As the construction industry accelerates its digital transformation, ALEC Holdings continues to position itself as one of the region’s most forward-thinking innovators, particularly in robotics and modular construction. Since 2017, the company has been cultivating a culture where every employee contributes to innovation, a mindset that is deeply embedded in ALEC’s DNA.

During ALEC Innovation Day 2025, TECHx Media spoke with Imad Itani, Head of Innovation at ALEC Holdings, to discuss the company’s innovation journey, robotics strategy, rapid testing approach, and how ALEC is reshaping the future of construction across the UAE.

Embedding Innovation into ALEC’s DNA

“ALEC’s vision is to be the leading innovative construction group,” says Imad. “Our mission is to embed a culture of innovation into the company’s DNA so every person plays a role.”

Since establishing the Innovation Department in 2017, ALEC has built a robust framework centered on three pillars:

• Managing the Ideas Portal, where employees submit and develop ideas
• Running innovation programs and team challenges across the business
• Attracting global partners and emerging technologies

This structured ecosystem enables ALEC to rapidly test, validate, and scale solutions that deliver measurable business value.

Speed of Testing: From Discovery to Site in 24 Hours

One of ALEC’s most significant advantages is the speed at which it tests new solutions.

“If I meet someone at Big 5 today, they can be on our site tomorrow. That’s how fast we move,” Imad explains.

Unlike companies that pilot technologies only to “check a box,” ALEC takes a direct and transparent approach: if a solution adds value, it is implemented immediately; if not, honest feedback is shared.

“The worst thing for startups is hearing, ‘Let’s do a free pilot.’ We don’t do that,” he says.

He recalls a recent example with a conveyor technology showcased after last year’s Innovation Day:

“The team came to site three days after the event. We tested it. I told them, ‘Leave it here, we’ll discuss finer details later.’ Their team was amazed.”

This rapid testing culture empowers employees from engineers to foremen to influence which innovations get adopted.

Scaling Innovation Across Every Project

After years of successful pilots, ALEC’s focus has shifted to scaling innovation across all projects.

“It’s not enough for one project to implement a solution. What about the others?” Imad says. “Now we audit projects to measure adoption.”

This ensures innovations do not remain isolated to individual sites. Industry stakeholders have taken notice, many contractors, clients, and even government entities now attend ALEC’s innovation events to benchmark their own initiatives.

“Even the representative from a key UAE-based government entity responsible for construction tech attended our event,” Imad notes. “He was extremely impressed and wants to collaborate further.”

Building a Win-Win Ecosystem for Technology Partners

ALEC strongly supports its technology partners and helps them expand their regional presence.

“When we see value, we push our partners forward,” Imad says. A key example is Max, a Japanese robotics company that ALEC introduced to multiple regional contractors.

Max initially viewed the Middle East as a low priority market due to labor costs. ALEC demonstrated the growing demand for advanced solutions, encouraging the company to enter the region.

This collaborative approach has helped establish a thriving construction technology ecosystem in the UAE, attracting partners from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Canada, and beyond.

Robotics: From Vision to Full Scale Strategy

Robotics has been a priority for ALEC since 2017, but momentum accelerated last year with the launch of its dedicated Robotics Strategy, which aims to robotize 5% of all construction activities by 2030.

“We analyzed the maturity of dozens of robotics solutions and selected activities where robotics made the most sense,” Imad explains.

During last year’s Innovation Day:

• 14 robotics companies participated
• All were taken directly to site for testing
• Three solutions were fully implemented within months

This year, six more robotics companies joined, many referred by earlier participants, showcasing ALEC’s growing reputation within the global robotics community.

Solutions range from drilling robots to automated pipe welding systems such as Rotoweld, positioning robotics as a core component of ALEC’s operational roadmap.

“When we first set the 5% target, we didn’t know how we would achieve it. Today, we are measuring everything, and we’re on the right track,” Imad confirms.

Modular Construction: Transforming Complex Project Delivery

Although ALEC handles complex projects that are not always modular friendly, the company has emerged as a regional leader in modular MEP construction.

“We now have multiple factories building MEP modules offsite,” Imad says. “It improves productivity, ensures better working conditions, and accelerates schedules.”

The contrast is clear:

• Traditional approach: MEP teams wait until civil works are complete
• Modular approach: MEP is built simultaneously offsite and installed as soon as the structure is ready

This methodology has been essential in high-speed, large-scale projects especially major AI driven data centers in Abu Dhabi, where timelines range from 2 to 16 months.

“Because we invested early in modular capabilities, we can deliver,” Imad says.

The Next Five Years: Robotics, AI, Digital Transformation & Productivity

Looking ahead, Imad outlines the key pillars that will define ALEC’s future:

• Robotics adoption across multiple business units
• Expansion of modular construction, especially in fast-track projects
• AI and advanced data ecosystems informing decision making
• Digital transformation to unify teams and remove silos
• Productivity as the central performance metric

“With all the technology we’re adopting, productivity must remain our focus,” Imad emphasizes.

People, Culture & Technology: One Integrated Vision

Ultimately, ALEC’s innovation strategy comes back to its people.

“You saw how we align people, culture, and technology,” Imad says with a smile. “That’s the only way innovation works.”

At ALEC, robotics, modular construction, and a culture of continuous improvement are not just initiatives, they define the company’s integrated vision for the future of construction in the UAE.

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