Business Profile

Balexco set for a bigger profile

Balexco’s plant is well equipped with four modern extrusion presses

Since its inception in 1977, Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (Balexco), synonymous with high quality aluminium extrusion products, has been in a leadership position in the aluminium downstream industry.

Starting with a production capacity of 6000 tonnes the Bahrain-based company’s production capacity has been scaled up to 33,000 tonnes. Backed by four press lines, it has become an integrated plant with extrusion, powder coat and anodized lines all within one premises.

“Our extensive machining capability and in-house know-how ensures minimum production time for high quality extruded products,” said Balexco managing director Jassim M Seyadi.

Balexco offers large range of finishing options that includes mill finish, powder coat and anodized profiles to provide end-to-end solutions to the customers.

“Exceptionally fast turnaround time on new dies and samples is one of the key roles of the Die Shop Department. This has been one of the contributing factor and indication of high translation of enquiry-to- confirmed order for new and existing customers,” Seyadi added.

In line with its vision to be one of the most advanced extrusion plant across the GCC, embracing latest technical know-how available in the international market, Balexco has continued to upgrade its plant and machinery.

Balexco’s state-of-the-art fully automated anodizing plant

Balexco’s state-of-the-art fully automated anodizing plant

Recent technology upgrade includes new infrared die heating oven to provide reliable heating of dies. On-going installation includes upgrading one of the two booths of horizontal powder coating line into the state-of-the-art booth from Wagner Itepspa of Italy.

“We are also going ahead with our plan for vertical powder coat plant which is under installation stage by SAT SPA, Italy,” he said, adding that four new wrapping machines have also been recently installed.

 

TECHNAL, GUTMANN

The Bahrain-based company is present in all the verticals of the architectural profiles and its product portfolio includes commercial profiles, signage, scaffold, AC Grills and many such applications.

Balexco System Profiles are easy to fabricate and assemble, which helps fabricators to complete their project on time and meet the tight deadline. Further, easy access to smelter Alba makes it possible for Balexco to provide flexibility in its various alloys to meet customer requirements.

The company works closely with the Ministry of Housing in Bahrain and they are well versed with its systems application. In line with Green Building Concept and to be a part of energy efficient intelligent building concept, Balexco introduced Thermal Break profiles in casement and sliding windows. “Our thermal break system is well received by clients and many projects are being implemented using Balexco Thermal Break profiles all across the GCC,” Seyadi said.

Balexco makes customised profiles

Balexco makes customised profiles

Meanwhile, the company has become one of the key extruders for Technal System Profiles and has recently started supplying to Gutmann of Germany, a leading provider of high-quality exhaust hoods across the world. “We have our plan in place to rope in more System Suppliers in our valued customer list,” he added.

Some of the key projects executed by Balexco using system profiles are: Ice Mall in Riyadh and Radisson Blue Hotel in Makkah, Saud Arabia; East Hidd Housing Project and Private Public Participation (PPP) projects in Bahrain.

 

EXPORTS PUSH

Since the beginning, Balexco has been an export oriented unit (EOU) and exports nearly 70 per cent of its production within the GCC market. Saudi Aribia accounts for 50 per cent of the sales volumes followed by Bahrain with 30 per cent and 20 per cent from the rest of the GCC. Balexco has well-established branch offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The company enjoys a dominant position in its home market of Bahrain and has achieved incredible success by cornering more than 70 per cent market share each year. This has been made possible by having close mutual relationship with the big three aluminium traders and the key players in the fabrication industry. “Our strength also lies in being the system supplier for the Ministry of Housing projects,” Seyyadi said.

To further support its valued fabricators, Balexco organised a workshop on Balexco Systems, which was attended by 40 fabricators, who availed this opportunity to understand the selection of profiles for different projects to meet the specifications of the consultants. Similarly, to further enhance the brand value of Balexco and to showcase its top-of-the-line system profiles, Balexco participated in the recently held Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) 2017.

 

GEARING UP

Despite lot of challenges coming up due to the current circumstances prevailing in the market which include fluctuating LME prices, fierce competition in the GCC due to many small extrusion companies coming up in the GCC, volatile oil and gas prices, Balexco strongly believes it can overcome the difficulties in the current financial year.

Backed by strong network of customers, access to end-users, traders and stockists, Balexco has been able to minimise risk and stay competitive with high year-on-year growth.

It is fully geared up to move on the next level of extrusion and remains a pioneer in the industry with a motto of `one-stop destination for extruded products’.