UAE's Arkan Building Materials earns place on SAP EMEA Quality Awards Podium

Ambition in Challenging Market with Rapid and Innovative Deployment of Cutting-Edge Business Software Earns Praise on Global Stage

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - November 20, 2011 - Arkan Building Materials secured bronze in the New Business Application category at the recent SAP Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Quality Awards in Madrid, Spain.

Held during SAP's annual expository showcase SAPPHIRE NOW, the Quality Awards celebrate customers that use SAP Quality Principles to effectively manage software implementations marked by multifaceted technical and business process requirements, excel in execution and deliver significant benefits, and achieve fast, low-cost implementations to accommodate today's demands for rapid realization of return on investment.

Arkan Building Materials was singled out for implementing a comprehensive suite of process-enhancing software solutions in just five months, demonstrating excellent project management and execution, rapid time to value and the ability to effectively address the requirements of the business while minimizing complexity.

The UAE-based company was competing against a strong field of local gold winners from various countries across EMEA and assessed by an expert judging panel comprising SAP partners, industry experts and former SAP Quality Awards winners.

"SAP is integral to our vision of creating a large and influential integrated building products business that serves both local and regional construction industries," said Dimitri Stephanou, Vice President Information Systems, Arkan Building Materials.

"The global construction industry has been subjected to enormous economic challenges over the past few years, but rather than curb our ambition we have dared to be ambitious, dared to embrace innovation and dared to keep asking questions. SAP's software solutions have been central to that philosophy and has had a significant impact on the way we conduct our business,markedly increasing our transparency and continually inspiring the vision we need to reach the next level."

Arkan Building Materials's vision is to build a large integrated building products business that serves the local and regional construction industries. The company actively partakes in building materials investments across the UAE, with a focus on growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi.

Established in 2005, Arkan Building Materials is 51 per cent owned by General Holding Corporation, an entity wholly owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi to promote sustainable industrial activity in Abu Dhabi, with the remaining 49 per cent of shares listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADX).

"Arkan Building Materials has made the UAE proud with its dedication to running better and providing the region with resources that are absolutely critical for future development," said Sam Alkharrat, Managing Director, SAP MENA.

"This is a company with tremendous competitive advantages, a stellar portfolio, key strategic assets and, crucially, a burning desire to be the best that it can be. SAP is honoured to be a part of that ongoing process."

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About Arkan:
Arkan Building Materials Co. PJSC (ADX: ARKAN), is a public joint stock company specialising in manufacturing of building and construction products in the UAE. Established in 2005, Arkan is 51 per cent owned by General Holding Corporation, an entity wholly owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi to promote sustainable industrial activity in Abu Dhabi, with the remaining 49 per cent of shares listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADX).

Arkan's vision is to build a large integrated building products business that serves the local and regional construction industries. Arkan's portfolio companies include Emirates Cement Factory, one of the UAE's leading cement manufacturers, and Emirates Blocks Factories, producer of high quality concrete blocks with locations in Al Mafraq and Al Ain, and ANABEEB, a leading manufacturer of plastic pipes (GRP & PVC) and bags. The company is currently constructing Al Ain Cement Factory, which once ready will be one of the largest in the UAE with a capacity of 3.1 million tons of clinker per year and 4.5 million tons of cement. The company is also developing Arkan Dry Mortar, a high-capacity dry mortar plant located in Al Mafraq, which will produce a range of dry mix products. Additionally, Arkan actively partakes in building materials investments across the UAE, with a focus on growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi.

Media contacts
Claire McPeak,
+971 4 330 1777,
c.mcpeak@sap.com

Neil Jaques,
Wallis Marketing Consultants,
+971 4390 1950,
sap@wallis-mc.com

For further information, please contact:
Abdelaziz Al Maazmi
ARKAN Building Materials
+971 2 40 60 608
Email: a.almaazmi@arkan.ae