Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/02/2014 -- SummerTown, interiors, one of the UAE's leading fit out contractors, has a team of staff members whose passion for green living inspired their Eco Leaders 2020 initiative.

"[The] Eco Leaders 2020 committee has created a plan that addresses SummerTown's social responsibility whist staying true to financial realities and objectives" The committee states on the Summertown website. "The strategy focuses on four core pillars – our workplace, the market place, the community and the environment – and a series of objectives have been engineered following each of these pillars that will enable Summertown to put a number of policies into action."

In keeping with this mandate, Summertown has successfully delivered a number of sustainable draw upon office fit out projects for clients, which draw upon their own experiences being the first fit out contractor in the UAE to occupy LEED Gold certified offices. The company also ensures their own approach to business at all levels of their operation is sustainable, making them an industry leader and prime example of green office management.

Their own green office goals include training for all staff through their "Green in Action" program, a plan for each employee to achieve one major green goal during the fiscal year, annual recognition of employees that display outstanding commitment to sustainability throughout the year, identification of suppliers that share their sustainability goals, and external sustainability workshop sessions for their industry peers. Their policy is to reuse, reuse, reduce and recycle – waste is separated in the office, and recycled wherever possible Single sided printed paper is reused on the reverse to create green notebooks for staff usage. Architectural drawing paper is reused to create flip charts. Profits from site waste that is sold for reuse are donated to charity. Chief areas are audited and monitored each month with adjustments implement as required to ensure reduction in consumption. These include water, energy, fuel, paper and general office waste.

About The Eco Leaders Committee
The Eco Leaders committee as champions of driving Summertown's sustainable initiative bring fun activities into the workplace that engage staff and their family members. Every quarter, staff participate in a in a no-car/car pool day, where every employee either has to pool with a work colleague or come to work using public transport. For those who know the UAE this can prove to be quite a challenge. The company also runs team activity days to raise awareness about local eco issues, and employee volunteering sessions to support local charities in the community.

To date, Summertown has been recognized for their efforts with the Sustainable Legacy award at Green Middle East (2012) as well as the Dubai Chamber of Commerce CSR label for the last 3 years running (2012-2014).

With their commitment to providing green office solutions and inspiring others to live in sustainable ways, Summertown aspires to be – and clearly is – a leader in sustainable office lifestyle.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Dubai, UAE -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/14/2014 -- Summertown Interiors appoints new Project Director, Paul Briers. "I'm really thrilled to be taking on this new position and challenge with Summertown," exudes Briers. "I have a lot of experience in this field and others, but I am really anticipating applying myself in this new position."

Briers, who has 18 years' experience in the interiors construction field, will become a key member of the corporate management team, and ultimately an asset for the company. He will be Summertown's go-to man to ensure all projects are delivered on time. It's a lot of responsibility, but Briers is enthusiastic about it. His strong commercial background, business management acumen and focus on continuous improvement all serve to highlight his ability and reputation for the quality delivery of projects. As a passionate advocate for sustainability, Briers couldn't be a better fit for the job – or Summertown.

Briers has ample experience in management, holding a position with UAE Design and Construction Services firm ALEC. While there he worked on some major construction projects that spanned a variety of fields, from hospitality to retail, including the education sector. Before ALEC, he was a partner in an interiors contracting business in South Africa.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Free State, South Africa, and a Masters in Project Management from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, this new position will certainly add to Briers already impressive resume of accomplishments.

Briers remains humble regarding his accomplishments and is constantly looking to the future. "This feels like a natural progression for me, but I am looking forward to tackling the current projects, and seeing the new projects that present themselves. This can be a high-pressure industry, but it really is fascinating to watch, and help, these projects come to life." Explains Briers.

The Summertown team is made up of architects, planners, and project managers with experience in creating and executing eco-friendly interior projects. The company has set its focus on meeting timelines and budgets, while allowing companies to realize their environmental goals. Choosing Briers was a calculated move by Summertown, and he promises to be a great fit who is more than capable of upholding and exceeding the team's values.

About Summertown Interiors
Summertown Interiors offers superior quality interior solutions as a fit out contractor and turnkey provider. As the first fit out contractor in the UAE to occupy LEED Gold certified interiors, they have first-hand experience of executing green interior projects.

Established in 1997, Summertown Interiors is among the UAE's leading fit out contractors with specialist experience in delivering commercial office, education and retail projects for global Fortune 500 companies, government authorities and local businesses.

