Flowserve Corporation, a leading provider of flow control products and services for global infrastructure markets, and Al Rushaid Group of Dhahran, have announced the opening of what they claim is the largest pump manufacturing, repair and testing facility in the Middle East.
“We are very pleased to work with Flowserve to open this facility, which is designed to support major customers within Saudi Arabia and the surrounding Arabian Gulf Countries,” said Sheikh Abdullah Al Rushaid, chairman, Al Rushaid Group. “Together with Flowserve, we will help customers optimise plant uptime and develop ways to control their operating, maintenance and related costs.”
The 11,500 sq m facility, located in Dhahran, is designed to support customers in the oil and gas, petrochemical, power, water, desalination, chemical and other industries.
“This state-of-the-art, robust facility helps us deliver outstanding service to our Middle East customers – its scope, size and capabilities are unmatched in the region,” said Lewis Kling, president and CEO, Flowserve Corporation.  “Flowserve is proud to partner with Al Rushaid Group to bring technology and innovation to our customers in the critically important Arabian Gulf region.”
A key component of the facility is the region’s largest, most capable hydraulics test facility, which is capable of certified testing to both API and international standards, for both horizontal and vertical pumps. The facility will allow customers to verify equipment performance, or diagnose and correct problems.
The facility offers full lifecycle equipment management including LifeCycle Advantage programmes; upfront services such as product selection, installation and commissioning; and field performance testing and monitoring (including high-energy pumps to ensure system and energy efficiency).
It also offers on-site commissioning and repairs, laser alignments, technical services and training; off-site maintenance and repair services; product overhauls, re-rates and upgrades; customised stocking programmes; pump power end exchange programmes for pumps complying with industry-standard specifications such as ISO-ANSI-API;  and test capabilities (including high-pressure applications) up to 6,000 kilowatts (8,000 horsepower)
Future expansion plans include the Middle East’s first hydraulics training centre, which will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, along with static and dynamic laboratories. Planned classes include basic hydraulics theory, advanced maintenance, repair and technical services, and hands-on training opportunities.