Finishing materials specialist Saudi Vetonit Company (Saveto) will be putting the spotlight on its latest product at SaudiBuild 2001.

The Riyadh-based firm, which is a leading manufacturer of cement and gypsum-based finishing materials in the Middle East, recently launched a new multi-purpose cement-based mortar called Vetonit Fix on the market.

"The new product has been launched in response to market demand," says product manager Jayan Joseph.

Elaborating on the product, he continues: "Vetonit Fix is a premixed cement-based dry set mortar which has been designed to fix all types of tiles, both indoors and outdoors.

''It is suitable for fixing ceramic wall and floor tiles, Riyadh stone, terrazzo tiles and swimming pool wall and floor tiles.

"It can be used on concrete, lightweight brick, block and plasterboard, as well as on surfaces plastered with water-resistant plasters such as Vetonit Render or Vetonit Base (WR) on damp concrete interiors. The joints should be grouted with Vetonit Grout.

"Vetonit Fix offers improved workability and anti-sag properties and its 'open time' is almost double compared to competing brands in its category. It conforms to ANSI A 118.1."

Vetonit Fix is available in white or grey colour and comes packed in 20-kg bags as standard.

Saveto is a licensed manufacturer of the well-known Vetonit range of building finishing materials and has been in the business for over 20 years. Its products are manufactured at a state-of-the-art factory in Riyadh under technical co-operation with the Sweden-headquartered Optiroc Group, which is part of the Scancem Group in Europe.

Within the Kingdom, Vetonit materials have been used on several top projects such as the Holiday Inn hotel at Hofuf, the Hilton hotel at Jeddah, and the Al Farsi Center at Jeddah.

During the last few years, Saveto has witnessed a growth rate of 20 per cent a year.

"Saudi Arabia is the main market for Saveto and our market share has been growing at a steady pace," says Joseph.

"And besides our domestic operations, Saveto has established a wide distribution network encompassing most countries in the Middle East."

Saveto recently opened a branch office in Tabuk in Saudi Arabia's northern region, as part of a drive to expand its business and improve services to its customers.

The company has also formed a new field service team, which will offer clients "an improved standard of service", according to Joseph.

Saveto's range of plasters, cement-based texture coatings, flooring compounds, adhesives and grouts will all be on show at stand 941 at the exhibition.