It also plans to introduce new products in medium voltage and high voltage.
Chief executive officer Talal Idriss foresees Bahra Cables becoming a major partner in the current construction boom in the GCC area and extending its reach beyond that region saying there is evidence of strong interest in markets outside Saudi Arabia.
That development could see Bahra Cables’ sales turnover exceeding SR800 million ($213 million) in 2010, Idriss says. In 2009 when the company operated for less than nine months, sales were about SR250 million.
Idriss also says production volumes could rise to 1,200 tonnes of copper and 4,000 tonnes of aluminium.
The company’s facilities use German technology to produce building wires, low and medium voltage cables, high voltage cables and special building wires designed for protection during a fire.
Its building wires are produced to THNN-THWN – UL 83 with conductor sizes starting from 16 AWG and going up to 8 AWG.
The company’s other building wires have been designed to IEC 60227 and BS 6004 for sizes 1.5 sq mm and above.
The company’s low voltage power cables with PVC and XLPE insulation meet IEC 60502 -1 and BS 5476 standards .
Medium voltage cables conform to IEC 60502-2 for 18/30 (36) kV and to BS 6622 for 19/33(36) kV.
The high voltage cables are designed for levels up to 69 kV and meet the standards of IEC 60840 and ANSI/ICEA S-108-720 with conductor sizes up to 1,200 sq mm.
For protection during a fire, Bahra Cables produces building wires conforming to BS 7211, low voltage cables (BS 6724) and medium voltage cables (BS 7835).
“In 2010, we will be introducing new medium voltage cables and high voltage cables up to 480 kv and conductor cross sections bigger than 2,000 sq mm,” Idriss said.
Currently the fastest selling products are certain categories of building wires and low voltage power cables with PVC and XLPE insulation to IEC 60502 -1 and BS 5476.
“We have incorporated state-of-the-art production lines to bring forth the highest quality of finished products. The design, system and management are supported by German technology,” said Idriss.
“All of the plant’s machinery is imported from Europe. The core technologies in Bahra Cables’ production processes, material applications and logistic procedures were provided by German experts and the key functions are being managed by German engineers. Bahra Cables is using the latest German technology which allows more production at lower cost.”
The company has deployed the ERP and manufacturing execution system Advaris software for its ERP and manufacturing execution system.
Capabilities
The factory occupies an area of over 200,000 sq m in Bahra Industrial City, 25 km from Jeddah. It has capability to produce building wires of 4,500 tonnes per year (tpy), low voltage copper, 25,000 tpy; overhead lines, 9,000 tpy, and medium voltage cables, 7,200 tpy.
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Cables made by the company]]>
It also plans to introduce new products in medium voltage and high voltage. Chief executive officer Talal Idriss foresees Bahra Cables becoming a major partner in the current construction boom in the GCC area and extending its reach beyond that region saying there is evidence of strong interest in markets outside Saudi Arabia. That development could see Bahra Cables’ sales turnover exceeding SR800 million ($213 million) in 2010, Idriss says. In 2009 when the company operated for less than nine months, sales were about SR250 million. Idriss also says production volumes could rise to 1,200 tonnes of copper and 4,000 tonnes of aluminium. The company’s facilities use German technology to produce building wires, low and medium voltage cables, high voltage cables and special building wires designed for protection during a fire. Its building wires are produced to THNN-THWN – UL 83 with conductor sizes starting from 16 AWG and going up to 8 AWG. The company’s other building wires have been designed to IEC 60227 and BS 6004 for sizes 1.5 sq mm and above. The company’s low voltage power cables with PVC and XLPE insulation meet IEC 60502 -1 and BS 5476 standards . Medium voltage cables conform to IEC 60502-2 for 18/30 (36) kV and to BS 6622 for 19/33(36) kV. The high voltage cables are designed for levels up to 69 kV and meet the standards of IEC 60840 and ANSI/ICEA S-108-720 with conductor sizes up to 1,200 sq mm. For protection during a fire, Bahra Cables produces building wires conforming to BS 7211, low voltage cables (BS 6724) and medium voltage cables (BS 7835). “In 2010, we will be introducing new medium voltage cables and high voltage cables up to 480 kv and conductor cross sections bigger than 2,000 sq mm,” Idriss said. Currently the fastest selling products are certain categories of building wires and low voltage power cables with PVC and XLPE insulation to IEC 60502 -1 and BS 5476. “We have incorporated state-of-the-art production lines to bring forth the highest quality of finished products. The design, system and management are supported by German technology,” said Idriss. “All of the plant’s machinery is imported from Europe. The core technologies in Bahra Cables’ production processes, material applications and logistic procedures were provided by German experts and the key functions are being managed by German engineers. Bahra Cables is using the latest German technology which allows more production at lower cost.” The company has deployed the ERP and manufacturing execution system Advaris software for its ERP and manufacturing execution system. Capabilities
