Group's commitment to UAE's sustainability strategy underlined through strong presence at Dubai event

Dubai, UAE, April 8th, 2013. Al-Futtaim, one of the UAE's most progressive regional business houses, has announced details of the group's participation at this year's Water Energy & Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2013) to be held at Dubai International Convention Centre (DICEC) under the theme 'Sustainable Development for All' from 15 to 17 April.

The Dubai-headquartered, privately held business enterprise is a strategic sponsor of WETEX 2013 and the biggest single exhibitor of the DEWA-organised event with 4,320 square metres, or approximately 10 per cent of the event's total floor space, fully dedicated to its presence.

"Al-Futtaim is fully aligned with the Dubai Government's sustainability strategy and our expansive presence at WETEX 2013 sends out a strong message to the entire UAE community that consumers have the option to contribute towards a cleaner and healthier environment for the future generations through the purchasing choices they make today," said Mr Omar Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman. 

"Corporations should also try to minimise their CO2 footprint and all Al-Futtaim companies across automotive, retail and wholesale trading, distribution, real estate development, leisure and hospitality, insurance and financial services sectors always adopt initiatives and best practices designed to improve energy efficiencies," he added.

"At WETEX 2013, some of our biggest businesses will demonstrate products and services that embrace cutting-edge technologies designed to minimise the impact on the environment," he concluded.

From hybrid vehicles to air conditioning units offering cooling efficiency and reduction in power consumption, building and hygiene products that reduce water waste to services encouraging recycling methods and from energy friendly facility management practices to food waste disposers, the breadth and width of Al-Futtaim's diverse offering will be showcased at the venue's Hall 3. 

A total of 13 Al-Futtaim companies will participate at the event featuring some of the world's most prestigious brands as well as some of the region's most renowned organisations. They include Toyota, Lexus, Hino and Fisker from the group's Automotive division, AFTRON, Panasonic, Techserve, Toshiba and Toto from the Electronics, Engineering & Technologies division (EET), Dubai Festival City from Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate and Emrill, the joint venture partnership between Al-Futtaim, Carillion and Emaar.

Al-Futtaim Motors will be showcasing its hybrid technology through Toyota's popular hybrid Prius, the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle in the world, as well as two of the hybrid Camry vehicles that were used in a pilot held at Masdar by Dubai Taxi Corporation, which resulted in a recent order of twenty 2013 Camry Hybrids to cater for the company's expanding taxi network. Toyota continues to work with Masdar on a pilot project looking at the usage of electric vehicles. Toyota is the leading hybrid car manufacturer globally and will have sold over 5 million hybrid models before the end of 2013.

Al-Futtaim Motors - Lexus will also participate at WETEX to showcase its range of hybrid vehicles. Lexus leads the luxury vehicle hybrid segment in the UAE with the largest range of luxury hybrid vehicles. On display at WETEX will be the compact hatchback CT200h, the popular crossover RX450h, the GS450h sports sedan, and the full-size luxury saloon LS600hL.

Al-Futtaim Motors commercial vehicles division will be present with a HINO Truck, a Toyota Electric Forklift and BT Reach Truck to complete the company's product line up at WETEX.

Trading Enterprises, exclusive distributors of Fisker will present Fisker Karma, a sports car which is high on performance with low impact on the environment. With 403 horsepower, the Karma, in electric mode has a range of 80 kilometres.

The Karma features the world's largest seamless glass solar roof which can generate enough energy to extend electric range by up to 320 kilometres a year and the integrated braking system that combines traditional friction-based brakes with regenerative technology. Regenerative braking recovers kinetic energy during deceleration and feeds it back in to the battery. The cabin features reclaimed, recycled and reusable materials enhanced with modern technology. The interior wood trim is crafted from certified fallen, sunken and rescued wood ensuring no live tree is ever cut.

Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate has accomplished a significant step toward the energy efficiency and sustainability in Dubai Festival City through a total energy management programme which contributes significant energy saving achievements. Dubai Festival City implements many of the Smart City standards combining the information and communication technologies and the sustainability requirements for the buildings, infrastructure, environment, water and energy without compromising the human satisfaction and needs.

Al Futtaim Engineering, Electronics & Technologies will showcase energy effective products and services for domestic and industrialist applications. Japan's Panasonic, Toshiba, HITACHI and TOTO and Germany's LM will present products that contribute towards better management of energy and environment.

