A new range of roller blinds has been launched on the market by Saudi Metal Ceilings Manufacturing Company's (SMC) Interior Finishing Products Division.

"The introduction of this comprehensive range emphasises the growing trend towards roller blind systems applications rather than the traditional Venetian or vertical blinds," explains Mike Kildani, vice president of SMC, which is headquartered in Jeddah.

He continues: "SMC always tries to offer its customers the most up-to-date systems in a comprehensive and competitive manner. Although roller blinds are not new to SMC's product range, this new range sets new standards in roller blinds.

"The product range comprises 12 systems that can serve virtually any application. Whether the customer's requirement is a standard spring system, an extruded box system with side guides or a 10-m-high custom-made motorised blind, SMC can provide the appropriate solution.

"Furthermore, with an in-house stitching facility, SMC is able to apply any of its wide range of fabrics - woven, prints, sun-screen, black-out, metallised, etc - for the blinds.

"Further to the company's years of experience in interior finishing products, SMC has developed its product in close cooperation with Mottura of Italy, a leader of professional systems for window decorations and Somfy of France, the world's leading manufacturer of motors and controls for shutters, blinds and awnings.

"The overall mix of system, technology, application and design makes SMC's new range not just a window covering solution but much rather an instrumental part of one's environment."

SMC's scope of activities covers the design, manufacture and supply of architectural suspended metal ceiling systems and window treatment coverings, market contract furnishings for the hospitality, residential and health-care industries, along with wall coverings, wall protection systems and expansion joints.

Kildani describes last year as "a very active and successful one for SMC - on the heels of good performances in 2000 and 1999".

The company's participation at SaudiBuild 2001 in Riyadh last September, investment in new machinery as well as the strengthening of its sales network and market presence, have all helped SMC to achieve positive growth yet again during 2001, he says.

SMC's ongoing focus on strengthening its role within the health-care industry has led to the successful completion of more than 20 hospital projects during 2001. These include the Saudi-Gulf Specialized Hospital in Qatif, King Fahd (Ministry of Defence and Aviation) G-200 extension project in Jeddah and Saudi German Hospital Group (SGHG)'s 300-bed hospitals in Riyadh and Abha. Meanwhile, work is ongoing on the SGHG's hospital in Madinah.

With healthcare applications in mind, SMC is set to start expansion work this month of its current 10,000 sq m facility with the construction of an additional production area of 650 sq m solely dedicated to the preparation of FR fabric window curtains and cubicle curtains.

Other prestigious projects in which SMC was involved are Jeddah's girls college, which was supplied with 14,000 sq m of suspended metal ceilings and the children's rehabilitation centre in Hofuf (10,000 sq m of ceiling strips)

With further growth projected for this year, continued investment in new machinery and plans to establish a regional office in Al Khobar by August, SMC remains surefooted on the path of expansion, he adds.