Universal Metal Coating Company (Unicoil), the Saudi manufacturer of pre-painted steel and aluminium coils, aims to increase its exposure in the Gulf region with its maiden presence at the Big 5 show.

The Jubail-based company specialises in the manufacture of high-quality pre-painted coil strip products including hot-dip glavanised steel, zinc-aluminium steel, cold-rolled steel and aluminium.

The company is targeting newer markets including countries in central Asia and north Africa even as it moves to increase capacity utilisation this year.

"Business prospects remain good in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries," says its sales and marketing manager Mohibulla Mohammed.

He says business levels this year for the company - which already has a strong presence in the Saudi market, is encouraging. It has opened new markets and is now supplying pre-painted steel and aluminium to users in other GCC countries.

It aims to increase sales in the neighbouring countries as it pursues what it calls "unlimited potential" for growth.

Unicoil has recently launched a slitting and cut-to-length line at its Jubail plant and plans to increase production to 85 per cent of the factory's overall capacity of 12,000 tonnes.

At the Big 5, Mohammed said Unicoil will be promoting its various product lines including Molawan quality pre-painted steel, Colorite premium-coated metal and Colorite fluorocarbon extra premium coated metal.

Unicoil is the first Saudi company to manufacture pre-painted steel and aluminium coils, and brings together a unique partnership of skills and experience. Its other product range includes the Colorbond XMA pre-painted zinalume/galvanised steel coils, Colorbond XRW pre-painted zinalume steel coils and Colorbond XPD pre-painted zinalume steel coils.

The company is a major supplier to makers of pre-engineered buildings, sandwich panels, doors, coolers/air conditioners, refrigeration/cold stores and lighting fixtures in the Middle East.

Unicoil is a joint venture between Al Zamil Group of Companies and Al Rashed Industrial Group. It began production in December 1997. Its products will be on show at stand number 6G313.