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Spie Batignolles: A preferred construction partner

Spie Batignolles is a leading French player in construction and civil engineering

One of the leading independent construction groups, Spie Batignolles, encompasses all sectors of the industry. The group has been operational for more than 150 years and operates in France (136 locations) and globally (eight international sites). Headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris, Spie Batignolles employs more than 6,700 people and generated an overall turnover of Dh7.1 billion (?1.8 billion) in 2014, with 18 per cent of its revenues from civil engineering and foundation works.
"Spie Batignolles is driven by a desire to create and share sustainable value. Our deep- rooted commitment to partnership is re?ected in the culture and performance of our innovative trading brands. The group is equally committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees, the quality of their working lives and professional development," Jean-Baptiste Le Gall, Managing Director, Spie Batignolles International, told Khaleej Times.
With its long international experience started at the last century, Spie Batignolles decided to turn to other horizons a few years ago, particularly in regard to civil engineering and foundation activities. Le Gall adds, "In 2008, we created a civil engineering and special foundations division in the United Arab Emirates coupled by a similar entity in Qatar in 2011. The projects carried out by these two entities are mainly related to piling and special foundation works but we hope to start our civil engineering activity in the coming years."
Operating regionally from its main office located in Abu Dhabi near the National Petroleum Construction Company, Spie Batignolles has high expectations from various projects announced in the Middle East. "The construction sector in the Middle East appears all set to return to near-full capacity with the reactivation or launch of a number of major projects related to infrastructure, transport and even building developments especially in Qatar," he noted.
With a number of previously stalled projects racing towards completion or continuing to forge ahead on fresh impetus provided by Expo 2020, the coming years are going to be exciting for Spie Batignolles.
"The group is working on several complex and prestigious projects. Spie Batignolles is driven by its ability to design and build complex special foundation works, to mobilise qualified personnel, large fleet of specialised equipment and lastly by our culture of accepting challenges and honouring them," Le Gall elaborated.
Since 2009, Spie Batignolles has carried out several iconic and complex projects like the Gate Towers on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum on Saadiyat Island, the deep pumping station for the STEP programme at Wathba,  the Golden Line Metro project in Doha, Qatar, to name a few.
In terms of international expansion, Spie Batignolles is exploring potential opportunities, particularly in the Middle East where it is already operating. "Our main goal is to be an effective partner to public, private and industrial clients wishing to expand globally. A strong focus on building solid relationships with our clients and partners based on mutual trust is our key asset for growth," the managing director concluded.
sadiq@khaleejtimes.com