Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MRM) Business Award

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31 October 2010

Chairman Rizwan Sajan accepts award in recognition of company’s ‘excellence model’

H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, has awarded the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MRM) Business Award to Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, at a ceremony organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce (DCC) held today (October 31, 2010) at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai. The MRM Business award in the ‘Freezone for Re-Export category, which was received by Danube Chairman Rizwan Sajan and Managing Director Anis Sajan, complements the company’s ‘excellence model’ and its outstanding business performance; strategic programs, initiatives and achievements, which were the main criteria used in judging this year’s awards. Danube Building Materials is the only building materials trading company to be awarded in this year’s edition of the MRM awards.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minster of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, the MRM Business Award was established in 2005 to recognize, showcase, and celebrate the success of organizations that have contributed to UAE economic development. Participating companies and organizations stand to gain key benefits and advantages that include; an organizational learning experience via self analysis and comparing performance against better business practice modules; an independent assessment of strengths and weaknesses; recognition of excellence in the workforce; promotion of healthy competition that can lead to an increase in production and efficiencies and an opportunity to compare their own practices and strategic initiatives with the best companies in the sector.

“We are very humbled to receive this award, which affirms our strong commitment towards the promotion and adoption of best practices and high standards in the Middle East Region,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube. “We are inspired by the confidence vested in us by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and will aim to return this gesture by supporting his call to promote a culture of excellence in the UAE and the rest of the region. Danube remains steadfast in its efforts to secure further growth in terms of our manufacturing capabilities and expand our retail presence in the region amidst our plans to launch 10 new Buildmart branches this year.”

The MRM Business Award recognizes best performing business organizations by focusing on three main performance indicators: output, outcome, and impact. The criteria for assessing the applications for the Award focus specifically on the factors that lead to outstanding business performance. The award aims to share and promote best business practices by indentifying the elements of success of the winners. Danube joins a list of leading organizations who have won the MRM awards including leading multinational companies and enterprises within the private sector.

Anis Sajan, Managing Director, Danube, said, “Danube is totally committed to uphold the integrity of the MRM Business Awards by constantly ensuring that we meet the requirements set by this prestigious award. The whole Danube family thanks His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the recognition. This award is equally momentous given that we were also awarded at the ‘Dubai Quality Appreciation Programme’ (DQAP) Awards. Rest assured Danube is looking forward to undertaking further initiatives to enhance our processes and the value we provide to our customers, which would hopefully merit more recognition in the future.”

DANUBE BUILDMART RETAIL COMPLEX IN MUMBAI

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Rizwan Sajan, chairman, Danube Building Materials, and Adel Sajan, director, Danube Buildmart, at the opening of a Buildmart branch in Mumbai last Friday. Danube Building Materials, retailer of construction, building materials and shop-fitting industries, said yesterday it opened its first Danube Buildmart branch at the Oberoi Mall in Mumbai, India, on June 25.

The Dh10 million, 6,000 square foot retail facility is the company’s 20th global store.At present, there are nine Danube Buildmart branches in operation, as a result of the company’s Dh200 million expansion plan to grow its flagship retail brand to a total of 16 branches by the end of 2010.Present during the event were Rizwan Sajan, chairman; Anis Sajan, managing director, both of Danube Building Materials; Adel Sajan, director, Danube Buildmart, and other senior officials.Danube said it will be bringing its products to the Indian market, including its high-end sanitaryware, chandeliers, wallpapers, parquet flooring, curtains, carpets, ceramic floor, wall tiles, home decor and many lifestyle products.In addition, free in-house home interior designing consultancy services will be made available for customers in the new branch.

