AlShahin Metal Industries is currently busy with Saudi projects but has plans to set up offices in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, the company says.

“By the end of this year or early 2011 we will decide where our first GCC offices should be located,” said a company spokesman.

With Saudi construction least affected by the global recession, there is significant development activity going on in the kingdom for which companies like AlShahin are keen to supply.

“Before we build up a marketing network in GCC states we will continue to work to gain a bigger share of the Saudi market,” the spokesman said. The company will set up soon an office in the Eastern Province to deal with demand in that area.

But with a boom expected in the wider Gulf the company would not like to miss out on the action and believes having an operational presence in the region would help greatly.

At present it is bidding for projects in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Egypt.

Its production facilities are located in Riyadh’s Second Industrial City. The company recently opened an office in Jeddah which operates in addition to the present sales office in the city of Riyadh.

AlShahin specialises in pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs), structural steel, sandwich panels and steel fabrication and boasts a total production capacity of 120,000 tonnes annually, one of the largest in the Middle East.

“Currently we are working on a number of large projects including Princess Noura University, Crude Oil Washing Plant for Saudi Electric Company and a glass factory in Qatar.

“We’re also finalising several contracts for PEB projects in Jeddah,” the spokesman says.

The company has executed steel building projects in several GCC states, but Saudi Arabia accounts for some 70 per cent of total sales.

Certified to ISO 9001-2008, the company has installed computerised heavy-duty machines capable of mass production of steel building components.

Wide range of applications
“AlShahin steel fabrication conforms to applicable international standards; our low-rise structures are designed for all applications ranging from warehousing to multi-storey shopping complexes and aircraft hangars; our steel structures and plate works are good for power, oil and gas, petrochemical and commercial sectors including high-rise buildings,” a company statement said.

“AlShahin consistently demonstrates the leadership and integrity required to effectively respond to new challenges and the ever-changing environment within the construction industry.

“We ensure the availability of technical and managerial expertise at each stage of the construction cycle – from conceptual planning and feasibility studies to acceptance of the facility for occupancy.”

The company began operations in 1979, specialising in PEBs. In an expansion phase it added a dedicated structural steel plant with the aim of becoming a leading fabricator for high-rise buildings, power substations, desalination and petrochemical plants and airport terminals. Joining the PEB and Structural Steel divisons last year was the AlShahin Commercial Steel Division.

“Over the past 30 years, AlShahin has supplied more than 40,000 buildings and projects to clients in a number of countries. The PEB division is now a leader in the export of pre-engineered steel buildings,” the statement says.
The PEB division is responsible for 70 per cent of the company’s annual sales.

The company is bidding for projects in the UAE, Qatar and Egypt

“As a company, we attribute our success to the unmatched value of our products and the flexibility and agility of our employees in meeting the needs of our customers.

“In PEBs we focus on meeting the needs of our customers for durable, affordable and versatile steel structures,” says the statement.

The company’s stated vision is “to turn steel into solutions.”

PEBs popular
Pre-engineered steel structures have become popular because they involve lower initial investment and lower maintenance costs and are environmentally friendly as all materials can be recycled.

AlShahin emphasises that its structures are designed to withstand severe weather conditions such as wind, snow and rain and even earthquakes.

“Large clear spans allow our customers to house almost any type of business comfortably and efficiently as well as to expand and change their setup whenever desired,” it says.

“Other distinct advantages include quick construction time and capacity for design flexibility, allowing our engineers to create a unique and attractive appearance that fits the distinctive needs of each customer.

“Our buildings accommodate a wide variety of occupants from factories and showrooms to shopping malls and hypermarkets.”

Unless otherwise required, all AlShahin buildings are designed and manufactured in accordance with the following US codes:

•  Low Rise Building Systems Manual of the Metal   Building  Manufacturer’s Association Inc (MBMA)

•  Manual of Steel Construction Allowable Stress Design of the American Institute of Steel   Construction Inc (AISC)

•  Cold Formed Steel Design Manual of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)

•  Structural Welding Code for Steel of the American Welding Society (AWS)

AlShahin offers plain galvalume roof cladding; coated cladding material, hot-dip galvanised connection and anchor bolts, self-drilling fasteners and optional pre-galvanised material for secondary members.

“Strict quality control procedures are maintained in order to ensure utmost consistency in the quality of AlShahin steel materials,” it says.