Buoyed by the surge in construction activity and demand in the kingdom, Saudi Arabia-based concrete batching plant manufacturer Al Kifah Batching Plant (AKBP) is poised to set up another production facility for concrete mixers to meet the demand in the local and export market.

“We are currently witnessing a rapid surge in business. Due to the boom in infrastructure activities, demand for readymix concrete is soaring, which in turn is creating a good demand for our products,” says Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Katheer, general manager of the company.
“While we achieved sales worth SR35 million ($9.3 million) in 2006, we expect to see a 30 per cent rise in this figure and are hoping to reach a target of SR45 million in the current year, given the increased demand for our products,” he adds.
Business has been growing for the company over the past five years, partly due to its expert sales team as well as its prestigious ISO 9001 certification, combined with the heightened level of construction activity within the kingdom.
A steady growth in sales figures has been a hallmark of AKBP, which has fabricated and supplied 16 batching plant in 2003, 20 units in 2004, 25 in 2005 and 30 in 2006. The upward swing looks set to continue this year with the company already having 17 confirmed orders by March this year and another 40 more expected to come in during the course of this year.
Established in 1993 in Al Hasa Industrial City in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, AKBP claims to be the only batching plant manufacturer in the Middle East to design, manufacture, supply and install high-quality mobile, portable and static concrete batching and mixing plant. It also fabricates accessories such as complete aggregate and sand-washing plant, cement silos of all capacities, radial conveyors of all dimensions, electric control panels and spare parts for batching plant.
AKPB’s plants have been operating in most of the Middle East countries and the company has maintained its reputation by adopting the latest innovative design techniques, allowing many combinations to suit customers’ specification and environmental considerations.
“Our quality production and simple inexpensive erection has gained recognition in all GCC states and neighbouring countries including Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. We offer quick after sales service through our locally resident and highly-qualified technicians,” says Katheer.
AKBP’s plant are designed to be wet or dry systems. The company also refurbishes existing plant, bringing customers’ equipment to up to the same high standards that it achieves with its new equipment. Its plant control systems can be supplied for manual operation or with the latest computer batching systems tailored to suit customers’ requirements. Control cabins can be sited at mixer platform level, stacked, positioned overhead or on the ground.
“Operating to ISO standards, our factory has a production capacity of 30 to 40 complete concrete batching plant per year. We are equipped with a diverse range of automatic and semi-automatic machines and specialised equipment to carry out the manufacturing process under the supervision of an efficient management and production staff,” points out Katheer.
“We have also brought in new equipment to enhance our production capabilities and quality in line with ISO standards.This equipment includes new bending machines and plasma-cutting machines to meet varied customer demands,” he adds.
In addition to concrete batching and mixing plants, AKBP now offers the KB series of truckmixers in skid mounted format, designed and manufactured in modern, purpose-built facilities. These truckmixers feature a low centre of gravity for improved road handling, high-grade steel drums, continuous welding and capped spiral blades plus rigid mounting frames and telescopic discharge chute. Industry-proven components are used throughout to ensure long service life and minimal maintenance demands and all units are supplied grit blasted and in universal primer finish, he says.
“In view of the market demand, we are now establishing one more production unit where concrete mixers will be manufactured, in a bid to meet the demand from domestic and international customers. Hence, we have acquired new land and constructed a new building. We expect to start production by the end of this year,” Katheer says.
As a well-established player in the domestic market, AKBP has a 3,500 sq m factory and the warehouse facility in Hasa and is staffed by around 130 experienced administrative and technical employees. In order to cope with the rising demand for its concrete batching plant, the company has also expanded its warehouse facilities this year.
AKFB other branch offices are located in Dammam and Jeddah as well as in Dubai in the UAE and Wolverhampton in the UK. It is currently on a mission to increase its market overseas and is looking at China and other neighbouring countries for further sales orders.