The opening of the new Buildmart branch complements recent reports that India’s economy is expected to grow by 7.5 per cent from 2010 to 2011 and by eight per cent the following year.”We are very excited with the opening of our Buildmart branch, which not only represents our initial foray into India but also poses excellent opportunities given the Indian economy’s rapid growth and strong consumer market,” said Rizwan Sajan.”This milestone underlines the success of our massive expansion plan, and sets a precedent to our future investments in other progressive markets across the globe.”After the launch, we will be undertaking steps to entrench our presence further into other GCC construction hotspots, including Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman.”In addition to the new facility in India, there are 15 other Danube retail facilities in the UAE, plus two in Oman, one each in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and the company has procurement offices in China and Canada.It has also invested Dh50 million in a new 1.3 million square foot manufacturing facility in TechnoPark.which will be functional by early 2011.

H. E. Khalifa Abdullah Al Dhaheri inaugurates ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Bawadi Mall, Al Ain

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AED 15 million retail store marks Danube’s second mall outlet

H. E. Khalifa Abdullah Al Dhaheri, Manager, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) – Al Ain Branch, inaugurated (February 15, 2010) the AED 15 million ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Bawadi Mall, Al Ain, thereby marking Danube Building Materials’ second retail showroom to be based within a mall. This latest venture will cater to individual homeowners and designers, and is part of the construction, building materials and shop fitting leader’s AED 100 million expansion plans for its retail complex chain. ADCCI – Al Ain Branch department heads including Ahmed Ali Al Mutawaa (Public Relation Unit) and Dhaher Abdul Muhsen Al Yafei (Accounts & Purchasing) were also present along with other senior government officials.

Spanning an area of 15,000 sq. feet, ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Bawadi Mall offers products from a host of reputed international and regional vendors under a single roof, including chandeliers, wall paper collections, curtains, carpets, luxury sanitary ware, Venetian blinds, wooden flooring, garden accessories, home décor and soft furnishings such as quilts, mattresses, towels pillow covers, among others. The store also has a ‘Design Centre’, where customers can take floor plans of their houses and benefit from expert advice from consultants on which products suit their needs, as well as from consultation and after sales services dispensed by Danube’s interior design experts.

Speaking at the ceremony, H. E. Khalifa Abdullah Al Dhaheri said, “The opening of ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Bawadi Mall will create an important dynamic in the home interiors trade in Al Ain by providing a wide expanse of product choices right within the city. We at the Chamber are very excited with this inauguration, and I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Danube Building Materials on this momentous occasion.”

All products in the retail complex are installed in an actual home set-up, thereby allowing customers to enjoy a more personalised shopping experience with excellent service and design assistance. In addition, ‘Danube BUILDMART’ offers a personalised retail store experience with excellent service, design assistance, and inspiration to help people redecorate their homes. At present, there are seven retail outlets under the ‘BUILDMART’ banner, which are located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE; and in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

DANUBE BUILDMART IN FUJAIRAH

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AED 20 million ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Fujairah inaugurated under thepatronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi

Danube unveils customer-friendly retail complex to address building material needs of interior designers, consultants and homeowners

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has launched its ‘Danube BUILDMART’ – an AED 20 million, 35,000 sq. ft customer-friendly retail complex in Fujairah, UAE – last night (November 02, 2009) under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Deputy Ruler of Fujairah. Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi was present at the inauguration ceremony, along with Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials, and other senior company officials. With aims to address the building material needs of interior designers, consultants and homeowners, the fifth branch of Danube’s unique retail complex concept in the UAE follows the success of its inaugural branch in Ras Al Khaimah, which was launched in February 2009.

Strategically located in the main shopping street in Fujairah (between Pan Emirates and HOMES ‘R’ US), the retail complex is a first-of-its-kind facility in the emirate that offers over 15,000 products within twenty four different sections. This includes chandeliers, Venetian blinds, light fittings, lawn and garden, curtains, carpets, home décor, kitchens, bathroom, tiles, shower rooms, Jacuzzis and flooring for ceramic and wood. Products such as ceilings, doors, wallpapers, designed glasses, marble, wall panelling and different finishes of laminates are also displayed in an actual home setting for an easy and convenient shopping experience. The new branch will also have a ‘Design Centre’, where customers can acquire complimentary design consultation and after sales services from Danube’s interior design experts.

