Mace joins Middle East developer

Construction manager Mace has signed a partnering deal with leading Middle East developer Majid Al Futtaim Group, which is expected to generate projects worth "several billion dollars" over the next five years.

The deal has been in the making for the past year and a half and builds upon the company's project management of two major mixed retail development in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. The move will enable Mace to increase its presence in the region and is a major boost to the company's international ambitions.

Mace's project manager, Guy Russell, told CJ: "For 18 months we've been working on projects and trying to find the right means to cement our relationship, and we settled for the partnering route. They have got projects worth several billion dollars stacked up at the moment and there will be a steady stream which will help us ramp up our resources in the region.

"Partnering is a tried and tested route for Mace. We've been very much based on blue chip companies, BAA, J Sainsbury, Tesco and Pepsico and it's always been our intention to build from that foundation," said Russell.

The company now has overseas offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Warsaw and Kuala Lumpur. Mace director Michael Davies said: "Our relationship with Majid Al Futtaim Group, a very important organisation in the region, enable us to build quickly from an already strong business base. This of course follows the established pattern of Mace in seeking to develop long-term relationships."