Wood prices in the Middle East remain stable over past six months

Wood prices in the Middle East remain stable over past six months

Danube Building Materials seeks to address increase in demand for wood as many construction projects are set to be completed
January 03, 2011

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced that wood prices in the Middle East have remained stable over the past six months. According to statistics released by Danube Building Materials, wood prices began to stabilize starting the third quarter of 2010 and have remained stable ever since. Danube notes that the price for Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) has been USD 285 per CBM, while the Malaysian Hardwood Plywood was priced at USD 495 per CBM.

According to Danube, the pricing for Film Face Plywood was pegged at USD 375 per CBM, and the Meranti Wood pricing saw an increase of 0.67 per cent from USD 750 to USD 755 per ton. The price of American Ash Wood meanwhile saw a 1.2 per cent decrease and was priced at USD 825 per CBM. The price of European Beechwood increased by 1.19 per cent, from USD 550 to USD 555. On the other hand, African Teak Wood called Iroko has been priced at USD 1,100 per CBM.

“We believe that the stabilisation of wood prices coupled with the current regional market situation where several construction projects are nearing completion, will considerably boost demand for wood. Danube is well-positioned to capitalise on this demand and cater to the diverse requirements of this dynamic market with our broad range of high quality products,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials.

The company recently announced that in the next five years, it plans to list itself in Saudi Arabia and the UAE for an initial public offering (IPO). This decision was taken, following the significant growth it had achieved in recent years in terms of geographical expansion and achievement of revenue targets. Danube Building Materials also revealed that it is also open to dual listing in both countries, as part of its aims to secure AED 2.5 billion to AED 3 billion in total revenues in the next three to four years.

“An IPO listing can spur regional growth for Danube and help us become more profitable through optimum use of the revenue generated. Meanwhile, we will remain focused on consolidating our presence in the GCC region, and look to replicate the success we have achieved in the UAE across key regional markets,” concluded Sajan.

About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 25,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 17 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with 25 branches worldwide - 17 in the UAE, one in Saudi Arabia, two each in Bahrain and Oman and three in India, in addition to procurement offices in China and Canada. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Rizwan Sajan named ‘Businessman of the year at Ahlan Masala Awards 2010

Rizwan Sajan named ‘Businessman of the year’ at Ahlan! Masala Awards 2010

Chairman of Danube Building Materials lauded for effective leadership and pioneering efforts in construction building materials industry

December 19, 2010

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced that its Chairman, Rizwan Sajan, has been named ‘Businessman of the year’ at this year’s edition of the Ahlan! Masala Awards 2010, held recently at the Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, UAE. Sajan was cited for his leadership in increasing the growth of the Danube Group into an AED 1 billion conglomerate - effectively driving in growth and increased revenues with the launch of the Danube BUILDMART chain despite the global financial crisis.

In securing the ‘Businessman of the year’ award, Sajan’s excellent leadership, dynamism in strategy, and ability to expand the growth of Danube, both in terms of people and partnerships, were key factors in bagging the award. Within the last five years, Danube has registered exponential growth in revenues, which has exceeded AED 1 billion in 2009, an investment of AED 100 million in the expansion of its ‘Danube BUILDMART’ concept across the GCC, and the addition of 350 staff during the height of the recession. The company, which is known to provide world class construction building materials and interiors and exteriors products and services, recently inaugurated its AED 50 million 'Danube BUILDMART' in Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi, the largest of all showrooms opened by the company, and prior to that the opening of its AED 15 million store under the same banner in Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai.

“I am very humbled with this award and the confidence they have placed in me not only recognizes the hard work I have put into the company but also affirms the dedication of Danube’s employees in helping us achieve success and growth,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. “Having been also recognized recently in the MRM Business Awards and the Dubai Quality Awards demonstrates our continued commitment towards providing our customers with world class construction building materials, interiors and exteriors products and anything they will need to improve infrastructure and the aesthetic value it holds.”

