Yamama Factories for Red Bricks and Clay Products, which has been witnessing steady business over the past few years, has seen a further improvement in its performance this year, according to Mohammed Shoeib, marketing manager.

The Riyadh-based manufacturer made a good start to the year having expanded the export arena for its new roofing tiles. These tiles have recently been launched on markets in Qatar, Dubai and Oman.

Over the past year, the company has been targeting not only the neighbouring Gulf countries as markets for its high quality products, but also the wider Arab region as part of its expansion drive.

Shoeib says the company's roofing tiles are on par with comparable European ones with regards to their quality as they are produced using state-of-the-art machinery and know-how from Germany.

A leader in its field, the company currently manufactures roofing tiles of different types such as French (Marsielli), Roman (Portuguese) and Ridge tiles. The tiles are available in a variety of colours in addition to the natural red colour.

Roofing tiles are among the latest products produced by the firm which specialises in red clay bricks used for walls, partitions, ceilings, elevations, pavements and open areas. The range includes load-bearing, hollow, facing, paving and bricks with insulation.

The company, which began production in 1979, claims to have been the first manufacturer in its field to be set up in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia and the second throughout the Kingdom.

The facilities available at Yamama Factories make it one of the leading companies in the brick industry.

The firm says it can manufacture products to any required specifications. Its products are manufactured in accordance with Saudi as well as international standards such as German, British, American and others, it adds.

"Our products have met the satisfaction of customers in Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf countries because of the great attention given to ensure their high quality. In addition, they meet customers' requirements in terms of quantities, sizes and shapes," says Shoeib.

The company has a production capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day, offering more than 100 different types of bricks and tiles.

Yamama Factories has supplied red bricks to many major projects such as the Imam Mohammed ibn Saud University, a Ministry of Interior housing project, real estate projects, Al Nasser Housing compounds in Riyadh, among others.

Highlighting the advantages of its clay bricks, a spokesman for the company says: "A study conducted by the research institute of King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals, has shown that red bricks offer good thermal insulation and hence reduce power consumption. Being produced using natural materials, they offer a safe environment. In addition, their properties do not change with time.

"Red clay bricks also have a high compressive strength - up to 200 kg/sq m - while being light in weight."

The various products manufactured at Yamama Factories include:

YN-200 range used for partitioning and load-bearing walls. This group comprises more than 15 types of bricks, including those with insulation as well as facing bricks which are available in different colours and designs;

HY 300 hordi bricks are used for ceilings where they help reduce slab weight and enhance insulation. This category includes more than 10 types in various shapes and sizes;

YM 400 hollow bricks used in partitioning walls. More than 15 types are available some of which contain polystyrene insulation;

YN-100 products which are used for load-bearing walls, facades and fire places (refractory bricks). They are offered in more than 20 varieties in a range of colours and designs;

YFB products are designed for paving sidewalks, open areas and fire places. They have a high compressive strength which reaches up to 800 kg/sq cm. Two main sizes are available; "U" channel for beams; and Ornament bricks for facades and decoration.