It is not as easy as ordering office supplies online to purchase precast concrete columns in UAE. They cannot be loaded into a trailer, ordered for delivery the next day, and then arrive at the construction gate the next morning, ready to be poured into a 500×500 mm post-tensioned column. The procurement process is organized, technically sound and — if handled properly — very efficient. This guide takes you on a tour of the market, and then teaches you how to order your first item from an approved manufacturer.
UAE Precast Concrete Market: Introduction
It’s good to know about the market you will be doing business in before spending a single dirham of your money.
The UAE Precast Concrete Market has a value of about USD 2.2 billion, with the region’s demand for sustainable construction methods and urbanisation and the infrastructure development playing significant roles in the region’s growth. Arabiantalks
It is a well established, well-serviced market with several reputable manufacturers available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and elsewhere. Competition is available, there is a choice of quality and the most important thing is the choice of supplier rather than the price per cubic metre.
The largest business share in the precast concrete market is that of columns and beams globally. Precast columns are more sought after than ever due to urbanisation and the increasing demand for sustainable construction methods in both the commercial and residential building industry. Hardprecast
Demand for precast columns is highest in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE context. The UAE precast concrete market is dominated by Dubai and Abu Dhabi that are implementing big construction projects and urban development initiatives. The government’s emphasis on smart city projects and infrastructure upgrade has resulted in a huge demand for precast concrete products in both emirates. Arabiantalks
Who is Buying Precast Columns in UAE?
Knowing the types of people that are looking to buy precast columns will assist you in setting up your buying process appropriately.
The biggest volumes are purchased by main contractors, e.g., as precast columns in structural packages on residential towers, commercial buildings, logistics warehouses and car parking structures. Developers buy precast columns from or from their contracted developer, particularly on large scale and fast track projects. All procurement documents are based on the column dimensions, grades and connection details specified by structural consultants.
For the developer who is purchasing direct, it is essential that the structural engineer be closely involved from beginning to end. For contractors, the QA/QC team, procurement manager and project engineer all have an active role. Precast columns are never a one-off order.
The First Step is to Prepare Your Structural Drawings
A legitimate precast column manufacturer in UAE will never provide you with a sensible quotation without drawings. It’s not bureaucracy; it’s basic engineering sense. Without drawings, a column quotation is a guess that is dressed up as a number.
The dimensions of the cross-sections should be confirmed at each location of the columns, the Concrete Grade needed for the UAE (C40, C45, C50 or C55), the height of the column from the base of the structure to the first floor or to the top of the run of the structure, whether a corbel or a connection plate is required for the cross-sections, any special finishes or architectural requirements and the total number of columns broken down by column type.
Precast concrete shop drawings transform the design intent into detailed instructions for manufacturing and installation. They need to explain how each element is constructed, picked up and set in the site. Precast elements have no way to ensure they fit, align or function as expected without shop drawings, which can cause confusion, delays and costly rework on site. Ken Research
With structural drawings ready to go, it’s time to contact manufacturers.
Step Two: Find DM Certified Manufacturers
This is a must do for projects located in Dubai. It will STILL be the best signal available if it is in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or other emirate.
Manufactured in Dubai, precast concrete products are made to high quality standards and tailored to the design and performance requirements of construction projects, as well as their aesthetic appearance. Manufacturers need to adhere to the relevant regulatory frameworks for quality, materials and production processes. Gulfprecast
Dubai Municipality has issued Administrative Decision No. 316 of 2012, which stipulates that all precast concrete factories must be issued a Certificate of Conformity from Dubai Central Laboratory before selling precast concrete to be used in the Dubai regulated construction industry. Request all suppliers you contact for to send your a current certificate. It will be provided by a reputable manufacturer at once. If they hesitate at this point, it’s a red flag.
The UAE Contractors and Suppliers Directory (UAECSD.com) provides a list of verified precast concrete product suppliers in the UAE and is a helpful tool to find the certified manufacturers. Gulf Precast, Hard Precast Building Systems (HPBS), Abu Dhabi Precast LLC, Dubai Precast LLC, Exeed Precast and BPC Group are some of the key companies in the UAE precast column market, all of which offer structural columns as part of their product portfolio.
Step Three: Make a Valid Request for a Quotation (RFQ)
A Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a precast column manufacturer is not just a simple inquiry. When you ask for vague quotes, no one’s time is worth it and no quotes can be compared.
A good RFQ will start with an introduction to the company and project, include the technical requirements and commercial requirements. It is useful for the buyer to present a technical specification along with commercial requirements for the document to be used for competitive comparison. HPI Precast
Your RFQ should include your project name, project address, the drawing reference numbers and revision dates, columns schedule (which includes each type, quantity, cross section, height, concrete grade and corbel requirements), due date of delivery and construction programme, site access details (crane availability, road access, height restrictions), supply only or erection.