Bollywood’s top celebrities graced the evening’s affair with no less than living legend Amitabh Bacchan leading the list; followed by Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Manish Maihotra, and Riya Sen. Also present during the awards were the honorable panel of judges headed by eminent personalities in Dubai including: Rekha Tourani, Falguni Mehta, Imran Choudhary, Raju Shroff, and K Rajaram. Sponsors for the event included Petrochem (Headline Sponsor), Audi Middle East, Exclusive Yachts, World Gold Council, Sukar.com, Supermax, Shoemart, Splash, Alkozay Tea, Dubai Outlet Mall, Prestige and Philips. Media Sponsors included Cool 94.7 FM, Khaleej Times and Zee Network.

About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 25,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 17 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with 25 branches worldwide - 17 in the UAE, one in Saudi Arabia, two each in Bahrain and Oman and three in India, in addition to procurement offices in China and Canada. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Danube to open its biggest ‘BUILDMART’ showroom within a mall

Danube to open its biggest ‘BUILDMART’ showroom within a mall

New store to mark company’s 10th retail facility in GCC

August 24, 2010

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced plans to open its biggest ‘Danube BUILDMART’ showroom within a mall by October 2010. Set to occupy 35,000 sq. feet within the Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi, the new store will mark the company’s 10th retail facility in the GCC, and its fourth branch within a local shopping mall. The move is part of the company’s AED 200 million expansion initiative, which is focused on establishing 16 branches for its flagship retail brand by the end of the year.

The announcement of the planned launch follows the opening of the first ‘Danube BUILDMART’ branch in India last July, and an earlier proclamation that the company is looking at an initial public offering (IPO) listing in Saudi Arabia or the UAE within the next 5 years. In addition to growing its business in the UAE, the company further revealed that it expanding to Qatar and other parts of Saudi Arabia and Oman, as well as in China, where it currently has one of its major manufacturing plants.

“Our commitment to providing clients all over the UAE with the best quality products and the highest level of customer service will once again witness a major boost with the upcoming launch of our newest and biggest ‘Danube BUILDMART’ showroom that is situated within a mall,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. “We are very excited to unveil this latest addition to our rapidly-expanding family of first-class retail showrooms, and we are confident of the positive impact of this massive investment in our bottom line as well as to the strength of the ‘Danube BUILDMART’ name in the country.”

Set to offer products from a host of reputed international and regional vendors including chandeliers, wall paper collections, curtains, carpets, luxury sanitary ware, Venetian blinds, wooden flooring, garden accessories, home décor and soft furnishings such as quilts, mattresses, towels, and pillow covers, among others, all products in the new showroom will be installed in an actual home set-up for a more personalised shopping experience. In addition, the store will also have a ‘Design Centre’, where customers can take floor plans of their houses and take expert advice, excellent service, design assistance and inspiration from consultants. At present, there are 9 retail outlets under the ‘BUILDMART’ banner, which are located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Fujairah in the UAE; in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the latest one in India.

“Abu Dhabi remains a strong market, and the opening of our newest branch in the city is a testament to our confidence in the emirate’s growth, especially in the construction and real estate front. We are confident that this new venture will be a key success and a highlight for our business this year,” concluded Sajan.


About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 15,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 14 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with 18 branches worldwide - 13 in the UAE, 2 in Oman, 1 each in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and India, in addition to procurement offices in China and Canada. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Salma Hareb inaugurates ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai

Salma Hareb inaugurates ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai

AED 15 million retail store marks Danube’s third store within a mall

April 22, 2010

Salma Hareb, CEO, Economic Zones World, inaugurated today (April 22, 2010), the AED 15 million 'Danube BUILDMART' in Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai, which marks Danube Building Materials’ ninth ‘BUILDMART’ showroom and third retail branch to be based within a mall. This latest venture will cater to individual homeowners and designers, and is part of the construction, building materials and shop fitting leader’s AED 100 million expansion plans for its retail complex chain. Rizwan Sajan, Chairman and Anis Sajan, Managing Director from Danube Building Materials were also present along with other senior officials, including Pat Mcgillycuddy, COO, Economic Zones World, with Mohammed Al Banna, VP - Commercial Sales; Abdulla Al Banna, VP - Commercial Sales; and Ahmed Mattar, Sales Manager, from Jebel Ali Free Zone - UAE region.

