Hi-Tech Automotive Centre Floor

Leading flooring manufacturer, Flowcrete Group Ltd, has been involved in a state-of-the-art flooring project for one of the Gulf's leading automotive groups, Al -Futtaim Motors, at the company's new Al Badiya Service Centre in Dubai Festival City.

Owning both Toyota and Lexus motor franchises across the Emirates, Al-Futtaim Motors is the undisputed leader in automobile distribution, tyres, batteries and other accessories within the region and the futuristic construction of its latest facility pays testament to the fact.

Designed to expand upon the company's aftersales service following significant sales growth within the region, the new service centre features a wealth of facilities including semi-enclosed touchscreen service bays, motorised scooters that carry parts across the centre as well as a first-class customer lounge complete with computer tablet style table-top brochures.

Spanning over 14,500 square metres, the fully air-conditioned facility employs 105 technicians manning 82 service bays and represents the Al-Futtaim Motors' largest automotive facility in the Middle East.

Over 11,000 square metres of Flowcrete's Flowshield LXP HD system have been installed across the centre's main service areas including all service bays as well as the in-house recycling and waste regeneration plant.

Flowshield LXP HD is a heavy-duty, solvent-free and flexible polyurethane flooring system, which is typically applied between 2mm and 3mm and laid insitu in a seamless application.

Flowshield LXP HD has been designed for use over asphalt, wood, steel and concrete; to provide an easy to clean, chemically resistant floor topping.
Typical applications include process, manufacturing, packaging and warehousing areas subjected to heavy foot and pallet truck traffic and where a degree of flexing of the floor is expected.

Flowshield LXP HD was selected for the Al Badiya Centre on account of its excellent abrasion, impact and slip resistance as well as its colorful and seamless aesthetic. The product was used in conjunction with line marking products to designate working zones, specialised bays and walkways.

The new centre represents an exciting landmark for the Middle East automotive industry, not only as a result of its hi-tech interior but also the company's commitment to sustainable operations. The centre is home to a host of energy saving features that include atriums for natural day light and a solar-powered lighting system for the 100 capacity car park.

The centre's car wash operation is fitted with technology that directs used water to the recycling plant of the facility which also includes a compartmented scrap yard for waste segregation. On top of this, each service bay is equipped with its own recycling solutions.

In addition, 3,000 square metres of Flowcrete's pigmented polyurethane coating system, Flowcoat LXP, has been installed in specialist areas of this innovative facility.

Flowcrete Group spokesman, David McNeece, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this exciting project for one of the Gulf's most respected automobile groups."

"The new floor looks fantastic and employs color zoning, line marking and signage to ensure optimum safety for staff and visitor's using the centre."