Alaa Industrial Equipment Factory (AFI) of Saudi Arabia says its growing presence in the Middle East is testimony to its perseverance and commitment to a holistic approach towards industrial equipment supplies.

The Dammam-based company is a leader in industrial equipment supplies in the GCC.

"We not only stock quality products from reputed brands world wide but also provide an excellent service level beyond our customer expectation," says a company spokesman. "The combination of an excellent product range and customer-centred approach has given AFI a formidable reputation in the industry, especially in the oil and gas sector. This in effect, encourages our customers to take their business relationship to a higher level of partnering, where trust, commitment and interdependence become the bonding elements."

He continues: "AFI's quest for delivering world-class quality products to the marketplace has resulted in building a collaborative, partnering relationship with Asco/ Joucomatic, the world leader in fluid control and fluid power.

"Being the sole distributor for Asco/Joucomatic products, AFI has further widened its ability to serve its customers with a wide variety of solenoid valves and pneumatic components to meet the specific requirement of our customers."

In 1910, the Automatic Switch Company (Asco) invented and marketed the first solenoid valve and on-going development resulted in many new applications and more durable, reliable, compact and efficient products. In 1988, Joucomatic joined Asco under the Emersion Electric Company banner to from a worldwide supplier to combined served markets.

Asco/Joucomatic offers a wide variety of 2/2, 3/2,4/2 and 5/2 solenoid valves suitable for the most demanding applications. Valves include standard three-way and four-way constructions, engineering contractor valves, tamper-proof valves, manual-reset non-voltage release valves and pad-mounted pilot valves for use in NAMUR interfaces, as well as those from other major manufacturers. Valves are available in brass, stainless steel and engineered thermoplastic.

"Asco/Joucomatic, in partnership with AFI, offers products with worldwide approvals for use in hazardous locations. Valves are available with wide variety of flameproof and explosion-proof solenoid enclosures," the spokesman says. "Intrinsically safe valves can also be provided."

"Low power valves, which require a mere 1.4 watts to control air at 10 bar are also available. This construction allows significant reduction in operating power and saves on wiring installing cost."

AFI has its head office in Dammam and international branches in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the US.

In Saudi Arabia, AFI has branches in Jeddah, Riyadh, Jubail, Hofuf and Yanbu to provide technical assistance, sales and service at a customer's doorstep with a well-stocked inventory to make products available when and where needed.

Asco/Joucomatic manufactures and markets a complete range of standard and special pneumatic components.

"This equipment is continuously updated to meet new market requirement such as the need for precise automated control of air and fluid flow via an electronic control signal," the spokesman says.

"The company has associated pneumatic and electronic technology to create a wide range of proportional control products providing adjustment of pressure, flow, force, speed and positions. Whether users need a simple pneumatic cylinder, a sophisticated proportional valve or actuator or a fieldbus system Asco/Joucomatic has the right concept, product and service for their automation needs."

"AFI provides the full line of Asco/Joucomatic products for all processes under the toughest conditions that are reliable, safe, energy-efficient and meet specific requirements," he says. "And this is all backed up by a well-trained and qualified support team to assist clients locally, anywhere, anytime."