Sika Gulf, a Swiss-Saudi venture for the manufacture of specialty construction chemicals, this month (January) commemorates five years of successful operation in Bahrain.

The company, which has a state-of-the-art production facility on a 10,000 sq m site in Sitra, has a capacity of 12,000 tonnes per year on one shift. The company now ranks No 3 in the region in its field of expertise, says Middle East general manager George Ghazzawi.

A subsidiary of the Swiss giant Sika, the company was recently visited by the Swiss ambassador to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar Daniel Woker. The Kuwait-based ambassador Ð who was accompanied by Claus Buchi, the Swiss consul in Bahrain Ð was touring Swiss firms active in Bahrain and commended Sika's role in the Gulf.

ÔÔSwiss products enjoy a good reputation worldwide for quality,ÕÕ Woker commented during his visit. ÔÔThe Swiss have a strong economic bond with the region and Sika is among the many Swiss companies that have a firm presence and are successful in the Gulf.ÕÕ

The Sika organisation has almost 100 years of experience worldwide in the manufacture of specialty chemicals for use in the construction industry. Taking customer needs as its starting-point, Sika is constantly seeking out new solutions. Economy, durability and ecological soundness are major criteria, according to Ghazzawi.

ÔÔSika Gulf regards itself as a Ômulti domesticÕ company, which puts the needs of the customer at the heart of its business activities,ÕÕ says Ghazzawi.ÔÔ It manufactures quality products and systems backed by comprehensive service packages, which are carefully tailored to the local market needs.ÕÕ

The Bahrain facility is currently producing to 80 per cent of its capacity and provision has been made for future expansion, when required, he adds.

Sika Gulf's product range includes concrete admixtures such as plasticisers and superplasticisers, integral corrosion protection system, and speciality products and additives, shotcrete/gunite systems, mould release agents, curing compounds and surface retarders, mortar admixtures, cementitious mortars, waterproofing systems, polymer-modified cementitious mortars, protective coatings for concrete and steel, and floor treatment and toppings..ÕÕ

Sika Gulf is responsible for the operational marketing activities in the Gulf with the aim of developing products to suit the market requirements.

Ghazzawi describes the Bahrain business and investment environment as very efficient and friendly and hence the decision was made to set up base in the country. It is located in close proximity to its largest market, Saudi Arabia.

Raw materials such as polymers and resins are imported from Europe while other requisites such as sand and cement are sourced from the GCC countries, he says. The company has comprehensive testing facilities to ensure that the customer gets a quality product. This is ensured right from the treatment of water to delivery of products. The company stores samples of each consignment sent to customers in a bid to offer technical back-up in case they are needed in the future.

Besides the reputation that Swiss technology enjoys, Sika Gulf is backed by its parent company's global experience which extends to 60 countries worldwide, product diversity and research and development facilities, all of which give the firm a competitive edge in the market, according to Ghazzawi.

ÔÔOur biggest asset is our staff,ÕÕ he points out.

Ghazzawi emphasises the need for increased emphasis on operation and maintenance (O&M). Now with the construction boom behind us, it may not be economically viable to demolish structures that are barely 10 years old, he says.

He calls for setting up a specialist Gulfwide organisation to focus on the O&M sector.

ÔWe cannot just build and forget. We should know to diagnose the cause of deterioration and protect our structures against atmospheric and chemical attack,ÕÕ he says. ÔÔWe have an obligation towards our customers and our aim is to offer quality products and good service to them Ð not just look at being profitable.ÕÕ