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The industry in which El-Alan operates is large and competitive, with numerous businesses of various sizes battling for a greater share of the local market. However, the larger and more prestigious projects tend to be handled by a much smaller number of concerns. These firms are often older and larger than average, having built their reputation over several years. El-Alan presents itself as a part of this elite group; the relevant metrics suggest that this is in fact the case. Andrea Geday, an engineer, founded El-Alan along with two other partners in 1982. The team had high hopes for the company, as it was supposed to serve an economy that was at the height of its powers. However, things went south just a few years later, as a severe recession hit and caused demand for construction to plummet. Andrea says he was not deterred by this. As its contemporary presence suggests, the company survived the difficult business climate of the late 1980s and 1990s. Today El-Alan employs thousands of skilled workers, including several hundred core staff. Despite its considerable size, it remains privately held. Andrea is its Managing Director. Over time it has expanded the range of services it offers and the nature of projects it takes on. At present, it caters to the construction needs of both the private and public sectors.
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A lot of the work that El-Alan does may be placed in the luxury category. Some of the high-rise office and residential complexes it has constructed are located in the affluent neighbourhoods of Lagos, and command high rental and acquisition fees. But it has made some inroads into the market for middle and lower-middle-class property as well. The residential buildings that El-Alan has constructed include the 4 Bourdilion, Lekki Blue Water, Turnbull Residence, Tango Towers, Flexipark Residences, and the Oak Villas. It has also built offices for some of the country’s largest commercial organizations, representing the finance, civil engineering, agribusiness, pharmaceutical, petroleum, and telecommunications industries. In addition to these, it has put up factories for manufacturer clients across Nigeria.
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Like most businesses in Nigeria, El-Alan faces challenges in the course of its operations. Finding talent, wading through the high costs of doing business, and staying in line with changing regulations are among its major concerns. But it does continue to push on, buoyed by its goal of becoming the standout leader in one of Africa’s largest construction industries. Featured Image Source: El-Alan
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