Delmon Readymixed Concrete, one of Bahrain's foremost readymix firms, says it enjoys an excellent reputation in the market built upon quality and friendly but efficient service.

Established as the first readymix operation in Bahrain in 1973, Delmon is part of the Abdulla Ahmed Nass group of companies and has played a major part in the construction of modern Bahrain with over 3.5 million cu m of top-quality concrete produced to date, says sales manager Mike Vine.

The company was also the first readymix concrete producer in the country to operate to ISO 9000 quality standards, he adds.

''It gained accreditation from British Standards Institute (BSI) in early 1997 to BS EN ISO 9002, " says Vine. ''The award of ISO 9000 accreditation confirms the company's commitment to quality and service and demonstrates its ability to supply a consistently high quality product.''

Today, Delmon operates three concrete batching plants with an overall production capacity in excess of 280 cu m of mixed concrete per hour. Two of these plants are situated at the main factory at Salmabad and the third at Hidd. In another first for Bahrain, the introduction of the plant at Hidd allowed a previously remote area to be supplied with concrete from a local plant. All plants are fully computerised.

One of the plants at Salmabad has been set up with the facility to supply aesthetic concretes utilising special cements, aggregates and admixtures. These concretes are produced using a dedicated mixer to the same stringent requirements as all of Delmon's other products. The plant is currently supplying a white concrete containing high-grade marble aggregates.

A fleet of 38 concrete transit mixers and 12 concrete pumps ensure sufficient equipment is available to supply and place concrete on time every time, he points out.

Bahrain's new mega port at Hidd, the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Port and Industrial Area is among the projects Delmon Readymix is currently involved with. The ambitious project, which is due to open by 2004, is being awarded in a number of separate packages. Delmon has recently started supplying readymix to the industrial areas buildings package under a supply contract from Olympic Contracting. Olympic's contract covers a total of six buildings: a business centre, medical centre, main and personnel gatehouses, fire station and drill tower. A second package for the infrastructure of the port and industrial area has been awarded to Abdulla Nass Contracting which Delmon is supplying as well.

Delmon was the main supplier of concrete and concrete products to a number of landmark projects: the Hidd power station, the Marina Mall, Sail Tower, Seef Mall multi-storey car-park and the Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre at the Gulf Hotel, to name a few.

Although a very competitive market, readymix sales have improved during the year and with the government projects planned and the private sector expanding, Vine expects it to improve further in 2002.

Delmon Readymix also offers specialist services to the Bahrain construction industry in the form of concrete pumping and concrete design mixes to suit particular applications. Delmon has been involved in several major marine projects in Bahrain and has designed special concrete mixes incorporating different additives to suit the harsh marine environment.