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Khaleej Times
  • 1/6/2025
unipods_uae_alaid_ktid_pm_20240531_full_res
Transcript
00:00Traditional methods of construction are resource-intensive, wasteful, and environmentally unsustainable.
00:13The industry, as we know it, is shifting towards more sustainable building practices, especially
00:17as the world collectively pushes towards carbon neutrality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
00:24Regional initiatives, like the Saudi Green Initiative, are leading the way with bold
00:28goals such as planting 10 billion trees and cutting carbon emissions by 278 million tons
00:33annually by 2030.
00:36At the same time, the UAE's decision at COP28 focused heavily on reducing carbon footprints
00:42across industries, with construction singled out as a key sector in need of transformation.
00:51In the Middle East, especially in countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia, we have been very
00:58keen on adapting modular construction techniques due to the relentless pursuit of innovation.
01:05In residential, hospitality, and healthcare projects, modular solutions have been in large
01:10demand due to the potential for repetition in the typology of modules.
01:15This is a major factor in successful implementation of mass production, which helps reduce construction
01:23time and which also enables a rapid response to the fast-growing demand of urbanization.
01:45Unipods was founded two decades ago with a bold vision to transform the construction
02:15industry through modular solutions.
02:18We recognized notably a critical gap in the general quality of bathrooms and kitchens
02:24in projects which were in construction at that time, and also the complexities associated
02:29with the execution of these spaces on busy project sites, especially when large numbers
02:33and scales are needed.
02:35So we set out to provide modular solutions whereby these entire spaces would be built
02:40off-site in our factory, tailored to meet the exact finishes and technical specifications
02:45of each project, and then shipped to various project sites ahead of time and with unparalleled
02:51quality.
02:54Our journey from these early days has been one of rapid expansion and growth.
02:59Unipods now operates across the GCC region and beyond, leading the way in modular construction
03:04solutions.
03:05We deliver high-profile projects in all sectors, ranging from hospitality to residential and
03:10healthcare and commercial, continuously evolving to meet the changing demands of this market.
03:19Factory-controlled production schedule, better health and safety, better wastage control,
03:24less defects and less abortive works, more resilience to external factors like weather
03:28or supply chain, are all major benefits that allow modular construction to provide construction
03:33companies with real and tangible solutions to the challenges they face on a daily basis.
03:38By producing pod modules off-site, the installation on the project site is very fast, meaning
03:43the overall project finishes quicker, reducing the impact on surrounding communities and
03:48infrastructure.
03:50This efficiency not only speeds up project timelines, but also translates to financial
03:54savings for developers, all while improving the quality of the final product.
04:08What we call our eight-step process is an internal roadmap to delivery, which we have
04:15put in place and which is at the heart of our commitment to delivering high-quality
04:21modular solutions.
04:23The process usually starts with what we call the consultation step, which is based on any
04:31project we start.
04:33These steps include extensive collaboration with the client, not only to clarify the requirement
04:40of the project, but also to provide a very dynamic platform to increase value through
04:46various methods.
04:49Engineering and detailing then follows.
04:52Once a design is approved, we move into technical phase, where every detail is engineered to
04:58exact specifications and where approved designs are transformed into automation templates
05:06and fabrication details.
05:09The next step of fabrication, which occurs in our facility here in Ras al-Khaimah, our
05:15facility has been set up specifically to produce modular pods.
05:21All pods go through the Unipods quality control and testing regime throughout their lifecycle
05:28and the manufacturing line.
05:31This is a process unique to Unipod, which often goes beyond the requirement of our clients.
05:38We then move into delivery.
05:40This step is planned and coordinated with the client so that the pods, which are produced
05:46in a particular sequence, are also delivered in a particular sequence.
05:51It takes about 30 minutes to have a pod at its final location, after which comes final
05:58inspection and handover.
06:01We overcome skepticism by showcasing successful case studies and providing in-depth demonstrations
06:07of how modular techniques can meet or exceed traditional standards.
06:10We are also witnessing wider acceptance and maturity by key market players who have realized
06:17the potential value they stand to gain.
06:19These days, more and more projects are designed by clients from the ground up with the implementation
06:25of modular pods in mind, and this makes the entire process even more efficient.
06:37Unipods has achieved great success in the GCC region.
06:41We have completed numerous high-profile projects in most sectors, ranging from hospitality
06:48to healthcare.
06:50We have also solidified strategic relationships with leading developers and contractors, both
06:56in the UAE and in Saudi Arabia, and we are ready to push this collaboration further.
07:04But we are not stopping there.
07:06Our sights are set on expanding into new markets, both regionally and internationally.
07:14Today, the market for modern methods of construction has grown tremendously.
07:20But we recognize that the journey is ongoing, and our experience helps lead that way in
07:25this space.
07:26The full potential of modular construction is yet to be realized.
07:30As we continue to innovate and refine our processes, we are confident that modular construction
07:36will become the standard for the industry.