The year 2001 has got off to a disappointing start according to Saudi Pan Gulf-UBMO, a supplier of a wide range of high-quality mechanical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) and architectural finishing Materials. 'An anticipated increase in activity in the construction sector has not materialised,'says general manager Paul Gent.

The official says 2000 had also been a slow year compared to 1999 because the level of liquidity in the market was considerably reduced.

The company was established in 1979 and now has seven branches in Saudi Arabia.

According to Gent, the company has supplied a wide range of products to major projects in Saudi Arabia since 1979 including the King Fahad International Airport in Dhahran, the Faisaliah and Kingdom Towers in Riyadh, King Faisal University, numerous projects for the Ministries of Health and Education, National Guard and MoDA (Ministry of Defence and Aviation), as well as projects for Saudi Aramco and Sabic (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) and KAAU (King Abdul Aziz University) projects.

'Saudi Pan Gulf-UBMO continually introduces quality new products into the market,'says Gent. 'Over the past few years our range of products has been broadened considerably, enabling clients to procure the majority of their material requirements from a well-known and trusted source. New products are supported with specialised, trained personnel.'

Gent says the company will launch over the next year a number of new product lines - both mechanical/HVAC/industrial-related as well as new architectural finishing products.

'The Saudi Pan Gulf-UBMO sales team offers an extremely high level of technical service and after-sales support. All products are backed with specialised technical representatives,'said Gent. 'The company has 60 highly-motivated and well-trained personnel Kingdom-wide working to support our valued customers.'

About the company's approach to business, Gent says: 'The key to Saudi Pan Gulf-UBMO's success is the fact that we remain focussed on the most fundamental and critical factors - customers require quality products at a competitive price with a high level of service and support.'