's most prestigious glass testing organisation and has exceeded evaluations of similar products from some of the world's best producers of glass - a fact that is emphasised by The Gate contract.

"EmiCool Super E2 is very efficient and maintains a magnificent space-vision of any building, structure or edifice," Dowling added.

The Gate was the subject of an international design competition won by U.S. architect Gensler. It is a massive processional archway, 15-storeys high with 46,000 square metres of prime office space. It will have retail outlets on the ground level and a three-storey basement park for some 1,500 cars.

DIFC Headquarter
The building will house DIFC' executive offices across 7,000 square metres on the top two levels. The proposed Dubai Regional Exchange will also be housed over two floors occupying some 2,000 square metres.

"Though we have had some success, our exports are still less than 10 per cent of our total production. With The Gate's international certificate of quality, we are now ready to make a determined bid to breach overseas markets," said Emirates Glass General Manager Jerry Dowling.