Mazen Bin Mohammad Batterjee inaugurates AED 55 million ‘Danube BUILDMART’ retail complex in Jeddah

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200,000 sq. ft. retail complex to cater to interior designers, contractors and homeowners

Mazen Bin Mohammad Batterjee, Vice President – Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, inaugurated yesterday (July 08, 2009) ‘Danube BUILDMART’, an AED 55 million retail complex in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which will carry the high quality products of Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries. Strategically located in Makkah (Madina) Highway in Sulemaniya area, the customer-friendly retail complex is a first-of-its-kind facility that caters to interior designers, contractors and homeowners, which also marks Danube’s largest expansion initiative into the Kingdom. Also present at the ceremony were H. E. Sayeed Ahmed Baba, Consul General of India in Jeddah; and Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials, in addition to other senior company officials, dignitaries and representatives from leading construction majors in Saudi.

The 200,000 sq. feet facility, which also includes a 30,000 sq. feet warehouse, is part of the ‘BUILDMART’ chain of retail complexes, which was initially launched in the UAE andBahrain.  It offers an unparalleled range of over 15,000 products within twenty four different sections – from chandeliers, Venetian blinds, light fittings, kitchens, bathroom, tiles, shower rooms, jacuzzis, to flooring for ceramic and wood, ceilings, doors, wallpapers, designed glasses, marble, wall panelling and different finishes of laminates, which are displayed in an actual home setting for an easy and convenient shopping experience. With the growing demand from both end-users, suppliers and contractors,Danube has also announced plans to further expand its presence in the Kingdom through two new dedicated factories for gypsum ceiling tiles and melamine pressing units.

“Driven by our numerous successes in the rest of the GCC, we are confident that our stronger presence in the Kingdom will provide a significant boost to the local building materials market,” said Rizwan Sajan. “The growth potential for us in this market is remarkably high given the non-stop construction of large-scale projects across the country, thereby propelling the demand for high quality construction materials. This new retail complex is our response to this demand, which is also matched by the standard excellent service we provide to our customers across the region.”

Danube is working towards playing a role in the construction of six mega-economic cities across the Kingdom, which will rise near the areas of Tabouk, Medinah, Rabigh, Jazan and the Eastern Province. In addition, the company is also expanding its clout in the Kingdom, with aims of becoming one of the partners supporting the Saudi Government’s 8thDevelopment Plan, which involves the construction of 2 million residential units that will solve the current housing shortage amidst the leading economy’s growing population.

“Our desire to truly penetrate the Saudi market and capitalise on its extensive construction activities is matched by our commitment to comply with the Saudi Governments’ regulations pertaining to the supply of construction materials to its most important projects. We have high expectations in our foray to strengthen our presence in this market, as part of our strategy to establish ‘Danube BUILDMART’ as the premier building materials brand throughout the region,” concluded Sajan.

UAE’s Top 20 Performers for 2008

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Danube Building Materials was also named among the ‘UAE’s Top 20 Performers for 2008’ at a ceremony held on March 31, 2009 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. The list of top companies included industry leaders within the UAE who were identified by ‘Newsweek Arabic Edition’ to have successfully upheld their corporate objectives while making significant contribution to the overall progress of the UAE.

DANUBE BUILDMART IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY

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New retail showroom marks Danube Building Materials’ first branch within a mall

H. E. Eng. Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, inaugurated (Thursday, 22nd October) the AED 10 million ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Dubai Festival City, which marks Danube Home Interior’s first retail showroom to be based within a mall. This latest venture will cater to individual homeowners and designers, and is part of the construction, building materials and shop fitting industries leader’s AED 50 million expansion plan for its retail complex chain, which also involves the opening of additional branches in Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Bawadi Mall in Al Ain by the end of 2009. Mr. Hassan Al Hashemi, Director, External Relations, Dubai Chamber, was also present at the event along with Danube officials.