Summertown is committed to delivering projects that meet clients' needs, on time and within budget and all projects are executed in accordance with the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2008 quality management system. As a result, Summertown is often selected as the preferred fit out partner for many of the world's largest project management firms and interior architects.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Dubai, AE -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/13/2014 -- Managing Director of Summertown Interiors, Marcos Bish, provides insight into the industry.

The idea of sustainable building practices, as well as sustainable design, is a fairly new development for the mainstream. Since it is an important part of continuing to develop regions responsibility, it's nice to see many people embracing the concept. Marcos Bish, Managing Director of Summertown Interiors, who specialize in green interior design, extrapolates on the subject.

"Over the past few years we have been noticing an increased interest in embracing the green building movement with the construction and A&D industries adopting sustainable practices more consistently."

So why the sudden desire to embrace the trend? As Bish explains, it's largely because the customer is always right.

"This is mainly due to an increase in awareness among customers regarding both the economic and corporate benefits of being sustainable. While back in 2009 there was a shortage of eco products on the market, today the offer is larger and the price of green products is not significantly higher than conventional ones."

A major issue with anyone attempting to 'go-green' has always been the cost of converting to more green practices. Energy efficient anything, from light bulbs to appliances, have always been significantly more costly, but Bish notes that over the last few years these price differentials have begun to balance – making green-living more attainable for everyone.

Bish is the first to admit that the adoption of green practices in the Middle East was much slower than other areas of the world, but he also points out that once it got a foothold it spread quickly, making the Middle East one of the leaders in green building and sustainability. He references Siemens – Masdar City, which won 16 prestigious environmental awards.

One of the main challenges Bish and similar countries face is the lack of green products readily available at this time in the Middle East – in comparison to other parts of the world. While many are eager to build green and reap the rewards, despite the decrease in the cost of products, availability is still the main challenge.

Bish points out that while products can certainly (and easily) be ordered from overseas, this process completely defeats the purpose. Reducing shipping costs as well as the energy and fuels used for shipping is part of what makes green products green, and sustainable building sustainable. Someone needs to be able to meet the demands of the growing market in the Middle East.

Summertown itself is a shining example of how businesses can benefit from sustainable practices and green building. The company has managed to reduce its own water usage by 32%, and lighting energy has been reduced by an impressive 58% - and this is just the beginning of how efficient they plan to become, says Bish.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Dubai, UAE -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/19/2014 -- Summertown Interiors, one of the UAE's leading green interiors fit-out contractors, has received its second 'CSR Label' from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. The accolade was presented last month in recognition of Summertown's continued and progressive efforts to promote sustainability both externally through its projects and internally through its HR practices.

Summertown Interiors scored higher than the average CSR Label achievers' score in three of the four areas assessed, with their efforts in the community and environment being highly commended by the chamber.

Accepting the award on behalf of the company, Esra Kayhan, HR Manager said, "Corporate social responsibility and sustainable practises are an intrinsic part of Summertown Interior's brand and are applied by every member of our team. We are really pleased to receive the CSR label for a consecutive year as it recognises our continued efforts to address the interests of our employees, our clients and suppliers, the environment and the community."

The label recognises Summertown Interiors' commitment to embracing sustainability in every aspect of its business thanks to an integrated CSR approach that addresses the core pillars of Summertown's business strategy. we don't really follow these as core pillars anymore as they sit in only 2 quadrants of the four areas identified. These pillars are still important but we now do much more than this. So I would suggest we rephrase this?. Since being awarded the label last year Summertown Interiors has implemented various sustainability initiatives which include offering employee volunteering programs, conducting free-to-attend 'Green in Action' advice workshops for the design and construction industry and running a health and wellness program for staff.

About Summertown Interiors
Summertown Interiors offers superior quality interior solutions as a fit out contractor and supplier of bespoke joinery works. As the first fit out contractor in the UAE to occupy LEED Gold certified interiors, it has firsthand experience of executing green interior projects.

Established in 1997, Summertown Interiors is among the UAE's leading fit out contractors with specialist experience in delivering commercial office, education and retail projects for global Fortune 500 companies, government authorities and local businesses.

Summertown is committed to delivering projects that meet clients' needs, on time and within budget and all projects are executed in accordance with the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2008 quality management system. As a result, Summertown is often selected as the preferred fit out partner for many of the world's largest project management firms and interior architects.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm