UNIVERSAL Rolling (Unirol), Bahrain’s first steel rolling mill which went on stream last year, will be at gulfBID next month, positioning itself as a small but high-end quality producer in the region.

Although a new manufacturer, the company has already drawn up an aggressive expansion plan worth $60 million, which will effectively take it into regional markets. As part of the plan, Unirol will be enhancing its DRI (direct-reduced iron), steel melting, and rolling capacities to meet demand.
Using the gulfBID platform, Unirol aims to reach out to construction and real estate clients in Bahrain and the GCC so as to seek new business opportunities and meet potential clients, as well as spread the word that Unirol has started production.
“We are targeting the Gulf market as a new manufacturer, and want to make this known to as many potential customers as possible. We are entering as a small but high-end quality producer with a focus on stringent quality control norms and a highly specialised level of service,” says Mazen Ali Al Mahroos, managing director of Unirol.
Established in March 2003, the steel mill is located in the Hidd Industrial Area and has a manufacturing capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year (tpy) of steel rebar, ranging from 8 mm to 32 mm in diameter. Targeted for use in construction projects in Bahrain and other GCC countries, these products conform to British (BS4449) and US (ASTM A615) standards and are certified by a number of agencies and clients, including TUV ISO 9001:2000 and Bahrain’s works and housing ministries. It is also completing formalities to obtain UK Cares certification.
In line with its focus on quality, Unirol undertakes regular testing to maintain the required quality standards, right from the production stage until the products are ready for dispatch, and this is supported by its customer care and after-sales services. Its quality control lab are equipped with the latest steel testing equipment to test for tensile strength, chemical composition, and acceptable bending and re-bending parameters as per the standards.
Unirol is a start-up business that is constantly improving its performance from month to month, says Al Mahroos, adding that the company has participated in many completed and ongoing projects for major contractors.
Unirol is a joint venture between Bahrain’s Al Mahroos family; International Investment Bank, and other Bahraini investors; and Al Jomaih Company of Saudi Arabia. It employs a staff of 200 and anticipates a turnover of $120 million for this year.
Speaking about prospects for the region’s construction sector, Al Mahroos says: “Each country in the GCC has its unique prospects. Saudi Arabia, in our opinion, will be the main driving force in the region in terms of construction and infrastructure development. However, Qatar and Abu Dhabi are among the strongest growth markets, followed by Kuwait and Bahrain.”
The company will be exhibiting at Stand 1C31 in gulfBID.