Strengthened by an increased production capacity and a global vision, the Riyadh-based Al-Babtain Industries Company is exploring opportunities in new markets such as Africa, Central Asia and Iraq for its products.
Al-Babtain is a leading name in the field of lighting, power and telecommunication in the region.
The company is part of the Al-Babtain Group founded by Hamad, Ibrahim and Mohamed Al-Babtain in 1956. The group also includes Al-Babtain Contracting Company, Al-Babtain Trading and Al-Babtain Leblanc.
Al-Babtain Industries (ABI) is one of the major industrial ventures in the region comprising 14 different factories and production lines.
ABI manufactures a wide variety of electro-mechanical products in three main sectors: pole, lighting and panel boards; steel lattice towers and steel structures; and household appliances.
ABI was the first to start production of poles and highmasts in the region more than 20 years ago. The company's factories have a large production capacity, strong design capabilities and a wide range of products, says general manager Ibrahim Al-Babtain.
The company has branch offices in Jeddah, Dammam, Khamis Mushayit, Abha and Buraidah. It has a staff strength of about 2,500.
ABI's Lighting and Panel Board factory provides a complete solution for outdoor lighting requirements customised to project requirements.
The products in this segment include:
About 40 per cent of the company's turnover comes from export sales.
The company is currently exporting to 26 countries worldwide including the GCC states, Arab countries, South East Asia, Russia, Cyprus and Ethiopia.
It has agents and representatives in GCC states, Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Russia.
Taking into consideration the promising growth in the African market, the company has made a strategic decision to expand its business in that continent. In an important step in this direction, the company opened its branch in Egypt (ABI,E) in March 2000.
The ABI,E consists of two factories for the manufacture of steel lattice tower, poles and high masts and is located in the 6th of October Industrial Area.
"Since starting operation four months ago, ABI,E has captured a significant share of the Egyptian market, supported by the confidence customers have in Al-Babtain's quality products and services," continues Al-Babtain.
ABI has seen its business levels grow significantly during this year.
"We anticipate good results for 2000 on the back of increased production capacity and exploration of new markets," says Al-Babtain.
He says: "Since Al-Babtain Industries is the first and the largest factory of its kind in the Kingdom, our share of the domestic construction market has remained fairly constant. [QQ]However, the increase in oil prices has reflected positively on the volume of business in general."
ABI applies a quality system which meets the requirements of ISO 9001 and has a reputation for unique service and customer support, quality consciousness and reliability throughout its market, says Al-Babtain.
ABI has supplied to a wide range of projects, both domestic and overseas. The company's reference list includes the following major projects:
