Sustainable Building Materials Strategy Cuts Costs and Emissions in Abu Dhabi

A regional building materials manufacturer supplying products like cement, concrete, and composites across the GCC. The company was moderately sized and relatively new to the Abu Dhabi market, aiming to establish a stronger local foothold.

The client’s sales in Abu Dhabi had plateaued amid intense competition from established suppliers. They struggled to align their offerings with a market shifting toward sustainable materials under new green building standards (like Abu Dhabi’s Estidama Pearl). Lacking insight into upcoming projects and evolving regulations, they faced a strategic disadvantage in planning. Additionally, a limited distribution network caused them to miss opportunities with key contractors and developers.

We delivered a comprehensive market study and strategic advisory engagement tailored to Abu Dhabi’s construction materials sector. Our goal was to equip the client with data-driven insights and a clear plan to sharpen their competitive edge in this market.

Our solution provided the client with:

• Demand Mapping: Analyzed Abu Dhabi’s project pipeline to forecast material demand and highlight high-growth product categories.
• Competitive Benchmarking: Assessed key competitors’ pricing, product range, and sustainability offerings to identify market gaps.
• Regulatory Alignment: Mapped compliance requirements (e.g., Estidama Pearl standards) and recommended product tweaks to meet local green building criteria.

Our team employed a multi-faceted research approach combining field intelligence with analytical modeling:

• Market Analysis: Examined industry reports and government project data to map upcoming construction projects and project the demand for various types of materials.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviewed contractors, developers, and procurement managers to understand key criteria for selecting material suppliers and uncover unmet needs.
• Internal Review: Examined the client’s product portfolio, operations, and supply chain to identify gaps and inefficiencies compared to market expectations.
• Strategy Workshops: Held sessions with the client’s leadership to interpret findings and prioritize strategic initiatives (e.g., new product development, local partnerships).

We presented the client with actionable recommendations to reposition their business for success:

• Expand Sustainable Product Line: Invest in developing or sourcing eco-friendly materials (e.g., low-carbon concrete, recycled composites) to meet rising demand under green building mandates.
• Strengthen Local Presence: Establish partnerships or local manufacturing to improve supply reliability, cut logistics costs, and position the firm as a preferred local supplier.
• Target High-Growth Segments: Focus sales efforts on booming segments (e.g., large infrastructure and mid-income housing projects) where demand is strong but competition is weaker.

Within 12 months of implementing the new strategy, the client achieved:

• Secured five new supply contracts – including one for a flagship government project – establishing the company’s credibility in Abu Dhabi’s market.
• Achieved a 20% increase in local revenue, with eco-friendly products now accounting for 30% of sales (up from 5% before).
• Reduced logistics costs by 15% via local partnerships, directly improving profit margins and pricing competitiveness.
• Gained approved-supplier status under Abu Dhabi’s green building standards, expanding eligibility to bid on a wider range of projects.