Holcim has launched Women in Sustainable Construction (WISC), a long-term leadership and capability-building initiative across its UAE and Oman operations aimed at advancing the role of women in technical, operational, sustainability and leadership functions.

Announced on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the programme is designed to strengthen upskilling, industry engagement and mentorship, while reinforcing Holcim’s positioning as a leader in low-carbon and circular construction.

The initiative aligns with Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy and broader ambition to drive sustainable transformation across the built environment.

“Delivering Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy and driving sustainable construction requires diverse ways of thinking, leading and collaborating,” said Ali Said, CEO of Holcim UAE and Oman. “Women in Sustainable Construction is about expanding who leads that change and strengthening the next generation of talent needed to enable innovation and long-term transformation across our industry.”

Holcim said the programme reflects its belief that accelerating decarbonisation and circularity depends not only on materials and technology, but also on inclusive leadership and diverse technical expertise. WISC is structured to create pathways for women to influence the future of construction, particularly in engineering, sustainability and innovation-focused roles.

“Advancing sustainable construction is as much about people and leadership as it is about materials and technology,” said Anna Griffin, Head of Sustainability and Advocacy at Holcim UAE. “By investing in skills, visibility and inclusive leadership, we are helping build the capabilities needed to transform the construction sector and support the UAE’s climate and net-zero ambitions.”

The initiative is built around three core pillars. The first focuses on technical and leadership skills, offering targeted training, workshops and participation in industry conferences to provide exposure to global best practices in sustainability, decarbonisation and innovation.

The second pillar centres on industry engagement and partnerships, connecting participants with regional and international platforms focused on energy transition, circularity and the low-carbon economy, positioning Holcim at the heart of dialogue around the future of sustainable construction.

The third pillar emphasises mentorship and professional growth, including structured mentoring pathways, cross-functional exposure and community engagement through corporate social responsibility programmes.

Holcim said the programme is supported by a dedicated governance structure to ensure alignment with business objectives and national sustainability goals, embedding the initiative within its corporate culture and long-term strategy.

Through Women in Sustainable Construction, Holcim aims to demonstrate that building a sustainable future requires investment not only in innovative solutions, but also in the people who drive change across the construction industry.

Engineered for durability and high machine availability, the new Cat 707 wide body truck is built around a fully integrated Cat powertrain that combines a Cat C13 engine, Cat automatic transmission, and proprietary Cat axles

Designed to handle demanding haulage applications, the truck offers a maximum payload of 66 tonnes and is available in standard or heavy duty configurations, with body options of 40 m3 or 42 m3 to suit varying materials and site conditions.

Developed with Caterpillar’s rebuild focused design philosophy, the 707 wide body truck is intended to deliver consistent mechanical availability throughout its operating life while supporting a second lifecycle through cost effective rebuilds. This approach helps customers extend asset life and manage long term operating costs.

The new 707 wide body truck has been engineered, manufactured, and field tested using the latest technologies to ensure it is ready for work upon deployment. It is the first model in a new wide body truck product family that expands Caterpillar’s hauling systems portfolio.

“We have engineered our new wide body truck with a unique philosophy – it’s built to be rebuilt, offering consistent mechanical availability and longevity through a second lifecycle, which can help lower operating costs.” Angel Gonzalez, global product specialist at Caterpillar.

Performance and lifecycle efficiency

The Cat 707 can be configured with a 400 kW Cat C13B engine that meets China Nonroad Stage IV emissions standards, or a 358 kW Cat C13 engine that delivers U.S. EPA Tier 3 equivalent emissions. Both engine options are equipped with a high rated standard engine brake. Power is delivered through a six speed automatic transmission, with an optional integrated hydraulic retarder available for additional braking control.

To support reliability and uptime, the truck features proprietary Cat axles, integrated Cat powertrain controllers, and Cat designed wiring and electrical harnesses. Three levels of braking and retardation are available, including the engine brake, optional hydraulic retarder, and service and parking brakes. This combination improves downhill loaded control, enhances safety, and supports faster haul cycles.

The 707 wide body truck is designed for effective pass matching with Cat 986, 988, and 988 XE wheel loaders, as well as Cat 350, 374, and 395 excavators, helping to improve site productivity.

Operator comfort and training are supported through a left side operator seat and an optional right side instructor seat. The cab is mounted on a robust four point system and includes a standard falling object protective structure, with an optional rollover protective structure available. A reversing camera can be specified to improve maneuvering safety. Automatic shifting with simplified gear selection helps increase efficiency, while the hoist system delivers fast 20 second raise and lower cycle times to speed up material unloading.

Low operating and maintenance costs are supported by the integrated Cat powertrain mounted on a reinforced chassis. When combined with Cat Customer Value Agreements, customers can achieve higher uptime while maintaining reliable performance across multiple life cycles. Grouped service points reduce maintenance time, while a ground level engine shut off switch allows safe engine shutdown by stopping fuel delivery.

