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Show of strength ... Terrain's early days.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Terrain story. Terrain's origins can be traced back to 1902 with the launch in Manchester of Key Engineering - a pioneer of pitch fibre pipe manufacturing using raw materials imported from Canada and the US.
After several years of research, Key Engineering developed a pitch fibre piping system suitable for below-ground drainage, resulting in the industry's first dry-jointed system - the forerunner of the Terrain piping system which could tolerate ground movement and settlement without fracture.
Key milestones in the company's history were:
Already established in the home market, Key Terrain was awarded the 'Export Year Award' in that year, reflecting the growth and positioning of the company and its products.
The combination of Terrain's name for quality and Geberit's commitment to innovation has brought together the most comprehensive total plumbing and drainage systems.
Terrain in the Gulf
In parallel with its evolvement at home, the company which brought Terrain to the Gulf marks 35 years in business this year.
Bin Moosa & Daly was founded in Abu Dhabi by Michael F Daly in 1967 and is one of the oldest trading companies now operating in the UAE. Its original business was the import and supply of water fittings and building materials, mainly from Britain. Business was booming in Abu Dhabi, especially in the building industry and one of the main imports was pitch fibre pipe in all sizes from Key Terrain.
Michael Daly was granted unlimited credit - consequently, his yard was packed to capacity with product. However in 1969, the Abu Dhabi government was forced to curtail expenditure on account of overspending. As a result, Daly's bank stopped all credit to him and demanded immediate payment of all outstanding debts.
Daly then explored the possibly of selling his product in Oman which was beginning its development drive. Fortunately for Daly, the facilities for importing goods through the Sultanate's port were totally inadequate to meet demands and Oman needed everything that he was able to supply - providing he could transport it there.
Returning to Abu Dhabi, he contacted a transport company which helped him convey by road everything he had and sold it to the construction companies in Oman. The agreement was cash on delivery - thus saving him from bankruptcy with the help of a good transport manager, Hans Lolut and generous Key Terrain representative.
During that same year, funds again became available, business resumed and they were able to resume with Key Terrain importing pitch fibre pipe until the product was fully phased out in 1979 and replaced by plastic pipe.
In 1983, the company took over Plumbing Systems with its entire staff, and moved to its present headquarters, off Al Salaam Street. Also in 1983, a branch office was established in Al Ain City, followed by an office in Dubai City during 1984. A large showroom was opened in August 1990 in Mr Moosa's new building in Dubai.
In 1992, the structure of the company changed from a partnership to a limited liability company (LLC) with M Mukhtar Ali as the third shareholder. Bin Moosa & Daly is well known as a reliable supplier of the best pumps and pipe systems that Europe and Australia have to offer. Its greatest asset and the source of its success are its employees - many of whom are enjoying their second or third decade with the company.
