CANAM Asia will be showcasing its steel fabrication prowess when it puts the spotlight on its open web joist, hambro composite floor system, and composite and roof metal decking at this year’s gulfBID.

Launched in 2002 as a joint venture between Zamil Industrial (ZI) and Steel Plus Limited – an affiliate of the Canadian Canam Group (CG), Canam Asia couples the expertise of ZI in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa with the reputation of CG, which is renowned as a leading manufacturer of steel joists and structural steel components in North America and Europe.
Commenting on the recently-launched products that will be promoted at gulfBID, Canam Asia’s regional manager, GCC and international sales Jean El Khoury says: “While these products have been used in the West, they are considered as new products in the Gulf market. Canam Asia aims to educate the market here about the benefits and advantages of these products.”

Canam Asia claims to be the only company in the region that custom-designs, fabricates and supplies open-web steel joists as well as composite floor decks and roof decks. “Open-web joists are ideal for floors and roofs in all types of buildings, whether steel or concrete. They offer substantial savings in weight and cost,” he says. “Canam joists can be economically used for long column-free spans due to their high load-bearing-capacity-to-weight ratio, offering more open interior space. Moreover, the truss-like configuration of the joists allows the passage of pipes and ducts through them, thereby eliminating the need for extra height inside the buildings and reducing the overall cost.”
The company offers a full range of composite steel decks and non-composite roof decks. “We are proud to be the only company in the region having a UL (Underwriters Laboratory) certification for its steel deck,” El Khoury says.
Participating in exhibitions is an essential part of Canam Asia’s marketing strategy, he says adding that the company took part in gulfBID last year as well, under the Zamil Industries banner.
“Such events enable companies to make new contacts, which can lead to positive results in the long term,” he adds.
Canam Asia has two fabrication facilities covering an area of around 17,000 sq m in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) and Ras Al Khaimah (UAE). It has an annual capacity of 14,000 tonnes of joists, and 10,000 tonnes of metal deck panels per shift of operation and an approximate turnover of $20 million.
The company has made steady progress since its inception, although last year, due to economical crisis, it managed to maintain the same figures as in 2008. Nevertheless, it sees bright prospects for the construction industry in the GCC, whose economies are dependent on oil revenues.

Among recent developments, Canam Asia enhanced and introduced new equipment at its plant in Ras Al Khaimah, to enable it to supply the entire range of open web joists, and floor and roof decks.
The plant can now produce open web joists with a span of up to 90 m. It can also provide 38-mm, 51-mm and 76-mm (1-1/2, 2, and 3-inch) composite and non-composite floor steel decks as well as 38-mm and 76-mm (1-1/2 and 3-inch) roof steel decks, with sheet thicknesses varying from 0.76 mm (22 gauge) to 1.52 mm (16 gauge).
The firm has been involved in numerous projects around the GCC, including the Dubai International Airport; Abu Dhabi Financial Centre; Logistic Stores, Sharjah; New Doha International Airport; Royal Opera House, Muscat; US Navy Milcon, Bahrain; and Dareen Mall in Dammam, Safwa Towers in Makkah; ITCC tower in Riyadh and an aircraft hangar in Jeddah, all in Saudi Arabia.
Canam Asia has also completed several other projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bangladesh, Romania, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. It plans to open new sales offices in the GCC to enhance its reach and service to customers.
Canam Asia will be exhibiting at Stand 1A46 at gulfBID.