GULF Depot has crowned its 10th year of successful operations by embarking on a major expansion that has seen the Saudi-based building products provider grow both physically as well as in terms of its portfolio strength.

Over the past year, the company has developed its products range to include plumbing and electrical products as well as an exclusive range of waterproof wall panels, unique to the Saudi market place, according to Ihab Tabbara, the company’s general manager.

In addition, the firm also launched a range of decorative aluminium composite panels for exterior cladding of buildings under the name of Aluface – again exclusive to Gulf Depot – at the end of last year.

“In 2011, Gulf Depot also saw the opening of seven new stores and introduced liveried delivery vehicles to reinforce the visual element of the Gulf Depot brand,” he adds.

Gulf Depot, founded in April 2002, is the retail trading division of the Roots Group operating through a network of 40 stores spanning five Middle East countries with the majority being in Saudi Arabia. It aims to offer the entire range of goods needed by the professional contractor drawn for the finest local and international manufacturers, according to Tabbara.

The company counts itself among the fortunate few that were not affected by the global economic downturn. In fact, Gulf Depot has seen sustained business levels from 2010 to 2011, with an increase of 25 per cent in the period, Tabarra says, adding that he sees no reason why this will not continue into 2012.

For 2012, he sees bright prospects for the company, with an expansion timetable laid out for new stores and a range of new services for its customers, which will be launched over the next three months.

One of these services is a significant enhancement of the company’s web presence. “From not having any web presence three years ago, we now get over 18,000 hits per month on our website (www.gulf-depot.com). As a result, we are currently revamping our site to include an online shopping service for all the products featured in our catalogue. This is to meet the growing trend towards electronic shopping and after-hours trading,” says Tabbara.

Gulf Depot has further strengthened its online presence by entering the social networking arena; it has launched its own Facebook page, which is updated with all the developments and achievements of the company and its staff, including awards and new store openings. In addition, its latest 2012 catalogue and all press advertisements feature a QR reference for smart phones to link instantly to its website.

At the store ... the entire range of products.

This year Gulf Depot is celebrating its 10th anniversary and marked the occasion by the opening its new flagship store in February in Obhur, 28 km north of Jeddah. The store covers 310 sq m and features the entire range of products that Gulf Depot offers as well as working displays from key suppliers and group companies.

“As we continue with our expansion plans, we have a confirmed rollout of new stores for 2012/2013. By the end of this year, we will have 50 stores,” says Tabbara.

Commenting on the construction scene, he says it has been very active over the last year and shows no signs of slowing down this year. “We are confident that we will achieve our sales targets for this year which represent a significant increase over last year. We are forecasting a 20 per cent growth based on confirmed orders for the first quarter.”

Gulf Depot’s products can be found in many prestigious projects such as office blocks, villas, universities and malls. One of the biggest construction projects it was recently involved in was the Princess Nora University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“We opened a store on the site to supply all the contractors with an accessible range of products and consumable products, so they did not need to leave the site for products or wait for deliveries to arrive on site. This concept proved very successful and will be repeated on all mega projects, the next being the development of Jeddah International Airport,” he comments.

Gulf Depot provides the small to medium contractor with a wide range of building products from local, well-stocked locations in the region including in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and the UAE. Each store stocks a range of partitioning products, hand and power tools, ceiling tiles, waterproofing products, electrical goods, fixing products and plumbing items.

The stores in Saudi Arabia are supported by three regional distribution centres in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. Each of these warehouses is over 3,000 sq m in size and holds a comprehensive stock. Its stores are serviced by its own transport fleet and a fully computerised stock replenishment system.

To further help customers, Gulf Depot has a training centre where its clients can learn about the benefits of the products as well as the best way of applying them; a comprehensive product catalogue and technical support literature; a video showing how to use the products; an interactive website; and a loyalty bonus scheme as well as an approved contractor scheme. The company can source products for almost all building applications from its worldwide supply base.