In a major endorsement for its quality processes, the company received the KEMA certification for its range of 0.6/1 kV power cables. Netherlands-based KEMA Quality BV is an independent authority in quality testing and certification of power distribution and electrical equipment. It has also received the Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation (SASO) certification for its building wires products ranging from 450 to 750 volts and power cables, 1 to 3 kilo-volt. “With strong infrastructure and a solid business model, Bahra Cables has established itself as a regional supplier and is rapidly extending its network overseas having seen strong interest in several areas outside Saudi Arabia,” commented Idriss. “The export policy, guided by foreign consultants, has been competitive and successful. Rigorous market research has helped the company to slowly penetrate overseas markets.” In the months following the start of operations in March 2009, the company was able to achieve exports of SR2 million mainly to the GCC region, North Africa and Yemen. Total sales that year were SR50 million. The company is exploring opportunities in Algeria, Morocco and India. One of its major overseas projects was Dakar International Airport in Senegal. Within Saudi Arabia it delivered cables for King Saud University, Princess Noura University, the Hajj terminal at Jeddah Airport and the Ministry of Water and Electricity’s 2,000 MW project in Riyadh called PP10. Bahra Cables’ shareholders are CPC and Electric House. “Bahra Cables is contributing to the region’s economic progress while supporting the Saudi economy. We will continue to play a catalyst’s role for the continued economic development of the country and the other areas it serves,” said Idriss.]]> Sabic made SR4.58 billion ($1.22 billion) in the three months to end-December compared with SR311 million made a year-earlier, the firm said in a statement posted on the bourse’s website. The fourth quarter earnings came above the most optimistic of forecasts which ranged from SR3.21 billion to SR4.42 billion, according to a Reuters survey. Meanwhile, Sabic subsidiary Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company has awarded Taiwan’s CTCI Corp a deal to manage the construction of a 210,000 tonnes per year (tpy) amines plant at its mega complex. Mutlaq al-Morished, Kayan’s chairman, told Reuters that CTCI won the contract but did not give the value of the deal. Under the deal, awarded recently, CTCI will manage the engineering, procurement and construction (EPCM) for the plant. The amines plant was one of two projects Kayan retendered. The other project was for a low density polyethylene plant. South Korea’s Daelim Industrial Company won the low density polyethylene project. US Fluor Corp, South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Daelim Industrial Company also bid for the amines project. Kayan is 35 per cent owned by Sabic. The main units of the mega complex located in Jubail are expected to start operations in the second half of 2010. The complex will have an annual production capacity of 6 million tonnes of petrochemicals including ethylene, propylene and ethylene glycol.]]> Sabic made SR4.58 billion ($1.22 billion) in the three months to end-December compared with SR311 million made a year-earlier, the firm said in a statement posted on the bourse’s website. The fourth quarter earnings came above the most optimistic of forecasts which ranged from SR3.21 billion to SR4.42 billion, according to a Reuters survey. Meanwhile, Sabic subsidiary Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company has awarded Taiwan’s CTCI Corp a deal to manage the construction of a 210,000 tonnes per year (tpy) amines plant at its mega complex. Mutlaq al-Morished, Kayan’s chairman, told Reuters that CTCI won the contract but did not give the value of the deal. Under the deal, awarded recently, CTCI will manage the engineering, procurement and construction (EPCM) for the plant. The amines plant was one of two projects Kayan retendered. The other project was for a low density polyethylene plant. South Korea’s Daelim Industrial Company won the low density polyethylene project. US Fluor Corp, South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Daelim Industrial Company also bid for the amines project. Kayan is 35 per cent owned by Sabic. The main units of the mega complex located in Jubail are expected to start operations in the second half of 2010. The complex will have an annual production capacity of 6 million tonnes of petrochemicals including ethylene, propylene and ethylene glycol. Sinopec financing This joint venture couples the expertise of ZIIC in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa with the reputation of CMG, one of the leading manufacturers of steel joists and structural steel components in North America and Europe. Canam Asia has the licence for manufacturing steel joists. The state-of-the-art facility in Dammam started production in November 2002 with an annual capacity of 10,000 tonnes. It is the only company in the region that custom designs, fabricates and supplies open-web steel joists. Open-web joists are considered ideal for floors and roofs in all types of buildings whether steel or concrete. It supplies a complete range of steel construction products. The product line includes open-web steel joists, roof trusses, composite steel decks and the Hambro composite floor joists system. A Canam Asia spokesman said the company’s output rose 33.8 per cent in 2009 against 2008 and exports were 40 per cent of total sales and increased 16 per cent.]]