A Dubai-based company, which recently began building fire trucks, expects to meet the Gulf's demand for the vehicles in the upcoming year.

National Fire Fighting Manufacturing Company Limited (Naffco) has the capacity to produce between 45 and 60 fire fighting vehicles of various kinds while the annual Gulf demand is 35 to 45.

"Presently most Arabian Gulf countries outsource their requirements from European manufacturers of fire trucks. However, Naffco anticipates it will grab a significant market share because of the competitive advantage of offering spares and quick after-sales service from within the region," said a company spokesman. "These factors give confidence for Naffco to develop a fair client base within a short span of time."

The company is part of a larger group engaged in the manufacture of fire-fighting, fire-protection and fire-detection systems in the Middle Est.

Naffco general manager Khalid Al Khatib said it was the company's wish from 1994 to manufacture fire trucks. It had earlier made many medium-sized twin agent trolleys and foam trailers. But, Al Khatib said, it got the confidence to make trucks when Col Ali Sayed of Dubai Civil Defence provided the opportunity to build a small fire car, which was named Farah and used during the Dubai Shopping Festival, 2000.

The decision to manufacture trucks itself was in response to what Al Khatib said were increasing demands from clients. The truck division was inaugurated by the Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone corporation, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

Naffco says it has the expertise to manufacture various types of fire trucks including multipurpose ones and those used in oil refineries and in rescue services. The expertise extends to rapid intervention vehicles, fire fighting water tankers and rescue ambulances.

The company stressed the trucks were manufactured in strict adherence to international standards and regulations.

A fire fighting truck basically consists of four major systems - water, foam, dry powder and carbon dioxide - mounted on a chassis having a configuration that meets the area of application and client requirements.

The spokesman said that Naffco wished to enter into strategic alliances with leading manufacturers of chassis in Europe. "Many of the manufacturers of fire fighting components have shown interest to join hands to develop and supply components for adding new features," he added.

The company hopes to manufacture in the future aerial platform ladder vehicles, airport crash tenders and military rescue vehicles.