“I would like to congratulate Danube on this truly special occasion,” said Salma Hareb. “In addition to its regional headquarters in Jafza, Danube has further expanded its presence in the free zone to create a distribution hub for all their facilities in the region. Their consistent quest to serve customers better echoes our deep commitment to customers at Economic Zones World. I wish them every success in their future plans.”

Spanning an area of 15,000 sq. feet, 'Danube BUILDMART' in Ibn Battuta Mall offers products from a host of reputed international and regional vendors under a single roof, including chandeliers, wall paper collections, curtains, carpets, luxury sanitary ware, Venetian blinds, wooden flooring, garden accessories, home décor and soft furnishings such as quilts, mattresses, towels, and pillow covers, among others. The store also has a ‘Design Centre’, where customers can take floor plans of their houses and benefit from expert advice from consultants on which products suit their needs, as well as from consultation and after sales services dispensed by Danube’s interior design experts.

“Taking off from the huge success we have seen in our recent opening in Bawadi Mall, Al Ain and in Dubai Festival City, the inauguration of this ‘Danube BUILDMART’ branch is a reiteration of our commitment towards building a solid foothold for the ‘BUILDMART’ brand in the region. We are prepared to address all the requirements of clients who will be coming to the store, and provide them the valued added services that ‘Danube BUILDMART’ has been known for since it was launched. Moreover, we are confident of the success of our store in Ibn Battuta Mall, not only in terms of footfall but also in the level of satisfaction we provide to the customers,” concluded Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials.

All products in the retail complex are installed in an actual home set-up, thereby allowing customers to enjoy a more personalised shopping experience with excellent service and design assistance. In addition, ‘Danube BUILDMART’ offers a personalised retail store experience with excellent service, design assistance, and inspiration to help people redecorate their homes. At present, there are eight retail outlets under the ‘BUILDMART’ banner, which are located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Fujairah in the UAE; and in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 15,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 19 showrooms across the GCC. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with 15 branches in the UAE, two in Oman, one in Bahrain, two in China and one in India. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Current steel prices pose major breaks for regional industry, says Danube

Current steel prices pose major breaks for regional industry, says Danube

GCC steel suppliers reinforce presence in the market

March 10, 2010

The current price of steel in the UAE has seen a monthly increase from December 2009 to reach AED 2,150 per tonne in March this year - a growth pattern that is posing major prospects for the regional market in terms of its implications on the capacity of mills to operate at full capacity, according to Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries. The company further revealed that scrap prices continue to firm up, costs of raw materials steadily increase, and billet availabilty is constrained. Further price hikes are likely in the coming months, thereby prompting local steel suppliers to strongly reinforce their presence in the regional market. The steady price hike in the region, however, is not in tandem with the steep levels by which global steel prices are rising, which is a reflection that the steel market in the region is becoming indifferent to global market forces and thus continues to have a significant lag behind price surges in other parts of the world.

The price of steel in the UAE started its recent climb from a rate of AED 1,780 per tonne in November-December 2009, to AED 1,850 in January 2010, to AED 1,950 in February, and to its present rate of AED 2,150 per tonne. Comparatively, global steel (mill) prices have gone from USD 490 (December 2009) to USD 520 (January 2010) to USD 535 (February 2010) to USD 570 (March 2010), and latest estimates reveal that a price of USD 600 is imminent. The region’s indifference to the rate of increase seen in global prices is partly due to weak demand, as a result of some major projects in the Middle East being delayed or put on hold. Furthermore, liquidity in payment remains tough, with most contractors and developers unable to commit to immediate payments for suppliers in the region.

