Qanbar Dywidag Precast Concrete Company (QDC), which has a number of ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia, is anticipating further strong demand for its products and is planning several factory improvements at its two facilities in Jubail in the Eastern Province and Rabigh in the Western Province, the company says.

QDC has just completed the full construction of its joint venture Qatar precast factory, which launched commercial production last year.

The company is installing a new state-of-the-art concrete batching plant and planning the construction of a new mess hall, training centre and supervisor’s offices at its main factory in Jubail. At its Rabigh factory, the company recently installed new lighting for its second shift work and is planning the construction of a new mess hall and administration building and the installation of a new wireless connectivity and VoIP for direct communication in Rabigh.

“QDC continues to experience  strong and robust demand for its precast and prestressed concrete products for both commercial and residential construction projects throughout Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” says John Dobbs, who was appointed as CEO and general manager of QDC in June.

Dobbs resumé includes 35 years’ engineering and management experience in the precast, prestressed concrete products industry. His most recent assignment was as president of Blakeslee Prestress in Branford, Connecticut, US.

Other recent changes to the management staff include the promotions of Mohammed Abdullah to sales manager, Mohammed Saber as senior construction engineer and Sayed Mohammed as acting quality control manager. The company also intends to strengthen its sales staff in Jeddah and Riyadh.

QDC worked on the Samsung Engineering Jubail office project

Currently, QDC’s work load includes a diverse range of projects in Saudi Arabia under subcontracts with some of the major contractors in the kingdom.

It has a number of housing projects under way for the Royal Commission in Jubail, including the Maaden apartments and family apartments, under subcontracts with Azmeel Contracting and Khonaini International Company, respectively, and is poised to start work on further apartments and Dareen Housing (involving the supply of hollowcore slabs and beams), with Khonaini International Company and Gualgsha Middle East Contracting, respectively.

The company is also carrying out other housing projects for the Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Company (Sasref) in Jubail (Khonaini International Company) and is set to embark on work that entails the supply of full frames for housing projects Two, Three and Four in Jubail for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), with the contractor Beijing Construction Engineering Group Company.

Other ongoing projects include supply of precast components for Yanbu Export Refinery for Saudi Aramco, under a subcontract from Kil Jin Kang and Partners; architectural cladding panels at Qassim University in Yanbu for the Ministry of Education (Al Mansouryah); and cladding and fence panels for the Ministry of Hajj premises in Makkah (Al Angari Trading).

A view of one of QDC’s large housing projects

Some of QDC’s other new orders for projects in Saudi Arabia include supply of cladding panels for the extension of Saudi Aramco’s fire training centre in Juaymah to Advanced Industry for General Contracting Company; and arch culverts for Sadara, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow in Jubail, under a subcontract from Ahmad Al
Binali Holding.

Meanwhile, Qatar International Precast (QIP) – QDC’s joint venture in Qatar which launched commercial production last year – has witnessed the full completion of its entire factory and work is nearing completion on the casting beds as well as the administration building at the facility in Doha, according to Mark Schumacher, general manager. As joint venture partner, QDC is responsible for overseeing the management of QIP.

Joseph Gilbert Canete, recently appointed as sales manager of QIP, has experience of 20 years in precast concrete products sales in the Gulf region, with the last 15 years being in Qatar. The company is currently also bidding on several major projects in Qatar including the ISF Camp Dubahil, Abu Hammour sewer tunnel, Lusail Expressway, Migrant Worker Initiative, and Doha Metro underground tunnels.

QIP, which has its main office in Mesaieed Industrial City, has a production capacity of approximately 75,000 cu m per year and currently employs about 200 people.

As well as a main office in Jubail Industrial City, QDC has sales offices in Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah. Production capacity is approximately 500,000 cu m per year from its three factories in Saudi Arabia – 220,000 cu m per year from its two factories in Jubail and 280,000 cu m per year from the Rabigh factory. It currently employs about 2,600 people.

Since 1981, QDC has maintained a tradition of supplying quality precast concrete products with distinguished service at a competitive price. The specialised precast concrete company designs, manufactures, delivers and installs precast and prestressed concrete components to customer specifications. All its products are based on international standards such as PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute), ACI (American Concrete Institute) and BS (British Standards).

“QDC and QIP continue to invest in numerous factory improvements with a research and development team that is constantly studying the market and introducing new building systems and products to meet current demands,” said Dobbs.