Al Ghanim Specialities Company was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that no water will penetrate the basements at the Arraya Centre a task it has completed successfully, says Atef Nageeb, manager of the contracting department.

The Kuwait-based company also carried out waterproofing and insulation of the roof of the complex.

For this project, Al Ghanim utilised 15,000 sq m of double-layer Paralon APP membrane from Imper Italia, based on its proven success in projects throughout Kuwait over the past 30 years, says Nageeb.

"Among the challenges of installing the waterproofing membranes at such a depth was that steep slope which the labourers had to negotiate during the installation of waterproofing. Our workers used safety harnesses when carrying out the project," says Nageeb.

Al Ghanim Specialities was established in 1959 to offer specialised contracting and operation and maintenance services. Initially the company was involved in the sales of chemical admixtures and heat insulating roof screeds. It expanded its trading and added new lines to cover a complete range of products and materials, related to the sealing of movement joints in hydraulic concrete structures at airfields and in civil engineering structures. By 1964, a range of roof waterproofing products and materials were added.

The subcontracting division was strengthened to include supply and installation of roof waterproofing systems, covered by five and 10 years quality and performance warranties.

The company today enfolds four divisions: industrial, commercial, contracting and fire-fighting. It markets a vast range of products including heat insulation, above and below-ground waterproofing, roof protection and products designed to solve specific structural problems.

Al Ghanim Specialities is a leader in the installation of epoxy flooring for car-parks and industrial areas and concrete repair and marine works.

In 1996, the company set up its own factory to manufactures products that relate to its areas of specialisation, such as epoxies, sealants, polyurethane additives for concrete and other construction materials. This move has paid good dividends and Al Ghanim is steadily moving towards being self-sufficient in materials it deals with while also meeting the requirements of contractors.

"We are increasingly using on our own products so that we don't have to import," says Ali Othman, manager of the building materials division.

This also ensures that the company has ready stocks available. "If we have to import, we need a lead time of two to three weeks, whereas we can supply from our facilities in a matter of two to three days," he adds.

The company has recently launched the production of metal lathes which are traded under the brand name Kumex.

Commenting on business levels, he says "Business has been better this year than last and there have been a number of new large projects released. In addition, we have seen an increase in sales of our manufactured products which are competing well in the market with imported ones."