Spanning an area of 4,500 sq. feet, ‘Danube BUILDMART’ in Festival City offers products from a host of reputed international and regional vendors under a single roof, including chandeliers, wall paper collections, luxury sanitary ware, Venetian blinds, wooden flooring, home decor among others. The store also has a ‘Design Centre’, where customers can take floor plans of their houses and benefit from expert advice from consultants on which products suit their needs, as well as from consultation and after sales services dispensed by Danube’s interior design experts. Furthermore, all products in the retail complex are installed in an actual home set-up, thereby allowing customers to enjoy a more personalised shopping experience with excellent service and complimentary design assistance.

DANUBE WINS NEWSWEEK AWARD

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We are confident that our markets are strong enough to meet any challenges.

Danube – in the United Arab Emirates is an icon of national pride. It is a fore bearer in the mega infrastructural development and unprecedented economic progress of the seven self-ruling and unique emirates in the region.

Its contribution to the construction and real estate industry has been immense and its services to the nation unparalleled. Danube is one of the fastest growing trading companies in the UAE.

Established in the year 1993, Danube has grown from a humble beginning in a small office in Deira (for an annual rent of 20,000 dirham) to one of the largest chain of outlets in the UAE today, With branches in all seven emirates and their wings stretched up to Muscat, Bahrain, India and China and with a steady clientele in GCC countries, Asia and Africa. Danube is not just a building materials company; it’s a major share-holder in nation’s development efforts.

Mr. Rizwan Sajan Group Chairman Danube says his company’s growth over the years has been exceptional and it reflects on the company’s consistent business management, clear policy on the trade ethics and our total trust on the UAE markets these have placed our company in the fore-front, he points out.

When Newsweek broke the news that Danube has been chosen one of UAE’s Top 20 Performers for the Year 2008, and was due to receive the first ever Newsweek Award of Excellence , Mr. Sajan was initially unsure if this selection process was in fact the right measurement for a judgment of this nature. An articulate businessman, he wanted to make sure that he was receiving this recognition on merit of his performance not otherwise.

“This award from Newsweek will encourage us to ascend to even greater heights and serve the nation with renewed vigor and commitment”, the Chairman added.
Referring to the current financial climate, he believes this as an ideal opportunity to any business to correct itself and build on its strengths provided it (the business) is on a firm foundation. Recession is not for the faint hearted. We all must come out of travesty and face reality.

Last year Danube made an impressive 70% growth in business turnover which touched the magical figure of over AED 1 Billion. Plans are afoot to increase the number of outlets to 40 in the UAE and GCC Countries. Today Danube markets a product range of nearly 12,000 ranging from floor to ceiling.

DANUBE LAUNCHES AED 50 MILLION RETAIL COMPLEX IN BAHRAIN

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H.E. Majeed bin Mohsen Al Alawi, Minister of Labour of Bahrain, inaugurated ‘BUILDMART’ – an AED 50 million state-of-the-art retail complex, located in Salmabad, which offers over 15,000 different products. The first-of-its-kind customer-friendly retail complex has been set-up to cater to a diverse target audience including interior designers, consultants and homeowners in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, all the products in the retail complex are installed as a live home set-up, thereby allowing customers a more convenient way to shop for building materials, fixtures and other household items.

Spanning a total of 300,000 sq. ft., ‘BUILDMART’ offers individual shoppers with the benefit of shopping in a single location that houses the widest range of products they might require. Comprised of a 50,000 sq. ft. covered warehouse and a 25,000 sq. ft. showroom, the retail complex features building materials that cater to every budget and make a host of design options possible. Products offered are classified under 20 sections, including kitchens, bathrooms, tiles, shower rooms, jacuzzis, flooring for ceramic and wood, ceilings, doors, wallpapers, designed glasses, marble, granite, wall panelling, different finishes of laminates, veneers, mouldings, paints and luxury paints. In addition, the complex also features a ‘Design Centre’, where customers can get expert advice on the best products and other design-related inquires.