AL HARAMAIN is a new entrant into the concrete market, but unlike several of its more established and larger counterparts, the company has set its sights on small projects and individual users, an area which it says has hitherto been neglected.

The Bahrain-based company supplies a range of concrete products from blocks and precast components but is currently focussing on   readymix concrete as a growth area of operations.
Al Haramain was set up specifically to address the needs of the small projects in the market, says  Ahmed Adel, the company’s founder.
 He explains: “In 2007, while working at a local aluminium company, I noticed that there was huge demand for readymix concrete. However, while there are numerous suppliers catering to larger projects, there was none for small consumers. I went through several publications especially Gulf Construction magazine, and realised there was a  need for setting up an establishment which could meet the requirements of small consumers.”
The entrepreneur went ahead with his plans, secured credit from a local bank and ordered a pump mixer (Pumi) from Man of Germany after researching that it was the right machine for his business. The truck arrived in June and Adel’s business kicked off a few weeks later to be immediately inundated with orders.
 “I was amazed by the rush of orders from small customers – we seemed to be meeting the need of the hour,” he recalls. “There are consumers who might only need 1 cu m of readymix concrete. These people face hassles in getting such a small quantity from larger suppliers. For them, we are a blessing,” he says.
Sourcing the readymix has been fairly simple. “We just get the product required by any client from local companies such as Haji Hassan and supply it.”
Al Haramain, which claims to be the only such company catering to small consumers in the kingdom, is now planning to buy a second truck to meet demand.

Brisk start
Within just two months of its launch, Al Haramain has completed more than 200 orders – at a daily average of four to five – of concrete of varying strengths,  from 35N/sq mm for columns to 45N/sq mm for foundations.
 When asked why he decided to target the small consumer, Adel says: “Big projects depend on the financial vagaries of the market, and may progress or stall accordingly. But small projects can always be found in the market and are generally those that need to be undertaken. As Bahrain’s population increases, more and more people want homes, whether it is detached house, apartment or even an extra room in an existing house. Our advantage lies in catering to this ever-present need of the market.”
Asked if Al Haramain will expand its operations to serve larger projects, he says: “This is the first step. If this venture goes well, we will definitely aim for bigger projects. However, we will continue to supply small projects as well.”
Al Haramain currently has a staff of five and has its office in Budaiya.