THE Al Kobaisi Group of Companies is looking at major regional expansion as part of its growth plan.
The Bahrain-based company, which has a diverse portfolio of concrete products, has recently branched into the production of double-glazed units, aluminium and glass accessories as well as special concrete mixes and is keenly eyeing the manufacture of ceramic and porcelain tiles, according to Abdulla Essa Al Kobaisi, managing director.

The group’s concrete operations include Al Kobaisi Readymix, Al Kobaisi Precast Factory and Al Kobaisi Block Factory.
Al Kobaisi’s product range includes readymix concrete (an annual production capacity of 1.2 million cu m), blocks (a capacity of 30 million various pieces a year), hollowcore slabs (an annual capacity of 540,000 sq m) and building/housing components (a capacity of 900,000 sq m per year).
Al Kobaisi Aluminium & Glass, which also serves the construction indsutry, has an annual capacity of 200,000 sq m.
In line with its commitment to innovate, Al Kobaisi has newly-developed a number of special mix designs, including:
• 35N SRC (sulphur-resistant cement) with PFA (pulverised fly ash) and Glenium 51 admixture, which helps increase early and ultimate compressive strengths and flexural strength, lowers permeability, reduces shrinkage and creep and increases durability;
• 45N SRC design with 420 kg cement, Sika Plast 800, which results in improved workability and economy, packed reinforcement, less vibration and therefore reduced segregation, water reduction, increased strength, reduction in shrinkage and creep, better surface finish and economy;
• 45N SRC and OPC (ordinary Portland cement) design with Visco Crete 5030 admixture, which has the highest possible water reduction and very good cost/performance ratio;
• 45N SRC design with Sika CNI – Sika CNI, a calcium nitrite-based admixture designed to inhibit corrosion of steel; and
• 45N SRC for filling works, suitable for hot weather concreting.
Commenting on the state of the market, Al Kobaisi says that though Bahrain produces high-quality concrete products, certain issues needed to be addressed.
“The concrete products market in Bahrain has high standards due to strict government controls in terms of testing, inspection and monitoring,” he says. “If there is still a concern that needs to be addressed, it would be over the availability of raw materials, all of which have to be imported. Also, there is a need for controls to be put in place against erratic price fluctuations.”
Though there is stiff competition on the market, Al Kobaisi believes that this can have a positive effect on the industry. “We do have competition, but we look at this positively as it provides us with an incentive to improve.”
Al Kobaisi says quality is a top priority and the company’s business strategy is built around the customer. “We have always maintained a high level of quality on our products and services, while ensuring reasonable prices and a good variety,” he says. “The company is focused on constant improvement of services and product quality. Most of our investments are in the production of other building products that our existing customers may need, in order to give a better service to them. And since we see everything from our customer’s point of view, we have always worked towards maintaining product quality, promptness of service and ensuring that they get their money’s worth,” he adds.
While acknowledging a fall in output, Al Kobaisi says the company has been able to weather the downturn. “Due to the global financial crisis, there has been a decrease in our output but we have been able to maintain production ratios at a reasonable level,” he says.
Established in 1972, the Al Kobaisi Group is headquartered in the Sitra Industrial Area with other branches located in the Hidd Industrial Area, West Eker Area, Bahrain International Airport, Government Avenue in Manama, Juffair and Sanabis.
In addition to the concrete and aluminium firms, the group has other divisions that cater to the construction sector. These include Al Kobaisi Construction and Maintenance, Al Kobaisi Sand & Aggregate, Al Kobaisi Electrical Contracting, Al Kobaisi Building System, and Al Kobaisi Security Services.
Some of its ongoing projects include the 47-storey Sukoon Tower, the 36-storey Fontana Tower, 27-storey Lari Tower, 26-storey Ejaz Tower, 26-storey DCR Tower, a 22-storey tower and a 26-storey building – all in Juffair, the 35-storey Dream Tower 1 and 11 in Sanabis, a 20-storey tower in Busaiteen, a 15-villa compound in Hamala, and Shaikh Isa Sports City, among other projects.
Al Kobaisi is set to start work shortly on the 22-storey Future Bank headquarters in  Seef, the 25-storey Bokhowa Tower in Sanabis, a shopping mall in Saar, 54-villa compound in Jasra, a 14-villa compound in Busaiteen, the 47-storey Orchid Tower and a 35-storey tower, both in Juffair, and the Survey Directorate headquarters.