LEADING architects and building consultants attended a technical seminar in Bahrain hosted by Kuwait-based Kirby Building Systems, recognised as one of the top three pre-engineered steel building (PEB) companies in the world.
The seminar focused on Kirby’s solutions related to curved steel beams, storages and structural steel buildings.
Kirby officials said curved steel beams, which the company recently introduced, attracted the most interest.
“It opened their eyes to what builders can do,” said Tim Connerton, president, industrial group and supply chain management, Alghanim Group Kuwait, the parent company of Kirby Building Systems. “In the early days the trend was box-like structures, now they can look at curves and creative designs. Curved beams give them the capability to be more aesthetic and flexible.”
The curved beam concept has been incorporated into the Riffa Mall project in Bahrain which Kirby officials described as “one of a kind.”
Also addressing the seminar were Praveen Tandon, Kirby vice president, and Viren Joshi, the company’s general manager for the Middle East and Africa.
Tandon said Kirby highlighted the technical advantages, cost-effectiveness, time savings and environmental benefits of PEBs and structural steel products.
As well as PEBs and structural steel buildings, Kirby offered insulation solutions, moving towards greater integration, said Tandon.
Kirby Building Systems has PEB plants in the Gulf, India and Vietnam and total capacity is 425,000 tonnes annually.
Connerton said Kirby was looking to set up additional PEB plants in Africa and the East Mediterranean and plants for structural steel buildings and storage solutions.
Kirby has implemented enterprise resource planning software product SAP (systems, applications and products) in all its plants, said to be the first for a PEB company.
Connerton said the company had invested substantial sums in machines, refurbishments and capability upgrades. “Between 2006 and 2008 we doubled our revenues. This year we will not grow at the rate of last year but certainly we’re holding up. We expect to double the 2009 revenue in three years,” he said.