Saudi Metal Ceilings Manufacturing Company (SMC), which has under its belt a prestigious order for the King Fahd Military Hospital's G-200 extension project, Phase 1, Jeddah, has projected better performance during 2001 on the heels of good performances in 2000 and 1999.

'We have experienced a sales growth of 25 per cent per year over the past two years and our projection for the whole of 2001 is a further 30 per cent increase in sales,' says SMC vice president George Kildani.

'Our exports to neighbouring countries, especially Jordan, went up significantly in 1999 and 2000 with some seven main hospitals, supermarkets and airport refurbishment projects supplied,' he says.

The company's scope of activities covers the design, manufacture and supply of architectural suspended metal ceiling systems and window treatment coverings, market contract furnishings for the hospitality, residential and health-care industries along with wall coverings, wall protection systems and expansion joints used in hospital beds and casegoods.

The King Fahd Military Hospital order comprises a wall protection system of 2,800 linear m (LM), acoustical ceiling tiles for 15,000 sq m, extruded aluminium cubicle tracks of 200 LM, cubicle track curtains of 1,300 sq m, 25mm double-glazed window Venetian blinds of 800 sq m, 31 hand dryers including 27 for the main hospital, and 1,300 sq m of metal strip ceilings.

The company expects to open its Dammam regional office in July. The office will be in addition to its existing main plant and head office premises in Jeddah and the Riyadh branch office, which was opened in 1984.

On the payroll are 68 employees, at least half of whom have been with SMC for more than 10 years. It includes professionals from North America and Europe and the Middle East. All senior sales personnel have college degrees. SMC expects to add several sales professionals this year.