AS the first and only manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs) in Qatar, BSI Steel has set its sights on becoming the market leader in the country by year-end.

“BSI’s 2010 vision is to dominate Qatar’s market. We have absolutely no doubt that by the year-end, we will be a major player in Qatar. Our quality products and customer service are the vehicles for achieving our vision,” says Muhammad Al Khudhairi, managing director of BSI.
The company was set up to meet the requirements of a booming construction market in Qatar, where all PEBs were imported from neighbouring countries.
BSI Steel launched operations in 2006 with a capacity of 100 to 150 tonnes per month (tpm). However, since moving to its new 11,000 sq m facility in the Doha New Industrial Area in October 2008, its output has increased tenfold. Last year, the company booked orders at a rate of 800 to 1,000 tpm and plans to increase sales considerably during this year.
BSI has also signed two major projects in Qatar – the VIP aircraft hangar and passenger terminal at the old airport, and The Gulf Mall at Al Gharafa.
Al Khudhairi is steering BSI Steel forward with the support of Kadem Rubie, CEO. Both have worked in the PEB industry for over 25 years. Al Khudhairi’s experience in the PEB industry includes previous positions as plant manager at Kirby Building Systems in Kuwait; regional sales director for Zamil Steel based in Sri Lanka, covering India and Bangladesh; general manager of Zamil Steel’s Vietnam operation; and general sales manager, Mammut Building Systems.

BSI Steel’s facility in the Doha New Industrial Area is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and equipment.
“The machinery layout, flow of work and material handling system is carefully designed to produce 4,000 tonnes of PEBs per month. This translates into 2,400 tonnes of frames (painted steel members), and 800 tonnes of panels and panel accessories,” says Al Khudhairi.
“The spacious offices are built to host our in-house engineering design and detailing team of 30 qualified and experienced engineers, and order entry management personnel,” he says.
The order entry management has qualified well-experienced engineers, who design and estimate jobs to support the sales team, while a strong customer service department caters to the requirements of all projects during and after sales.
The plant’s operation, maintenance and quality control departments are managed and supervised by highly-qualified managers who have been in the PEB business for more than 25 years.
An engineering manager with 15 years of experience heads BSI’s engineering operations comprising a team of 50 engineers.
“The team uses a design and detailing software that is developed and sold by Metal Building Software (MBS), a US-based company that specialises in one product only, software for the designs and drafting of PEBs,” says Al Khudhairi.
More than 100 PEB manufacturers in the US, South America, Europe and Asia use this software every day, he says, adding that the it incorporates the latest US codes applicable to the design and manufacturer of PEBs. This gives peace of mind to PEB manufacturers, users and buyers. “Everyone wants their buildings to be safely designed with this software,” he says.
When asked about the need to open a PEB factory in Qatar, Al Khudhairi says: “All PEBs in Qatar were hitherto imported from neighbouring countries. Keeping in view the current and future growth of Qatar, there is a local need for such a venture and BSI is the answer to that.”