Emrill targets Abu Dhabi with the appointment of a new General Manager

Commenting on Elias’ appointment, Gopalakrishnan said: “Sijo’s considerable experience in the UAE and in-depth understanding of Emrill’s value proposition will be integral to implementing our growth strategies in the capital. We are looking to expand our presence in Abu Dhabi, adding to the existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) and integrated facilities management contracts we currently have. Appointing Sijo as a dedicated general manager to look after our ongoing operations and create new partnerships in Abu Dhabi will enable us to establish greater operational capabilities.”

In 2019, Emrill expanded into the northern emirates, opening new offices in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. While the company has been operating in Abu Dhabi for several years, appointing a new general manager to oversee operations in the capital marks the next step in Emrill’s ambitious growth plans for the emirate.

Sijo Elias, Emrill’s newly appointed general manager for Abu Dhabi, said: “I am delighted to take up this challenge and put into effect the knowledge and experience I have gained from working on Emrill’s prestigious contracts in Dubai. I am thrilled to work towards expanding our business opportunities in Abu Dhabi by nurturing and developing our core strengths and expertise to add long-term asset value to businesses there. Our primary focus is introducing continuous improvements in our current scope of operations with existing contracts in Abu Dhabi and striving towards meeting the highest standard of safety, quality and customer satisfaction to reestablish the core strength of the business to enhance the end-user experience.

I appreciate the trust and confidence Emrill has placed in my abilities to fulfil the company’s goals and objectives that are aligned with the wider strategy of penetrating into new markets and sectors. Our priority in Abu Dhabi for 2021 is strengthening our spectrum in the residential sector as well as offering an integrated mix of technical, MEP, cleaning and security services to other sectors such as the commercial and logistics.”

Commenting on Elias’ appointment, Gopalakrishnan said: “Sijo’s considerable experience in the UAE and in-depth understanding of Emrill’s value proposition will be integral to implementing our growth strategies in the capital. We are looking to expand our presence in Abu Dhabi, adding to the existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) and integrated facilities management contracts we currently have. Appointing Sijo as a dedicated general manager to look after our ongoing operations and create new partnerships in Abu Dhabi will enable us to establish greater operational capabilities.”

In 2019, Emrill expanded into the northern emirates, opening new offices in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. While the company has been operating in Abu Dhabi for several years, appointing a new general manager to oversee operations in the capital marks the next step in Emrill’s ambitious growth plans for the emirate.

Sijo Elias, Emrill’s newly appointed general manager for Abu Dhabi, said: “I am delighted to take up this challenge and put into effect the knowledge and experience I have gained from working on Emrill’s prestigious contracts in Dubai. I am thrilled to work towards expanding our business opportunities in Abu Dhabi by nurturing and developing our core strengths and expertise to add long-term asset value to businesses there. Our primary focus is introducing continuous improvements in our current scope of operations with existing contracts in Abu Dhabi and striving towards meeting the highest standard of safety, quality and customer satisfaction to reestablish the core strength of the business to enhance the end-user experience.

I appreciate the trust and confidence Emrill has placed in my abilities to fulfil the company’s goals and objectives that are aligned with the wider strategy of penetrating into new markets and sectors. Our priority in Abu Dhabi for 2021 is strengthening our spectrum in the residential sector as well as offering an integrated mix of technical, MEP, cleaning and security services to other sectors such as the commercial and logistics.”

In its January 2019 report, Fitch Solutions estimated the MENA construction industry will grow by 7.5% this year and will continue to expand at an average annual rate of 6.8 per cent until 2022. The report predicts the growth will be driven by the Arabian Gulf states diversifying away from oil and gas, instead focusing on building large-scale developments, such as Expo 2020 Dubai and the Riyadh Metro in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the report surmised the increase in large infrastructure projects in the region has resulted in many companies more seriously considering current conditions and encouraging improved worker welfare rights.

Ahsan Sarwar, CIPS MENA’s country manager for Saudi Arabia, opened the event with a brief introduction to the organisation. He introduced CIPS’ presence globally and how the organisation is working with members to raise procurement standards.

Emrill’s commercial director, Suzie Razmjou, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on improving welfare standards in the supply chain, where she claimed companies in the region need to play their part in ensuring migrant workers are treated with dignity and respect. She stressed, procurement professionals can only affect real change when they work together and use their influence to encourage and support contractors and subcontractors to improve conditions. She went on to say that only when executive support is given to worker welfare initiatives and consequences are applied to non-compliant providers will welfare targets be met. Emrill has cancelled contracts with 40 suppliers, which were unable or unwilling to improve standards, since beginning the programme.

Razmjou also referred to the Dhaka Principles, which provide a roadmap tracing the journey of a migrant worker from recruitment, employment, to the end of a contract. The discussion focused on how companies in the region can ensure their employees and those employees within their supply chains are provided with living and working conditions that are both safe and decent.

Razmjou outlined the actions Emrill has taken to influence its subcontractor portfolio of over 500 suppliers in line with the Dhaka Principles, which were introduced in 2012 by the Institute for Human Rights and Business to improve health, safety and employee welfare. She said: “We have undertaken an ambitious ongoing project in which we have carried out welfare visits on our service providers’ labour accommodation to ensure living standards meet Emrill’s standards. In cases where suppliers are underperforming, we actively work with them to improve the welfare of their employees.

“We have used our influence in the market as a way of making a difference and improving the lives of thousands of workers. At Emrill, we feel we have a collective responsibility to ensure those individuals delivering services to our clients are looked after properly.”

As part of the initiative, inspectors from Emrill’s supply chain and senior management teams visit sites, inspecting hundreds of accommodations since the progamme’s launch. As a result, some companies have moved location and Emrill has provided recommendations to approximately one third of the suppliers visited.

Razmjou added: “We have achieved real success with this initiative, and we want to pass on our learnings to other companies in the region. Emrill is delighted to be partnering with CIPS MENA, as events such as this are so important for raising awareness and creating a real shift in collective thinking.”

Dr Arafat El Mourad, VP and Head of Strategic Sourcing: Group Procurement and Realty Services Emirates NBD, closed the event with a presentation on innovation in procurement. He explained innovation is much more than technology. He explained: “Rather, it is the way procurement professionals manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders with a focus on implementing collaborative changes to digitise, resource capabilities, speaking the language of your stakeholders, and improve business processes.”

A recurring theme of the event was procurement professionals and companies within the region have a collective responsibility to do what is morally and ethically right to ensure worker welfare standards in the region are raised. By committing to not working with contractors who fall short and will not make improvements, a clear message is sent that sub-par conditions will not be tolerated and will result in consequences.