“The local steel market required up to 400,000 tonnes of steel per month in the years prior to the recession but this has reduced to 250,000 tonnes per month on account of the international economic downturn,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. “The increasing role played by GCC-based steel suppliers, which has curbed the flow of Turkish steel into the country, is also an indicator of the increasing growth potential for the regional steel industry. We remain optimistic that steel prices in the region will increase to reach its ideal level, which is somewhere around AED 2,300 - 2,400 per tonne, and this will provide a boost to the mills, which have been affected by the recession to gain full operation capacity and thereby stabilise the market.”

At present, top UAE-based suppliers Emirates Steel Mills and Qatar Steel Corporation dominate the regional supply chain, delivering a combined 175,000 tonnes of steel (125,000 tonnes and 50,000 tonnes, respectively), to the UAE. With scrap traders holding on to existing stockpiles and a lower collection of scrap over the past few months, steel prices in the region have increased at rates of close to 12 per cent in the last month. Whilst billet availability remains another issue in the region, Danube is confident that the current steel prices are a realistic reflection of the market and bode well for the remainder of the year.

“The global market has seen steel prices drop to an all-time low of USD 390 back in 2008, while prices in the region had hit the bottom price of AED 1,750 per tonne in 2009. During these periods, the steel industry has had major difficulties coping with the closure or slowing down of mills. The increase in prices we are monitoring in the UAE and the rest of the region is suggestive of positive developments in the stability of the steel industry, and we are watching for further indicators to help us leverage this excellent progress,” concluded Sajan.

About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 15,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 14 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with 18 branches worldwide - 13 in the UAE, 2 in Oman, 1 each in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and India, in addition to procurement offices in China and Canada. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Danube Building Materials reports AED 1 billion annual revenue for 2009

Danube Building Materials reports AED 1 billion annual revenue for 2009

Company targets 50 per cent growth and opening of 12 showrooms across the region in 2010

January 19, 2010

Danube Building Materials FZCO, the leading player in the building material, interior decoration and shop fitting industry, has reported annual revenues of AED 1 billion in 2009, despite the challenges the construction industry faced in the past year due to the global economic slowdown. The company has also announced its goal to achieve 50 per cent growth in 2010, as well as plans to open at least 12 more showrooms in malls and stand alone outlets across the region. Danube is especially upbeat about the first quarter of the year, stating its aims to secure 30 per cent out of its 50 per cent annual growth target within this period.

The company has been significantly active in several high profile projects, having been involved in the construction of the Yas Island development, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Meydan Race Course, Dubai Sports City, Motor City, Emirates Golf Course, Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Khalifa. Danube’s strength was also underlined by its stability throughout the year, and while it did not register significant growth in 2009 compared to the 70 per cent it achieved from 2007 to 2008, the company has successfully buffered itself from the effects of the recession.

“The GCC was an important market for us in 2009, considering the developments that transpired in the region despite the recession. In 2010, we are confident that it will be easier for us to boost our business and achieve our targets given that the impact of the global financial crisis has not been as severe in the region as in other part of the globe,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. ”We are currently undertaking expansion initiatives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and planning on venturing into Riyadh and Dammam, as well as further into Qatar, India and the African region by way of franchise agreements and dealer networks, and we are confident that we will realise the goals we have set for this year.”

Despite the crisis, Danube has been continuously undertaking expansion efforts, the most significant of which was the introduction of ‘Danube BUILDMART’, a retail complex that offers a personalised shopping experience with excellent service, design assistance, and inspiration to help people redecorate their homes. At present, there are seven retail outlets in total under the ‘Danube BUILDMART’ banner in GCC, including one recently opened centre in Fujairah and ‘Danube BUILDMART’ complexes in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi in the UAE and in Bahrain and KSA.

“Our commitment to the UAE market is underlined by our continuous expansion efforts, which is aimed at addressing the building materials requirements of our customers across the emirates. We have not been deterred by the challenges of the economic downturn, and with the impending recovery of the market, we are confident that we are headed towards further growth,” concluded Sajan.

