Exceeding targets.

(From Gulf Construction)

Leading precast manufacturer Qanbar Dywidag Precast Concrete (QDC) is optimistic of a great year ahead, given the stronger market conditions that are fuelling the construction sector and the increase in infrastructure-related projects in Saudi Arabia

"For the past two or three years, the Saudi market has been witnessing tremendous growth and the demand of precast concrete has been on the rise," says Ahmed Sameh, marketing manager of QDC. "The company has witnessed an increase in sales volumes, with clients appreciating the quality offered by our precast concrete and the benefits and advantages of using the material especially in the construction of showrooms, housing, apartments, hospitals, schools and shopping malls." "We have exceeded our targets and have increased our output over the last year in response to an increase in demand in the private sector. The general growth in the public and private sectors besides the expansion plans of Saudi Aramco and Sabic have also contributed for the growth," he adds. As a specialised precast concrete manufacturing company, QDC undertakes the design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of precast and prestressed concrete components in accordance to specifications, which are based on international and American - PCI/ACI or BS - standards

"We are involved in a construction project team as suppliers or subcontractors who produce, deliver and erect precast and prestressed concrete components, taking active part in the construction project under way in the kingdom with our ability to provide value engineering which ensures faster construction, better quality and lower costs," says Sameh. The company boasts a 22 per cent share of the Saudi Arabian domestic market. "Although our main market remains the Eastern Province and the Central Region, we can cater to demand throughout the kingdom. We have also supplied to projects in Abha and Yanbu and other parts of the kingdom as well," he says

QDC's production facility can roll out up to 180,000 cu m of products a year, ranging from normal PCC (precast concrete) elements up to pre-stressed girders and slabs. These are offered in various external finishes including sandblasted, washed aggregate and different formliner finishes. Its production has increased year on year, with QDC having produced 95,000 cu m in 2002, which was increased to 110,000 cu m in 2003 and 160,000 cu m in 2004. To meet the expected increase in demand over the coming years, QDC is studying the possibility of expanding its precast production facilities and invested on various upgrades and technological developments that will help maintain and improve the high quality standards of our products, Sameh says

Turning to other plans for the future, he says: "With our long experience in the precast industry we are focusing on a specific geographic region, namely the Western Province, especially Makkah and Madinah, where the construction market is booming with a lot of expansion under way. As one of the leading manufacturers of precast concrete in Saudi Arabia, we believe we are well placed to participate in these projects." The company is also looking at introducing several new product lines. "Investing in high technology is part of the company policy and every year we invest on various upgrades, and we are keen on technological developments that can provide our products high quality standards," he says. "The production of glass reinforced concrete (GRC) as our new product has been planned for the near future." QDC has played a very vital role and executed several large and prestigious projects all over the kingdom that range from hospitals, schools, mosques, shopping malls, multistorey car-parks, offices, apartment buildings, showrooms, villas - each bearing witness to the excellence and superiority of the company's products and showcasing the professionalism and the commitment for quality that the company has towards its clients, says Sameh. "Our operations and services are highly focused towards bringing about a substantial increase in quality and ...