Parts commonality with other Cat machines, including the C13 engine, CX31RT transmission, and common cab, simplifies servicing and inventory management. LED lighting provides longer service life, brighter illumination, reduced power consumption, and improved resistance to vibration and moisture.

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As Oman advances its Vision 2040 and Net Zero 2050 ambitions, facilities management (FM) is emerging as a critical enabler of smarter, more sustainable buildings and infrastructure.

Reflecting this growing focus, the Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA) will host the MEFMA Conference in Oman on 10 February 2026 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Muscat.

Held under the theme 'Future-ready FM: Driving Oman’s sustainable growth', the one-day conference will bring together senior facility management leaders, asset owners, government representatives, developers and service providers to examine how FM can evolve beyond traditional operations to support efficiency, resilience and long-term asset value across the Sultanate’s built environment.

Positioned as a strategic platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaboration, the conference will feature expert speakers addressing key industry priorities. Discussions will focus on the expanding role of FM in supporting national development goals, the increasing impact of digital and data-driven operations, and the importance of developing local FM talent to meet future demands. Regional case studies will also highlight practical approaches to improving asset performance and operational outcomes.

Jamal Lootah, President of MEFMA, said facilities management has become a strategic lever for Oman’s growth, directly influencing efficiency, sustainability and service quality. He added that the conference aims to move the conversation from ambition to application by demonstrating how data, digital tools and best practices can be applied to support Vision 2040 and deliver measurable value across assets and portfolios.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Hosni, MEFMA Board Member, said Oman’s development priorities present a significant opportunity for FM to play a more strategic role in sustainability, operational performance and long-term asset value. He noted that the conference will serve as an important platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange as the sector continues to evolve in line with Vision 2040.

The Muscat edition is expected to attract more than 200 industry professionals from sectors including real estate, hospitality, healthcare, education, oil and gas, transport and critical infrastructure, alongside government and semi-government entities. The event is supported by leading organisations from across the FM sector, including Gold Sponsors Omdaad and QBG – Facilities Management, as well as Supporting Partner the International College of Engineering & Management.

SIBS AB has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with LINQ Modular, part of ALEC Holdings, to accelerate the delivery of large-scale modular developments across the Middle East, marking a significant step in the region’s industrialised construction landscape.

The partnership brings together SIBS’ international manufacturing expertise in volumetric modular construction with LINQ’s regional delivery capabilities and ALEC Holdings’ established on-site construction experience. The companies aim to deliver faster, more predictable and more sustainable residential, commercial and mixed-use developments as demand for high-quality housing continues to rise across the Gulf.

Building on LINQ’s early work in prefabricated and modular construction since its launch in 2020, the collaboration seeks to scale modular delivery across multiple sectors, including residential, hospitality and commercial developments. Subject to project awards and client approvals, the partners have set a shared ambition to deliver at least 1,500 modular units per year through an industrialised and repeatable production and delivery model.

Under the agreement, LINQ will continue to lead market engagement, regulatory approvals and in-country project delivery, supported by ALEC Holdings’ construction execution capabilities. SIBS will provide large-scale industrial production capacity, design-for-manufacture expertise and factory-controlled quality processes, drawing on its global experience in delivering modular housing at scale.

The collaboration is positioned to address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: the need to accelerate residential delivery without compromising on quality, safety or sustainability. Modular construction offers a solution by shifting a significant portion of construction activity into controlled factory environments, reducing on-site timelines and improving consistency.

A key factor underpinning the partnership is the modular construction licence granted by Dubai Municipality to LINQ, enabling the delivery of G+6 residential and commercial buildings in the emirate. Combined with SIBS’ experience in delivering large apartment complexes internationally, the partners are well placed to respond to strong residential demand across major urban centres in the UAE and wider Gulf.

SIBS brings an established international track record, having delivered approximately 7,000 apartments globally. Its modular systems have typically reduced project timelines by around 40%, lowered production costs by up to 30%, and cut energy consumption by up to 50% compared with traditional construction methods.

Erik Thomaeus, CEO of SIBS, said the collaboration represents a major step forward for modular construction in the UAE, combining SIBS’ industrialised production capacity with LINQ and ALEC Holdings’ regional delivery expertise to offer scalable and predictable modular solutions.

Graham Petty, Operations Manager at LINQ, said the partnership builds on years of groundwork to demonstrate the viability of modular construction at the premium end of the market, enabling the delivery of full-spectrum industrialised construction solutions that support speed, certainty and long-term value.

The collaboration is already progressing multiple near-term project opportunities, reflecting growing market momentum and a robust pipeline of modular-led developments across a range of building types.