THE Shaheen Group of Companies returns to this year’s gulfBID confident of its growth and success well into next year.

Sager Shaheen, president of the Shaheen Group of Companies and board member of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry is bullish about prospects for his group. “2008 was an excellent year for our company with record-high revenue and exceptional profitability,” says Shaheen, “And for this year, we currently see little change as most projects that we are involved in are still ongoing. However, while the number of enquiries we are receiving has dropped compared with last year, we will continue to be busy well into 2010.”
The Shaheen Group of Companies, which began as Awalco Group of companies in 1958, today amalgamates Gypsum Products, Gulf Services Company and Awal Products Company under its banner. The group offers a range of services in the electrical, air-conditioning, fire security and gypsum product sectors to the regional market.
Gulf Services Company offers various electromechanical services on a turnkey basis and has forged a bond with renowned equipment manufacturers and suppliers including SFFECO (fire-fighting systems), Esser by Honeywell of Germany (intelligent fire alarm systems), Hociki Europe UK (fire alarm systems), Hi Sharp (CCTV systems) IDTeck (access control systems) and Checkpoint (anti-shoplifting systems).
Awal Products Company (Apco) is a leading heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) consultancy offering complete turnkey services in design, fabrication, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of air-conditioning and ventilation. It operates as a specialist contractor for residential and commercial projects and also represents leading US manufacturers such as McQuay (unitary and applied products), Rheem (unitary products) Greenheck (kitchen ventilation and general ventilation systems), and Poolpark (indoor swimming pools, dehumidification and water heating specialist products).
Gypsum Products acts as a specialist contractor to architects and construction firms, undertaking simple to complex gypsum designs for ceilings and wall columns. It has strong business ties with global gypsum giants such as Knauf of Germany and Bradys of Australia.
The group has also joined hands with the Nass Group to establish an abrasives plant in Dammam with a total investment of $10 million.
Shaheen is also a partner in Hilti Bahrain and owner of Bahrain Oil Services and Systems Company (Boss).
The Shaheen Group is currently busy with a number of projects in Bahrain including King Hamad Hospital, Riffa Views and the Zallaq Resort hotel, where it has a BD4.5 million ($11.9 million) contract for air-conditioning, plumbing and fire-related products.
The company is also working on a number of tower blocks. “We do have a lot of ongoing work but the growth in our business has been achieved without compromising the quality of our service,” says Shaheen. “We have always remained quality-oriented and achieved ISO certification for the group in 2008.”
Shaheen believes that Bahrain’s construction market remains positive. “As far as I am aware, the only current project that has been postponed is the Al Salam Resort project in the southeast of the island,” says Shaheen. “Unlike Dubai where over $75 billion of projects have been stopped, all other projects in Bahrain are ongoing. Here in Bahrain we have been more used to crises and as such we are better prepared.”
Shaheen’s optimism is based on evidence gleaned from principals such as Hilti who are forecasting an excellent few years ahead.
“We should also appreciate that our market depends more on the locals and Saudis whereas elsewhere in the Gulf there is an overdependence on the expatriate market. We have a local population within the country and in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia of over four million people,” he says.
Shaheen’s passion for his business can be seen as one of the most important ingredients of his success. “We have tried to develop a culture of passion amongst our people which translates into more productivity,” he says. “We enjoy our work and success comes from the entire team of loyal and motivated staff who are efficient and provide a quality service.”
As a result, Shaheen has been able to steer a company that does not compete on price alone. The corporate image is one of commitment, ethics and a record of timely execution which engenders loyalty from his customers.
Shaheen Group will be exhibiting at Stand No 1F31 at gulfBID.