When you send out the same RFQ to at least three manufacturers that are certified as DM, you have a true competition. Ignore price only – lead time, technical ability, quality of engineering support are all inputs that need to be considered.
Step Four: Take a Look at the Technical Proposal and Shop Drawings
When answers are received, the assessment process starts. One of the comparisons is Price. Throughout the remainder of the evaluation, these should be used as the basis of the assessment.
Ensure that the manufacturer has offered a technical proposal along with the quote — this indicates that they have looked at your drawings, not just the quote. Verify that they are able to meet required concrete grades. A typical precast column application in UAE requires C40 to C55 grades, not all manufacturers work at the upper end of the range.
Submittals need to be submitted sooner for materials with longer lead times, like precast concrete elements, to avoid project delays. Early submission of submittals is important to ensure that items are ordered and delivered on time to comply with the construction programme, thus ensuring that they are reviewed and approved before they are ordered. Precastconcretemagnet
Discuss proposed shop drawing process. A reputable supplier will provide column shop drawings for your structural engineer for review and approval prior to any manufacturing. This review identifies discrepancies in dimensions and connections as well as reinforcement conflicts preemptively, before they lead to costly on-site issues. Shop drawing approval must be received prior to production — otherwise, walk away.
How Do You Apply the Knowledge of Pricing Factors?
The price of precast columns in UAE is influenced by a variety of factors that are interdependent. The price of concrete grade is one of the most important cost factors: higher grades will have higher admixture and cement content. The volume of materials and the complexity of the mould depends on the cross-section size and column height. Special finishes, corbels and cast-in plates increase fabrication time and material costs. Logistics cost – transport distance from factory to site, especially for sites out of Dubai/Abu Dhabi.
The prices of the standard precast concrete products are normally in the range of USD 240 to USD 300 per cubic metre in the GCC region. Products that are more advanced with extra reinforcement and special engineering needs can cost over USD 500 per cubic metre. Location is a significant contributor to competitiveness: businesses based close to the main project hubs may have reduced transportation expenses and be able to provide products faster. The Business Year
Precast columns in particular have a greater degree of complexity than simpler items such as boundary wall panels, and so the costs are in the higher ranges of this spectrum. Never ask for prices that do not distinguish between the material, fabrication, transport, and erection costs, as you can then compare each of these costs separately.
Step Six: Define Lead Time and Delivery Logistics
In the UAE, the average lead time for precast columns is 4 to 8 weeks from approved shop drawings to first delivery, depending on the workload, complexity of the columns and production planning of the precast manufacturer. Some manufacturers may be able to provide expedited production on fast-track projects, although this typically involves a higher price and necessitates early involvement.
Logistics for the delivery of precast columns need to be given serious consideration. Heavy, long and handled by specialist transport vehicles, columns are an issue. A crane capable of handling your load must be able to fit in your site, and the crane should be set-up so that it has as small a swing radius as possible over any obstructions.
Since 2001, Abu Dhabi Precast LLC has established itself as a leader in the precast concrete industry, earning a reputation for its high standards of services, remarkable client relationships and the skill level of its technical, production, delivery, QA/QC, project and management teams, with delivery logistics as much a reflection of a supplier’s capabilities as manufacturing quality. Yellow Pages UAE
Check with your supplier the type of vehicle used for the delivery, the weight of delivery per trip, if there are any special conditions that must be met for your particular column, and estimated deliveries per week in relation to your erection programme.
The Seventh Step in the Erection Process is to Plan for It
A decision has to be made at the procurement stage between buying precast columns in the UAE as a supply or as a supply and erection. Both are available from all the major manufacturers and you’ll need to decide which one’s you’ll choose based on your project and your contractor team’s experience.
Supply and erection contracts involve having the manufacturer’s own erection team on-site, their specialist tools and experience with the connection of their product. This decreases technical risk, especially on projects that involve column to column splicing, grouted pocket foundations, or moment-resisting connections, where the precision needed may be beyond the reach of general civil contractor crews.
For supply-only, all of the following factors have to be met: You have a contractor team with precast erection experience, you are closely supervised by your structural engineer, and the column connections are simple.
In either case, make sure to verify in your purchase contract that the manufacturer offers erection methodology statements, temporary propping calculations, and on-site technical support for the initial lift — at a minimum.
Final Thoughts on Precast Concrete Columns UAE
While purchasing precast concrete columns UAE is a structured process, it is not complicated if done correctly. The UAE precast concrete market is witnessing an unprecedented surge in consumption owing to the rising urbanisation and infrastructure development, creating a well-developed and competitive supplier base in both emirates, with a strong focus on sustainable construction practices. Arabiantalks
Use whole drawings of structures. Only use manufacturers who have been trained by the DM. Send out a technically sound RFQ to 3 or more vendors. Discuss shop drawings before start of work. Coordinate deliveries and erection from the start.
That’s all, and the most important components of your building are on-site, dimensioned, structurally checked and standing — and there has been not one single cubic metre of on-site formwork to be seen.