About Danube Building Materials FZCO

Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 15,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 14 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with eight branches in the UAE, two in Oman, one in Bahrain, two in China and one in India. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Danube Building Materials launches certified eco-friendly wood products at ‘The Big 5’ exhibition

Danube Building Materials launches certified eco-friendly wood products at ‘The Big 5’ exhibition

Luxury sanitary ware and certified wood products takes centre stage at Danube’s stand

November 23, 2009

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced the launch of the first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)-certified whitewood and hardwood timbers products in the GCC at ‘The Big 5’ exhibition, the largest trade show for the Middle East’s construction sector, which opened today (November 23, 2009), at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. The company is also showcasing its new line of luxury sanitary ware products within its stand (Hall 4 stand 180C).

Amidst the reported increase in the number of inquiries for FSC and PEFC timber from its customers, Danube has expressed its commitment to introducing to the region building materials, which are certified by FSC and PEFC - two independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisations that promote sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. The company is also focusing on educating buyers and consultants on certified materials, its benefits, and from which local vendors they can legitimately procure materials. Danube’s intensive effort to promote sustainability is further underlined by its planned collaboration with the Dubai Municipality to promote ‘Green building codes’ across the emirate.

“As the largest building materials company in the Middle East, we have invested in making green products available in the GCC region, and we intend to use our regional network to help project managers integrate green policies into their developments,” said Frank Owens, Product Manager of Hardwood Timber, Danube Building Materials. “Amidst the escalating support for green building initiatives across the UAE, our participation at this year’s ‘Big 5’ event is aimed at creating synergies and business networks with reputable companies by highlighting the importance of ‘green’ building materials across all ongoing and future projects.”

Danube will also showcase innovative sanitary ware at the event, including state-of-the-art shower panels with stainless steel body, brass fittings, overhead shower, water massage jets, hot and cold mixer, fancy LED lighting, digital touch screen panel, FM radio, brass hand shower, temperature control and hand shower. Other brand fully-loaded offerings to headline Danube’s stand are shower rooms with steam option, concealed shower mixer with waterfall feature, exclusive range of milano mixers, and new massage bath tubs with TV, DVD and chiller options.

“There is constant demand considering the potential of construction industry, with Dubai remaining very lucrative amidst the great number of projects being completed there, and Abu Dhabi expecting numerous projects in 2010. We have again extended our participation in this year’s ‘Big 5’ event with aims of encouraging the use of supplying eco-friendly materials in projects across the UAE as well as the entire region. Our participation in this high profile event is also part of our strategy to reinforce the Danube brand and highlight the key features of our high-quality products,” concluded Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials.

‘The Big 5 International Building & Construction Show’, the largest gathering of the construction industry in the Middle East., features national pavilions from all the major exporting countries of the world. Attended by important local developers, contractors, importers, manufacturers and distributors, the show is considered the annual meeting place for all industry professionals, with over 58,000 key buyers and decision makers from the public and private sectors attending the 2008 event. Designed strictly for trade and business professionals, ‘The Big 5’ also offers a comprehensive programme of seminars, conferences and events designed around a variety of topical issues affecting the construction industry.

H.E. Eng. Hamad Buamim inaugurates AED 10 million 'Danube BUILDMART' in Dubai Festival City

H.E. Eng. Hamad Buamim inaugurates AED 10 million 'Danube BUILDMART' in Dubai Festival City

New retail showroom marks Danube Building Materials’ first branch within a mall

October 23, 2009

H. E. Eng. Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, inaugurated yesterday (Thursday, 22nd October) the AED 10 million 'Danube BUILDMART' in Dubai Festival City, which marks Danube Home Interior’s first retail showroom to be based within a mall. This latest venture will cater to individual homeowners and designers, and is part of the construction, building materials and shop fitting industries leader’s AED 50 million expansion plan for its retail complex chain, which also involves the opening of additional branches in Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Bawadi Mall in Al Ain by the end of 2009. Mr. Hassan Al Hashemi, Director, External Relations, Dubai Chamber, was also present at the event along with Danube officials.

