Construction Magazine January 2018 | Page 103

MIDDLE EAST undertakes a project throughout its entire lifecycle - including its design , procurement , and commissioning stages . This strategic approach ensures that clients don ’ t face any hidden costs due to errors , omissions , ambiguities in documentation or changes required to meet the projects designed intent . Clients also save time as they don ’ t have to go through multiple consultations , tendering or re-tendering processes .
Nowadays , James L Williams works on various types of contracts but it is the ‘ design and build ’ projects which undoubtedly give the company a competitive edge .
“ We ’ ve gained a reputation as a reliable company in the sector and this has really helped us to grow ,” notes Boufarhat . “ Because we ’ re well-known for our engineering excellence and focus on delivering a ‘ fit for purpose ’ end product , we ’ ve grown to become one of the larger MEP companies in the region .”

Sustainable growth

Starting off with and developing a specialised area such as ‘ design and build ’ has paid off . In its beginnings , James L Williams Middle East started with 40 employees and today it has over 2,000 direct employees and 4,000 indirect employees . “ We ’ ve kept our highly-centralised engineering , procurement , testing and commissioning unit all in-house and we ’ ve grown massively ,” says Boufarhat . “ When I was made COO in 2013 , we had just started a big period of growth . At that time , we had a turnover of $ 35mn and now , several years later , we have a turnover of $ 182mn ,” he adds .

An efficient approach to MEP services

Created in the midst of the global financial crisis , James L Williams Middle East has always taken an efficient approach to mechanical , electrical and plumbing services . It is this mind set which has been integral to it ’ s the company ’ s prosperity , explains Boufarhat .
“ Whilst other companies had to adapt to the market after the Global Financial Crisis of 2007 , from day
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