PARTNERS IN NATION BUILDING

The colossal construction industry in the Middle East has grown impressively to a position of enviable buoyancy in recent years.  

There is a plethora of vast infrastructure projects under construction throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and this, combined with the numerous giga projects underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is spearheading a dramatic increase in the demand for high-quality aggregates.  

Giga projects are infrastructure or capital project investments of such gigantic scale and ambition that they can be considered ‘once in a generation’ in terms of what they deliver to the world and how they deliver it. 

“Combined with the commencement of aggregate haulage operations with Etihad Rail, the landscape of the haulage region may change beyond recognition in the next couple of years. There is also an increased environmental awareness throughout the industry which will have an impact on every aspect,” opens Martin McGinty, CEO of Western Bainoona Group (WBG). 

WBG has been a cornerstone in the development of roads and infrastructure projects in the UAE, and under the country’s wise leadership, is now internationally recognised as a modern business and travel hub. This can largely be attributed to the UAE National Vision 2030, which supports strong public policies towards diversifying the nation’s economy, thus simultaneously promoting the country’s rapid growth.  

This policy has already accomplished great feats, such as the UAE’s successful bid for the Expo 2020 which was key in supporting the nation’s upward trajectory. 

“We continue to invest in the most qualified, best-in-class talent to manage operations and deliver results.” 

WBG’s management team is backed by a large, qualified workforce of over 4,500 employees trained to the best practices and standards, and the company’s ISO-certified accredited management system and environment health and safety standards are what make WBG truly stand out. 

“We rise above the competition because of our quality, right-time delivery, performance, reputation, price differentiation, and the fact that we are a one-stop shop.” 

After graduating as a civil engineer from the University of Strathclyde in 1986, Martin immediately started working in the UK construction industry with Galliford’s, and then Balfour Beatty.   

“It was while with Balfour Beatty that I obtained my Quarry Managers certificate as we were drilling and blasting through an old quarry for the M8. Then, just under 30 years ago I had an opportunity to work in Qatar; I enjoyed the way of working in the Middle East so much that I have stayed here ever since,” he recalls. 

Indeed, Martin has been working in the UAE since 1998 with some additional spells in Oman, Egypt, Bahrain, and KSA.