Universal Metal Coating Company (Unicoil) says it expects to achieve this year more than double the sales of 2009 but with exports still sluggish.

With expectations of sales reaching SR1.15 billion ($306 million) in 2010, the company will put far behind it its 2009 turnover of SR453 million. This year’s performance will also be a substantial improvement over 2008 when sales of SR562 million were reported.

“Demand is looking up compared with the 2009 situation with domestic sales showing a significant increase,” said Ahmed Al Ameen, chief of customer services, sales and marketing, at Unicoil.

Unicoil, based in Jubail Industrial City, produces a wide range of galvanised steel coils and sheets including special grades and specialises in the pre-painting of a full range of coils including galvanised steel, zinc and aluminium coated steel, CR steel and aluminium.

The company projects it will produce this year 123,812 tonnes of galvanised products and 117,736 tonnes of pre-painted products.

While domestic sales continue to be strong, Unicoil projects it will be able to ship overseas this year products worth SR281 million compared with only SR73 million in 2009. Exports this year are expected to surpass the SR250-million mark achieved in 2008 when the global economic downturn had still not begun to bite.

The company is making efforts to boost overseas sales. “We have enhanced shipments to North African countries,” says Al Ameen. He said an export promotion campaign involving participation in exhibitions and conferences would bear more fruit.

Unicoil’s growth strategy is to explore new markets and increase sales in local markets for which it will raise production capacity and offer a more diverse range, he added.

The company is a joint venture between Zamil Group Holding and the Rashid Al Rashid Group. In 2007 the company acquired 100 per cent ownership of SIDC Metal Coating Company.