In a Nutshell: Our Office in Dubai – an Interview with Benjamin Beer

Benjamin Beer has been managing our office in Dubai since 2020. In a short interview, the facade specialist explains how quickly the market in the Middle East is developing and what challenges he and his multinational team are facing.

What are the biggest challenges when planning a project in the Middle East?

Construction projects in this part of the world present a variety of challenges. For example, clients often demand accelerated processes with short planning times or last-minute planning changes. One of the biggest challenges is staying within the client’s budget and dealing with the associated planning changes. Last-minute changes to the project scope also often make it difficult to meet deadlines and stay within budget. Keeping the workload of colleagues at a manageable level can be a huge challenge, especially when multiple projects are running in parallel. This requires careful planning and rapid adjustment to new deadlines.

Complying with local and national regulations can also be complex and time-consuming. Permits, inspections and compliance with safety standards are crucial and, if not handled properly, can cause delays. Furthermore, the availability of materials and delivery times can have a significant impact on project plans. Disruptions in the supply chain repeatedly lead to construction delays and thus to cost increases. Last but not least, identifying and managing risks is crucial. Inadequate risk assessment can have serious consequences.

What advantages does an engineering firm have when working in the Middle East?

For us as Werner Sobek’s representatives on the Arabian Peninsula, it is highly motivating to work in one of the world’s most active construction markets – the Middle East. The region is characterised by breathtaking and world-class projects, from the world’s tallest tower to the largest artificial islands such as Palm Jumeirah or World Islands. We are proud to contribute to the realisation of these projects with our technical expertise and to help them achieve their ambitious sustainability goals.

How can we further contribute to the region’s success?

The Middle East, and the Gulf States in particular, are a melting pot of different cultures, which gives our office in Dubai a positive and diverse talent pool. We can draw on a wide range of skills and talents from different cultures, which fosters innovation and creativity in our teams. Thanks to our local expertise, we are able to better understand local markets, consumer behaviour and regulatory frameworks, and effectively implement even complex projects. In summary, our presence here on the ground enables us to perfectly serve the local markets, take into account the needs of our customers and comply with the regulatory framework, so that we can continue to grow and write the success story of our office, which was founded in Dubai in 2007.