Amer Bin Ahmed

Amer Bin Ahmed is not only a name but a synonym often used for construction. With over 20 years of experience in the construction field he has received many awards and recognitions from the UAE government and prestigious organizations for his continuous contribution to the industry and innovation in the field. From being recognized as “CEO of the Year” by a famous media group in 2016, to being a team player and winner with his plant workers for the Guinness World Record in the same year, the MIT educated visionary has a unique approach to business and life in general. He is someone who connects with people from all spheres and has been recognized by organizations and government bodies like Civil Defense, Municipality and Central Laboratory. Sustainability has been an important aspect of Amer’s vision, not only for Knauf but also for the whole of Gulf region. This ranges from sourcing and producing locally to minimizing waste, he tries to incorporate these aspects into every stage of the supply chain and production process. For the same Knauf has also been recognized with the “Green Award” by the Ministry of Infrastructure in 2018. In 2019 and 2021, the same recognition was given with the prestigious “Manufacturer of the Year” award at The Transport & Logistics Middle East (TLME) Excellence Awards. Part of Amer’s region as Managing Director of Knauf was also India. In this context, Amer is especially proud of the set-up of the first of its kind plaster mixing plant in a remote village in south India. With the shared knowledge from UAE, the facility has become ISO approved and up to international standards, even supplying to international markets. The special part about this facility is however that it uses as its raw material the waste of the adjoining salt pane and therefore is a completely sustainable product. Back at the regional Knauf headquarter which is in the UAE, Amer has been the driving force in Knauf UAE achieving one of the most desired awards in the region as a manufacturer which is the “Made in UAE” award. Not only has Knauf received this award under his leadership but in 2019, but has also been only the second company in the whole of UAE to receive this “Made in UAE” mark. Owing to his contribution to UAE as a nation he was honored by being asked to serve as a Board Member for the Dubai Quality Group for the 2019 – 2021 term. Amer has since also been elected as a Board Member for the Emirates Green Building Council for the 2020 – 2021 term and reelected for the 2022 – 2023 term. His most recent achievement was at the prestigious “Construction Week Awards 2021” where he was awarded second place in the category “Construction Executive of the Year” for the Middle East from a large pool of shortlisted candidates. Amer has not only interest in locally made products, but also in standards. He was the first who introduced ASTM to the region. He has since then relentlessly supported the promotion of ASTM in various endeavors. Amer made Knauf UAE a 100% ASTM approved company, the first of its kind in the region, but also globally within the Knauf group. For all his efforts and contribution throughout the years, he has been selected as a Board Member for ASTM International for the 2019 – 2021 tenure where he is actively involved to shape various standards globally. Amer was also part of the setup of the local ASTM chapter in 2019, the first of its kind outside the USA. In capacity as ASTM International Board Member, he has also been invited as guest speaker on conferences internationally to share his expertise. For 2022 – 2023 he has been appointed to be the F&A chair of ASTM International and is therefore part of the Executive Committee of ASTM International. Amer is a people’s person who is trying to make the construction industry and the company he is leading a forum for innovation, learning, safety, and quality. With this he believes even the impossible becomes possible.