SAUDI Arabia’s Al Rushaid Group has partnered with Flowserve Corporation of the US to set up one of the largest pump manufacturing, repairing and testing facilities in the Middle East.

A key component of the facility is the region’s largest, most capable hydraulics test facility, which can conduct certified testing to both API and international standards, for horizontal and vertical pumps, according to a spokesman for the company. The facility will allow customers to verify equipment performance, or diagnose and correct problems.
“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 Gulf countries,” says Sheikh Abdullah Al Rushaid, chairman of 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 facility, which was officially inaugurated at the end of March, 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 with its scope, size and capabilities unmatched in the region,” says Lewis Kling, president and CEO of Flowserve Corporation. “Flowserve is proud to partner with Al Rushaid Group to bring technology and innovation to our customers in the Gulf region.”
The facility, which covers 11,500 sq m and employs more than 100 people, will perform on-site commissioning and repairs, laser alignments, technical services and training. It will also provide full lifecycle equipment management services including the pioneering Flowserve LifeCycle Advantage programmes to reduce the total cost of ownership and improve operating efficiency.
It also has customised stocking programmes and pump power end exchange programmes for pumps complying with industry-standard specifications, such as ISO, Ansi and API.
Its range of services also includes product selection, installation, commissioning, off-site maintenance and repair services; product overhauls and upgrades; materials selection and upgrades including hardening, welding and overlay services; mechanical seal overhauls and hydrotesting; general machine shop services including seal lapping; and field performance testing and monitoring (including high-energy pumps to ensure system and energy efficiency). The facility has test capabilities (including high-pressure applications) up to 6,000 kW (8,000 hp).
There are plans to further expand the facility, which will include setting up the Middle East’s first hydraulics training centre with state-of-the-art classrooms, and static and dynamic laboratories. Proposed classes include basic hydraulics theory, advanced maintenance, repair and technical services, and hands-on training opportunities.
The training centre is expected to occupy an area of 1,500 sq m, and will offer training classes on creating pump curves, troubleshooting cavitation problems, and performing “dead head” tests and other diagnostics.
Set up in 1978, the Al Rushaid Group of Companies is an international organisation, which provides a diverse range of engineering and contracting services, facilities, and products, to the oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical processing, power generation and other industries.
These services include design, engineering, construction and procurement as well as project management and maintenance for entire plant operations, storage tanks, and prestigious buildings and environment services, and development of ports and terminals. It is ranked among the top 100 Saudi companies.
Flowserve is one of the world’s leading providers of fluid motion and control products and services. Operating in more than 55 countries, the company produces engineered and industrial pumps, seals and valves as well as a range of related flow management services.