“I welcome the opening of Danube BUILDMART’s showroom in Festival City, which reflects the investors’ continued trust in Dubai’s position as a leading economic hub in the region. The new showroom will add value to the retail sector, which is one of the most dynamic sectors in the emirate. On its part, the Dubai Chamber is always there to support the development of business and to create a favourable business environment that will ultimately lead to the overall growth of the business community,” said Buamim.

Spanning an area of 4,500 sq. feet, 'Danube BUILDMART' in Festival City offers products from a host of reputed international and regional vendors under a single roof, including chandeliers, wall paper collections, luxury sanitary ware, Venetian blinds, wooden flooring, home decor among others. The store also has a ‘Design Centre’, where customers can take floor plans of their houses and benefit from expert advice from consultants on which products suit their needs, as well as from consultation and after sales services dispensed by Danube’s interior design experts. Furthermore, all products in the retail complex are installed in an actual home set-up, thereby allowing customers to enjoy a more personalised shopping experience with excellent service and design assistance.

Speaking at the inauguration, Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials, said, “This day marks another milestone for Danube Building Materials as we commemorate the opening of our first showroom within a mall. This event holds significant importance to our company not only because it showcases the continuous expansion strides we are taking, but more importantly because it underlines our capacity to position ourselves based on the actual needs of our customers. Our priority lies in providing exceptional home interior products to our customers in cost effective way, and we believe we have taken this commitment to the next level by continuously providing convenience, design assistance, and inspiration to them.”

‘Danube BUILDMART’ offers a personalised retail store experience with excellent service, design assistance, and inspiration to help people redecorate their homes. At present, there are five retail outlets under the ‘BUILDMART’ banner, which are located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE; and in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. In addition, expansion plans involving the launch of a flagship branch along Sheikh Zayed Road and an additional branch in Fujairah are also on the pipeline.

About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 15,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 14 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with eight branches in the UAE, two in Oman, one in Bahrain, two in China and one in India. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Wood prices in the Middle East remain stable from July to August

Wood prices in the Middle East remain stable from July to August

Danube seeks to address increase in demand for wood as many regional developments approach completion

August 26, 2009

Wood prices continue to remain stable since rates recorded in July until the second week of August, a significant development that follows 18 months of continuously declining prices, according to Danube. As the market witnesses heightened buying activity within the building materials sector, Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced its aims to address the increased demand for wood, especially with many regional developments approaching their completion.

According to statistics released by Danube, wood prices began to stabilize in the first week of July, and are expected to increase further in the coming months. In addition, prices of other building materials continue to register growth, including steel props, which rose to AED 45 per piece from AED 42; scaffolding planks, which are currently being sold at AED 59 per piece from AED 58; and Red Meranti from West Malaysia, which has increased to AED 2,750 per ton from AED 2,700. The only product, which has seen a dip in price versus the rate in May is cement, which now wholesales at AED 15 per bag from AED 16.

“Prices of wood have dipped to its lowest in the first quarter this year, which is a tremendous development for developers who are nearing the completion of their projects and are gearing up for delivery this year,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. “With factors such as fluctuating supply of raw materials and the current correction in the real estate and property market, we anticipate the prices to increase further. Our goal is to leverage this shift by delivering top-quality products to major projects and developments across the region.”

In addition to wood, Danube also named other products, which have seen no variation in their retail prices, including Russian Beechwood, 6mm glass, aluminum profiles, film faced plywood (KINGPLUS), and medium density fibreboards (MDFs). European Whitewood has also seen an increase in prices within the same period, from AED 1,050 per cubic metre to AED 1,075.

“The continuous change in prices of building materials is indicative of an impending recovery phase for the construction and property development sectors, and we are expecting the results of this excellent new update in prices to further fuel activities within the region’s construction arena. We are committed to meeting the building material needs of all customers, which we continue to reiterate with our efforts to expand our operations across the region,” concluded Sajan.

