Internal view of Alba’s Potline 5

ALUMINIUM Bahrain (Alba)’s production process marked a significant development with the announcement its Potline 5 has been upgraded to AP37 technology following an increase in the line current to 370 kA. The upgrade will increase output by approximately 1,000 tonnes annually.

“Alba is currently focused on enhancing performance levels at the plant and remains on track to achieve its goals through joint efforts from the power, carbon operations and maintenance, process control and development, reduction operation and maintenance departments,” a company statement said. 

Commenting on Potline 5’s upgrade to AP37 technology, Alba’s chief operations officer Isa Al Ansari said: “Potline 5’s upgrade to AP37 is another milestone for the company.  In early 2011 the team outlined a roadmap on how to achieve 370 kA which was done with Alba’s internal resources and without significant capital expenditure. I would like to congratulate the team responsible for this achievement and am confident that this level of success will be reflected in future upgrades and bring pride to everyone in Alba.”

For two consecutive years, Alba has achieved record output through deployment of lean management techniques and operational efficiency initiatives. In January, it announced that the 2012 production was 890,217 tonnes, up 8,907 tonnes from 881,310 tonnes produced in 2011.  Its products include standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, properzi ingots, and molten aluminium. It has also maintained a strong track record of operational safety and environmental compliance.

After a board meeting, chairman Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji reaffirmed that the company continues to meet its growth targets despite tough LME market prices. 

The board approved the appointment of Ali Al Baqali as chief financial officer (CFO) with immediate effect. Commenting on the appointment, Al Kooheji said: “I am happy to welcome Ali Al-Baqali as a key member of the executive leadership team. We are confident that with his wealth of financial and procurement knowledge Ali will play a major role in the continued success at Alba.”

The board examined matters arising from the previous meeting, discussed various strategic and operational issues, reviewed and approved the 2013 mid-year forecast as well as the first quarter financial statements along with the changes in the company’s Authorised Signatories List.

The board’s strategic committee gave a progress update on the Line 6 Bankable Feasibility Study. It also reviewed the management report as well as reports prepared by the Human Resources Committee and the Board Audit Committee, while updates were given on reports related to safety awareness across the entire plant.

The Alba board includes six directors appointed by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company who, in addition to chairman Al Kooheji, include Fawzi Ahmed Kanoo, Yusuf Abdulla Taqi, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Osama Mohammed Al Arrayedh and David Meen. The two directors appointed by Sabic Industrial Investments Company are Mutlaq Hamad Al Murished and Dr Talaat Dhafer Al Qahtani while the independent director is Abdul Aziz Al Humaid.

SEMINAR
Alba’s reputation as a company that champions equal opportunities at the workplace was emphasised during a seminar on ‘Integrating Women’s Needs in Development’ that was held at the Alba Club as part of Alba’s Women Empowerment Education Series for 2013.

Organised by the company’s training and recruitment department in conjunction with the Supreme Council for Women, the seminar was conducted by Dr Donya Ahmed, acting director general of polices and development and director, National Strategy of the Advancement of Bahraini Women at the Supreme Council for Women. 

The seminar outlined the value of women’s contribution to the work environment, and their role as equal partners in boosting growth.   Commenting on the seminar, which was held at the Alba Club, the company’s training and recruitment manager, Rawdha Salman Alaradi, said: “At Alba, we recognise that corporate success is a collaborative effort made possible only when everyone in the organisation – both women and men – are given equal opportunities to rise to their potential and achieve the goals set before them. Hence, we are proud of the role played by Alba’s women employees in the company’s success story, and we take keen interest in supporting any initiative that gives a boost to their knowledge enrichment and enables them to be joint contributors to the company’s productivity and profitability.”

More than 100 women employees attended the seminar. They were also joined by members of the executive management team and managers of departments.

Alba has nearly 3,000 employees, and Bahraini nationals comprise 87 per cent of the total workforce. The company stresses it supports training and development of all of its employees. A large number of Bahraini employees including women have benefited from the training, enhancing their professional stature and contributing to growth of the industry, the company said.