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The Emirates Towers ... used 250,000 litres of Sigma paint.
Sigma will be helping trade visitors brush up their knowledge and skills in paint application techniques at SaudiBuild 2001.
The paints manufacturer will be focusing on its top-of-the-line decorative paints and upgraded paint-specifying software, as well as demonstrating the right applications techniques for its products.
Sigma Paints Saudi Arabia is a joint venture between four Saudi businessmen and SigmaKalon, which is part of the TotalFinaElf Group.
Established in 1981, Sigma Saudi Arabia has its head office and two production facilities in Dammam, including its own research and development facilities, manned by a staff of 280.
Sigma Paints develops, produces and markets decorative paints, protective coatings and marine paints for the Gulf and Middle East markets. Its current production capacity is 60,000 tonnes per year and the company has branches and offices throughout the region.
"We have exhibited at previous SaudiBuild exhibitions, in 1998,1999 and 2000," says marketing manager Fred Aalbers. "The response at these shows was very encouraging and many business leads were acquired."
He continues: "SaudiBuild is one of the largest and most prestigious exhibitions for building and construction materials in the region. It is also a great opportunity to introduce new products and services to both the professionals and the consumers. Another factor contributing to our continued participation in SaudiBuild is the positive response we have had from our visitors."
At this year's event, Sigma will put the spotlight on:
Sigma will also demonstrate various application techniques for the new products live at its stand, as it did during the previous event.
Sigma's business, according to Aalbers, has grown on average by 5 per cent a year - thanks to the launch of new products and services and an aggressive sales and marketing strategy - despite a tough market. "There are approximately 40 licensed manufacturers and possibly more than 20 unlicensed manufacturers in Saudi Arabia," he says. "This has created intense competition in the market, which has led to a tough price war. This, in turn, has forced some paint manufacturers to compromise the quality of their products in order to compete, which is ultimately not to the benefit of any customer."
"However, our commitment to research, product development, investment in IT and latest technologies will maintain our leadership in our field and ensure that our customers get nothing but the best."
Sigma recently opened its own sales branch in Qatar and has started to set up a new dealer network in Yemen. "Both the operations are already quite successful," says Aalbers. "We are also expanding our export presence beyond traditional markets, to Egypt, Jordan and Iran."
Major projects in Saudi Arabia to which Sigma has supplied its products recently include the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre, valued at SR800,000 ($213,231), the Saudi American Bank (Samba) regional office building, worth SR750,000 and Gasco headquarters worth SR500,000.
Among recent contracts abroad, Sigma won a SR3.6 million deal for the prestigious 120-villa Al-Saraya project in Bahrain. The company also supplied the Emirates Towers in Dubai, UAE, with 250,000 litres of paint.
Sigma will be present at stand 833.
