Shanfari Aluminium Company, one of the leading fabricators of architectural aluminium products in Oman, aims to penetrate the GCC market more aggressively during 2001.

The firm produces high-quality doors, windows, partitions, skylights, grilles (safety and decorative), curtain-walls, hand rails, roller shutters, louvers and kitchen cabinets which are standard or custom-manufactured in anodised and powder-coated finishes.

The company, which exports to a number of GCC countries, is currently exploring the Qatar market, which, it believes, offers great potential for its line of business.

It has also achieved success further a field. ''Last year, we executed a villas complex in Zanzibar and another project in Das-es-Salaam, Tanzania,'' says manager TV Haridas.

With a capacity to fabricate more than 250 tonnes of aluminium per year, its well-equipped manufacturing facility can handle projects of any size, claims Haridas. Shanfari Aluminium has a workshop area of 750 sq m and specialised machinery including power presses, cutting, bending, grinding and radial drilling machines.

Maintaining high industry standards, Shanfari Aluminium's workforce of 80 skilled technicians is backed by a team of engineers, administration and sales staff.

Set up in 1977, the company claims to be the largest in terms of turnover in the Sultanate, enjoying a turnover of RO1 million ($2.6 million) per year.

The company boosted its product line two years ago, diversifying into cast aluminium decorative gates, staircase railings, wall fencing, window safety grilles, balusters and garden furniture. This sphere of business is now picking up, Haridas says.

Highlighting the features of its latest line, he says: ''These products are artistically designed, do not rust, are durable and lighter than steel, and offered in attractive colours at a competitive price. All joints are welded using argon gas while the hinges of the gates feature bearings/bushes.''

Shanfari Aluminium's most recent projects include the production facility for National Pharmaceuticals, where it was subcontracted to undertake the aluminium works and the Volkswagen showroom in Muscat where it was responsible for the aluminium glazing works.

Some of its other earlier projects in the home market include Haffa House, Hotel Radisson SAS, Salalah Hilton, Sur Hospital and Nizwa Hospital, where it supplied windows, doors and some other architectural elements.

Its plans for 2001 include boosting production capacity to meet increased demand, according to Haridas.