Egyptian concrete batching plant specialist Grand Industries expects to do brisk business in 2009 despite tighter margins and inflationary pressures.

“Business was excellent last year and though our production costs could rise, we see a great demand for our plant, due to the booming construction sector and subsequent ready-mix activity,” says Omar El Shalakany, the general manager of Grand Industries, which is part of the Al Moez Group.
Located in the Ismailia Free Zone, Grand Industries is a major manufacturer of mobile and fixed concrete batching plant and accessories such as complete aggregate washing plant, cement silos, radial fixed belt conveyors and electric control panels in the Middle East and Africa, he says.
Grand Industries has an export capacity of 40 to 50 concrete batching plants a year. “Last year, we delivered 21 batching plants. Some 24 plants are still under construction, while more orders are in the pipeline,” says El Shalakany. “All in all, the orders were worth $10 million.”
The plants are built to the highest specifications at its state-of-the-art factory, using automatic and semi-automatic machinery and under the supervision of trained, professional staff, says El Shalakany, adding that the company has a workforce of more than 120 engineers, technical staff, workers, marketing and sales specialists.
El Shalakany says components for the batching plants are imported from reputed manufacturers across the world.
Pan, planetary and twin-shaft mixers are sourced from Pemat of Germany, while the company also deals with Chevron of the UK for conveyor belts, and WAM of Italy for accessories and spare parts.
“We are also seeking an agency contract with Italy’s Sicoma for its mixers,” he says.