Alaa for Industry (AFI), an exhibitor at Gulf Industry Fair, has advanced from being a contracting and services company to becoming a large conglomerate featuring a range of activities including manufacturing and real estate investment.

The Saudi group, owned by Ibrahim Ali Al-Rashoodi, was established in 1984 and has its head office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. 
Originally, AFI was engaged in contracting and in the supply and service of hydraulic systems for the transport industry but soon the company diversified into other specialised fields. 
“AFI is the leader in industrial supplies in the GCC area with a wide network of over 25 companies across the region – and it continuous to expand,” says an AFI spokesman.
  “A focused approach towards the local market while thinking globally has been our philosophy since inception.” 
In 1997, AFI was awarded an ISO 9002 certification.  It considers innovation, quality and service as its driving force. 
“As experts in the field of engineering, AFI is constantly developing new solutions for a wide range of industrial applications.  It has now become a conglomerate with over 700 employees, actively involved in various industrial fields such as refineries, petrochemicals, down-stream businesses, the support industry, and transport and logistics.”
AFI gave a rundown of the companies it operates.

Alaa International Trading Services Co: It is engaged in the sale, commissioning and servicing of industrial equipment in the fields of hydraulics, pneumatics, instrumentation, lubrication systems and components, filtration units, hoses and fittings, seals and o-rings, UHP technology, mechanical power transmission, transport  equipment, safety equipment, foundation equipment, and material-handling equipment.

Alaa Industrial Equipment Factory Co: It manufactures and repairs hydraulic and pneumatic systems related to power packs, hard chrome plating, hose assemblies, cylinders and weighing systems.  Services include shutdown services, marine loading arms installation and overhauling, installation and repair of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, installation and commissioning of centralised lubrication systems and pipeline flushing.

Alaa International Rubber Factory Co: The company deals with the coating of rubber and polyurethane rollers, moulding of elastomers, marine fenders, polyurethane protective lining and extruded files.

Dhahran Gaskets Factory Co: It manufactures seals and gaskets including spiral wound gaskets, metal jacketed gaskets, and rubber gaskets.

Alaa International Contracting Co:  Its areas of specialisation are installation and commissioning of boilers, packaging systems, material and bulk handling equipment, overhead cranes, bolting services, shutdown services, IT solutions/process optimisation, instrumentation, packaging equipment and heat exchangers.

Alaa International for Chemicals: The company deals with the supply of chemical-process additives, catalysts and chemicals for petrochemical and other industries.

Alaa International Industrial Gases Co: It has a bottling plant for Bharat metal cutting gas (BMCG), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.  BMCG is an ideal substitute for acetylene cutting gas due to its comparatively low oxygen consumption and safe operation.

Alaa International Rental Equipment Co: It delivers cranes and heavy equipment to clients on rent and lease throughout the Gulf region.  The equipment operators are certified and competently versed with safety procedures.

Alaa Printing Technology: The company is engaged in designing and developing decorative glass to serve architectural and automotive safety glass markets.

Alaa/AES Mechanical Seal: It is a joint venture with AES, UK, for manufacturing and servicing mechanical seals.

Alaa International Real Estate Investment Co:  The company focuses on acquiring land to develop for various purposes whether residential, commercial, recreational or industrial.  The company’s present priority is the construction of well-designed housing complexes providing quality modern homes with comprehensive community services at a reasonable cost.