GulfBID provides an ideal platform to showcase to a large audience under one roof, and it is this opportunity that Neptune Technical and Trading Establishment intends to capitalise on when it returns to the show for the third time since 2010.

The Bahrain-based metal fabrication company witnessed a good turnout at its stand last year, where it gained good contacts. “A lot of people showed interested in our company last year, from individuals to company representatives,” says general manager Nadia Sameer Engineer.

“Some enquiries we received during the show resulted in signed orders for us, but not as many as we would have liked. We did find a new supplier at the show to whom we have subsequently given many orders since,” she adds.

Neptune, part of a group of companies owned by Sameer Ahmed Engineer, is a metal fabrication company dealing with stainless steel, steel, wrought iron, aluminium and brass. It fabricates, supplies and installs all types of architectural, general and structural fabrication, such as staircase railing and balustrades, wall-mounted handrails, glass railing, grab rails, guardrails, doors, gates, stainless steel kitchens, column, lift and general cladding, canopy ceilings, handles, skirting, framing, bollards, aluminium composite panel cladding, swimming pool ladders, signs and custom projects. These can be for villas, apartments, offices, buildings and even boats.

Nadia says the company’s target in participating at gulfBID is to increase awareness about Neptune. “We intend to promote our company as a whole and to show visitors examples of our work, and we feel that the exhibition is a good way to achieve this,” she says.

While all of the company’s products are custom made for each requirement, Neptune will be showcasing some new designs alongside standard designs, such as for handrails.

In terms of business, 2011 was a slow year for the company, although it had sufficient orders to keep it going. “2012 was a great improvement, but we suffered a knock-on effect from the previous year with some clients having been unable to pay for work completed. This year so far has been significantly better as the Bahrain market is improving,” she says.

In line with the market trends, the company has seen an increase in orders for projects involving more affordable materials, such as aluminium and wrought iron rather than stainless steel fabrication.

Neptune Technical and Trading intends to expand its size and capabilities, given the improving prospects in the region. “We are looking into diversifying into other areas within our market in line with our strategic goals,” she says.

Looking ahead, Nadia expects the construction industry will “continue to grow and thrive” across the GCC in the run-up to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

She is also hopefully that “if and when” the causeway linking Bahrain to Qatar is completed, it will open up the market while further unifying the GCC.

Nadia adds that Neptune is trusted and well known in the market for offering the best quality and service in all its projects regardless of the size of the job.

Neptune Technical and Trading was established in 1986, with the metal fabrication division launched in 2003. Its main office is in Sitra, while its fabrication facility is in East Riffa.

Neptune is a small- to medium-size company with around 50 employees.

Neptune Technical and Trading will be exhibiting at Stand 1C51 at gulfBID.