Danube unveils AED 20 million expansion plan for ‘DANUBE BUILDMART’ in the UAE

Danube unveils AED 20 million expansion plan for ‘DANUBE BUILDMART’ in the UAE

Two new retail stores to open in Ibn Battuta Mall and Dubai Festival City

June 30, 2009

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced an AED 20 million expansion plan for its retail complex chain ‘DANUBE BUILDMART', with new branches expected to open in two leading shopping malls in Dubai - Ibn Battuta Mall and Dubai Festival City. The stores will offer a wide range of reasonably-priced interior fixtures to cater to the requirements of individual homeowners and designers. Company officials also revealed that the Ibn Battuta Mall and Dubai Festival City branches would be inaugurated by September and December 2009, respectively.

‘DANUBE BUILDMART’ offers a personalised retail store experience with excellent service, design assistance, and inspiration to help people redecorate their homes. With a combined area of 15,000 sq. ft, both retail complexes are set to offer 15,000 different products ranging from chandeliers, wall paper collections, luxury sanitary ware, Venetian blinds, carpets and curtains, among others. In addition to a vast array of products on display, the new ‘DANUBE BUILDMART’ branches will also have ‘Design Centres’, where customers can acquire consultation and after sales services from Danube’s interior design experts.

“Merely a month after the launch of the first two independent ‘BUILDMART Boutique’ branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are proud to announce that we are gearing up for the opening of our first in-mall stores within two of the most prominent shopping destinations in the UAE,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. “The success of our ‘DANUBE BUILDMART’ concept stems from the exceptional amount of market research we have conducted to be in touch with the needs and requirements of customers for interior fixtures, and we are expecting that this will hold the momentum of continuous growth for the ‘DANUBE BUILDMART’ brand across the UAE and the rest of the GCC in the future.”

Spanning 7500 sq. ft. each, the first two ‘BUILDMART Boutique’ showrooms are located in Dubai (Salauddin Road, Deira) and in Abu Dhabi (near Al Falah Plaza), and offer more than 15,000 different products. As part of its extensive expansion initiative, Danube also launched ‘BUILDMART’ earlier this year, a massive retail complex that incorporates a 20,000 sq. feet showroom, a 40,000 sq. ft. warehousing section, and a huge open area for additional shops and parking. Located along Zaid Road in Ras Al Khaimah, the facility is benefiting all contractors, joineries and architects in and outside the emirate by offering a complete selection of home interiors and building materials under one roof and design options that cater to varying budgets.

“As evident in our efforts to grow our recently inaugurated operations in Bahrain and cultivate opportunities in the impending launch of our KSA operations, the rapid expansion of the ‘BUILDMART’ brand, not only in the UAE but across the region as well, is an indication of the effectiveness of our business strategy. This also reflects the continuous constriction activities in the region amidst the recession, and as a market leader in the region, we are intensifying our efforts to fuel growth within the industry and in effect, the Middle East economy,” concluded Sajan.

‘BUILDMART’ in RAK sets record footfall of 20,000 visitors within last 3 months

‘BUILDMART’ in RAK sets record footfall of 20,000 visitors within last 3 months

Inaugural retail complex poised to double current sales figures within next 6 months

June 21, 2009

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced that the first ‘BUILDMART’ in its growing chain of retail complexes has set record footfall of 20,000 visitors only three months into its operation. Located in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, the AED 75 million state-of-the-art retail complex also registered high sales within the same period and has boosted the overall sales of Danube by 100 per cent. Given the excellent response, Danube officials revealed that ‘BUILDMART’ is looking to double current sales figures in six months’ time.

Situated on a 150,000 sq. ft. plot across the Cove Rotana Resort along Zaid Road, ‘BUILDMART’ incorporates a 20,000 sq. feet showroom, a 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse, and a huge open area for additional shops and parking. A total of 24 sections comprise the shopping complex, including dedicated spaces for chandeliers, Venetian blinds, light fittings, kitchens, bathroom, tiles and shower rooms, among others. Building specialists are also available within the premises to help shoppers on product-related questions and suggestions on the best choice for their requirements.

