Abu Dhabi, 16 January 2010: The UAE’s leading ready mix concrete supplier has joined forces with an Abu Dhabi information technology pioneer to develop a world-class distribution and fleet management system.

Unibeton Ready Mix, a member of the Al Fara’a Integrated Construction group of companies, signed a multi-million dirham agreement this evening with CERT InfoTrack Telematics (CIT), which will see its fleet of over 350 concrete transit mixers  fitted with cutting edge, location-based technology to track and monitor concrete deliveries.

The agreement was signed today at the Abu Dhabi Men’s College by Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology and Group Chief Executive of CERT Group of Companies and Dr JR Gangaramani, President and Executive Chairman of the Al Fara’a Integrated Construction Group in the presence of HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Board CERT Group of Companies.

Dr Gangaramani said the system, with a total project value exceeding 10million AED, will be a first for the industry, and will result in greater efficiencies to Unibeton’s operations and customer service levels on their sites.

“Unibeton is committed to retaining the lead in product innovation and distribution capabilities that far surpasses the standards of our industry, ultimately ensuring that our customers get the best product with the shortest of delays,” Dr Gangaramani said.

Mr. Mohammed Shehadeh, General Manager of Unibeton Ready Mix said: ``We conducted a lengthy investigation of potential suppliers across the globe, and found there was no existing system that came even close to being able to provide sufficient high-tech requirements that ensure fast delivery of concrete that has maintained all its properties as required by our diverse client base.

 “This partnership will result in world-class scheduling and track-and-trace capabilities and allow our customers to see the entire progression of production, delivery and pumping of their concrete order from start to finish, by way of sensors fitted to the transit concrete mixers.”

“We will be able to see which trucks are en route, discharging the load, filling up or even in a traffic jam and this will enable us to o alter schedules where necessary  and while ‘on the go’.”

Speaking on the occasion, CERT Group Chief Executive Dr Tayeb Kamali said: “We are delighted to partner with Unibeton to integrate the industry’s best practices and best-in-class telematics technologies to provide a significant competitive advantage within the ready-mix sector. The system would add many industry-specific functions to CIT’s already feature-rich tracking and telematics systems, which include InfoTrack and InfoDispatch.”

“Unibeton is the leader in the UAE ready mix concrete industry, with a strong presence of batching plants and hundreds of transit mixers throughout the UAE. By partnering with CIT to enhance and customize the InfoTrack system, Unibeton will benefit from great improvements to the efficiency of operations and ultimately the highest possible service levels to Unibeton’s customers.”

“Given the easy-to-use web-based model, Unibeton’s customers will be able to log on a secure site and check on the status of their concrete delivery in real time, which is a first,’’ he said.

Telematics is the science of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices and is widely used in Global Positioning System technology and mobile communications technology in automotive navigation systems.

About Unibeton Ready Mix
Unibeton Ready Mix is the largest ready mix concrete producer in the UAE and is well known for its highly acclaimed self-compacting and low carbon emission concrete. With its focus on product innovation and extensive research and development capabilities, Unibeton delivers on product leadership coupled with operational excellence through distribution capabilities that span the United Arab Emirates. Unibeton has an impressive repertoire of supply contracts including the world-famous Jumeirah Palm Island in Dubai; the engineering marvel, Sheikh Sayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi and the intricate Ferrari Themed Park on Yes Island in Abu Dhabi.

About Al Fara’a Integrated Construction Group
The Al Fara’a Integrated Construction Group, which was founded in 1980 spans property management, general contracting and even construction materials and services such as concrete (Unibeton Ready Mix, the largest concrete manufacturer in the Gulf), mechanical, electrical and plumbing supply and services (Al Sabbah Electro-Mechanical) and even interiors and joinery works. Al Fara’a has an international footprint and employs some 18,000 people from various corners of the globe. With a track record of 100% on time delivery, within budget and beyond quality expectations, Al Fara’a boast a 50% repeat customer ratio and has enjoyed nearly 70% growth over the last three years. Al Fara’a has achieved remarkable results in the realm of rewarding career growth and the personal development of his employees with a wide scope of training, recreational and developmental activities spanning multiple disciplines.