Latest news with #Broummana
LBCI
23-05-2025
- LBCI
VeréBleu Park shut down after school outing ends in abuse scandal
Lebanese authorities sealed off VeréBleu Park on Friday following disturbing allegations of misconduct involving young children during a school trip earlier this week. The Mount Lebanon Prosecutor, Judge Mohamad Farhat, ordered the closure after reports were filed by the Broummana police and the anti-human trafficking and public morals bureau on May 22. The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 20, during a school outing organized by Saints-Coeurs Ain Najm for first-grade students aged 6 to 7. According to the school's statement, the behavior took place in the park's zip line area and was described as 'alarming and indecent.' Reports indicate that the incident involved a 16-year-old boy working at the park, who allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior with at least 15 children. The school said it took swift legal action upon learning of the case and has since mobilized educational and psychological support for the affected children and their families.
Gulf Business
17-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
How Siom Marble is shaping the UAE's most iconic projects
Pictured: One of Siom Marble's projects in Dubai. Ever since its founding in 1988, Sharjah-based Siom Marble has built a reputation as one of the UAE's leading marble specialists, contributing to landmark projects across the country. Gulf Business recently caught up with Charl Broummana, In this interview, Broummana tells us more about how Siom Marble has established itself as a leader in its market. Tell us about Siom Marble's origins and your role. Siom Marble was founded by my father in 1988. We are a family-owned business based in Sharjah, with two main divisions: our factory division handling large-scale projects and our trading division, including a new slab showroom launched in 2023. I serve as deputy managing director, overseeing procurement, supplier relations, and project execution. I also personally travel to countries like Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Brazil to inspect and source natural stones. Siom Marble's deputy managing director, Charl Broummana. What makes your family-run business model unique? Being family-owned means we're hands-on and deeply invested. My mother, Dounia Daaboul, is the managing director and oversees daily operations, while my father (Maurice Nicolas Broummana) remains chairman. This structure creates a strong, collaborative environment, not only for clients but also for our employees, many of whom have been with us for years. Can you summarise your full-service offering? We handle everything, from sourcing raw stone to fabrication, installation, and final handover. Our clients range from Emaar and Dubai Holding to Sharjah's government. We manage projects like hotels, residential towers, and luxury villas, providing bespoke marble solutions tailored to client requirements. Our factory is equipped with Italian CNC machines, water jets, and polishing lines to ensure precise detailing and high-quality finishes. We also have an in-house team of project managers, engineers, and site supervisors overseeing execution. What are some standout projects you've worked on recently? Some highlights include Marsa Al Arab with Dubai Holding, Royal Atlantis Residences, Emaar's Golf Place and Dubai Hills, and the six Peninsula towers with Select Group. In Sharjah, we worked on the Quran Academy — the largest of its kind — and numerous government projects, thanks to our long-term relationship with the emirate. One challenging project was the Roman amphitheatre in Khor Fakkan, completed in just three months during the pandemic. Other projects that we've worked on included: St. Regis Residences, Madinat Jumeirah and Tilal Al Ghaf – Alaya Villas, by Majed Al Futtaim, in Dubai. We've also worked on projects including the likes of Reem Hills and Saadiyat Lagoons in Abu Dhabi. How do you ensure quality control? We have strict quality checks at every stage. Our team inspects materials at the quarry, ensuring they meet client specifications. I personally handle inspections for high-end materials like Italian marble and Brazilian quartzite. Once the stone arrives at our factory, it undergoes another inspection before fabrication and delivery. We also work closely with architects and consultants to customise solutions, offering value engineering where needed to optimise costs without compromising design. Where do you source your stones from? We source directly from quarries in Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Brazil. Direct relationships with quarry owners are key. They allow us to ensure consistent quality, reliable delivery schedules, and cost efficiency. We avoid working with middlemen, giving us tighter control over supply and project timelines. What technologies are you adopting to stay ahead? Our factory is fully equipped with state-of-the-art Italian machinery, which helps automate processes and reduce manual labour. We've also recently implemented BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology, which is a growing requirement among developers, to improve project coordination and avoid clashes between trades. We are actively exploring how AI can enhance operations, whether in project management or production efficiency. Our goal is to be among the first in the UAE marble sector to integrate AI meaningfully. Are you expanding beyond the UAE? Yes. We recently exhibited at The Big 5 in both Dubai and Riyadh. While our core operations remain in the UAE, we're actively exploring opportunities in Saudi Arabia and have begun building relationships there. Expansion is on the horizon. What certifications and awards has Siom Marble earned? We are ISO-certified and a member of the Marble Institute of America. We've also received awards from the Sharjah government for our achievements in quality, as well as appreciation letters from clients like Dubai Holding and Five Palm Jumeirah.
