proactive approach characterises Kirby Building Systems’ strategy in the face of the global recession over the past year.  The Kuwait-based manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEB) and steel structures has been focusing on improving its processes to serve its customers more efficiently, introducing new products to meet the market demands and enhancing its visibility in the region.

“It has been a hard-fought year compared to 2008 but Kirby has been able to weather the storm and maintain its market position with several large-scale and unique projects secured,” says a confident Praveen Tandon, vice-president of Kirby. 

“In Kuwait, Kirby has performed well and looks poised to build on its successes in 2010. There are currently a number of large projects that Kirby looks set to secure and cater to over the next year,” he adds.

Kirby successfully maintained its leadership in business in a difficult year by improving its processes to ensure efficient customer service with the help of two key measures – through implementing SAP systems and adopting operational excellence strategies such as 5S techniques, which have also helped cut costs. “Internally, we keep improving our operations to eliminate waste and reduce operation time,” he points out.

Tandon is optimistic of a brighter year ahead and is looking to further strengthen Kirby’s position in markets such as Saudi Arabia in order to cater to a wider range of customer requirements.

Kirby specialises in the design and manufacture of custom-engineered, high-quality PEB and steel structures for industrial, commercial, warehousing, healthcare, education, airports, oil and gas and petrochemicals applications.
It has improved the efficiency and production capacity of its open web joists (OWJs) line, following the launch of its innovative curved built-up members a few months ago.

OWJs are secondary truss members made of hot-rolled or cold-formed grade 50 steel, fabricated from crimped angles welded onto top and bottom chords.

“Manufactured to the highest quality standards under tight quality control conditions, OWJs are lighter than regular floor beams, are low cost and can be easily erected at site. This product is suitable for long roof and floor spans, provide large column-free space, allowing passing of ducts and services through its web openings and conforms to SJI (Steel Joist Institute) specifications,” Alaeddin Jarrar, director engineering and sales support, points out.

Elaborating on the key qualities of curved built-up members, he says: “This product enhances the architectural and aesthetic appeal of buildings. These pure steel members made from hot-rolled plates are manufactured to the highest accuracy and quality, and can be easily fixed at site. They do not require additional lead time and come as an integrated part of the building structure. The minimum radius for such members is 10 m and can have tapered depths along their curved pass, giving flight to the imagination of architects and opening a new era for PEB and steel structures in the region.”

These new products shared the limelight at The Big 5 show in Dubai at the end of last month. At this key construction expo, Kirby participated along with insulation specialist Kimmco, a sister concern under the umbrella of Alghanim Industries group of companies. “Kirby staged a strong presence at this major construction forum, with its stand portraying its extensive manufacturing capabilities,” says Ashish Gurnani, the company’s MEA (Middle East area) marketing manager.

Kirby also took part in the Dubai Airshow last month (November 15 to 19), where it held the distinction of being the only PEB and structural steel manufacturer at the exhibition. “At the air show, we showcased our ability to cater to the aeronautical industry with several prestigious aircraft hangar projects to confirm our wide experience,” he says.

Over the past year, Kirby also participated in the Building and Construction exhibition held at the Mishrif Grounds in Kuwait and at Saudi Build exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, both held during October.

According to Gurnani, all these exhibitions proved successful for Kirby, having generated several enquiries. “Kirby’s participation in these events and in those planned for 2010 portrays the company’s proactive approach to showcase the engineering capabilities and increase awareness of the quality of its products and services,” he adds.

Kirby is currently working on various prestigious projects, one of which is a police academy project of over 3,500 tonnes for the Kuwait Government. In the recent past, it has been involved with three multi-storey healthcare buildings for Kuwait’s Ministry of Health. “This was completed in record time and is a unique project for Kirby and one of its most prestigious jobs,” he says.

Commenting on some of the more challenging projects that Kirby has been involved in, Tandon cites the examples of the pedestrian bridge for the Marina Mall and an aircraft training centre for the Australian College of Kuwait. “Both projects in Kuwait were one of a kind since they were non-conventional steel projects,” he explains.

“The structures were carefully designed, manufactured and erected to suit each individual requirement. At the Australian College, for example, the building had to be erected around an aircraft. Such projects show the true strength of Kirby’s engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities,” he emphasises.

Kirby Building Systems was established in 1976 in Kuwait with its headquarters located in Mina Abdullah Industrial Area.  The company has five manufacturing plants – in Kuwait, Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Hyderabad and Haridwar (both in India) and in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) – giving it a total annual capacity of 425,000 tonnes. Kirby is present in more than 70 countries and has a network of over 250 builders, which have carried out more than 50,000 projects.