QANBAR Dywidag Precast Concrete Company (QDC) is looking forward to a promising year ahead against the backdrop of increased government spending on infrastructure and construction projects in Saudi Arabia.

In anticipation of the increased demand for its products, the leading Saudi-based manufacturer and supplier of precast concrete is planning a 30 per cent increase in production capacity.  This will enable it to produce 650,000 cu m per year of precast systems by 2014 compared to the current capacity of 500,000 cu m per year, according to Ahmad Sameh, marketing manager of QDC.

The specialised precast concrete manufacturing company designs, manufactures, delivers and installs precast and prestressed concrete components according to customer specifications. All its products are based on international standards such as PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute), ACI (American Concrete Institute) and BS (British Standards).

Sameh says: “Considering that the economy is favourable and the government is gearing up for increased expenditure in the infrastructure, housing, education, health and petrochemical sectors, we foresee a bright future ahead. Of course, there is tough competition in the market, however, given our performance even during more testing times, we are optimistic about maintaining our leadership position in our market segment.”

Sameh is also enthused by the fact that QDC has continued to enjoy good business over the past years and its performance chart has been on the rise without any fall-back.

“We have exceeded our target for this year and our output is up on last year in response to increased demand in the private and government sectors,” Sameh adds.

QDC provides a comprehensive range of products, offering basically a one-stop shop for all precast and prestressed concrete requirements including standard precast concrete elements and products such as paving and interlocking tiles, manholes, seating, external cladding panels, hollowcore slabs, double-tee slabs, precast domes, prestressed long-span girders, full wall frame and full beams and column systems, and boundary walls.

QDC has three precast factories in the kingdom handling many precast projects throughout the country that demand special features and involve complicated designs. To cater to the surging demand for its services in the Western Province, QDC recently set up a marketing office in Jeddah.

QDC extensive portfolio includes a diverse range of projects right from universities to housing and substation projects. Among them is a housing scheme for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) in Yanbu, where having completed its order for Phase One of the project, QDC is currently engaged in supplying the second phase, comprising full-frame systems for 382 villas.  Both phases have been subcontracted by Project Build Company.

Al Sultan Tower in Jeddah ... recently completed

The company is also involved in Qassim University, undertaking supply of cladding panels for the university hospital under a subcontract from Al Mansouriyah, having earlier completed work for the College of Engineering for the same contractor.

Other major ongoing projects that are keeping QDC busy are an apartment complex for the Royal Commission in  Jubail, under a subcontract from Mesmak Company;  400 villas in Jubail, for Saudi Kayan, with Khonaini International; and Aramco substation in Wasit and at Yanbu Export Refinery with Al Khodari and Kil Jin Kang and Partners Construction Company, respectively.

The Sabic housing projects have involved the supply of 60,000 cu m and 48,000 cu m of precast concrete elements for Phase One and Phase Two, respectively, which were carried out by QDC’s Rabigh facility.  Other projects supplied recently by this facility include Al Sultan Tower in Jeddah for Al Tarouk;  and the Taiba University project in Madinah, where 2,200 cu m of precast concrete produced using a special concrete mix with pigment was supplied to Sarh Altaqneyah Contracting.

Among other recent accomplishments are 538 villas and 10 apartment buildings for the Royal Commission of Jubail, both with Azmeel Contracting; King Faisal University in Al Ahsa, with APTC Contracting; and a 54-villa housing project, with Maban Real Estate.

QDC’s facilities in Jubail ... expansive.

QDC was formed in 1981 as a partnership between Sheikh Abdul Razzak Mohammed Qanbar Al Ansari, one of the leading businessmen in the Eastern Province, and Dycherhoff and Widmann (Dywidag), one of the largest West German general contractors and precast concrete manufacturer.

In January 2002, Al Ansari bought the entire share then held by Dywidag to become the sole owner of QDC. Dywidag continues to provide technical support to the firm.

QDC’s head office is based at Jubail Industrial City in the Eastern Province and it has sales offices in Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah. It has a production capacity of approximately 500,000 cu m per year from its three factories in Saudi Arabia – 220,000 cu m per year from the two factories in Jubail, and 280,000 cu m per year from the Rabigh factory. It employs 2,500 people.

QDC continues to invest in various upgrades, and is keen on technological developments that can enhance the quality of its products, Sameh concludes.