GULF Depot for Building Materials Company is spreading its wings into Africa and is to open seven new shops across the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, next year.

With its business growing by an average 25 per cent every year, the Saudi company has now expanded its product offering to include plumbing, electrical fittings and cable and door handles.

In addition, Gulf Depot for Building Materials has seen the number of its stores double from 20 to 40 over the last two years.

Outlining some its recent achievements, general manager Ihab Tabbara says: “We have completed our new customer and store support system, which involves a four-stage approach to improving our customer offering.”

He continues: “We established a dedicated training centre in Jeddah, an industry first. All staff now learn about our products in a hands-on environment from our training staff, ensuring that they are better informed to assist our customers in their product choice. This centre has been used by our manufacturers for new product launches and is also available to our customers so that they can learn about new products before they purchase them.

“We have launched a new product video – a 40-minute film featuring all our main products and their applications. Every store has been equipped with a large-screen television and the film runs constantly at the sales desk. It has also been uploaded to YouTube where potential clients can access the contents 24 hours a day.

Gulf Depot’s website has also been revised and enhanced with complete technical data section on all its products, new product ranges of plumbing, electrical and waterproof wall panels as well as its latest catalogue, which is available at its stores.

“This 100-page publication has increased in size by four times in the last two years and features a comprehensive listing of all our products,” Tabbara says.

This apart, Gulf Depot has launched Fibo waterproof wall panels on the local market. “Manufactured in Norway, the wall covering system is completely waterproof and highly decorative,” Tabbara says.

“Unlike tiling, it does not need to be grouted or require adhesive and can be applied directly to the wall or framing, eliminating the need for gyproc wall boards. As Fibo is fire rated, it eliminates the need for application of cement board to protect the structure. The panel is extremely useful for areas where high levels of hygiene are important such as kitchens and food preparation outlets.

“Fibo can be used in wet rooms, bathrooms, hospitals, sports centres, universities, reception areas, hallways and salons and anywhere a consistent high-quality finish is needed with the added benefit of being waterproof,” he says.

Commenting on the construction industry, Tabbara says that business had continued to grow in Saudi Arabia over the past two years, although the GCC as a whole grew at a smaller rate.

Gulf Depot is the largest retailer of building materials in Saudi Arabia and the GCC with a network of 40 stores in seven countries. The company, with an annual turnover of $16 million, employs 150 people.

Part of the Roots Group, Gulf Depot was established in 2003 in Jeddah.