Palm Utilities awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality management systems

Palm Utilities awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality management systems

Certification affirms success in employing and retaining highly experienced management team in the field of utility services

June 16, 2010
Palm Utilities, a leading private company that provides integrated sustainable utility solutions, has announced that it has recently been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certification, reaffirming the company’s continuing commitment to maintaining world-class quality standards in its management systems and subsequently ensuring customer satisfaction. The certification – which was granted following the external assessment by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance - is part of the company's strategy to develop an integrated quality program in the field of utility services.

More than 300 employees took part in the entire ISO certification process, which validates the technical expertise and the leadership competency of Palm Utilities’ management team, while reinforcing the company's reputation as a leading utility solution provider and a premier technological innovator. Palm Utilities has been a recognised leader in delivering district cooling, desalination and water purification services and has been responsible for some of the most prestigious utility projects in the region, including The Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Discovery Gardens and The Gardens.

Yousuf Kazim, CEO, Palm Utilities, said: "This ISO certification confirms the success of our strategy to employ and retain a highly experienced and skilled management team. The senior management has been focusing on staff development and work efficiency through the standardisation of work procedures. This step is in line with our objectives of exceeding customer expectations and implementing corporate governance that ensures maximum transparency within the company."

“Palm Utilities’ quality management strategies align well with several core company values such as business sustainability, resulting in a holistic approach to quality. The organization’s QMS model definitely serves as an excellent model for the region’s utilities sector. We commend the management and employees for the exceptional level of team work they displayed in securing the ISO certification,” said Brian Baxter, UAE Service Delivery Manager, Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd.
Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) conducted a two part assessment at Palm Utilities. The first part included a system appraisal involving a review of the quality management system (QMS), policy, quality objectives, quality manual and all the mandatory procedures that are required by the ISO 9001:2008 standards. For the second part, LRQA audited all departments at Palm Utilities, covering their process, procedures and systems to test the QMS system efficiency and effectiveness.

Palm Utilities marks World Environment Day through tree planting initiative that offsets company’s monthly paper use

Palm Utilities marks World Environment Day through tree planting initiative that offsets company’s monthly paper use

June 7, 2010

Palm Utilities, a leading private company that provides integrated sustainable utility solutions, recently undertook a tree planting initiative in Dubai wherein the company planted several two meter-tall trees to make up for its monthly paper consumption. The activity was undertaken to mark the UN’s 2010 World Environment Day .

Palm Utilities calculated the number of trees it would take to offset the company’s estimated paper usage per month, and planted replacements accordingly. The initiative was intended to show Palm Utilities’ full support for global environmental protection efforts and generate greater public awareness on the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, internal policies have been established to reduce paper usage in the office and improve automation, such as using electronic forms and systems as much as possible.

“Palm Utilities uses the latest technologies not only to efficiently provide critical power and water services but to ensure sustainable and waste-preventive operations as well. Our tree planting programme is a simple affirmation of our commitment to environmental stewardship and our recognition of the significant impact of our activities on the well-being of the community,” said Yousuf Kazim, CEO, Palm Utilities.

Palm Utilities adheres to the ‘3 Rs’ of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle to minimize its carbon footprint. It uses Treated Sewage Effluent or Polished Water for its District Cooling Towers rather than potable water. The company pioneered the use of non-chemical Membrane Bioreactors in the region to reduce CO2 emissions at its sewage treatment plants. Palm Utilities plans to adopt Thermal Energy Storage in the near future to reduce energy use and further advance its sustainability goals.

Palm Utilities has been delivering district cooling, desalination, water purification, polished water, irrigation water production and wastewater reuse services and has been responsible for some of the UAE's most prestigious utility projects, including The Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jumeirah Village, Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Islands and The Gardens, to name a few. In addition, Palm Utilities has also been focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of its operations, which has made the company a recipient of several local, regional and international awards for excellence.

World Environment Day is held on the 5th of June every year and is hosted by a different city with a different theme. This year’s celebrations focused on biodiversity and was hosted by Rwanda.

Palm Utilities receives Best Water Project Award at Arab Investment Summit 2010

Palm Utilities receives Best Water Project Award at Arab Investment Summit 2010

Recognised for successful implementation of Dual Work Exchanger Energy Recovery at Palm Jumeirah seawater reverse osmosis plants

May 09, 2010
Palm Utilities, a leading private company that provides integrated sustainable utility solutions, received the Best Water Project Award during the Arab Investment Summit 2010, held recently in Abu Dhabi. Palm Utilities was recognised for its use of the Dual Work Exchanger Energy Recovery (DWEER) system for the Palm Jumeirah seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants, resulting in up to 19 per cent power savings and a significant reduction in carbon footprint.

The Award was an additional recognition of Palm Utilities' commitment to excellence in delivering premium-quality and highly efficient utility solutions to its growing portfolio of customers in the UAE. The DWEER system has been in operation for the past 18 months and for the period January 2009 to January 2010, the system has helped save over 3.3 million kilowatt-hour in energy consumption through the reuse of reject energy, thus helping conserve the ecosystem and sustain its precious resources.

Commenting on the occasion, Yousuf Kazim, CEO of Palm Utilities, said: "Environmental responsibility is a corporate culture that is cherished within the entire organisation. In this regard, Palm Utilities has made significant investments to constantly improve our technology and maintain a highly skilled and experienced team of specialists. The latest distinction we have received at the Arab Investment Summit validates our sincere desire to contribute positively in the sustainable development of our society. Moreover, the Best Water Project Award reaffirms our strong capability to overcome difficult challenges in our efforts to deliver premium-quality utility solutions."

Through its district cooling services and water and wastewater utility services divisions, Palm Utilities has been addressing the region's unique requirements in the distinctly critical areas of cooling and water. The company has been responsible for some of the UAE's most prestigious utility projects, including The Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Islands and The Gardens to name a few. With its aim of sustained long-term growth, Palm Utilities intends to pursue new core business activities within other utilities, including domestic gas, power distribution and sustainable energy.