Omanplast, which was launched in 1977 with the aim of import substitution, is today a major exporter of plastic pipes from the Sultanate.
"When Omanplast went into production, the manufacturing industry in the Sultanate was still in its infancy. In a market dominated by international consultants who specified foreign brands, Omanplast had the formidable task of marketing locally manufactured plastic pipes. A consistent focus on superior quality tilted the odds in favour of us," says general manager M Philip.
"Today, Omanplast is regarded as a manufacturer of plastic pipes of high standards. In 1975, Oman imported 100 per cent of the plastic pipes it used. Now import is virtually nil. [QQ]Not only has valuable foreign exchange been saved, but Omanplast has helped earn foreign exchange by the export of 50 per cent of its production to the UAE, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Libya, Sir Lanka, Yemen and Pakistan," says Philip.
Located at Rusayl Industrial Estate, Omanplast is one of the earliest industrial ventures of Muna Noor Incorporated (MNI) and its flagship enterprise.
Omanplast specialises in the manufacture of uPVC and polyethylene (PE) pipes used in the supply of drinking water, irrigation and drainage, telephone ducting and electrical conduit. [QQ]The pipes are manufactured in accordance with Omani, British, German and other international standards.
The company has installed machinery from renowned manufacturers such as Cincinnati Milacron, Battenfeld, Speedex, SICA and Amut. The machinery is constantly upgraded in line with technological developments, says Philip.
Omanplast is ISO 9002 certified and has a fully-equipped laboratory for testing pipes and fittings to international standards.
As part of its long-term strategy of continued growth, Omanplast aims to double its turnover in the next five to eight years, says Philip.
The plant's production capacity was increased from 8,000 tonnes per year (tpy) to 14,000 tpy last year.
To encourage further import substitution, Omanplast has begun manufacturing speciality uPVC fittings for drainage applications and special grade medium density polyethylene (MDPE) pipes for domestic water supply.
It also plans to introduce new products in the PE and PVC ranges.
"The company will continue to address the new product and market segments both in the Gulf and Africa in its future development plans," he says.
The new target markets for the company are Iran, Iraq and Horn of Africa states.
Omanplast has a specialist division for irrigation systems. The company has successfully integrated modern technology and applications into its irrigation systems to help the greening of the desert, and engineers of Omanplast specialise in designing irrigation schemes that are conceived and executed to fulfil the needs of each specific requirement, he says.
Omanplast manufactures all varieties of uPVC pipes and LLDPE drip tubes for use in irrigation schemes. It also supplies sprinklers, solenoid valves, speciality valves, bubblers, emitters, timers and controllers for use with pipes.
The Omanplast range of pipes include: uPVC pressure pipes for water supply; uPVC drainage/sewer pipes; uPVC soil, waste and ventilating pipes; uPVC cable ducts and electrical conduits; uPVC telephone ducts; uPVC fittings for soil and drainage; uPVC reinforced, flexible hose pipes; LLDPE tubes for drip irrigation; HDPE pipes for water supply and irrigation; and MDPE pipes for drinking water services.
Omanplast also holds agencies for internationally-renowned products ranging from ductile iron and plastic pipes and fittings, brass, ductile iron and cast iron valves and castings, geotextiles, geogrids, HDPE and PVC lining and special cladding sheets for the construction industry.