> This joint venture couples the expertise of ZIIC in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa with the reputation of CMG, one of the leading manufacturers of steel joists and structural steel components in North America and Europe. Canam Asia has the licence for manufacturing steel joists. The state-of-the-art facility in Dammam started production in November 2002 with an annual capacity of 10,000 tonnes. It is the only company in the region that custom designs, fabricates and supplies open-web steel joists. Open-web joists are considered ideal for floors and roofs in all types of buildings whether steel or concrete. It supplies a complete range of steel construction products. The product line includes open-web steel joists, roof trusses, composite steel decks and the Hambro composite floor joists system. A Canam Asia spokesman said the company’s output rose 33.8 per cent in 2009 against 2008 and exports were 40 per cent of total sales and increased 16 per cent. Projects The expansion, which began in 2007, will double capacity to 100,000 tonnes by the end of 2010 with the surplus production likely to cater mainly to the GCC region. Like Saudi Arabia, the other states in the region are witnessing a spurt in industrial and infrastructure activity. Better prospects have raised expectations that Saudi Cable Company will improve on its 2009 performance which showed net profits of SR105.48 million, down 51 per cent from the previous year. According to the company, sales in 2009 were SR1.72 billion against SR2.61 billion in 2008. It said low voltage cables contributed to 45 per cent of the turnover. The company also makes high and medium voltage cables, building wires, specialty cables, instrument and control cables, optical fibre cables, metallic cables and overhead lines. Since its takeover of Elimsan of Turkey in mid-2009, the company has been offering cables for switchgear, joints and terminations. The company expects to achieve sales of SR3.06 billion in the current year.]]> The expansion, which began in 2007, will double capacity to 100,000 tonnes by the end of 2010 with the surplus production likely to cater mainly to the GCC region. Like Saudi Arabia, the other states in the region are witnessing a spurt in industrial and infrastructure activity. Better prospects have raised expectations that Saudi Cable Company will improve on its 2009 performance which showed net profits of SR105.48 million, down 51 per cent from the previous year. According to the company, sales in 2009 were SR1.72 billion against SR2.61 billion in 2008. It said low voltage cables contributed to 45 per cent of the turnover. The company also makes high and medium voltage cables, building wires, specialty cables, instrument and control cables, optical fibre cables, metallic cables and overhead lines. Since its takeover of Elimsan of Turkey in mid-2009, the company has been offering cables for switchgear, joints and terminations. The company expects to achieve sales of SR3.06 billion in the current year.]]> It follows an improvement in the Gulf’s economic fortunes and announcements that EPC contractors have been named for major projects across Saudi Arabia and stalled projects are receiving the go ahead. The group is also focusing on expanding its business in the adjacent states of the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain for which its branch offices will be key to promoting onshore, freight forwarding and management services. Experienced and qualified staff has been recruited and equipment purchased ahead of a revival in business orders. The vice president for logistics at Almajdouie Group, SI Mustafa, said the project logistics industry had been heartened by the latest developments coming as they did at the end of a year marked by lower cargo volumes and stalled projects. Notwithstanding the hard times, Almajdouie managed to move a substantial volume of 570,000 cbm to project sites in the Saudi eastern and western wings. And although that was less than 2008 and 2007 levels, the performance had to be viewed in the context of a slowdown in project implementation and delays, Mustafa commented. “The international market being touchy and competitive, it was a year full of challenges - even for the commercial sector. But the brand name of Almajdouie, and its past credentials, gave no quarter to competitors,” the company stated. Almajdouie embraces several activities including transportation and erection of heavy, super-heavy and oversized cargo, transportation of general and containerised cargo and customs clearance at all ports of entry and exit. The portfolio also covers container handling in fully equipped and massive terminals, logistics consultancy, preparation