Saudi Vetonit Company (Saveto), a manufacturer and supplier of plasters, cement-based texture coatings, flooring compounds and tile set products (adhesive and grouts), will be introducing two new products at the Saudi Build 2000.

The products are Vetonit finish WR putty and Vetonit masonry mortar.

Vetonit finish WR putty replaces the conventional water-based putty. It reduces the cost of application since there is no need for mixing of various components. It is good for exteriors too, says general manager Kimmo Toikkanen.

Vetonit masonry mortar is a quality mortar for all masonry works.

Another product the company will focus on is the Vetonit premix plaster. It replaces the conventional sand cement plaster. Use of this product saves time, labour and site mixing (of sand and cement). It is also crack free, he says.

Saveto, established in 1981, is a Saudi-owned company. It has technical co-operation with Optiroc Group of Finland and is a member of the Swedish Scancem Group.

The company, which employs approximately 150 staff and has a capital of SR5.2 million ($1.4 million), has a production capacity of more than 100,000 tonnes per year.

Saveto, which has participated in earlier Saudi Build exhibitions, finds the event a good marketing avenue for its products.

"The exposure the show gives and the ability to create customer awareness of various Vetonit building finishing materials have encouraged the company to participate in the show," says Toikkanen.

Business has been very good this year for the company with an increase of more than 30 per cent over last year, he says.

"We are in an excellent position in the local market and we are the market leaders here," he continues.

Saveto has recently launched a new plant to meet the increasing demand for its products. New offices in Egypt and Makkah have also been opened. The company has executed many projects in Egypt and Syria.

On future plans, he says Saveto is considering further expansion in Egypt and if needed in Saudi Arabia as well. A new local office in Madinah area is also planned.

"We will be introducing new products through active campaigns during the coming months. The Vetonit products will be popularised through the company's newly-formed Customer Service and Marketing Department," adds Toikkanen.

Saveto will be at Stand No. 941 at the exhibition.