Growth spurt

A spa pool at the Arabian Ranches villas in Dubai.
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Belhasa Projects is well known for its swimming pools. Thanks to its success, it now has five divisions and plans to launch a one stop FM solution in 2011.

It’s not easy joining a company that has such a high profile as Belhasa Projects, whose reputation precedes it as one of the top five swimming pool construction companies in the world.

Greg Garner took over as CEO of the firm three months ago and has already initiated a plan of action to expand the company, redesign its website and relaunch its facilities management service to the general public.

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I enjoy taking on a business which has a good reputation and a strong track record but has, as yet, lots of untapped potential,” he said.

“Based on its reputation for quality and delivery there is no area where we are not prepared to go, either from a sector or geographical perspective.”

The company originally began as Belhasa International in the mid 60s, set up by Ahmed Saif Belhasa. He traded in imported used cars and equipment for power projects with other Arab countries then further expanded from that into other parts of the construction trade.

Belhasa Projects was launched by Nigel Finzi and his business partner Howard Hilder with the support of Belhasa in 1980.

Hilder retired 15 years ago but Finzi continued to build the company into a multi-million dollar corporation where he remained as partner until his death in June this year.

Before moving to Dubai, Finzi lived in Portugal, where he set up a maintenance and construction business tapping into the growing expat market for swimming pools and it is this concept that remains at the heart of the business today.

“Our work is testamount to what we do. We have built up a strong customer relationship whereby the sons and their sons of clients are continuing to work with us.

“It is a traditional company and as such it has a loyal following,” said Garner. Belhasa Projects has five distinct divisions; Aquascape, sports and coating, water treatment, MEP and FM.