First-class classified building contractor, Haif Trading and Contracting Company, is planning to expand its operations in what is currently a difficult market, according to general manager Abdulla Al Shamsan.

"We have completed phase 1 of the Hilton complex in Jeddah and are currently working on phase 2 (all suites towers) and will then start phase 3 which will be the luxurious furnished apartments," says Al Shamsan.

The 15-storey Jeddah Hilton occupies a 70,000 sq m site at the intersection of Hiraa Road and the Corniche Road. It is one of the largest hotels in Saudi Arabia with more than 420 luxurious rooms and suites.

Haif has also completed a number of other prestigious projects including the Hilton in Madinah, a number of contracts for the Ministry of Defence and housing and warehouse projects for ABV-Rock Group.

In addition, the company has built palaces, luxury villas and embassy and residence buildings in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh.

Established more than 25 years ago in Riyadh, Haif employs a total of 3,000 staff and, apart from contracting, is able to provide landscaping and interior services.

Haif is restructuring to deliver a number of additional contracting services to the market. According to Al Shamsan, the company will operate six divisions - general contracting, electro-mechanical services, roads, power transmission and distribution, water and sewerage and water desalination.

"We are looking for partners in areas such as high-voltage transmission and transmission lines," he says. "We have excellent connections with the utility companies and we welcome the specific expertise that an international partner can bring."

"We are also involved with trading and other investments," says Al Shamsan.

Haif also has a division trading in hotel and hospital supplies.

"We are particularly interested in health investments with a partner," he continues. "We are considering investing in hospitals in the kingdom but would like an active participation from an international partner."

Fuel service locations with workshop and cleaning facilities are also part of the company's portfolio.

The company has its own readymix concrete plants in Jeddah and Khamis Mushayit, which are ISO9001 certified.

Haif says its Jeddah plant is one of the latest and largest in the kingdom, consisting of two central mixers, each with the capacity of 130 cu m/hour. These are supported by 38 Mercedes mobile mixers, with a capacity of between 7-12 cu m and seven pumps 32-42 m long.

The plant has eight cement tanks with a total capacity of 1,600 tonnes, a water chiller of 100 tonnes as well as integrated laboratory to carry out testing on concrete and its constituents.

Its other facility in Khamis Mushayit also has two concrete plants with a total capacity of 190 cu m/hour. These are supported by 30 trucks of different capacities, four pumps and six cement tanks of 80 tonnes capacity.

Haif is also setting up an industrial services department dealing with environmental issues such as air pollution.

As the company expands its work in the kingdom, it has also opened a regional department in Makkah and Asir regions.

It says its qualified and experienced staff is backed by the latest machines and equipment valued at more than SR110 million (nearly $30 million).