About us

The first Drake & Scull office in the Middle East was established in Abu Dhabi in 1966, nearly 90 years after being originally founded in the United Kingdom. Currently, the company’s operations extend throughout the region and across the globe with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and India, in addition to managing projects in Europe and other parts of North Africa.

With its diverse range of business, Drake & Scull have held a leading role, creating some of the region’s most iconic landmarks. Our main business streamlines ideally cater to industry demands. Drake & Scull Engineering (DSE), which offers Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing solutions, Drake & Scull Oil & Gas (DSOG) focusing on Onshore and Offshore oil facilities, Passavant Energy & Environment (PE&E) which caters to Water and Waste Water Treatment.

In just 5 decades, the company has evolved into an internationally renowned, multi-billion dollar organisation while firmly maintaining its solid track record of sustained profitability. In 2008, DSI offered 55% of its shares to the public and the IPO was oversubscribed 101 times. Ernst & Young ranked the IPO among the top 20 global IPOs of that year.

We continue to lead by example, even under the most challenging circumstances. DSI is consistently moving forward with new expansion strategies, inventive business models and unmatched quality standards.

The fully Integrated Management Systems, certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 4500:2018 standards are compliant with leading building, health and safety regulations, as well as sound environmental and energy management procedures.

History

19th Century Start

In 1881, Arthur Scull created a plumbing firm in Bristol, England and achieved tremendous success.

In 1886, Bernard Drake founded Drake & Gorham to focus on Electrical and Mechanical Works. The two companies led the adoption of electricity across England, and then the UK, working on private homes, gentry’ manors, castles, mills, industries, commercial offices and Palaces during the next 80 years.

Some of the major milestone projects delivered in this phase of DSI’s history include Chatsworth House, Bank of England (Thread Needle Street), Broadmead Bristol, Liverpool cathedral, and The Bristol Guildhall. The two companies merged in 1964 to form Drake and Scull Engineering.

Drake & Scull Engineering decided to expand its footprint beyond the UK in the 1960s.

1960s Global Expansion

Drake & Scull Engineering delivered major projects like the Severn Suspension bridge connecting England and Wales, Montego Bay Hospital in Jamaica, Nun River Electrification in Nigeria, The Harbour City Project in Hong Kong, Intel PCB Manufacturing Plant in Singapore, and the MRTC headquarters in Hong Kong.

DSI ventured into the Rail business and worked on projects like St Pancras Redevelopment, The Jubilee Line Extension, the Channel Rail Tunnel Link and the Ashford and Ramsgate Depots. DSI established its first base out of the UK, by opening an office in Abu Dhabi in 1966.

DSI worked on the King Hussein Medical City project in Jordan and established an office in KSA and Dubai in 1977. DSI KSA won the MEP contract for the Intercontinental Hotel in KSA during the same year. 

In the 90s, DSI relocated operations from the UK to the booming Middle East market. DSI picked up prestigious projects like Emirates Golf Club, Baynunah Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Residences, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Dubai Internet City.

Post Millennium

DSI offered 55% of its shares in a highly successful IPO that was oversubscribed 101 times in 2008. The IPO was ranked among the top 20 IPOs by Ernst & Young. DSI was listed on the Dubai Financial Market in 2008 and became a publicly listed company.

DSI expanded in MENA and established offices in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, and India. DSI expands by creating Drake & Scull Engineering, Drake & Scull Construction, Drake & Scull Rail & Infrastructure, Drake & Scull Oil and Gas, Drake & Scull Development. DSI also acquires Passavant Energy and Environment, Gulf Technical Construction Company and the International Centre for Contracting Company.

DSI’s landmark projects currently include King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC), Lamar Towers, Saraya Aqaba, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Kuwait State Audit Bureau, Dohaland,  Louvre Museum, Braila Wastewater Treatment Plant, The River, World Crest Tower, Tahrir Petrochemicals complex, Low-Density Ammonium Nitrate Plant in Egypt and the Zubair Oil Field Development.

Our Mission

We will safely deliver world-class projects, providing integrated design, Engineering, Oil and Gas, Water and Wastewater treatment through our value system – People, Innovation, Passion and integrity– while promoting environmental protection and sustainable communities’ development.

Our Vision

By capitalising on our heritage and brand values, we will invest to grow organically and inorganically in order to become a global market leader, providing engineering excellence to clients while achieving optimum shareholder value, through a commitment in delivering best practices in corporate governance and transparency.

Our Values

We are proud to be a company that is driven by vision and fuelled by our passion.
The core of our success is our people, and the four values at the heart of our business are:

People

Innovation

Passion

Integrity