Set for expansion.

(From Gulf Construction)

On back of a successful year in business, Saudi Arabia-based Al Kifah Batching Plant (KBP) is looking forward to a year of expansion, new markets and new products that would eventually help the company post a larger increase in sales. "Al Kifah Batching Plant enjoyed a substantial surge in business during the past year," says general manager Abdulrahman Al Katheer. "The company posted sales of SR23.286 million ($6.2 million), which was SR3.286 million ($870,000) more than the target. The continued indication of a bullish market this year makes us confident of meeting our sales target and even going far beyond that figure," he adds

Explaining the reasons behind the growth, he says: "One of the major contributors for such a big leap in sales has been the opening of our Dubai office last year, which has allowed us to communicate directly with our customers. "Another development was the expansion of our engineering team in the design production and electrical departments. Their contribution may not be directly gauged at present, but their innovative concepts will make our products more competitive in the advancing market." KBP has announced it will begin work at its factory in Hofuf, Eastern Province, in the next six months to expand production capacity and manufacture new products. The expansion will see the company increase capacity from 26 to 40 plants per year. KBP is claimed to be the Middle East's sole manufacturer of mobile, portable and static concrete batching and mixing plants and accessories such as complete aggregate sand washing plants, cement silos, radial and static conveyors and electric control panels. Besides the manufacture of computerised and semi-automatic concrete batching plants and components, the company also undertakes the refurbishment, upgrade and repair old plants and components. "We are tooled with highly competent electrical/electronic and mechanical engineers who are ready to respond customers' need," says Al Katheer

Commenting on the local markets, he continues: "The construction scene in the region is not very aggressive. Nevertheless, local and other Arab businessmen have kept the sector on the move and the latest announcement by the Saudi Crown Prince regarding the establishment of Jubail Industrial City II and other Yanbu projects - which have been allocated budget of SR64 billion - will provide a considerable boost to the construction industry." Established in 1992 at Hasa Industrial City, KBP is purely a local entity. From the start of its operation, the company has completed, delivered and commissioned a total of 57 readymix and block plants along with a number of components that include radial and stationary conveyors, cement silos, feedhopper, and spare parts

Currently, the company is working towards achieving the timely delivery of 13 concrete batching plants, aside from orders for radial conveyors, cement silos, feed hoppers and spare parts. With an average price tag of SR1.3 million for each load-on plant, the company is working on an order value of SR16.9 million, says ...