UNITED Steel Trading and Marketing is enjoying major business growth following the addition of world-class pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs) as well as standing seam roof systems to its portfolio.

“The addition of Butler Steel Building in 2011 has increased our business line-up,” says general manager K K Mathur. “Apart from this, expanding our services and our three retail outlets in 2012 and this year, has also contributed to business growth.”

The Bahrain-based company offers design, fabrication and installation of structural steel works; supply and erection of Butler PEBs in Bahrain; supply and erection of seam roof; aluminium and steel profiles, panels and accessories; stainless steel and glass interior works and handrails and supply and installation of cold room panels.

In addition, it is a stockist and wholesaler of structural steel and stainless steel materials.

United Steel recently introduced the Interfalz roof systems, a non-combustible standing seam system, to the kingdom. “We represent in Bahrain the Interfalz seam roof system, a German product that is executed in the Middle East through Arabian Profile Company, Sharjah, UAE,” says Mathur.

Explaining the advantages of this product, he says: “The standard fasten-down roofs, which are the most common in the market, have thousands of screws drilled through the roof to secure it to the structure. This makes the roof vulnerable to leakage and corrosion when building expansion and contraction takes place due to variations in temperature. Most importantly, there is a limited availability of qualified erectors for fixing these roofs.”

“The standing seam roof system is fixed with clips and without any fasteners and joints in the roof, avoiding any punctures. This eliminates all possibilities of leakages and corrosion of the roof, making the investment safe and secure for a long period. Also, it requires less or virtually no maintenance.”

United Steel is currently involved in the design, supply and erection of a Butler PEB for the Kia Motors showroom for AA Bin Hindi. The company had earlier provided a Butler PEB for the RMA Pipeline Equipment factory project in Hidd. Its scope of work on the project included design, supply and erection of the PEB as well as supply and installation of two 32-tonne and two 10-tonne cranes. Work on the $2.2-million project started in November 2011 and was completed in July last year.

RMA Pipeline Equipment plant ... supply and erection of Butler PEB building.

Some of the ongoing projects of the company include extension of the first floor and roof structure at King Fahad Causeway for Dynamic Construction; and the link bridge at ABG Tower at Bahrain Bay for Arabtec, involving fabrication and erection of 160 tonnes of steel works with decking and intumescent fire-proof coating, says Mathur.

The company has recently completed the supply and installation of lift separator beams and substation trench covers at the ABG Tower.

One of the most challenging projects undertaken using the seam roof system was the re-roofing for National Stadium in Bahrain. “This was one of the most outstanding projects we have undertaken in terms of speed of execution. We provided 14,000 sq m of Aluform standing seam roof system on the roof – under a $2 million subcontract from Cebarco – in record time, prior to the Gulf Cup in January 2013,” Mathur comments.

The project for Bahrain’s Ministry of Works started in June 2012, and works were completed on December 15 of the same year. The project also included design, fabrication and installation of the bullnose, aluminium composite panels (ACPs) and an endcap structure.

Some of its recently completed projects include structural steel works for the ballroom, banquet hall, canopies and operable partitions, involving approximately 400 tonnes of steel, for the Four Seasons hotel at Bahrain Bay; steel and roofing works for Yum Yum Tree at Muharraq for Bukhowa Investment Holding; structural steel and cladding works for the Moda Mall renovation work in Manama; and secondary steel works at the National Theatre of Bahrain.

The company is aiming for further growth and development and with prospects for 2013 being bright, Mathur is optimistic about achieving its sales targets for this year. “We’re looking forward to achieving our targets and goals this year on the back of a strong 2012 that saw business grow manifold over previous years.”

He attributes the company success to its focus on providing “quality products and services rather than volume of business, thus retaining most of our existing customers and adding new ones year on year”.

Future plans include further expansion that aims to offer customers a complete and comprehensive package, he concludes.