Mabani Steel, designer, fabricator and erector of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs) and hot rolled structural steel (HRSS) with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes, says 2013 was a strong year for the company with export markets accounting for 60 per cent of total sales in volume.

Mabani Steel exports to over 40 countries mainly in the Middle East and Africa. Its markets include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Libya. 

The company has developed a strong track record and local business partners in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, said Timothy John Lefebvre, president, Mabani Steel.

Mabani Steel started operations on January 1, 2006 in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.  It is owned by the Al Rajhi Holding Group Company.  Saudi Arabia remains the home for a majority of the group companies with a strong presence in the UAE and expansion into other Mena markets mainly in real estate, contracting and building materials. 

Mabani Steel’s facility in Ras Al Khaimah is spread over an area of 124,000 sq m and consists of a head office, factory and labour camp. The factory houses a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture and supply PEBs, HRSS, structural steel products and building accessories.

Sales offices are located in the UAE, other GCC markets, Iraq and Africa.  Mabani operates with a total of 750 employees working in the head office, factory and sales offices and has a turnover of $140 million.

Commenting on the company’s plans for 2014, Lefebvre said: This year, Mabani Steel will focus on profitable growth in Africa and the GCC as well as expanding our production capacity.  The executive management team and shareholders are optimistic that 2014 will be a good year with the construction sector continuing to recover.”

He cited shipping, documentation and goods clearing as the main challenge for export.