Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has reported its highest-ever production in its history with sales higher than expected.

Output in 2011 reached 881,310 tonnes, up 3.6 per cent over the 2010 figure of 850,700 tonnes, while sales rose 4.5 per cent to 893,020 tonnes compared with 854,593 tonnes. The sales volume, which included some inventory from the previous year’s production, was ahead of the company’s own forecast for the period.

In addition, value-added sales for 2011 represented 63 per cent of the total sales versus 62 per cent in 2010. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 rose to 227,042 tonnes versus 224,054 tonnes in Q4 2010.

“Alba’s achievement in securing a 4.5 per cent increase in sales for 2011 has been due to the dynamic teamwork shown by the Alba workforce and in their pro-active response in fulfilling Alba’s sales and production goals. In addition, the company placed greater emphasis on continuous improvement and lean management techniques as well as commitment to operational efficiency,” said the company’s chief executive Laurent Schmitt.

“Alba’s success is significant because 2011 was challenging for industries in Bahrain, and yet, (during the year) Alba’s sales and production demonstrated a consistent upward trend. We are hopeful that Alba will witness another success story in 2012 with the active support of its workforce.”

Commenting on the production record, Schmitt said it was significant not only because it came at a challenging time for most industries in Bahrain but it was also accomplished without incurring any additional expenditure.

“In addition, Alba’s introduction of Six-Sigma to strengthen quality initiatives across the organisation as well as implementation of lean management techniques to help build a culture of continuous improvement played a substantial role in enabling Alba to achieve this record. The success of Alba SmartWay launched in 2010 as a bottom-up approach to achieve improved competitiveness provided a key cornerstone in bringing about greater operational efficiency to sustain regional and global challenges in the decades to come.”

A ceremony to mark the record production was held at the Princess Sabeeka Oasis. It was attended by Schmitt, chief supply chain officer and acting chief operations Officer Isa Al Ansari, chief financial officer Tim Murray and chief marketing officer Jean Baptiste Lucas among other senior company officials.

Alba’s high-grade aluminium product range includes standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, propertzi ingots and molten aluminium.  They are produced to high purity standards that exceed 99.9 per cent.

Aviation, garden shows
Alba participated at the Bahrain International Air Show underlining its confidence in Bahrain as a key destination for international trade events and its potential as an emerging hub for the aviation industry.

Organised under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the three-day event took place at the Sakhir Airbase.

Alba as a participating company at the show had access to a dedicated luxury hospitality chalet that offered excellent opportunities for viewing state-of-the-art aircraft on display as well as providing attractive incentives for meeting and networking with present and potential clients.

Senior officials gather for a celebration to mark the record output in 2011

Commenting on Alba’s support for the Bahrain International Air Show 2012 ahead of the opening, Schmitt said: “Alba supports every initiative that raises Bahrain’s profile amongst international industry leaders, and we are confident that this second edition of the Bahrain International Air Show will prove to be equally successful as its predecessor last year. Our presence at this global trade event for the aviation industry is an endorsement of Bahrain’s investor-friendly credentials as well as our confidence in the country’s emergence as a key hub for the aviation industry.”

 In other Alba news, the smelter affirmed its support to agricultural development and the promotion of a greener Bahrain by sponsoring the Bahrain International Garden Show 2012 that took place at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in mid-January. 

The garden show was held under the patronage of King Hamad and with the support of Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of the King.  It was organised by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Economic Development Board – Bahrain.

The theme for the event was “Inspiring Agricultural Sustainability” and it highlighted the need to promote sustainable agricultural practices. There was a comprehensive display of the diverse roles that individuals, companies and policy makers played in ensuring the best utilisation of precious resources and in securing a better future for generations to come.

“Alba is proud of its association with the Bahrain International Garden Show over the past many years. This annual event has played a crucial role since its launch nearly 10 years ago in generating interest in gardening and agriculture amongst Bahrain’s residents as well as in promoting the spread of Bahrain’s green cover. We are confident that this year, too, this event will continue to be an inspiration to raise greater environmental awareness and encourage the growth of the agricultural sector in Bahrain.” 

Alba is well known for being a champion of environmental causes, and has achieved tremendous success in enforcing operational policies that support the environment. Established in 2005 and spread across a total area of 10 hectares, the Princess Sabeeka Oasis provides the most tangible evidence of Alba’s success in reducing harmful gases and in making the plant ecologically safe. It is located on the south side of the Alba plant, and includes the largest artificial lake in Bahrain, more than 7,600 trees and shrubs as well as a fruit and vegetable garden.