Omani Packaging Company recorded a turnover of RO1.75 million in the first half of this year, an increase of 17 per cent over the corresponding period of 2000.

The company, which has a significant market share of paper corrugated packaging products in the local market, plans to improve the quality of existing products by introducing innovative graphic designs and is responding to rising demand in the Sultanate and the rest of the Gulf by an expansion which is under way.

It will increase capacity by 50 per cent said general manager Surya K Arora. The factory is located at the Rusayl Industrial Estate, 45km from downtown Muscat, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, said Arora. Omani Packaging will use machinery from the same Japanese solutions provider Isowa Corporation that supplied and installed the original plant.

The current plant capacity is 8,000 tonnes per shift, and two shifts are now being operated. The company makes corrugated cartons in the following categories: regular slotted, telescopic top and bottom box, diecut boxes, full overlap, cutout wrap box, diecut trays, assembled partitions and single-face corrugated rolls for cushioning and protection. Production is in single-wall B or C flutes and double-wall B and C flutes for conversion to all types of printing-grade paper corrugated boxes.

Turnover in 2000 was more than RO3 million, up 20 per cent over the previous year. "We expect 2001 to be a better year going by the trends so far," said Arora. "The first quarter of 2001 was quite encouraging, showing an increase of 25 per cent over the previous year-ending quarter in 2000."

Arora said Oman Packaging Company's market share in Oman was well over 60 per cent. "Our good performance follows the addition of new export markets in East Africa," he said. The company also exports to all GCC countries and to the Indian subcontinent.

The expansion will help Omani Packaging Company capitalise on growing demand, which is rising some 10 per cent in Oman and 10 to 12 per cent in the rest of the Gulf.

Omani Packaging Company was incorporated in 1992 as a joint stock company, but production commenced only in July 1994. Corrugated cartons are popular choice for packaging because they are cost effective, strong and eco-friendly. Omani Packaging Company sells its products through direct marketing to major clients in Local market in the sectors of food and beverages, agriculture, fisheries, edible oil, mineral water, garments, cargo transportation, detergents and chemicals, light engineering and plastic fabricators. Company operates through agents in some export markets.

"Within a short span, Omani Packaging has become a local market leader and leading supplier in the Gulf region because of the excellent quality of its products and value-added services," observed Arora.

Raw material including paper, kraft liner board, test liner board, corrugating medium (fluting), starch, flexo printing inks and plates, diecutting materials and engineering consumables are procured from US and European mills. "The top-quality raw materials provide cost-effective solutions which help keep our customers competitive," said Arora. "Our sales team works very closely with our customers and provides comprehensive services from packaging design to delivery." Arora said the corrugator and converting plant supplied by the reputed Isowa Corporation of Japan gave Omani Packaging products a quality edge. "Excellent printing up to four colours converts the cartons into advertising vehicles," he enthused. "The high-speed machines meet the just-in-time delivery requirements of local customers."

About the company's dedication to standards, Arora said it adhered to stringent quality control policy, ensuring that job requirements are fully understood and performed as per defined procedures. The company's Board comprises prominent industrialists linked to diverse business interests and with extensive experience in managing large enterprises. Presiding over the board is chairman Shaikh Salim bin Said Al Fannah Al Araimi. The vice chairman is Shaikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Rawas and the managing director Ahmed Hassan Al Daib. Members of the board are Shaikh Awad Salim Abdullah Al Shanfari, Hatim Bakhit Said Al Shanfari, Dr Saeed Ali Al Fannah Al Araimi, Ahmed Bakhit Al Shanfari, Abdul Rehman Salim Abdullah Al Dhahab and Hamoud Ali Abdullah Al Araimi.