of DEL and applications for chemical permits and refund of custom duties. While the global financial crisis raged, the Almajdouie team was ready with contingency programmes to face specific situations. ]]> It follows an improvement in the Gulf’s economic fortunes and announcements that EPC contractors have been named for major projects across Saudi Arabia and stalled projects are receiving the go ahead. The group is also focusing on expanding its business in the adjacent states of the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain for which its branch offices will be key to promoting onshore, freight forwarding and management services. Experienced and qualified staff has been recruited and equipment purchased ahead of a revival in business orders. The vice president for logistics at Almajdouie Group, SI Mustafa, said the project logistics industry had been heartened by the latest developments coming as they did at the end of a year marked by lower cargo volumes and stalled projects. Notwithstanding the hard times, Almajdouie managed to move a substantial volume of 570,000 cbm to project sites in the Saudi eastern and western wings. And although that was less than 2008 and 2007 levels, the performance had to be viewed in the context of a slowdown in project implementation and delays, Mustafa commented. “The international market being touchy and competitive, it was a year full of challenges - even for the commercial sector. But the brand name of Almajdouie, and its past credentials, gave no quarter to competitors,” the company stated. Almajdouie embraces several activities including transportation and erection of heavy, super-heavy and oversized cargo, transportation of general and containerised cargo and customs clearance at all ports of entry and exit. The portfolio also covers container handling in fully equipped and massive terminals, logistics consultancy, preparation of DEL and applications for chemical permits and refund of custom duties. While the global financial crisis raged, the Almajdouie team was ready with contingency programmes to face specific situations. Shuwaihat and Al Dour projects
The next challenge was to haul the consignment including 12 evaporators which weighed approximately 170 tonnes each and measured 25 m in length, 7.5 m in width and 7.5 m in height. It would have been a Mission Impossible for many as the overarching Mizan Building on the way out of the port came in the way leaving only a few inches on either side of the evaporators for maneuvering across a rather narrow passage through the building. MHL engineers took a calculated risk and guided the consignment with great skill and accuracy successfully clearing the obstacle. Along the way, street lights, signals, advertisement posts and electric cables had to be removed and reinstated. The final destination was the Maaden phosphates project, some 160 km away. The movement started on June 1 and was completed on October 7 as the evaporators were transported in batches. Needless to say, the client was more than elated. Gas filtration skid The company’s galvanising plants in the two existing locations have a combined capacity of 60,000 tonnes annually. The Jizan project is in the planning stage and will likely be able to handle more work than the Jubail plant whose capacity is 35,000 tonnes. “Expecting demand for galvanising to go up steeply in the years to come we have planned to expand accordingly. The new Jizan plant is a step in that direction,” Al Ajab said. “We have already increased capacity in our Dammam plant to a vast extent and have totally reconstructed the unit to accommodate more material and meet customers’ requirements on time. “Further, if the opportunity arises and project feasibility is good, we don’t see why we should not set up plants outside Saudi Arabia.” Al Ajab Group started as a general trader in 1968 and was very successful in catering to the industrial, construction, hardware and miscellaneous markets. Subsequently it made a foray into the construction sector, erecting numerous residential complexes and villas, shopping malls, factories and offices. This diversification proved successful and the company decided to enter into the industrial field by starting a metal plating factory which developed rapidly to become a major player in its field in the Eastern Province. It was just a matter of time that the group would go into galvanising which it did in 2000. The group portfolio expanded with a steel fabrication plant, which runs busy throughout the year and the launch of an engineering service with a special focus on the oil and gas sector. Its latest endeavour is the opening of a water bottling plant. Commenting on the galvanising business, Al Ajab said the group decided to fill the gap in galvanising services in the Eastern Province at the beginning of the new millennium. It would be a win-win enterprise as companies would need to protect steel from the effects of humidity and reduce corrosion. It was inevitable a facility for galvanising had to be set up, said Al Ajab. While a galvanising facility was a safe investment, diversifying into the business was “a real challenge and adapting to it was not easy,” says Al Ajab. A reputation to maintain
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