Lead times
The challenge for cladding suppliers is delivery. Fabrication plants are operating at fully capacity as companies struggle to meet agreed deadlines. The solution for some has been to close the order book and focus on contracts in hand. 'We have been forced to close our order books and focus on finishing the projects we have,' says the supplier. 'I assume the other players are doing the same.'
Clients and contractors are beginning to take control of the situation. Some have secured cladding supplies by developing their own in-house cladding capabilities, through acquisition, or by investing in existing players. Local real estate developer Emaar Properties, through its subsidiary Emaar Industries & Investments, acquired local aluminium fabricator Multiforms in late 2005. In May this year, Dubai-based ETA Ascon secured land at Dubai Industrial City to set up its own cladding factory. Other contractors are left waiting for deliveries. And as more mega projects move into construction the problem shows no sign of abating. 'The market definitely needs more capacity,' says the cladding supplier. 'If the workload remains then we will need to double our capacity, but the big question is whether the market will continue at this level.'You might also like...
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