STFA Soil Group, a member of the STFA Group of Companies and leading contractors in marine piling and geotechnical engineering, have blazed a trail of success worldwide
Established in 1970, the STFA Soil Group, has completed numerous projects in 16 different countries around the world.
Combining design and build capability with 35 years of global experience in Marine Piling (piled and sheetpiled jetties and quaywalls, piled bridges and aqueducts, ferry terminals and shiplifts) and Geotechnical Engineering (all types of piling, soil improvement, retaining systems, and soil investigation) the company has moved from strength to strength.
Quality standards
The group holds the BVQI Certificate (ISO 9001:2000) since 2002 and carries out its activities by maintaining the highest health, safety and environmental standards, which are of paramount importance. Through its HSE Management System, STFA not only adheres to recognised industry requirements but also actively seeks to achieve continuous improvement.
By the end of this year they will be accredited with the HSE Management System for Health, Safety and Environment.
Training
Every month, there are workshops for trainees on site on health, safety and quality. Every trimester, the group gives technical training to the managerial and technical staff, to improve their knowledge and to inform about new technologies used in the field.
Salient projects
STFA's Dubai Branch just established in 2003, has already completed the largest piling contract in the Jumeirah Beach Residence Project (sectors 4 & 6) together with Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises, a local company. Another feat was the largest piling activity in the Middle East in 1999 that they undertook for the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque installing over 120 kilometers of piles in one single contract.
They have also recently been awarded the piling contract for the prestigious Shoreline Apartments (Package 1) on the Palm Island, Jumeirah, with various other ongoing contracts in Dubai, Oman, and Qatar; while another prestigious ongoing contract is the piling works for the Sohar Refinery in Oman.
Berk Pasinler, Marketing Manager, STFA Soil Group in an exclusive interview with CONSTRUCTION WORLD talks about the industry, his company's expertise, and their future plans...
Tell us about your memorandum of under-standing with Al Habtoor and your plans thereon.
Today it's more than a memorandum of understanding because we have recently signed an agreement to establish a local company with Al Habtoor Engineering LLC.
The new company called 'Al Habtoor - STFA Soil Group LLC' will be operational in June 2004 as soon as the registration activities are completed by the Ministry. Piling, foundation contracting, port marine construction, coastal reclamation will be the main activities of the new company in the UAE.
What is the latest from your group?
Piling, shoring by contiguous pile wall, secant piling, sheet piling, stone columns, mini piling, dynamic compaction, vibro-compaction grouting and jet grouting, are our global construction and soil improvement activities.
As an innovation, we recommend jet grouting techniques for the UAE where it is sparingly used. This technique uses high-pressure water/cement grout for soil improvement. The advantages are many:
Improves mechanical parameter of soil layers i.e. increasing carrying capacity and elasticity module and decreasing the water permeability.
Controls differential settlement on existing structures (bridges, buildings, etc)
Grout penetrates into cavities avoiding further structure settlement
Creates impermeability in the desired area (excavation pits, foundations tunnels)
Increases receptivity of soil against water (ground water level may change in time).
Are consultation-supports provided by the group?
We have in-house consultants who are distinguished people in their own field. For example, our Chairman of the Board of Directors is Professor Ergun Togrol, a worldly renowned professor in the geotechnical industry. Professor Ali Riza Gnbak, is again a world renowned professor in marine contracting. We also have many specialised professionals whom we depend on and consult for different aspects.
What are the problems that the industry is facing?
In my opinion, a big problem is that many developers are not planning their projects well from inception, due to time constraints, pressure from the 'top' and project diversification. Once the project starts, contractors pay the price for it.
On the other hand, we are facing a real problem in the supply of cement in the UAE. This problem is very acute and may stop or delay many projects in Dubai, which can affect Dubai's future plans and the credibility of the country.
For example, these days, all piling contractors are quoting only for workmanship because we are all afraid of uncontrolled price increases.
Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
With all the planned and completed projects in the UAE, investors are running after new opportunities, which are increasing every day. This demand is provoking an uncontrolled boom in the number of projects and diversifications, which I believe are not planned well. Success of 'yesteryear projects of the UAE' can be forgotten with unplanned and over budgeted future projects of tomorrow.
What are your sales figures for the GCC/UAE ?
For the first year, we are targeting a turnover of $ US 20 million in the UAE, with a 20 per cent yearly increase in the coming years.
With a fillip being given by the GCC to power and infrastructure projects, how do you foresee the future of this industry?
We believe it is very attractive especially in the GCC.
Do you have any expansion plans in the UAE/GCC or elsewhere?
Yes, we plan to expand our activities substantially. Expansion and improvement are key words in our contemporary world and should be accepted as measures of success.
© Construction World 2004
