ALTEMA Contracting and Industrial Services Company has fabricated and painted the decking system at the Dhahran Tower. The decking system weighs some 210 tonnes and is designed to provide structural support for heavy equipment within the development.

The Saudi-based company provides a range of services to the construction and industrial sector which can broadly be categorised as plant maintenance and turnaround shutdowns, fabrication, heavy equipment services and manpower services. Its scope of activities covers design, fabrication, erection (structural and oil and gas piping), civil works, maintenance works in plants, equipment rental, slag processing, material handling and conveyors.

“Given the rapid developments in technology and the ability of the company to mobilise its experienced workforce for projects throughout the kingdom, Altema decided to broaden its horizon to include plant maintenance, turnaround and shutdown services and has established a dedicated division namely Altema Plant Services,” explains Bader Altimawi, the general manager­­­.

Commenting on the Dhahran Tower project, Bader says: “The Dhahran Tower is a landmark building. We are fortunate to have secured the project, which has not only added to our experience but also enhanced our reputation.”

Other projects that Altema has undertaken include a melt shop expansion at Saudi Iron and Steel Company’s (Hadeed) steel plant, where it was involved in various activities such as design, road works, foundation, piling, fabrication, erection, electrical works, underground piping works and dewatering and safety engineering.

Meanwhile, the company has been assigned a Petrokemya project, which involves design, fabrication and replacement of a 52-inch elbow. In addition, it has a three-year maintenance contract for a conveyor and other structural works for Madeen, to which is it also leasing equipment, such as loaders, dumptrucks, forklifts and heavy trucks, with operators for continuous operation works.

Decking system ... designed to provide structural support for heavy equipment.

Altema has also leased out equipment with operators on long-term contracts to Hadeed, Sadaf and Petrokemya.

Apart from these companies, the company has also provided its services to Sharq, Safco, Tasnee, Maaden and Saudi Aramco.

Altema is an ISO 9001:2000-certified company established in Riyadh in 1992 by the late Abdul Rahman Altimawi to offer general and equipment rental services in the kingdom. It is now 100 per cent owned by the founder’s son, Khaled Altimawi, who is directly involved in managing the business as the company’s president.

Having started out as a service provider to Saudi Aramco and the petrochemical industries in Jubail, the company has developed into a well-structured organisation that caters to the needs of the construction and maintenance sectors.

Steering Altema ahead ... Khaled and Bader (below)

Today, Altema provides contracting and support services in diverse fields such as plant operations and maintenance, turnaround maintenance, new plant construction, spare parts supply, heavy equipment lifting, scaffolding and training.
“It is considered a leading contractor providing quality services to the highest standards in plant construction and maintenance activities,” says Khaled.

“Over the past 18 years, we have also specialised in the manufacture of conveyor systems and steel structures and have provided consultancy services in repair, maintenance and manpower to many industries,” he adds.

With its head office in Riyadh and an office and factory in Jubail, Altema serves the entire Saudi market. Its factory is spread over an area of 3,600 sq m while its slag processing area covers 9,000 sq m. The company employs a total staff of 750, including engineers, supervisors, technicians, skilled manpower and fabricators to meet the industry’s demand.
Staffed with a qualified team and backed by a robust infrastructural base, the company has gained a strong foothold in its domestic market. It is equipped with high-tech machinery for sheet rolling and cutting, grinding, lathes, milling, TIG and MIG welding machines, boring units, pug machines and a powder coating plant.

The company has this year witness a 40 per cent surge in its profit levels compared to last year with a parallel growth in its staffing levels and its fleet of equipment.

“We have increased our manpower, equipment, and production activities, besides developing the factory,” Khaled says.

Project manager Hesham Al Nagar is highly optimistic about prospects for the company over the next year. “We are targeting a growth of more than 50 per cent,” he says.