The smelter continues to enhance its reputation as a premier producer and supplier while staying committed to the welfare of its Bahraini staff and the kingdom’s progress

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) expressed confidence it will boost output capabilities and capitalise on the present situation in global markets.

Chief executive Tim Murray, one of the guest speakers at the first Gulf Aluminium Casthouse Conference (GulfCast) in Doha, Qatar, said: “Going forward, we remain hopeful of expanding our capacities as the aluminium industry looks positive and leveraging the market conditions to maintain excellent growth.”

The region’s first aluminium smelter plans to invest around $2.5 billion for its Potline 6 expansion that will raise production capacity to 1.3 million tonnes annually.

“Alba ranks among the world’s top aluminium smelters; it is recognised for its exceptionally high quality, best practices and strong safety culture,” Murray told the gathering. “We are proud to have achieved a record production of 931,427 tonnes in 2014 of which value-added products accounted for 66 per cent of total shipments.”

GulfCast, held in the first week of March at Sharq Village & SPA in the Qatari capital, had Alba as the key sponsor and participant.

The opening presentation on the subject of safety was given by Alba’s senior manager for safety, health and environment, fire and security, Abdulla Yaqoob Senan. It highlighted the company’s safety journey and its safety principles and policies, as well as its numerous initiatives to increase safety awareness amongst its employees. It also brought to the fore challenges faced by the aluminium industry in sustainability of health and safety culture.

Also present at the three-day conference were Alba’s acting chief marketing officer Khalid A Latif and senior manager for Casthouse 1, 2 and 3, A Rasool Ahmed A Rasool.

Held under the patronage of Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Sada, Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry, and organised by Qatalum, the aim of the conference was to introduce companies with expertise in environmental, technological and operational strategy that can be adopted by the aluminium industry in Qatar and the region.

The AGM

In other Alba-related news, approval was granted at the company’s annual general meeting for distributing cash dividends for fiscal year 2014

Total dividends for the year amounted to BD38.2 million ($101 million), equivalent to 27 per cent of the nominal value of the company’s shares – 27 fils per share, of which 12 fils (interim dividend) was distributed to shareholders in September 2014.

The final dividend for 2014 of BD21 million was payable from March 24, 2015.

During the AGM, shareholders approved the appointment of Fawaz Al Fawaz, from Sabic Industrial Investments Co, as a new director of the board. He replaces Mutlaq H Al Morished.

Commenting on this AGM, the chairman of Alba’s board of directors, Sheikh Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa, said: “2014 was another successful year for Alba with a record production of 931,427 tonnes. Looking ahead, the company aims to capitalise on 2014 achievements, continue to build on its culture of continuous improvements and gear-up for the Line 6 expansion project.

“I also take the opportunity to thank my management team and our skilful workforce for their support as they have been the core drive for where Alba is today.”

Alba on the growth track

Shortlisted

The British Safety Council has announced the shortlists for the Health and Safety Champion for 2015 and the Young Health and Safety Champion for 2015 awards.

Alba’s Ahmed Ismaeel Ali Janahi is among six people shortlisted for the Health and Safety Champion Award for 2015.

The council said the two special individual awards will be given alongside the International Safety Awards at a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House in London on April 24.

Commitments and events

The company demonstrated its commitment to supporting the development of Bahrain’s youth by providing gold sponsorship for the University Of Bahrain (UOB)’s 15th Careers Day, held last month.

Its director of administration, Abdul Rahman Janahi, said: “Alba is committed to developing young Bahraini students so they can gain an understanding of what it takes to work in a smelter that ranks amongst the world leaders. Our sponsorship support underlines our commitment to inspire and enable young Bahrainis discover career advancement opportunities within Alba as well as in the aluminium industry.”

Alba has been a regular participant of UOB’s Careers Day since its inception in 1999, and the company’s stand has always attracted a large number of students eager to know about Alba and the career opportunities it offers.

The company has sponsored the education and higher studies of several of its Bahraini employees through the MBA sponsorship programme.

The 18-month programme – offered by the French Arabian Business School (FABS), Bahrain, in partnership with the ESSEC Business School, one of Europe’s leading business schools – is tailor-made for managers and potential future leaders, and empowers them with comprehensive skills to enhance organisation leadership.

The company reaffirmed its reputation as one that champions equal opportunities at the work place by sponsoring the 63rd FCEM World Congress. It also hosted a gathering for members of the congress where they were briefed about the smelter’s operations and the role of women in the company’s success.

Director of Administration A Rahman Janahi said: “Women in Bahrain have set examples not just for the kingdom but also for the GCC. Alba has the maximum number of women employees in any industrial company in Bahrain, and we’re proud of their leadership and immense contribution towards its success.”

The event was a high-level networking opportunity for women entrepreneurs organised by the Bahrain Business and Professional Women’s International Federation (BPW) in co-operation with the Council of Arab Business Women (CABW). Bahrain was the first GCC member state and second Arab nation to host this conference.

 Alba shared its experience in occupational health and safety with a delegation comprising key personnel from Bahrain’s well-known health and welfare institutions – Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services (BDF) and the General Organisation for Social Insurance (Gosi).