ARABIAN Tile Company (Artic) has clinched some of the major projects under way in Saudi Arabia, thanks to the reputation it has earned over the past 34 years for its diverse range of quality products, production capacity and ability to deliver special designs.

The Riyadh-based company is today one of the largest manufacturers of terrazzo, concrete and decorative terrazzo tiles, glass-reinforced concrete (GRC), blocks, and grinding stones in the country.

“Our products are being used almost everywhere, mainly in large projects like Princess Nora University for Women, King Abdullah Financial District, King Abdullah Road, various ministries, and municipalities,” says Khalid Najjar, the company’s sales manager.

For these developments, Artic has supplied various kinds and colours of curbstones, tiles, interlock pavers, blocks, terrazzo tiles and special cement products, worth more than SR400 million ($106.6 million), he says.

Commenting on the requirements of these projects, Najjar indicates that the King Abdullah Road project was unique in that no standard products were used: the company had to create special designs for the products required by this urban freeway development.

Turning to the Princess Nora University for Women in Riyadh, he says that the company supplied its latest product – the Eco tile – for this landmark project. “This tile, which was launched last year, has a high solar reflectance value and thermal emission for roof cooling. It enhances comfort of occupants particularly during the summer, while reducing the air-conditioning load and thus resulting in power saving of up to 30 per cent,” he says.

Artic has also proven its competitive edge in the market by being able to meet the requirements of King Abdulaziz Military Academy (military show yard) project. For this development, the company is delivering a special bespoke tile that other manufacturers in the kingdom were unable to offer, Najjar claims.

Artic’s product range includes different types, shapes, colours and sizes of concrete interlock pavers. It also manufactures concrete blocks, hollow blocks, rib blocks of different sizes and colours, in addition to different sizes and colours of curbstones.

Najjar attributes the company’s success in the market to a number of factors. “We have gained experience in supplying to most of the major construction projects throughout the kingdom.

In addition, Artic boasts high production quality, which ensures perfect shape, design and colours, colour permanence and the ability to meet the client’s choice in design and colours. An added advantage is our efficient customer and after-sales services,” he adds.

Riyadh-headquartered Artic was established in 1977 as part of the Aico Group, which owns about 30 companies in various fields of manufacturing and services. The company expanded its product portfolio to include GRC in 1993 when Saudi GRC merged with it.

Artic has three strategically-located factories – two in the Second Industrial Area of Riyadh and one in Jeddah. The Jeddah plant was set up in 2006 and is considered one of the most modern and one of the largest in terms of production capacity in the Western Province.

Overall, Artic has a production capacity of approximately 4,000 sq m per day and sells its products directly as well as through a network of distributors.

Najjar is optimistic about the Saudi market and says it has a lot of opportunities to offer. The company is now looking at tapping these opportunities by expanding its reach to cover all major areas with its state-of-the-art factories to meet market needs and reduce delivery times.

An ISO:9001-2008 certified company, Artic is also a member of professional bodies including the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), and Concrete Society’s Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete Association (GRCA).