Al Futtaim Technologies Energy Management Division and Al-Futtaim Engineering MEP Maintenance Division will showcase aspects of their energy management programme which has increased electricity savings by 8.58 per cent and shaved off Dubai Festival City Mall's water costs by 40.8 per cent.

MEP Maintenance Division of Al Futtaim Engineering  is the first in the UAE to implement and operate the district cooling plant with 100% treated sewage effluent recycled water for condensing, which resulted in saving of 121 million gallons of potable water annually while contributing to the reduction of carbon emission of 15,000 tons, till date. Building Management Systems monitor and control services such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, ensure they operate at maximum levels of efficiency and economy.

Al Futtaim Panatech will showcase Panasonic's energy saving technologies, including air conditioning and ventilation products, indoor air quality solutions, energy saving lighting and battery technologies.

Toshiba, partner of Al Futtaim Engineering, Electronics & Technologies, will be displaying energy saving LED light, Modular Data Center, Energy Efficient Drives and Eco Multi-Function Printer as well as the 'Toshiba eco style' global brand. Al Futtaim Engineering Air-Conditioning Division is presenting Toshiba's new VRF systems the energy efficient a/c units using ecofriendly refrigerants. Also on display will be the inverter models of precision cooling (Airedale), with tailor-made units designed for Data Centers & Telecom areas.

Hitachi and LM are well known for producing energy saving elevators. Al Futtaim Engineering Elevator Division recently delivered to Masdar a turnkey project based on the green building concept.

The wide product range of TOTO sanitary ware will be presented by Al Futtaim Engineering Building Product Division (BPD). This includes 'Eco - Power' which produces electricity through water flow. These wash basin mixers, WC flush wall and urinals use this technology to generate electricity required by the motion sensors in the unit. BPD will also present water saving and low flushing toilet of 4.5 litter, urinals using only 0.5 liter flushing system and lower flow rate of basin mixers which consume only 1.5 liters of water.

Al Futtaim's own brand Aftron will showcase its energy friendly technologies and products including air conditioners with inverter technology and photo catalytic hydrophilic coating on the fins leading to 30 per cent less power consumption versus standard products and a higher cooling efficiency. Food waste disposers reduce household food waste by up to 40%, which means less garbage bags, fewer trips to landfills while utilizing only one per cent or less of a household's total water consumption and cost of average less than 12 Dhs a year in electric usage.

Techserve has been one of the early movers in eco- friendly initiatives in this region by setting up an "ECO Care Centre" in Dubai for Panasonic.

Techserve will showcase its "Electronics waste collection" and the ecofriendly disposal management.  This electronic waste is subsequently passed on to the e-waste management companies authorised by Dubai Municipality.  Other displays include energy efficient batteries, CFL and LED lamps from Panasonic, live demo of pioneering 'Remote Tech Services' which could help reduce tons of CO2 emissions indirectly. Also showcased is the revolutionary "i-Home services" which could eliminate 850 pounds of CO2 emission in a year from a three bed room house just by dimming the light while rest of the controls could help to save tons of CO2 emission.

Finally, the leading facilities management provider, Emrill will present at WETEX its energy management and engineering division Emrill Energy. Emrill Energy was launched last year to assist clients to achieve energy efficiencies and reduce operating costs. Emrill Energy possesses the ability to measure, analyse, design and implement tailor made solutions to produce energy savings of up to 40 per cent for buildings and facilities.

About Al-Futtaim
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim is one of the most progressive regional business houses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Al-Futtaim employs in excess of 40,000 people and operates through more than 100 companies. The group has significantly expanded its business operations in recent years through a strategic acquisition plan and has entered a number of new territories, increasing its footprint beyond the GCC and Greater Middle East to encompass South East and North Asia, Australasia and Europe.

Structured into eight operational divisions; automotive, electronics, engineering and technologies, financial services, general services, joint ventures, real estate and hospitality, and retail. The success of Al-Futtaim is attributed to proactively managing change whilst upholding the values of integrity, service and social responsibility. The majority of businesses, built on a portfolio of world leading brands, dominate their sector.

For further information please contact:
Georgios Kotsolios
Head of PR
Al-Futtaim Private Limited
Tel +971 4 208 5750
Dir +971 4 208 5855
Fax +971 4 256 5584
Mob + 971 56 676 4633
Email georgios.kotsolios@alfuttaim.com
www.al-futtaim.ae

© Press Release 2013