Top standards, from the quarry to the UAE’s construction sites

UAE

Martin McGinty, CEO of Western Bainoona Group (WBG), talks to The Energy Year about obtaining top results by managing the entire construction value chain and the company’s upcoming expansion into the Saudi market. WBG is a UAE-based civil works and infrastructure construction company.

Can you provide an overview of the most salient projects carried out by WBG in 2024?
2024 has been an exceptionally busy year for WBG. The number of tenders has increased drastically in the past 12 months, and the construction sector is experiencing an incredible surge in activity, driven by the high number of large-scale projects under way.
Our rehabilitation of the north runway at the Abu Dhabi airport was an important achievement, as it was our first entry into the airport segment. While many of our staff had prior airport experience, this was our first major project in the field as a company. The challenges of working in a live airport environment, with its heightened safety and security standards, were significant. However, we adapted quickly and completed the project ahead of schedule, earning the client’s satisfaction and establishing the groundwork for a strong relationship with Abu Dhabi Airports.
Recognising that the project would require large volumes of high-quality construction materials, we invested in two asphalt plants and a concrete plant to guarantee our supply. We also made arrangements for polymer-modified asphalt, which has greater fuel resistance. Our proactive approach ensured a seamless execution and a successful outcome.
The project has opened doors for future opportunities with Abu Dhabi Airports, which manages multiple airports and has several developments planned over the next eight years. We are excited to build on this success and contribute further to the region’s infrastructure.
We have also completed a large design-and-build road project near the Saudi border for Etihad Rail. While the job itself was straightforward, its remote location posed significant logistical difficulties. The site is a five-hour drive from Dubai, and transporting aggregates was particularly demanding. Despite the hurdles, we completed the project successfully.

Is WBG planning to participate in the next construction phases for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant?
We’re well positioned for the next phase at Barakah, but the competition remains intense. Working adjacent to a live nuclear power plant has its challenges, but the strict pre-qualification process works to our advantage, as we understand their expectations and have a strong relationship with ENEC [Emirates Nuclear Energy Company]. However, we can’t become complacent. It is important to maintain and exceed the high standards we have established.
Our previous experience at Barakah taught us valuable lessons and significantly upskilled our team. Similar to airports or railways, nuclear projects demand rigorous safety, and they follow strict environmental and quality protocols.

We understand that you aim to generate 20% of your revenues in the oil and gas sector. What is your strategy to achieve this target?
Mainly, we have developed relationships with all the major players in the oil and gas industry. We have registered with all of them. We will look at all the oil and gas projects that come out, and focus on the segment we can do best, which is infrastructure. It’s like moving to a new country. You wouldn’t move to a new country and try to do something that you had no experience in. We’re not going to go and try and do something in oil and gas that we haven’t done outside of the sector.
We will look at every oil and gas project tendered and ask ourselves, “Have we got the resources? Have we got the skill set?” If the answer is yes, then we’ll price our job. We have been successful with that approach in a handful of smaller projects.

What steps is WBG taking to increase its sustainability credentials and decarbonise its operations?
As a construction company, our work begins at the quarries, and we have made significant environmental improvements there. We have eliminated dust emissions by replacing water-based suppression with advanced dust extraction systems. Today, our quarries are virtually dust-free, with only noise remaining as an unavoidable pollutant. Unlike quarries in some regions where dust clouds are still visible, ours set new standards for cleanliness.
We have invested heavily in dust and noise suppression for our asphalt and concrete plants as well, driven by both our commitment to sustainability and strict government regulations, which include monthly audits. Recycling has also become a major focus for us. In our recent road projects, we used recycled materials for the sub-base, wet mix and road base layers. Asphalt recycling isn’t yet fully implemented in the region, but we anticipate it will be soon.
Our approach strives for minimal environmental impact. Once a project is complete, we work on the surrounding area to reinstate it and blend it with the natural environment. For example, after we finish our road projects, the only evidence of our work will be the road itself, with the surrounding environment left in better condition than before.

How do you see the company within the regional market five years from now?
We stand out in the UAE’s construction industry because we control every section of our value chain. Unlike other companies, we own our quarries, transport company, asphalt and concrete plants and lane facilities. We manage the entire project lifecycle.
We are excited to expand into Saudi Arabia, starting with our quarrying operations. We believe that the quality of our products surpasses what is currently available there and that we can offer something new to the market. In the next few years, we’ll extend into asphalt and concrete production and into civil engineering, bringing our high standards to Saudi Arabia’s growing number of infrastructure projects. Saudi Arabia needs quality contractors for its massive developments, and we aim to meet that demand by offering something different and better.

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