Arada Expands In-House Construction Capabilities with Australian Firm Roberts Co
Sharjah-based master developer Arada is bolstering its construction capabilities by expanding Australian tier-one contractor Roberts Co into the UAE as part of its Arada Industries vertical.
Arada, a prominent master developer in Sharjah, has announced a significant strategic move to enhance its construction capabilities by bringing Australian tier-one contractor Roberts Co into the UAE. This expansion sees Roberts Co establishing a substantial head office team in the region, marking a key step in Arada's strategy for vertical integration within its development process.
The integration of Roberts Co, which Arada acquired in 2025 after its entry into the Australian market, aims to embed world-class construction expertise directly into the design and development phases of projects. This is expected to lead to increased efficiencies, reduced costs, and improved quality across Arada's portfolio. Roberts Co brings extensive experience across diverse sectors including health, education, commercial, residential, hospitality, industrial, life sciences, and defence.
First UAE Project
The inaugural project for Roberts Co in the UAE will be Phase 2 of the Arada Central Business District, a commercial hub located within Arada's AED35 billion Aljada megaproject in Sharjah. The contractor will also provide preconstruction services for several other Arada projects in both Dubai and Sharjah.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, stated that bringing Roberts Co into the UAE allows Arada to import international skills and innovation, complementing existing contractor relationships rather than replacing them. This move underscores Arada's commitment to strategic construction planning and quality control.
Vertical Integration Strategy
This expansion is the latest initiative under Arada's vertical integration strategy, which includes bringing construction, cranes, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services, and smart technology capabilities in-house, all consolidated under the Arada Industries umbrella. This approach is designed to provide Arada with greater control over project quality, timelines, and costs, which is particularly advantageous in the current construction market. Arada currently has projects valued at AED171 billion under development across the UAE, UK, and Australia, with more than 17,500 homes delivered to date.
Questions, answered
- What is Roberts Co's first project in the UAE?
- Roberts Co's first project in the UAE will be Phase 2 of the Arada Central Business District, located within Arada's Aljada megaproject in Sharjah.
- When did Arada acquire Roberts Co?
- Arada acquired Roberts Co in 2025, following its entry into the Australian market, before expanding its operations to the UAE.
- What is the value of Arada's projects currently under development?
- Arada currently has projects valued at AED171 billion under development across the UAE, United Kingdom, and Australia.
- How does this expansion benefit Arada's projects?
- By bringing Roberts Co in-house, Arada aims to embed construction expertise early in the design and development stages, leading to increased efficiencies, reduced costs, and improved quality across its portfolio.
- What is Arada Industries?
- Arada Industries is the umbrella under which Arada integrates in-house capabilities including construction, cranes, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) services, and smart technology, as part of its vertical integration strategy.
This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.