Aluminium extrusion company Balexco says it has not yet been adversely affected by the global economic slowdown and reports higher 2008 sales revenues.

“We have exclusive customers in niche markets who have continued with their construction projects,” said general manager Jassim Mohamed Seyadi.
The situation that would prevail in 2009 was left to be seen, he added.
Turnover in 2008 crossed $95 million according to an unaudited calculation. The company achieved $83 million in sales in the previous year.
“Aluminium prices have been very volatile in the four to six months leading to the end of 2008. Despite that, Balexco has been able to achieve a good sales record,” Seyadi observed.
The company is currently implementing projects to increase anodising and powder coating lines and will later add an extrusion line to boost the current production of 24,000 tonnes of profiles.
The plant now has three extrusion lines with equipment and technology from SMS Schloemann of Germany and Clecim of France.
The extrusion presses are capable of extruding billets ranging from 177 mm dia to 230 mm dia. The new line will meet the requirements of critical and complicated profiles, said Seyadi.
Balexco has heating furnaces from Mechatherm and an ageing furnace from Elhaus.
“The new powder coating line and anodising line will cost $8.5 million and the increased capacities should become operational for 600 tonnes of anodising and 8,000 tonnes of powder coating.
“The anodising capacity is getting upgraded from 11,000 amps to 60,000 amps which will help Balexco deliver anodised profiles in the shortest possible lead time,” said Seyadi.
Upgrading of the anodising capability will be completed in late 2009 and that of powder coating some time after that. Still later the installation of the fourth extrusion line will be taken up. 
The company is now focused on increasing the share of business in the industrial and architectural system profile sectors by offering its casement product and casement series with thermal break profiles, the 100 sliding series and Balexco 60 curtain wall systems.
A remelt furnace which provides the plant with an uninterrupted supply of aluminium billets produces approximately 12,000 tonnes per year
“Balexco’s remelt plant has stringent quality control measures and the contents of the alluminium alloy are checked for their chemical properties by a highly sophisticated spectrometer which can provide details of the alloying elements to 100 per cent accuracy,” said Seyadi.
“Balexco’s remelt plant is a fine example of the company’s commitment to putting to maximum use its resources as well as protecting the environment.”
It complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2000 for all activities.
Billets from Alba, Balexco’s own remelt billets and elements of the aluminium alloy such as silicon, manganese, magnesium and titanium that are required for the extrusion process are subjected to strict testing, Seyadi pointed out.
Quality procedures are applied all the way to the production stages and the post-production processes of powder coating, anodising or mill finish depending on the customer’s order
The powder coating process is in compliance with Qualicoat and the anodising process with Qualanod standards.
Balexco’s aluminium extrusions come in different finishes of powder coated and anodised profiles to meet a wide body of product segments ranging from industrial to building applications.
Balexco’s system profiles have found a place in elite projects in Bahrain and abroad.
These include Riffa Views, the Gulf Air Simulator, the Student Council Building of the University of Bahrain, the new building of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, villas of Zayed Town, Saar Gate villas and various towers in Juffair and Majooz.
Projects underway that are using Balexco systems include Kuwait Finance House, Al Adaan Hospital, AlQhanim Towers, Alfuhihiel Society, Australian College, Al Andalus District Centre, Waterfalls Mall and Sheikha Mall.
The company has a branch in Dubai and an office cum warehouse in Riyadh. More than 70 per cent of the profiles are exported. Saudi Arabia and the UAE constitute the main export base while Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen and Sri Lanka take in smaller quantities.