Altaaqa rebrands and recruits

Dubai-based Altaaqa Global Caterpillar Rental Power has changed its name to Altaaqa Global Energy Services to reflect the expansion of its services beyond temporary power.

The business, which is owned by the Saudi Arabian-based Zahid Group - a major Caterpillar dealer in the Middle East - now offers power plants on short-, medium- and long-term contracts, including Build-Operate-Own-Transfer (BOOT) projects.

The company’s CEO, James Shepherd, who joined on 1 January this year, said; “The global energy landscape has changed, and so are the requirements of the sectors we serve, like mining, manufacturing, cement and utilities.

“In order to cater to their demands, and reflect the change in the company business proposition providing longer-term projects as an integrated renewable and reciprocating solution provider, the new brand reflects the strategic direction the company has taken.”

Altaaqa Global’s power offering includes reciprocating engines, turbines and hybrid technologies, capable of running on diesel, gas or HFO (heavy fuel oil).

Altaaqa was created by Zahid in 2004 to provide power rental services in Saudi Arabia, but in 2013 it signed an agreement with Caterpillar that saw it become a global rental power business located in Dubai, UAE.

Majid Zahid, Group President, Energy at Zahid Group; “With this rebrand, we are not only redefining who we are, but we are also driving change and taking a leadership role in shaping the future of the energy industry.”

The company has made several senior appointments recently. Shepherd, the new CEO, has more than 27 years’ experience in power rentals, most recently as Aggreko’s managing director for Africa.

Other new appointees include András Mesics, who becomes Alaaqa’s Sales Director for Latin America, and Scott Craig, who is the new Operations and Engineering Director. Both men have extensive experience of power rentals, including lengthy periods with Aggreko.