“We are proud to be reporting these excellent accomplishments merely three months since we inaugurated our very first ‘BUILDMART’ in Ras Al Khaimah, which is proof that we have successfully penetrated this market,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. “The strategic steps we have taken to address the increased demand for top quality building materials across the UAE backs up our high growth expectations for ‘BUILDMART’ in RAK for the year ahead.”

Chandeliers, wall papers, ceramic tiles, luxury sanitary ware and Venetian blinds are some of the most in-demand products within ‘BUILDMART’, with a large number of individual home owners in Dubai, locals from the Northern Emirates and Western expatriates shopping for home fixtures and interiors. Property owners are also expressing great enthusiasm for fit outs and home design solutions. In addition to homeowners, interior designers and consultants have also appreciated the extensive selection of 15,000 high quality products, which are installed in an actual home set-up within the facility for more convenient shopping.

“This is only the beginning of a strategic expansion plan we have set for the ‘BUILDMART’ brand, and we are confident that our similar facilities within other markets such as in Bahrain, which was inaugurated earlier this year and in KSA, which will be inaugurated later this month, as well as the ‘BUILDMART Boutique’ branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will be met with similar reception from customers,” concluded Sajan.

About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 15,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 14 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices – a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with eight branches in the UAE, two in Oman, one in Bahrain, two in China and one in India. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others.

Danube launches ‘BUILDMART Boutique’ in Dubai and Abu Dhabi collectively worth AED 11 million

Danube launches ‘BUILDMART Boutique’ in Dubai and Abu Dhabi collectively worth AED 11 million

Unveiling of two new facilities follows success of first ‘BUILDMART’ retail complex in Ras Al Khaimah

May 20, 2009

Danube Building Materials FZCO, the leading player in the construction, interior decoration and shop fitting industry, has launched two modern retail complexes called ‘BUILDMART Boutique’ in Dubai (Salahuddin Road, Deira) and in Abu Dhabi (near Al Falah Plaza), which are collectively valued at AED 11 million. This follows the success of the first two ‘BUILDMART’ complexes, which was first launched in Ras Al Khaimah, and subsequently, in Bahrain. Similar to their predecessors, the new, conveniently located showrooms are designed to cater to interior designers, consultants and homeowners across the Emirates.

The showrooms, which span 7,500 sq. ft. each, offer more than 15,000 different products ranging from chandeliers, light fittings, wallpapers, venetian blinds, luxury bathroom fittings, shower rooms, massage bathtubs, parquet flooring, ceramic/Gres porcelain wall and flooring tiles, and architectural hardware. Both incorporate a ‘Design Centre’ where design professionals give out expert advice to customers on the best products, design materials and other design-related inquiries. Furthermore, the facilities are set to benefit all contractors, joineries and architects by offering a complete selection of home interiors and building materials under one roof and design options that cater to varying budgets.

“As a follow through to the success of our pioneering initiative that gave birth to our retail complexes in Ras Al Khaimah and Bahrain, the inauguration of these new retail showrooms stands as a testament to our aims to address the needs of customers from all sectors of the construction industry,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube. “We are very optimistic that these new facilities will be attractive to all market players, and we are looking forward to launching more showrooms in new different locations in the coming months.”


The property sector is passing through a correction period as triggered by the global crisis, and is thereby witnessing decline in property prices, according to recent reports. This has been viewed as extremely encouraging to all the individual homeowners and real estate investors, who are always looking for partners to provide them with top-quality materials and professional advice. As a market leader in the UAE, Danube plans to take on a major role in helping customers build their ideal homes through its new showrooms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

”We have high expectations for the success of our ‘BUILDMART Boutique’ facilities, especially given the strong indications of recovery being observed in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While a significant percentage of our efforts and resources are being poured into these two emirates, we are also currently exploring Saudi Arabia and other strategic locations across the region as a hub for our new facilities. We are also constantly looking for new ways to further enhance our product range and services,” concluded Sajan.