Umair Shahzad, Commercial Director at Stanley Black & Decker, discusses how DEWALT’s cordless tools are transforming construction sites, especially in the Middle East and Africa. With a focus on sustainability, portability and efficiency, these innovations are helping contractors meet green building goals, improve safety and increase productivity. Shahzad highlights the importance of strategic regional growth, innovative battery technology, and comprehensive training programmes to empower construction professionals across the region.
As DEWALT continues to innovate with cordless technology, how do you see DEWALT’s cordless tools shaping the future of job sites, especially in regions like the Middle East and Africa where infrastructure development is accelerating?
The MENA region has consistently emerged as the strongest contender in construction momentum in the last few years. Supporting this growth are national sustainability agendas that have opened opportunities for brands such as DEWALT to enable organisations to incorporate green practices without compromising on efficiency and productivity.
There has been a significant shift in the way countries are strategising and planning their economic priorities and urban development, with accessible living and environmental sustainability leading the way. Keeping this in mind, we launched our range of cordless tools that offer numerous advantages for construction sites, including convenience, portability and efficiency, making them invaluable assets for contractors seeking green building practices.
Other factors that add to the success of DEWALT’s cordless tools are its ability to reduce carbon footprint and reduce waste on job sites. They eliminate the use of generators and work on rechargeable batteries that have been tested for longevity, enabling a cleaner working environment.
DEWALT has been a leader in the construction industry for a century. In your experience, how has the brand’s innovation impacted the construction landscape in the Middle East and Africa, and how do you envision it evolving over the next decade?
DEWALT has always played a pivotal role in the industry and its celebration of 100 years in business is a testament to its successful trajectory. Innovation has always been at the heart of our research and development, and we have closely followed industry trends to guide us to meet growing demands.
One of the most significant shifts we have seen in the last few years is the emphasis on sustainability in the industry and at DEWALT, we have incorporated this through our ECOSMART model which emphasises our company-wide sustainability efforts both internally and to the public. Our product development processes ensure sustainability is incorporated into our tools from the design stage resulting in the creation of tools to tackle the most demanding applications at the construction site efficiently and sustainably.
We have an extremely positive outlook for the industry in the region, given the launch of ambitious strategic plans like Vision 2030 in KSA, Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and DEWALT’s plans to expand regionally. To add to our efforts, we are setting up an office in Riyadh this year, enabling the on-ground team to dive deep into the market’s needs and better support our distributors and end users.
DEWALT’s Powershift and new cordless concrete solutions are revolutionizing heavy-duty tasks. Can you share insights into how these innovations are being received in the market, and what key benefits they bring to professionals on the job?
DEWALT’s cordless tools were launched as a solution to bring safety and efficiency to job sites and minimise preventive injuries among construction workers. According to findings from our whitepaper on infrastructure and sustainability growth in the region, the construction sector contributes to 21% of all workplace fatalities in the UAE. Incorporating this technology will enable workers to prevent falls caused by cords and cables.
Growing urbanisation accounts for increased construction and challenging deadlines, so efficiency is key to ensuring that projects are delivered on time. Our line of cordless solutions offer flexibility by allowing workers freedom of movement to operate in all conditions and with high-longevity batteries and increased runtime, workers can adapt faster to site conditions and reduce setup and teardown times.
Most importantly, our cordless tools are helping companies meet their sustainability commitments in the long term through reduced maintenance costs and energy efficiency. As per a survey commissioned by DEWALT this year, 73% of companies in the Middle East are considering transitioning to cordless tools.
The Flexvolt and Powerstack cordless battery ranges are game changers. How do you see these advancements in battery technology driving efficiency and performance on job sites, especially in remote or challenging environments?
One of the key challenges for contractors is to ensure the reliability of tools and batteries in harsh conditions to minimise delays caused by battery-related issues. Our range of batteries has been optimised for extreme temperatures and the demanding landscape in the region, offering up to 50% more power and efficiency to users.
Another key issue that we have addressed is compatibility issues and the lack of a universal charging system. A significant 68% of respondents in our survey have indicated that a universal charging system would greatly impact their decision to go cordless. Our advanced battery systems are fitted with a universal charging platform across its 12v, 18v and 54v technologies.
With the introduction of advanced tools, how is DEWALT ensuring safety on job sites? Could you elaborate on the safety protocols and training initiatives you’ve implemented across the Middle East and Africa to support these innovations?
We recognise that while it is important to create tools and solutions that can provide efficiency and increase productivity, it is equally important to create a safe working environment for the workers. Our PERFORM & PROTECT line of tools and accessories are designed to reduce the amount of airborne dust exposure, cause injury to the user or damage the tool and decrease prolonged exposure to vibration which can result in pain, numbness and other symptoms.
DEWALT also places a strong emphasis on training to ensure that professionals can fully capitalise on the benefits of cordless technology. We offer comprehensive online and in-person training programmes, complemented by a full range of ‘How To’ videos designed to maximise tool efficiency. These programmes help address the initial learning curve associated with new tools and ensure that workers are fully equipped to use DEWALT’s products effectively and safely.
As someone with a strong focus on strategy and commercial growth, how do you balance innovation with the practical needs of construction professionals? What role do you think DEWALT’s tools play in empowering construction workers and improving their day-to-day tasks?
As one of the largest players in the industry, we work with our clients as partners to give them a personalised experience that is tailored to their site needs. We undertake a comprehensive needs assessment which helps us recommend specific tools optimised for the project and achieve efficient outcomes.
By working together and fostering a long-term commitment, we can take a holistic approach and address the critical needs of our clients, enabling our end users to understand the full potential of our tools and solutions and mitigate any potential challenges.
We also offer learning programmes where our trainers visit job sites to train workers and showcase the most efficient ways of using the tools, offering continuous support and enabling an environment of learning.