Almabani General Contractors has enjoyed almost three decades of growth in the Kingdom through implementing a variety of projects. The Jeddah-based company, however, does not intend to rest on its laurels, says Ghassan El Khazin, area manager.

The contracting firm plans to break into the oil and gas construction sectors as well as explore the overseas market.

Almabani has been executing projects since 1972 as a general contractor.

Its projects range from buildings, roads, housing, palaces, airports, runways and facilities, military installations, port warehouse/cold-storage complexes, water and sewerage plants and utilities, heavy industrial and petrochemical projects, hospitals, laboratories, electrical power plants and substations, communication facilities and operation and maintenance.

Its contracts vary from lumpsum turnkey (LSTK), lumpsum procure and build (LSPB), to re-measured contracts.

Commenting on business levels during 2000, Khazin says: "The volume of business last year was fairly good. We have completed very prestigious projects to the satisfaction of our clients. Currently, we are executing good size and challenging contracts. This was the result of the hard work and extra efforts our team has been exerting.

"We hope to gain our share from the upcoming projects in the next few years.''

Almabani achieved its goal of being an ISO 9002-certified company for quality management last year, according to Khazin.

"The firm plans to continue improving its quality standards through incessant training of its expert team of engineers and staff, and hopefully clinch more esteemed projects,'' he adds.

Commenting on the construction sector in Saudi Arabia over the past year, he says: "It has been good and we expect more projects to get tendered this year. We foresee better opportunities in the construction sector in the next five years.''

Almabani General Contractors employs around 3,500 personnel, 400 of whom are management and support staff, while 3,100 are technical and field personnel of various trades. Almabani has an average annual turnover of $230 million. Its current projects under execution are worth a total of $484 million.

A number of developments have taken place recently within the company such as the establishment of a specialities division.

Almabani has formed a specialities division with the objective of attaining a leadership position among specialised contractors.

The division has completed major rehabilitation works in the Saline Water Conversion Corporation's (SWCC) Al Khobar desalination plant Phase II, Ibn Zahr in Jubail, and the QA pipelines corridor bridge at the King Fahad International Airport. It is currently executing remedial works in SWCC's Jeddah plants and the Gosi commercial building in the heart of Dammam.''

Given its widespread project sites in the Kingdom, Almabani established branch offices in Riyadh to serve the central region, and Dhahran for the eastern region, while its headquarters in Jeddah covers the western region. Almabani also has an office in Beirut, which oversees construction operation in Lebanon.

Khazin continues: "We are focusing more on industrial jobs and trying to break into oil and gas construction projects. We are also looking for specialty-use buildings like industrial and educational laboratory and research centres, hospitals and medical centers, science and technology with exhibition centres.

"We also intend to participate in international projects.''

"Almabani has maintained its impressive track record as a reputable contractor during its 30 years of existence. It has provided a wide range of general contracting skills and services, with the objectives of completing work on time, within the budget, with zero defects and accidents, and to the customer's satisfaction.

"As an ISO 9002-certified company, Almabani has been implementing a quality management system, resulting to good productivity and profitability. Continuous development of manpower is a priority. We have maintained a skilled, well-trained and flexible workforce which embraces the principle of team spirit to succeed. Gaining the trust of our clients is a priority and something we are very proud of.

"With these remarkable qualifications, and our competitiveness, Almabani is ready to break into the oil and gas, and industrial construction sectors,'' he concludes.