Al Mulhem Marble Factory of Saudi Arabia will be targeting five-star hotels and commercial and residential complexes in its bid to promote a 'marble environment'.

The company has factories and offices in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Branches in the Kingdom, under the name of Al Mulhem Trading Establishment, are located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah.

It also has branches in Bahrain, Italy (Masa - Carrara), Spain (Alicante), Portugal (Estremoz), Greece (Salonique), Turkey (Ayion) and the US (Los Angeles).

These branches help the company in maintaining close contact with the main sources of marble, granite and stone and this to the client's satisfaction and the good servicing of clients, says Issam Salam, manager, project department.

The company is a supplier of marbles in standard sizes and slabs and cut-to-size work for projects; and an executor of shop drawings and cutting list. It also supports installation work and site surveying.

Explaining the company's aims behind its participation in Saudi Build 2000, Salam says: "It is the company's new policy to be present in major and professional exhibitions."

Al Mulhem is an agent for Lazaridis White Tassos Marble from Greece; ETMA Marble Factory and Quality from Portugal (Rosa Portugallo marble); Bagno and Associati for Bathroom and Accessories - Milano, Italy; and Mosaica specialised stone mosaic works and patterns. The company is planning to acquire new agencies in ceramic tiles and water-jet cutting.

The company has recently expanded its operation to Bahrain, through Elegant Palace (new plant and showroom). A new office in Doha, Qatar, has also been opened, and Al Mulhem has also created a specialised ceramics unit in order to support its main stone activity.

Salam says the volumes of business has been improving. Commenting on market trends, he says the quality of finishing required is very high, and that the local market is more directed towards specified products, with big projects monopolised by a few companies. "We maintain a good ratio between quality and pricing," he adds.

Among the on-going supply projects for Al Mulhem are the Doha City Centre project and Jeddah Hilton Hotel and Complex.

Speaking on the company's plans for the future, Salam says: "Product diversification and expansion of production capacity are high on the agenda."

The company has a manpower of 645, including 45 engineers, architects and draftsmen. Its total yard area covers 70,000 sq m in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah and Bahrain.

The company will be at Stand No. 245-344 at Saudi Build 2000.