National Radiator Factory (NRF), manufacturer of automotive and industrial radiators, coolers and commercial clutches in Qatar, is installing new equipment to manufacture complete radiators to supply dealers of prominent automobile brands.

General manager Simon Nehme said machines had been ordered from European manufacturers and the new production line would begin functioning by the middle of next year. Currently NCF produces core radiators for all categories of commercial vehicles and heavy trucks, earth-moving vehicles, forklifts, generators, construction equipment, turbines and industrial engines.

The company, part of the Natco group, began exporting radiators for the first time last year. to Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. Nehme said some 30 per cent of all production was now going overseas, mostly to Bahrain and Oman, with smaller consignments going to Kuwait. The company would target the large Saudi market soon. With the start of exports, production had expanded 50 per cent and was set to grow.

Radiators now manufactured are suitable for vehicles including sedans, coupes, wagons and vans, SUVs and roadsters, four-wheel drives and light and pick-up trucks. The manufacturers include Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Honda, Nissan, Chrysler, Porsche, Daewoo, Ferrari, Land Rover and Peugeot.

Other manufacturers on whose vehicles and equipment NRF radiators are used include Ametek, Basco, Bell & Gossett, Caterpillar, Cooper, Turbo, Doyle & Roth, Poclain, RP Adams, Fiat-Hitachi, Gardner-Denver, Joy Komatsu, Ingersoll-Rand and ITT Standard.

NRF was opened in 1991 and commenced its operations as a specialist supplier and repairer of motorcar radiators. The company is now a highly specialised manufacturing organisation with two divisional operations for manufacturing and the after-market sector. Natco was opened in 1991 and now has subsidiaries including Natco Paints, the Machine Equipment and Paint Center and Tabreed Heat Exchangers, besides NRF.

In the coolers section, NRF makes, services and refurbishes tube heat exchangers that provide the ideal solution for liquid heat exchange applications. The factory also refurbishes or re-tubes all tube stacks of boilers.

The range offered comprises fabrication of radiators and cooling systems; system components; diagnostic and problem solving; field service; coolant sampling maintenance programmes, and cooling system degreasers, cleaners and inhibitors.

NRF also supplies commercial brake linings by market leaders from the European Union and the US and does refurbishes the complete range of commercial pressure plates, replaces springs, regrinds plates and resets then to original specifications.

Parent company Natco originally stood for the National Automotive Trading Company, but the abbreviation is now the company's trade and brand name. "By starting out selling various spare parts, we have now become one of the leading firms in the automotive trade industry in the region," said a Natco spokesman.

"Since our humble beginnings in 1953 we have experience unparalleled growth. We now represent the world's leading brand names. Our inventory now boasts several thousand different products from all four corners of the world. The vision that guides us through nearly five decades of development remains the catalyst for our future.

"The Middle East will continue to offer tremendous potential. Our commitment is to this region and, therefore, development of the Natco Group."

Natco products in the chemicals category include autocare products, automotive paints, bodyshop equipment and wooden paints. The machinery section has a product range covering aluminium working machines, air compressors, chainsaws, compactors, generators, industrial fans, lawn movers, tile cutting machines, vibrators, water pumps and woodworking machines. The hardware range includes diamond blades, heat exchangers, industrial supplies, power tools and accessories, safety products, specialty tools and workshop consumables.