Unicoil, a pioneer Saudi manufacturer of high-quality pre-painted steel and aluminium coils, has launched a new slitting and cut-to-length line at its Jubail plant.

Unicoil president Fahad Al Thukair says the major focus of the new line is to support the company's end-user customers such as the manufacturers of air-conditioners, coolers, cold storages and water heaters. He expects the new facility to help Unicoil's customers to reduce costs by cutting production line processing time.

The company has also achieved another milestone, having clinched large orders for its prepainted coils from China. Shipments are due in October and November.

"Unicoil, the first Saudi company to manufacture pre-painted steel and aluminium coils, brings together a unique partnership of skills and experience, Al Thukair says. ''Unicoil is dedicated to the manufacture of high quality pre-painted products in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.''

The plant, located in Jubail, has an installed capacity of 120,000 tonnes per year with the capability to pre-paint the full range of coil strip products including cold rolled steel, galvanised steel, zinc aluminium-coated steel and aluminium.

Unicoil's pre-painted coils cater to local industries including manufacturers of pre-engineered buildings, sandwich panels and cold stores, refrigeration and ai- conditioning units and lighting and roller doors plants.

Unicoil products are supplied to the GCC states and other Middle East countries, other Asian and African countries and Europe.

The company sees "unlimited potential" for future growth both within the Kingdom and the wider Middle East region. Pursuing a "think globally and operate locally" strategy, it has been developing new domestic and international markets. It participated in the Iran international trade fair Iran ConMin in Tehran last month (June10-14) and will be taking part in the Big 5 show in Dubai and SaudiBuild in Riyadh, both being held during October.

Unicoil has also announced plans to increase production this year to 85 per cent of the factory's overall rated capacity.

Al Thukair says the increase in capacity utilisation is "to fulfil market demand for Unicoil products and in anticipation of future business growth."

"Unicoil's vision is to be the market leader in the supply of coated coil products and our mission is to achieve excellence in quality and service to our customers," he adds.

As part of this mission, it expects to achieve the ISO 9002 accreditation in the near future.

Unicoil, a joint venture between Al Zamil Group of Companies and Al Rashed Industrial Group, commenced production in December 1997.